I’ll never forget the first time I pressed the transparency button on the side of the Nothing Headphone (a). I swore a real person was breathing into my ear as the distinct transition sound played, peeling back the layer of noise cancellation and revealing everything around me.
It was this moment that made me realize that over-the-ear headphones were back. I no longer had to deal with irritating earbuds sitting in my ear canals for hours on end. Now, I could enjoy fuller audio with even better noise cancellation and transparency modes, all with better battery life and greater long-term comfort. And I could get all this without blowing $600 on a pair of overpriced Apple headphones, too.
Article continues below
Quality for the masses
Nothing Headphone (a) are loud and proud. I don’t just mean the audio volume, which is substantially louder and fuller than any pair of earbuds I’ve ever worn, either. These headphones look as unique as they feel, with trademark Nothing style that’ll turn heads on the subway or in the office.
But this style isn’t just for looks, although it’ll keep you from looking like a tool by wearing a pair of overpriced headphones. These pack in massive audio drivers for rich sound, a huge battery that lasts up to five days, plenty of padding for comfort, and tactile buttons that feel great to press.
Personally, I hate capacitive buttons on things like headphones or earbuds. They’re too easy to accidentally press when you’re just trying to adjust them or wear them, and they’re often clunky and unresponsive when you need them.
Image 1 of 4
Nothing Headphone (a)’s buttons are easy to find, easy to use, and are unmistakably built for a specific function. Click the transparency button to switch between noise-canceling and transparency modes, or flick the volume switch left or right as needed. The on/off switch is great because you know exactly when they’re on, and since these have epic standby time, you can leave them on while walking around, even if you’re not actively listening to anything.
Now, I’m no audiophile, but even I can tell the difference between a good pair of speakers and a bad one. These are the former, and they eclipse the sound quality from any pair of earbuds I’ve ever worn. These are also far more comfortable in the long term than earbuds. I’ve always found buds to wear on long flights, and while headphones do make my head sweat a little, they’re a much better alternative to inner-ear discomfort.
Image 1 of 3
The top headband adjusts by about an inch on each side, accommodating head sizes ranging from adults to children. I think this slide mechanism could be longer, but it fits everyone in my household, so I didn’t have an issue with it. People with larger heads will have issues with fit, though.
The headphones connect via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable, so they work with a wide variety of devices and connection types. These support the best-quality audio codecs, including LDAC, so lossless formats will sound great here.
I can’t get over how much I love Nothing Headphone (a). These are the headphones I was waiting for without even realizing it, and they look good doing it, too. I’m always blown away when I see people walking around with headphones that cost over $500 and simply cannot understand it. Instead of looking like a tool, save $400 and grab a pair of Nothing Headphone (a).
The Nothing app ensures you get the best quality sound, no matter what device you use, and they’re easy to pair with any device that supports your Google account, thanks to Google’s Quick Pair technology. That, plus the combination of week-long battery life and ample padding, means these can be worn for a long time without a problem. Do yourself a favor and grab a pair; you won’t regret it.
Turn heads in all the right ways with Nothing Headphone (a), a new pair of affordable ANC headphones with the trademark style that’ll keep you looking unique, especially with one of the many amazing colorway choices.
By
