Headphone 1

"Out of the box, they sounded horrible — dull, muddy, with a soundstage so tight it felt like a $10 Koss Porta Pro knockoff bought from a shady Kyiv metro vendor."

The stock sound quality is widely panned as dull, muddy, and lifeless, though many users find it significantly improved with extensive EQ adjustments, suggesting a flawed initial tuning.

"One of the comfiest pairs I’ve ever worn. Fully covers my ears, stays secure, clamp force is *just right* for hours of use."

Users generally find the headphones very comfortable for long listening sessions, with plush earcups and appropriate clamping force, though some minor fit issues are noted.

"Absolutely stellar. I hit almost 50 hours on the first full charge — and that’s with LDAC enabled and occasional ANC use."

The battery life is consistently praised as exceptional, with users reporting very long playback times on a single charge, even with features like LDAC and ANC enabled.

"Screams premium. Tight where it should be, smooth where it should move. No rattles, squeaks, or cheap-feeling parts."

The build quality is frequently described as premium, with users noting a solid construction and high-quality materials, though minor cosmetic inconsistencies like mismatched cables are mentioned.

"The microphone is very quiet and often unusable for phone calls."

The microphone quality is frequently cited as a significant weakness, with users reporting it to be very quiet and often unusable for phone calls.

"If you open the case and take both earbuds out quickly one after another, often only one will connect—this happens about 50% of the time."

Connectivity is generally reported as good, but users experience recurring issues with touch controls becoming unresponsive, earbuds failing to connect consistently, and an awkward case design.

"Stock sound first impressions… I remember when I first listened to the Nothing Headphone 1. I noted that the vocals were a little boxy, and the soundstage was on the smaller side."

Stock sound is often described as dark, thin, or lacking bass, but the highly customizable EQ in the app allows for significant improvement, making it fun and bass-heavy for many users.

"The biggest downside of the Headphone 1 design is the size. These cans weigh 329 grams, 75 grams heavier than the Sony XM6 (254 grams) and 77 grams heavier than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (252 grams)."

While some find them comfortable for shorter periods, many reviewers note they are heavy, can cause pressure or warmth during long sessions, and may not fit larger ears well.

"If you need your next pair of headphones to last a long time on a charge, it’s hard to recommend anything but the Nothing Headphone 1."

Battery life is consistently praised as exceptional, with users reporting extremely long playback times both with and without ANC, far exceeding most competitors.

"Build quality is where the Nothing Headphone 1 reflects its price, and although it looks very cool, the entire headband and hinges feel of plastic."

The design is unique and visually appealing, but the build quality is often described as average or feeling cheap due to the use of plastic in the headband and hinges.

"I made a few phone calls while wearing the Headphone 1, and folks on the other end admitted that my voice sounded quite muffled."

Microphones are generally considered decent in quiet conditions, but can sound muffled or struggle with background noise, with some users noting aggressive noise gating.

"The Nothing X companion app unlocks the headphones’ full potential with comprehensive customization options."

The headphones offer a good range of features including LDAC, multipoint pairing, a capable EQ, and physical controls, though some minor features like auto-pause are missing.

"I only choose it because I had to do a lot to fix the sound to something that was even acceptable. The advanced EQ saved this products butt."

The default sound quality is frequently described as muffled, bland, or needing significant EQ adjustment, though the app's advanced parametric EQ is praised for its ability to salvage the audio experience.

"I find them a bit more comfortable than my old bose"

Comfort is generally seen as adequate, with some users finding them more comfortable than other brands, though the design's aesthetic when worn is a point of contention for some.

"I use them daily sometimes up to 8-10 hours and ive only had to charge them up 3 times in a month lol"

Battery life is generally well-received, with users reporting long usage times and infrequent charging needs, even with daily use.

"the launch live stream hasn't even ended and my boi Dave already dropped."

Build quality receives mixed reviews, with praise for the unique design and metal hinges, but significant criticism directed at the zipper, case, and overall perceived durability for the price.

"Sadly the biggest issue I have with either is Microphone quality. Your microphone tests on SG website def seems to be the best. Most of the time people state on calls I sound muffled."

Microphone quality is a consistent weak point, with users frequently reporting that their voice sounds muffled during calls, leading some to seek alternative headphones.

"The app features and physical controls"

The app's parametric EQ and physical buttons are highly praised features, though connectivity is generally not a standout point and some users experienced issues with case pairing.