NOTHING AND KEF LAUNCH HEADPHONE (1): A NEW OVER-EAR HEADPHONE CO-DEVELOPED UNDER ‘SOUND BY KEF’ INITIATIVE

British tech and mobile phone company Nothing has unveiled Headphone (1), its first over-ear headphone and the debut product born from its collaboration with British loudspeaker manufacturer KEF.

This marks the start of a long-term partnership between the two companies under the ‘Sound by KEF’ initiative.

SOUND BY KEF BRINGS PRECISION TUNING TO NOTHING HEADPHONE (1)

Acoustically engineered in collaboration with KEF, Headphone (1) features a custom 40mm dynamic driver, delivering detailed, balanced audio. KEF’s signature sound tuning is present here, with the aim of recreating music true to the artist’s intent. The headphones support Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless playback, and a 3.5mm wired connection, ensuring flexibility for both audiophiles and everyday listeners.

Nothing Headphone (1) includes on-device spatial audio processing and real-time head tracking, transforming traditional stereo content into an immersive 360-degree soundstage. These features aim to offer an enveloping listening experience whether users are streaming music, watching films, or gaming.

NOTHING HEADPHONE (1) DESIGNED FOR COMFORT AND DURABILITY

The physical design stays true to Nothing’s distinctive aesthetic, combining transparent elements with premium materials such as formed aluminium and oil-resistant PU memory foam. The ear cups are shaped for all-day comfort, while telescopic arms allow easy adjustment across a variety of head sizes. Attention to tactile usability is also notable, with physical controls replacing touch gestures.

Abandoning touch-sensitive surfaces, Headphone (1) uses a trio of physical controls — the Roller, Paddle, and Button — built directly into the headphone structure. These provide reliable access to volume, track navigation, and ANC settings, focusing on a more tactile and responsive user interface.

ADVANCED ANC AND AI-POWERED CALL PERFORMANCE

Nothing Headphone (1) incorporates dual feedforward and feedback microphones for adaptive active noise cancellation. A Transparency Mode allows users to remain aware of their surroundings. Voice call clarity is handled by a four-microphone environmental noise cancellation system, powered by AI trained on over 28 million noise scenarios.

35 HOURS BATTERY LIFE WITH FAST CHARGING

Battery life stands at up to 35 hours with ANC activated. A fast 5-minute top-up delivers 2.4 hours of playtime. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures low-latency performance, and the headphones support dual device connectivity for easy switching between sources. Fast Pair is also included for quick setup.

SMART FEATURES AND PERSONALISED SOUND

Nothing Headphone (1) includes ChatGPT integration for voice-activated assistance, accessible via customisable button functions through the Nothing X app. Other smart features include Channel Hop for quick app switching, and a second memory feature dubbed “Essential Space” for saving voice notes or reminders. An 8-band Advanced EQ allows fine-grained tuning of the sound signature.

NOTHING HEADPHONE (1) PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Headphone (1)  is available in black and white finishes, priced at £299 / $299 / €299 with full sales starting from 15 July 2025.

HiFi PiG Says: With a different look, the Nothing Headphone (1) really stands out.