Nothing has officially launched their first over-ear headphones with the debut of Headphone (1), marking the company’s entry into the premium audio market. Developed in collaboration with legendary audio innovator KEF, these headphones combine Nothing’s distinctive transparent design language with professional-grade acoustic engineering.
The London-based company has built their reputation on products that challenge conventional design thinking, and Headphone (1) continues this approach by prioritising both visual impact and audio performance. Rather than simply adding another pair of headphones to the market, Nothing has focused on creating an experience that feels fundamentally different.
The Headphone (1) showcases Nothing’s commitment to transparency through iconic clear elements combined with premium materials including formed aluminium, precision CNC components, and PU memory foam. The lightweight construction balances durability with comfort during extended use, while oil-resistant ear cushions naturally mould to different head shapes.
Nothing has made a deliberate decision to move away from touch controls, instead integrating tactile controls directly into the physical design. The Roller, Paddle, and Button system provides precise control for volume adjustment, media navigation, and ANC mode switching without the guesswork often associated with touch interfaces. I personally love tactile controls like a volume knob on my gaming keyboard so we’ll find out in the review if this is a good experience for the wearer.
The collaboration with KEF represents Nothing’s first major partnership with an established audio specialist. KEF brings over 60 years of expertise in high-fidelity sound reproduction, resulting in custom-built 40mm dynamic drivers that deliver rich, natural audio with deep bass, detailed mids, and crisp treble.
The Headphone (1) features on-device spatialisation with built-in head tracking, transforming stereo sources into a 360-degree soundstage that adapts to listener movement. Support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless playback, and traditional 3.5mm connectivity ensures compatibility with various audio sources.
The headphones feature dual microphones that enable real-time ANC adaptation to changing environments, while a sophisticated 4-microphone ENC system powered by AI ensures clear voice capture. This AI system has been trained on more than 28 million noise scenarios for effective communication in challenging environments.
Battery performance delivers up to 35 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, while quick charging provides 2.4 hours of playback from just 5 minutes of charging. Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity includes dual device connection capability and Fast Pair support for seamless switching between audio sources.
The Nothing X app introduces Channel Hop functionality, allowing users to quickly cycle between recent audio apps and favourite functions. The customisable Button can trigger voice commands or open Essential Space for capturing voice notes and reminders. An 8-band Advanced EQ allows fine-tuning beyond basic bass and treble adjustments.
Australian Availability and Pricing
The Nothing Headphone (1) launches in Australia at A$549 for both black and white colour options. Australian customers can begin pre-ordering now through Optus and JB Hi-Fi, with general availability starting 15 July 2025.
