Nothing has just presented the Nothing Headphone (a), These could be called the "little brothers" of the Nothing Headphones (1) in their headband line. Priced at 159 € (half that of the model) Headphone (1) (and €50 above the CMF option), the brand seeks a complicated balance: offering quality materials and advanced software features without the price skyrocketing.
It's not a product that seeks to break with the opaque aesthetic we already saw in its higher-end models, but it does give it a bolder touch with new colors like pink and yellow.
Design and durability: it's not all about transparency
Unlike the Ear, we don't see the device's internal components here, but that doesn't detract from the fact that the design is a statement of intent. The Headphone(a) weigh 310 grams and they focus on ergonomics with a liquid silicone headband and memory foam ear cushions.
What I find most remarkable is that they haven't skimped on the internal structure: they use flexible steel arms and hinges made of Metal Injection Molding Reinforced with fiberglass and nylon. They are also certified. IP52, This gives them a dust and water resistance that we don't always see in headphones of this type.
Battery: 5 days of use with some variations
The headline about "5 days without sleep" is undoubtedly their biggest advertising claim. It's true that their battery of 1060 mAh allows up to 135 hours of playback, But the data needs to be qualified:
- With ANC disabledYou achieve those 135 hours in AAC, but if you use LDAC it drops to 90 hours.
- With ANC enabledThe figure falls to 75 hours (or 62 hours with LDAC). It's still incredible battery life, double that of much of its competition, but it's important to keep these scenarios in mind. On the other hand, fast charging is a real relief: with just 5 minutes of charging gives you 8 hours of use.
Even with these clarifications, the battery life is really good and above average compared to other brands. You can go days without worrying about plugging them in.
Physical control and intelligent functions
Personally, I appreciate that Nothing has retained mechanical controls; it's one of the best things they've done with headphones (1). The Roller for volume and playback, along with Paddle To navigate between tracks, they offer a tactile response that capacitive panels can never accurately replicate. Furthermore, they've added software features that attempt to provide extra value:
- Camera ShutterYou can use the earphone button as a shutter release for your mobile phone's camera.
- Essential Space: an AI-powered center for recording and transcribing thoughts on the go.
- ChatGPT: direct integration to use the voice assistant if you have a Nothing phone, that's for sure.
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Sound and noise cancellation
In terms of technical specifications, they use transducers of 40mm lens with titanium diaphragm, aiming for crisp highs and powerful bass (up to 110 dB). They support codecs LDAC, AAC and SBC, and are certified Hi-Res Audio Both wireless and wired. The noise cancellation is adaptive and reaches up to 40 dB, supported by a 3-microphone algorithm to ensure clear calls even in windy environments.
A logical choice in the mid-range
The Nothing Headphones (a) are presented as a a solid tool for everyday use. They're not trying to be a transparent luxury item, but rather durable headphones with enough battery life to go a week without needing a charger and a very intuitive physical control system. At €159, they're a very sensible option for those who value energy independence and robust construction without having to go for the top-of-the-line model.
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