Less than ten years ago Carl Pei often One Plusculture from it the “killer” of flagship smartphones, sold to the owner of Vivo and Oppo, then made a new company Nothing.
Headphones Nothing Ear (1) this is the first product of the startup. the main difference should be the transparent design, but the visible exteriors show up more.
The headset costs half as much as top rivals, while has all the features of expensive models: active noise cancellation, moisture protection, wireless charging and rich sound.
How well is it all made and working with the iPhone?
Lots of questions, answers rich.
The sound quality was amazing
As much as I would not like to discuss the appearance, first I want to talk about how it is in headphones.
For the test, we inserted AirPods Pro into the left ear, and set the same volume to the right Nothing Ear (1) and synchronously sound music.
The difference was that Nothing Ear (1) gave more bassvocals and the guitars stood out stronger, clearer. This is because the resulting 100 to 500 Hz Nothing Ear (1) is 5 dB louder than the AirPods Pro.
Otherwise, their sonic curve is similar. Therefore, sometimes during the test I forgot which earpiece was in which earpiece.
Yes, it’s strange, but twice the price of headphones demanded an audition.
Nothing Ear (1) happened again and louder. I measured the sound using the instrument built into the iPhone. Where the Ear (1) already hit the safe 80 dB mark, the AirPods Pro needed a couple more clicks to add.
The microphones are sensitive, they sound a little better than in the Apple headset, although the algorithms for extracting voice from background noise are a little behind.
Transparent, but not quite. Eye-catching
I can’t call myself a fan of technology, in which iron is visible from the inside. Ever since the first transparent tetris (Brick Game consoles) all those wires, boards and batteries don’t look pretty.
If you design a product with this concept at its core, you’re more likely to get something pleasing to the eye.
Nothing Ear (1) has only a transparent stem. It reveals a lot: a chip with transistors, power sensors, microphones and a touch panel. All this looks attractive, in the world you want to constantly install.
Smart design: All ornate iron components face forward, so only the black touch pad will be visible to passers-by while wearing.
Due to the loose connection with the components of transparent plastic, it either scatters high-quality light, or completely exposes the contents. And thanks to this design, all the components of the “stem” are visible, which are connected to a closed high-grade boost plume. Enhances the feeling of density, there is a soaring confluence.
weaving moisture protection according to the IPX4 standard, I understand why the rest of the lid is covered by the white case. The normal amount of shipping adhesive ruined the interior of the battery and drivers. But it’s a sacrifice that’s easy to accept.
If you remove the silicone cap, a silvery metal grille is visible at the speaker output. I’ve never seen this before: even Apple made a black grid. Due to the novelty of the review, it looks unusual and catchy.
By the way, the nozzles themselves are of non-standard shape. They are also oval, like the AirPods Pro. Ordinary ones from any other headphones are not suitable if they are lost while sitting tight. There is little chance that they will fly off on their own.
There is a red dot on the right earcup and a white dot on the left. For them, the corresponding labels are in the charging case. And on its lid, a large notch of its semi-circular shell holds the headphones in place.
Myself small case, but because of the chopped edges it seems not the highest rating. Although in fact it fits easily in a jeans pocket and does not interfere – because in fact the width is on par with the AirPods Pro.
The lid closes and does not open by itself. However, it can be folded down with one hand.
Magnetic mount and charging contacts
On the magnet for the latch engraved with the number of the series
The concepts of transparency leaked here too: transparent, the bottom is also partially. Magnets, voluminous headphones, sparkle with a pyramidal hood.
Case unexpectedly wireless chargingthan cannot be detected in many patterns of this price inflammation. To indicate power, an LED is installed inside it.
Many bold decisions are combined successfully, because they comprehensively affect the appearance without revealing all the details. Tangled wires from board to board are of little interest to anyone, and you will not see them here.
Touch panels even adjust the volume
Rare, but such a nice feature.
Nothing Ear (1) has no buttons and no tactile feedback, the control works only through touch.
The black touch panel on the headphones is responsible for this in the form of two rectangular fields on each side.
Possibilities are possible:
• Two observations pause/play
• Three conservative next song
• Press and hold noise suppression
• Make observations change volume.
manifestations of gestures against the background of inflammation are duplicated, but the function can be reassigned in the ear (1). For example, to call the voice assistant for a triple population or a public dual.
The download link with a QR code is right in the instructions
The application is simple, clear and works without errors.
This layout seems to be the most successful, especially considering the change in density.
The function works, the main thing is to get used to it: to add sound, you need to clearly notice the appearance up, to reduce it – vice versa. It will be like stroking, which is tactilely easy to remember.
I had no problems connecting to the iPhone. They pair easily, are easily detected during operation, and are quickly displayed in the application for a mode change or firmware update.
Noise Reduction and Transparency are palpable
Several sounds were tested, many of which act like a deaf phone during surround sound transmission and transmit noise with a delay or perceptibly artificial. In Nothing Ear (1) this is felt the least.
Mode opening is almost naturalthere is no heavy hum, headphones, mirror reflections of cars, voices and sound around are felt.
Go to noise canceling silences a sharp drop, although it misses conversations and the rustle of wheels from the roads.
This mode is best at blocking heavy rumble by barring its territory of smallness. The sound during noise reduction flourishes and dampens the remnants of noise, the algorithms cannot cope with the swing.
The application has two “depths” of no sound, although the difference between them is not noticeable. If you become the owner, advise immediately “high” and not fool your head.
Long hold on one of the hours noise reduction, light and passive isolation without them.
Complete set standard, operating time without surplus
On one charge Nothing Ear (1) worked for me 4 hours with noise canceling mode and 5.5 hours without him.
The case charges the headphones again, which in the circuit gives from five to 24 up to 34 hours listening without outlets depending on usage.
In the silver instruction box you will find a short and stylish USB-A to USB-C cable and a double-sized cap.
The startup that could
The right price and desire stands out with its first product, received by everyone. The sale of Nothing Ear (1) helped the company raise money for the launch of the first smartphone, and consumers received an alternative to top-end headphones for half the price.
In Russia, they finally came.
Nothing Ear (1) stand 12 990 rubles. In my opinion, this is an adequate request for good noise reduction, bright sound, moisture protection, eye-catching design and up to 34 hours of operation. with app application.
📸 All photos in the article:
Source: Iphones RU
