Design: Retro Style That Doesn’t Get in the Way
Nothing has doubled down on its retro headphone design language with the Headphone (a), keeping the see‑through, cassette‑tape aesthetic that made the original Headphone (1) so attention‑grabbing. The boxy, Walkman‑era vibe remains divisive: some will love the callbacks to vintage home audio gear, others will find it clunky or over‑styled. Where the second generation improves things is in day‑to‑day practicality. There’s more plastic in the build, but the lighter weight and gentler clamp make the Headphone (a) noticeably more comfortable for long listening sessions than the heavier, more metallic Headphone (1). Crucially, the clever on‑ear control scheme is unchanged: the roller for volume and mode switching plus the dedicated call paddle still feel intuitive and precise. In short, Nothing keeps its bold retro headphone design, but this time it enhances comfort and durability instead of compromising them.
Real-Time Noise Cancellation: The Surprise Headline Feature
On paper, the Headphone (a) give up a tiny bit of noise reduction to the Headphone (1): 40 decibels versus 42 decibels of claimed noise blocking. In practice, the difference is almost imperceptible, and what really matters is how quickly and intelligently the adaptive ANC reacts. The Headphone (a) constantly samples your environment and adjusts in real time, so café chatter, office hum, or public‑transport rumble fade away smoothly rather than in abrupt jumps. Manually adjustable ANC lets you fine‑tune isolation if you prefer a lighter seal. While they still don’t quite match the absolute hush of specialist ANC models from long‑established audio brands, the combination of responsiveness, effective mid‑ and low‑frequency suppression, and minimal hiss makes the Headphone (a) Nothing’s most convincing noise‑cancelling product yet. The real‑time noise cancellation is good enough that it easily justifies the unconventional look.
Sound Quality and Everyday Performance
The Headphone (a) share the same 40 mm driver size as the Headphone (1), but the tuning direction is different. Instead of chasing hi‑fi neutrality, Nothing leans into an energetic, slightly bass‑forward signature that feels fun out of the box. You still get an eight‑band equalizer in the app, along with spatial audio modes like concert and cinema, so tailoring the sound is straightforward. Compared with the more expensive KEF‑tuned Headphone (1), the (a) are a bit less refined and more low‑end‑centric, but the gap shrinks once you tweak the EQ. In reality, the stronger everyday story is consistency: Bluetooth 5.4 delivers stable connectivity, the mics hold up well for calls, and the intuitive controls minimise friction when you’re on the move. It’s a case of smart, practical audio engineering that keeps the listening experience engaging rather than obsessively analytical.
Battery Life and Value in a Premium Headphone Comparison
Battery life is where the Headphone (a) simply embarrass many premium rivals. With active noise cancellation enabled, they are rated for up to 75 hours of playback, and up to 135 hours with ANC off. That eclipses other long‑lasting models that hover around 50–70 hours and turns charging anxiety into a non‑issue. A quick‑charge feature that delivers around eight hours of listening from a five‑minute top‑up further reinforces their travel‑friendly credentials. In a premium headphone comparison, you might expect the cheaper model to sacrifice endurance, but here the mid‑tier option outperforms the flagship Headphone (1), which offer 35 hours with ANC on and 80 hours with it off. When you factor in stronger comfort, comparable real‑time noise cancellation, and a more playful sound, the Headphone (a) come across as Nothing’s best‑balanced package for most listeners.
Verdict: Style-Forward Looks, Serious Audio Substance
The Nothing Headphone (a) prove that the brand’s striking design can coexist with thoughtful engineering rather than overshadow it. The retro casing and transparent details still won’t appeal to everyone, but this time they’re paired with lighter weight, better comfort, and the same excellent control system. Real‑time noise cancellation is the true standout, delivering effective, adaptable isolation that makes commuting and office work far more peaceful. Sonically, the Headphone (a) may not chase reference‑grade neutrality, yet their punchy tuning, flexible EQ, and spatial audio modes make them enjoyable for mainstream listening. Combine that with class‑leading battery life and you get a pair of headphones that feel less like a fashion experiment and more like a mature, daily‑driver choice. If you can embrace the retro headphone design, the Headphone (a) are the Nothing cans to buy.