The Nothing Ear 1: A Transparent Look at a New Era of Audio | Review
In a world obsessed with the next big thing, hype is king. But to truly capture the attention of a discerning public, a product needs to impress, especially at first glance. OnePlus, the company synonymous with disruptive pricing and stylish design, built a loyal following thanks in no small part to the efforts of its co-founder, Carl Pei. After years of building OnePlus into a global powerhouse, Pei embarked on a new adventure with Nothing, a company aimed at shaking up the consumer electronics space. The much-anticipated launch of the Nothing Ear 1 true wireless earphones marked the beginning of this journey, promising a compelling blend of design, features, and performance. At Rs. 5,999 in India, are the Nothing Ear 1 truly a game-changer, or just another face in the crowded field of true wireless earbuds? Let’s delve into this review and find out.
A First Impression: Transparency Takes Center Stage
Much like the OnePlus One revolutionized the market with its premium specs at an appealing price, the Nothing Ear 1 makes a bold statement with its transparent design. While transparency isn’t entirely new in the audio world, the Ear 1 executes it flawlessly, showcasing a captivating aesthetic that doesn’t compromise on functionality.
The earbuds themselves differ from the initial concept renders, but in a positive way. The transparent plastic is cleverly confined to the earpiece stalks, highlighting the inner workings, including microphones and the Nothing Ear 1 logo. This bold design choice, combined with the in-canal ear tips, creates a snug and isolating fit. At a mere 4.7g each, these earbuds are incredibly lightweight, while the charging case weighs in at 57.4g.
Instead of conventional ‘L’ and ‘R’ markings, the Nothing Ear 1 uses color coding for easy identification: red for right and white for left. While it might take a moment to adjust, this system proves effective, making it intuitive over time.
The touch controls found on the flat outer sides of the earpiece stalks are responsive and intuitive. Taps on the area surrounding the color dot control playback, ANC, and hear-through modes, while swiping up and down on the stalk controls the volume. While the default volume and play/pause controls are fixed, users can customize triple-tap and long-press gestures via the companion app.
A Deep Dive: Tech Specs and Features That Deliver
The charging case of the Nothing Ear 1 mirrors the striking design of the earbuds. The transparent lid and a portion of the bottom reveal the inner workings, highlighting the battery, charging points, and circuitry. The magnetically latching earbuds are positioned at a slight angle, held securely in place by the lid indentations. A USB Type-C port on the side handles charging, while the pairing button offers seamless connectivity.
For added convenience, the case also boasts Qi wireless charging, a welcome feature for users who prefer a cable-free experience. However, the large 570mAh battery and generous internal space make the case quite bulky, making it less than ideal for pocket portability. While this shouldn’t pose a significant issue for backpack or purse carriers, those looking for a truly pocket-friendly solution might find it a bit cumbersome.
The Nothing Ear 1 app, available for both iOS and Android, allows for customization and control of various settings and features, including firmware updates. Users can easily switch between ANC and transparency modes, select from two noise cancellation intensity levels, and fine-tune the equalizer presets for a tailored sound experience.
The app also allows for gesture control adjustments, in-ear detection, earpiece ringing to help locate them, and individual battery level checking for both earbuds and the charging case. It’s a well-designed and user-friendly app that adds immensely to the overall experience. However, the lack of voice assistant support is a notable omission, especially for those who rely on these features.
The Nothing Ear 1 boasts 11.6mm dynamic drivers for a dynamic audio experience, coupled with Bluetooth 5.2 for robust connectivity. The earpieces are also IPX4 rated for protection against splashes and water, making them suitable for workouts and light outdoor activities. The company claims up to 40dB of noise level reduction via active noise cancellation. While Google Fast Pair is advertised as supported, the review unit struggled to pair with an Android device using this method.
The sales package includes a charging cable with a transparent outer coating and three pairs of silicone ear tips, including the medium-sized tips already attached to the earpieces.
Battery Life: Power That Lasts
The Nothing Ear 1 boasts a decent battery life for its price point. The earbuds deliver around four hours of playtime with ANC enabled and the AAC Bluetooth codec engaged. The charging case offers an impressive five additional full charges, resulting in a total battery life of approximately 23-24 hours per charge cycle.
The Ear 1 also supports fast charging via cable, with Nothing claiming nearly an hour of playback with ANC on after just 10 minutes of charging. Similarly, charging the case for 10 minutes provides around six hours of playing time, while the earbuds charge quickly inside the case while connected to a power source. As with most true wireless earphones, connecting the cable to a laptop’s USB port provides a convenient and rapid charge for the case.
Audio Performance: A Balanced and Detailed Sound Experience
The Nothing Ear 1 isn’t just about captivating design, it also delivers impressive sound quality for its price. The earbuds excel in balanced and detailed audio, offering a wholesome and versatile listening experience. Considering the lack of support for advanced Bluetooth codecs, the Ear 1 fares remarkably well against its competitors.
The review unit was paired with an Apple iPhone 12 mini, putting the Ear 1 through a comprehensive test with music, audiobooks, and calls during daily exercise routines. While maximum volume levels might fall slightly short for audiobooks, particularly in noisy environments, the earphones consistently delivered a satisfying performance.
Music: Playing Je M’amuse by Caravan Palace, the Nothing Ear 1 immediately wowed with its balanced and spacious soundstage. The retro-sounding introduction was well-defined, seamlessly transitioning into gentle, refined electronic bass. The harmonious blend of styles and elements showcased clear and detailed frequencies across the spectrum, creating an immersive sonic landscape. Even faint details were easily discernible, as were the occasional peppy vocals. This lively and demanding track required balance, detail, and cohesion, which the Ear 1 effortlessly delivered. Similar results were achieved with tracks like Subways by The Avalanches, where the Ear 1’s exceptional soundstaging and detail perfectly captured the mood and feel of the track.
Sound Quality Observations: However, audiophiles seeking pure aggression and attack might find the balanced sound signature less appealing. While the Ear 1 does adapt to different track nuances, its capabilities are not as impressive as higher-end options like the Apple AirPods Pro.
Trance Testing: When playing Fire by Ferry Corsten, the bass levels noticeably increased, adding a welcome boost to this fast-paced trance track. Despite the enjoyable listening experience, the Ear 1’s hardware and tuning seemed to lag behind the demanding pace and drive required by the track.
Comparisons and Limitations: While the AAC codec’s inherent limitations might partially contribute to this, the single dynamic driver in each earpiece also falls short when compared to the dual-driver system and Dynaudio tuning of the Oppo Enco X (a more expensive alternative). The Nothing Ear 1 offers much to appreciate, particularly considering its competitive price in India, but it falls short when compared to pricier competitors.
Noise Cancellation: Silence the World Around You
The Nothing Ear 1 features customizable active noise cancellation, offering two intensity levels for tailored noise reduction. While many prefer the milder setting for quieter environments, the full intensity setting proved more effective in the review process. The quality of ANC on the Ear 1 is surprisingly good for its price, nearly matching the performance of premium options like the Oppo Enco X and Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro in reducing both indoor and outdoor noise.
The noise cancellation employed a gentle but effective approach, making a noticeable difference in reducing background noise like air conditioners, ceiling fans, and the ambient hum of city life. The transparency mode was equally impressive, delivering a natural and subtle hear-through in stark contrast to the overly amplified hear-through found on many other earphones across different price ranges.
Call and Connection Quality: A Reliable Communication Hub
The call and connection quality on the Nothing Ear 1 consistently delivered a satisfying experience during both indoor and outdoor use. The reviewer had no problems with clarity and seamless communication during calls. Connection stability remained strong at distances of up to 12 feet from the paired phone, with no issues encountered even when moving between rooms.
Verdict: Transcending Expectations at a Budget-Friendly Price
For its first foray into the market, Nothing has achieved remarkable success with the Ear 1 true wireless earphones. The reviewer found little to fault, praising the balanced and detailed sound, effective active noise cancellation, compelling features, and stunning design – all at a highly competitive price point of Rs. 5,999 in India. Those searching for mid-range true wireless earphones should definitely consider the Nothing Ear 1.
While better-sounding options such as the Lypertek Tevi and Samsung Galaxy Buds+ exist at similar prices, the Nothing Ear 1 stands out with its superior design, feature set, and inclusion of active noise cancellation. This combination makes it the most attractive option overall for budget-conscious users seeking a quality true wireless earbud experience for Rs. 7,000 or less.
The Nothing Ear 1 is a testament to the vision of Carl Pei, demonstrating that a focus on innovative design, compelling features, and competitive pricing can truly disrupt the market. In a world saturated with choices, the Nothing Ear 1 stands out as a stylish and capable contender, offering a transparent glimpse into a promising future for the brand.
