In 2021, Nothing, the British tech startup led by Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus, was founded just a few months before launching its Ear 1 headphones. The headphones offered good value for money ($99) but suffered from numerous bugs and mediocre noise cancellation. It turns out that three years can make a significant difference. Last month, the company unveiled the second generation of its headphones, along with a budget model, the Nothing Ear (a), promising to deliver a high-quality audio experience at a significantly more affordable price compared to the original model.
As with every Nothing launch, the new headphones have also arrived in Israel, officially imported by the Bug network. Are they worth NIS 439 and can they stand out in the crowded headphone market? (Not just because of the flashy yellow) We tested them.
Design and Comfort
Among the plethora of headphones on the market, occasionally, models emerge that refuse to blend into the herd. The Nothing Ear (a) are undoubtedly an excellent example of this. They come in a design identical to the regular model, but this time (also) in a bright yellow hue, which, combined with the company's familiar transparent design revealing some internal components, makes them more stylish. The finish is still excellent, and the "stems" of the headphones include buttons for sound control, noise cancellation, and volume adjustment, similar to previous models.
In practice, the Ear (a) sit very comfortably and securely in the ear, even for long periods. They are lightweight and do not cause pressure or discomfort, and I did not find myself adjusting them every few minutes (a problem that exists with many other headphones). The headphones come with several sizes of silicone tips, so you can perfectly fit them to your ears. The charging port here is USB-C and is located on the back, next to the hinge of the case.
Of course, not everyone will be excited about the yellow hue. Some might prefer to stay in the comfort zones of black and white (which are also available for this model). But for those looking for a bit of change, a bit of fashionable uniqueness (some would say) - the Ear (a) in yellow are a perfect choice.
On the downside, don't expect the charging case to remain in perfect condition after prolonged use. After less than a week, the cheap plastic accumulated more than a few scratches, both outside and inside. Nevertheless, it looks structurally fine and the headphones connect smoothly and securely to the magnetic contacts for charging.
Sound and Performance
As wireless headphones, the Ear (a) present a mixed picture, with impressive bass. What does this mean? While most of the time I enjoyed a balanced and pleasant sound, I encountered several instances where I felt a drop in sound quality, producing a less deep and flatter sound, especially when listening to bass-rich music. The bass was noticeable, but the surrounding sounds lacked depth and power. Only after adjusting the equalizer in the app was I able to tailor the sound more to my liking.
To elaborate: the custom 11 mm drivers produce sharp, clean, and dynamic sound. Although the audio quality doesn't reach the elegance of the more expensive AirPods Pro, the Ear (a) provide a good listening experience across all music genres, even with particularly high tones.
Noise Cancellation
The Nothing Ear (a) are equipped with three microphones in each earbud, advanced technology allowing you to choose from three levels of active noise cancellation (ANC), enabling you to disconnect and focus on tasks, even in noisy environments like gyms or public transport. While the noise cancellation here doesn't reach the level of more expensive headphones like Apple's AirPods Pro or Sony's WF-1000XM5, the price difference compensates for that.
On the other hand, the real highlight, in my opinion, lies in their passive isolation. It's hard to determine for sure, it might be a personal experience, but from the moment I put the Ear (a) in my ears, I felt an impressive isolation from the external environment, even before activating the noise cancellation. The passive isolation alone significantly reduced background noise, making the listening experience pleasant.
App
The app (called Nothing X) allows you to control the level of active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and the equalizer (EQ). You can also choose a sound profile with more or less emphasized bass and treble and adjust the sounds to your liking. However, personally, I found less use for it and preferred to leave the settings as they are.
For those who do care, it's good to know that the app's design is very minimalist, making it easy to use, but personalization enthusiasts might miss additional options found in other apps - like the one offered by Sony.
Battery Life
Despite their low price, the battery life is quite impressive here. On paper, the company promises that the Ear (a) battery provides up to 9.5 hours of work without noise cancellation, and with the charging case up to 42.5 hours. Important note: there is no wireless charging here.
In practice, after five days of intensive use, I managed to deplete about 50% of the case's battery. Based on my experience, the estimates are quite accurate, and perhaps even a bit low compared to what the headphones are truly capable of. Moreover, just 10 minutes of charging the case is enough for 10 hours of battery life.
Bottom Line
The Ear (a) are not perfect, but in terms of price, they stand proudly, with a price tag of NIS 439 - less than half the price of premium headphones like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or the AirPods Pro. The sound quality is good and will suit most listeners, but die-hard audiophiles might look for something a bit richer and more detailed. Their noise cancellation is effective, their design is beautiful and attention-grabbing, their battery life is excellent, and they are definitely worth considering if you are looking for new headphones.