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@maroon_lagoon_39 · Owner-reported
Owned 6–12 months · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
I was surprised how punchy the sound is. I own Sony's WH-1000XM3 and these little buds, once tuned slightly with the very good companion app, get close to matching the Sony's, no small feat!
@curious_viola_72 · Owner-reported
Owned over 2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Rock solid, beautiful and unique looking buds.
Own it? Your note joins these
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying · About 2 minutes · No account needed · Photo optional
At 7.1, its noise cancelling beats 24% of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 93 of the 259 we've cataloged.
A 4.9 puts its audio quality in the top quarter of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 61 of the 259 we've cataloged.
2 of 2 would buy again. 2 of 2 still use it daily.
Owned 6–12 months to over 2 years.
below average for wireless earbuds — based on 241 of 259 we've cataloged.
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 239 of 259 we've cataloged.
IPX4 is the most common — on 36% of the 238 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 259).
Active is the most common — on 60% of the 176 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 259).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 6.9 |
| 25 | 7.8 |
| 32 | 8.8 |
| 40 | 9.9 |
| 50 | 10.8 |
| 63 | 10.6 |
| 80 | 9.0 |
| 100 | 6.7 |
| 125 | 4.6 |
| 160 | 2.7 |
| 200 | 1.8 |
| 250 | 1.7 |
| 315 | 1.3 |
| 400 | -2.4 |
| 500 | -4.1 |
| 630 | -0.9 |
| 800 | -0.3 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 2.1 |
| 1600 | 5.2 |
| 2000 | 7.3 |
| 2500 | 8.8 |
| 3150 | 8.5 |
| 4000 | 8.6 |
| 5000 | 9.9 |
| 6300 | 8.1 |
| 8000 | 6.0 |
| 10000 | -0.5 |
| 12500 | 2.6 |
| 16000 | -6.3 |
| 20000 | -29.1 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 1.1 |
| 26 | -0.7 |
| 33 | 0.5 |
| 41 | 0.8 |
| 52 | 0.6 |
| 65 | 0.9 |
| 82 | 1.1 |
| 103 | 1.6 |
| 130 | 1.9 |
| 163 | 2.4 |
| 205 | 2.2 |
| 259 | 3.3 |
| 325 | 4.3 |
| 410 | 5.2 |
| 516 | 2.4 |
| 613 | 4.3 |
| 772 | 8.7 |
| 972 | 9.6 |
| 1220 | 10.9 |
| 1540 | 12.2 |
| 1940 | 16.0 |
| 2440 | 21.4 |
| 3070 | 25.4 |
| 3870 | 25.7 |
| 4870 | 25.8 |
| 6130 | 24.0 |
| 7720 | 30.3 |
| 9720 | 29.8 |
| 12200 | 18.9 |
| 15400 | 19.6 |
| 19400 | 35.2 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 1.5 |
| 26 | 5.6 |
| 33 | 7.4 |
| 41 | 7.8 |
| 52 | 8.0 |
| 65 | 13.3 |
| 82 | 18.5 |
| 103 | 21.9 |
| 130 | 21.1 |
| 163 | 20.7 |
| 205 | 18.9 |
| 259 | 17.4 |
| 325 | 11.5 |
| 410 | 9.6 |
| 516 | 6.3 |
| 613 | 7.9 |
| 772 | 15.6 |
| 972 | 17.2 |
| 1220 | 17.2 |
| 1540 | 18.7 |
| 1940 | 25.3 |
| 2440 | 30.1 |
| 3070 | 29.6 |
| 3870 | 27.2 |
| 4870 | 26.5 |
| 6130 | 22.4 |
| 7720 | 25.8 |
| 9720 | 25.8 |
| 12200 | 15.2 |
| 15400 | 13.8 |
| 19400 | 30.0 |
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
Anyone looking for wireless earbuds should consider the Nothing Ear. These earbuds are packed full of features that will please casual listeners and audiophiles alike.
✓Liked: Comfortable, Great sound, Awesome companion app, LDAC and LHDC support
✕Could be better: Mediocre noise canceling, ANC changes sound quality
What readers who own the Nothing Ear (1st Gen) report after living with it. Owner-reported, checked before publishing; ordered photo-verified first, then newest.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
2 owner notes
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned 6–12 months · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Would buy againI was surprised how punchy the sound is. I own Sony's WH-1000XM3 and these little buds, once tuned slightly with the very good companion app, get close to matching the Sony's, no small feat!
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned over 2 years · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Would buy againRock solid, beautiful and unique looking buds.
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterPersonal Sound is my favorite feature on the Nothing Headphone (1)Tailor your listening with this easy-to-miss Nothing Headphone (1) feature.
Tom TriggsContributorPhone-specific features suck. Here's whyHeadphone manufacturers are marching to the same somber beat.Tom TriggsContributorThe best Nothing Headphone (1) alternativesIs the hype for nothing?Tom TriggsContributorI uncovered a major issue with the Nothing Headphone (1)Nothing's worse than headphones that don't fit.Tom TriggsContributorWhat do all the Nothing Headphone (1)'s EQ presets sound like?Let's explore what's in store for you.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Battery in real life — better than expected
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Noise cancelling in the real world — worse than expected
