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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The fastest route to better sound from Nothing Headphone (1) is to get the connection right, install Nothing X, and tune one control at a time. Pair the headphones from the Bluetooth button on the right earcup, use Nothing X for EQ, Bass Enhance, noise-control settings and LDAC, then choose between ANC, Transparency and (where enabled) Off according to your surroundings. There is no single “best” EQ for every listener, so use the factory sound as your reference and change only what you can hear.
This guide follows Nothing’s official Headphone (1) setup and controls guidance and its LDAC instructions. Menu names can change with app or phone updates, but the pairing sequence and codec requirements below are the important parts.
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What you need before tuning
- Nothing Headphone (1) powered on and within Bluetooth range of your phone.
- A phone with Bluetooth enabled.
- The Nothing X app, installed from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
- For LDAC, an Android phone that supports LDAC. Nothing says iOS Bluetooth supports AAC, not LDAC.
Complete ordinary Bluetooth pairing before opening advanced audio settings. Nothing X provides the additional device functions, but the phone’s Bluetooth settings establish the initial connection. If you are setting up in a busy place, move close to the phone and pause other Bluetooth setup attempts so you can identify the correct device.
Set up Nothing Headphone (1), step by step
1. Power on the headphones
Turn on Headphone (1). Keep the headphones close to the phone while pairing so the device appears promptly in the Bluetooth list. Starting with the headphones powered on avoids trying to configure an unavailable device in Nothing X.
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2. Enter Bluetooth pairing mode
On the inner side of the right headphone, hold the Bluetooth pairing button for three seconds. Release it when the indicator begins blinking slowly. That slow blink indicates the headphones are ready to be selected. The three-second instruction is specific to the Headphone (1) pairing procedure; do not substitute timing from a general controls article.
Use the button itself rather than the Roller or Paddle. Those controls have playback and noise-mode jobs once the headphones are connected, while the Bluetooth button is the control used to make the headphones discoverable.
3. Select the headphones on your phone
Open the phone’s Bluetooth settings and select Nothing Headphone (1) from the available devices. Wait for the phone to show that the connection is complete before moving to app setup. If more than one similarly named device appears, select the entry that identifies Headphone (1), not an unrelated nearby accessory.
4. Install or open Nothing X
Install Nothing X from Google Play or the Apple App Store, then open it with the headphones connected. The app is the route to the extra functions and settings used later in this guide, including EQ, Bass Enhance, noise-control behavior and high-quality audio for LDAC. The phone’s basic Bluetooth screen alone will not expose every headphone setting.
5. Learn the physical controls
| Control | Action | Default result |
|---|---|---|
| Roller | Rotate | Adjusts volume. |
| Roller | Press | Plays or pauses audio. |
| Roller | Press and hold | Switches between ANC and Transparency by default. |
| Paddle | Move between positions | Moves between tracks and handles calls. |
Spend a minute using these controls before changing sound settings. Knowing whether a change came from the app or an accidental control press makes later troubleshooting much easier. Rotate the Roller to confirm that volume changes, press it once to test play and pause, and use the Paddle to identify its track and call actions. Then hold the Roller and note which two noise modes are in the default cycle.
Use Nothing X to shape the sound
Start with the default sound
Play a familiar track at a comfortable volume and listen to the default tuning first. Treat it as your reference rather than assuming that a particular graph or preset is objectively superior. A useful routine is to adjust one control, listen to the same passage again, and return to the starting point if the change is less enjoyable.
Nothing’s support material points users to the EQ and other device settings in Nothing X, but it does not establish one universally best EQ setting for Headphone (1). Your music, hearing, volume and surroundings all affect what sounds preferable. Avoid changing several bands or features at once; you will not know which adjustment helped or hurt.
Enable and adjust Bass Enhance
Bass Enhance is off by default. On the Nothing X app home page, enable it if you want to experiment with additional low-end emphasis, then adjust its intensity. Start at a low intensity and compare a bass-heavy track with a vocal or acoustic recording. If kick drums become boomy or vocals lose definition, reduce the intensity or turn the feature off.
Bass Enhance is an optional preference control, not a promise that every recording benefits from more bass. Leaving it off is a valid choice when you prefer the default balance or listen mostly to already bass-rich material. Because the feature is disabled initially, a new pair may sound different from a friend’s pair simply because one listener has enabled it and the other has not.
Change the Roller’s noise-control shortcut
The Roller’s press-and-hold action switches between ANC and Transparency by default. In Nothing X, you can change that control so the cycle also includes Off. Adding Off is useful when you want neither active noise cancellation nor the amplified outside-sound mode available from Transparency. The change affects the shortcut’s behavior; it does not alter the separate sound character you choose with EQ or Bass Enhance.
Make this change only after you know which modes you actually use. A two-mode cycle is quicker if you alternate between ANC and Transparency every day. A three-mode cycle is more flexible when you regularly listen in quiet rooms and want to bypass both active modes.
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Choose settings for the situation
| Your priority | Setting to try | Trade-off to listen for |
|---|---|---|
| More low-end weight | Enable Bass Enhance and raise its intensity gradually. | Too much intensity can make bass-heavy tracks sound congested; reduce it if vocals lose clarity. |
| A familiar, neutral starting point | Leave Bass Enhance off and begin with the default EQ. | The default may not match every listener’s taste or every genre. |
| Fewer outside sounds while listening | Use ANC from the Roller shortcut. | Because ANC and Transparency serve opposite environmental goals, check the mode before starting playback. |
| Awareness of your surroundings | Use Transparency. | More outside sound is intentionally present, so it is not the mode for maximum isolation. |
| No active noise mode | Add Off to the Roller cycle in Nothing X, then select it. | You lose the processing provided by ANC or Transparency, which may be preferable in a quiet room. |
| Highest available Bluetooth bitrate on a compatible Android phone | Enable LDAC in both the phone and Nothing X. | LDAC needs more connection bandwidth; Nothing recommends turning off dual connection when selecting a higher bitrate. |
These are practical starting points, not laboratory rankings. Make the final choice by listening to several recordings at the same volume rather than judging one short clip. A setting that makes one bass-heavy track exciting may obscure the midrange in speech, acoustic music or a dense rock mix. Conversely, a setting that sounds restrained on a quiet recording may be comfortable for long listening.
How do I use LDAC?
Nothing describes LDAC as supporting up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio and transmission rates up to 990 kbps. Those are vendor-stated maximum capabilities, not a guarantee that every file, phone, wireless environment or listener will hear an audible improvement. LDAC also is not available simply because the headphones support it: the phone must support LDAC and the selected codec must be enabled.
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- Nothing x KEF Headphone (1) : Nothing Headphone (1) experience audio perfected through a unique partnership with British audio legend KEF. Leveraging over 60 years of acoustic expertise, Nothing Noise Cancelling Headphone delivers a naturally balanced sound stage where every note shines as artists intended. Enjoy unparalleled flexibility with Hi-Res Audio support including LDAC technology, USB-C audio, and a 3.5mm jack. Dual Connection capability lets you seamlessly switch between two devices
- Uninterrupted Audio with Immersive Sound: Engineered for all-day use, Nothing Headphones 1 deliver up to 80 hours of playtime (35 hours with ANC on). A quick 5-minute charge provides 5 hours of power. Coupled with this endurance is a lossless audio experience, Nothing Wireless Headphones offer Spatial Audio with head tracking and Hi-Res Wireless certification for exceptional clarity and a deeply immersive sound stage
- Sink In, Take Control: Designed for all-day wear, Nothing Bluetooth Wireless Headphone ergonomic frame and memory foam cushions provide a comfortable, secure fit. The Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphone features intuitive roller and paddle interface puts volume adjustment, playback, and noise mode switching at your fingertips, with full customization available in the Nothing X app. This thoughtful integration of form and function ensures a continuously surround sound Journey
- Explore the Nothing X app: Craft your unique audio profile with the Nothing X app's advanced 8-band equalizer.Tailor your Nothing Headphone 1 with Adaptive ANC settings and enhance depth with the Ultra Bass mode. Customize your Bluetooth active noise canceling headphones' touch buttons to execute your most-used commands instantly
Check the Android requirements
- Confirm that your Android phone supports LDAC. If the phone does not offer LDAC, Headphone (1) cannot use it regardless of the app setting.
- Pair Headphone (1) with the phone and connect it in Nothing X.
- In Nothing X, open the device settings and enable High-quality audio.
- Open the phone’s Bluetooth or audio codec settings and select LDAC if the phone requires a manual codec choice. Nothing’s wording is explicit: “LDAC requires both device support and the selected codec to be enabled on your phone.”
- In Android Developer options, choose Adaptive playback quality, which Nothing recommends for LDAC playback.
- If you select a higher audio bitrate and the phone offers dual connection, turn dual connection off. Nothing recommends doing this to leave more bandwidth for LDAC streaming.
The exact location of codec controls varies by Android manufacturer. The essential check is that LDAC appears as the active, selected codec on the phone and that High-quality audio is enabled in Nothing X; enabling only one side is insufficient. If the phone falls back to another codec, check both locations again rather than assuming the headphones are defective.
What LDAC’s numbers do and do not mean
“24-bit/96 kHz” describes a supported audio format, while “up to 990 kbps” describes a maximum transmission rate stated by Nothing. Neither figure means that all music is delivered at that format or rate. Streaming services, source files, phone behavior and wireless conditions can result in a different operating mode. Use LDAC if you value the option and your connection remains stable, but do not treat the specification as proof of a universally audible upgrade.
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The bitrate choice is therefore a practical compromise. A higher setting may be attractive if you want the capability, while Adaptive playback quality lets the Android system manage the connection as conditions change. Turning off dual connection can provide additional bandwidth for LDAC, but it also means giving up the convenience of maintaining two simultaneous device connections.
Can I use LDAC on an iPhone or iPad?
Nothing states that iOS devices support the AAC Bluetooth audio codec and do not currently support LDAC or other high-resolution Bluetooth codecs. On iOS, pair Headphone (1) normally and use the sound controls available in Nothing X, but do not expect an LDAC switch to appear. AAC support is the expected Bluetooth path on Apple devices for this model.
Switch between ANC, Transparency and Off
ANC
Active noise cancellation is the choice when your priority is reducing surrounding noise while listening. Use the Roller’s press-and-hold shortcut to reach ANC under the default control mapping. Check the mode before pressing play, especially after removing and replacing the headphones, because the shortcut cycles modes rather than indicating your preference in advance.
Transparency
Transparency is the choice when you want outside sound passed through while wearing the headphones. It is useful when environmental awareness matters more than isolation. The same default Roller shortcut alternates between ANC and Transparency. If the outside sound feels too prominent for your current recording, return to ANC; if isolation makes awareness inconvenient, return to Transparency.
Off
Off is not included in that shortcut’s default cycle. If you want it available, change the Roller behavior in Nothing X to include Off, then cycle to it. This gives you a third practical choice in a quiet room or whenever you prefer neither active mode.
Noise mode and tonal tuning are separate decisions. You can adjust EQ or Bass Enhance for the recording and choose ANC, Transparency or Off for the environment. Changing one does not require changing the other, so keep your preferred tonal setting while comparing noise modes.
A repeatable tuning routine
- Establish a reference. With Bass Enhance off and the default sound selected, play two or three familiar tracks at a comfortable, consistent volume.
- Change one variable. Adjust one EQ control or Bass Enhance intensity, then replay the same passages.
- Check different material. A setting that flatters electronic bass may make speech, acoustic instruments or dense rock less clear.
- Test the noise mode separately. Compare ANC, Transparency and, if enabled, Off without changing EQ at the same time.
- Keep the setting that remains comfortable. If you need to keep increasing a feature to notice it, or fatigue appears quickly, return toward the default rather than chasing a specification.
- Write down what you changed. A short note such as “Bass Enhance low, ANC for commuting” makes it easier to return to a known-good setup after experimenting.
This process avoids the common mistake of judging a new setting only because it is louder or more dramatic. A better setting is the one that remains clear and comfortable across the music and environment where you actually use the headphones. Repeat the comparison at the same volume, because a louder version can seem better even when the tonal change itself is not helping.
Practical control and app checklist
After the initial setup, run through this short checklist whenever you change phones or reinstall the app:
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- Open Nothing X and verify that the app recognizes Headphone (1), rather than showing only a generic Bluetooth connection.
- Check Bass Enhance before judging the sound; remember that it starts off.
- Check the Roller press-and-hold assignment and decide whether the cycle should contain ANC and Transparency only or include Off.
- On Android, check High-quality audio and the selected codec if you intend to use LDAC.
- On iOS, use AAC and do not spend time looking for an LDAC control that the platform does not provide.
This checklist separates three decisions that are easy to confuse: whether the headphones are paired, how the music is equalized, and which environmental mode is active. Confirming each one prevents an accidental control state from being mistaken for a sound-quality problem.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting setup and sound changes
Headphone (1) does not appear in Bluetooth
- Return to the model-specific pairing procedure: power the headphones on, re-enter pairing mode with the right-side Bluetooth button, and wait for the slow indicator blink before scanning again.
- Check that you are selecting Headphone (1), not another saved or nearby device.
- Once the phone reports a connection, open Nothing X; app settings are not a substitute for completing Bluetooth pairing.
Do not move to EQ or LDAC troubleshooting until the phone shows a completed Bluetooth connection. Nothing X can expose additional settings only after it can communicate with the connected headphones.
Nothing X opens but does not show the controls
Confirm that Headphone (1) is the active Bluetooth connection, then reopen Nothing X. The app is where Nothing places additional functions, so browsing the phone’s generic Bluetooth page alone will not expose EQ, Bass Enhance or the Roller customization. If the app displays a different device, reconnect Headphone (1) in the phone’s Bluetooth settings before trying again.
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Bass Enhance seems to do nothing
Check that it has been enabled on the Nothing X home page; it is off by default. Verify the intensity after enabling it, then compare the same track at the same volume. If the result is unpleasant rather than merely subtle, lower the intensity or return to Off. Test more than one recording before deciding that the control has no effect.
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That is the default behavior: press and hold switches between ANC and Transparency. To include Off, change the Roller action in Nothing X. After changing the assignment, press and hold once more and listen for the added mode before assuming the setting failed.
LDAC is missing on Android
- Verify that the phone model supports LDAC.
- Make sure Headphone (1) is connected in Nothing X and that High-quality audio is enabled in its device settings.
- Check the phone’s selected Bluetooth codec and enable LDAC there if the option is available.
- Use Android Developer options to select Adaptive playback quality, as Nothing recommends.
- If a higher bitrate will not hold, disable dual connection so more bandwidth is available for LDAC.
These checks cover both sides of the requirement: device support and codec activation on the phone, plus the High-quality audio switch in Nothing X. If the phone does not list LDAC at all, no app setting can add that codec.
There is no LDAC option on iOS
That is expected according to Nothing’s codec guidance. iOS Bluetooth supports AAC for these headphones, not LDAC or other high-resolution Bluetooth codecs. Continue with ordinary pairing and use Nothing X for the controls that are available on the Apple platform.
Which setup should you keep?
Keep the simplest configuration that meets your listening goal. For a reliable everyday setup, use the default sound first, enable Bass Enhance only if you consistently prefer the extra low-end weight, and assign the Roller’s press-and-hold action to the noise modes you actually use. Android listeners with LDAC-capable phones can enable High-quality audio and test LDAC, while iOS listeners should use AAC without searching for an unavailable LDAC setting.
If you share the headphones between quiet and noisy environments, adding Off to the Roller cycle can save repeated trips into the app. If you almost always listen in one environment, the default two-mode shortcut may be faster. Likewise, leave dual connection enabled when convenience matters more than allocating additional bandwidth to LDAC; turn it off when testing a higher LDAC bitrate on a compatible Android phone.
The important distinction is between capability and preference. Headphone (1) offers EQ, adjustable Bass Enhance, selectable noise modes and an optional high-bitrate Android codec path. None of those options makes one preset correct for everyone. A short, controlled comparison in your own music is the most dependable way to decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I put Nothing Headphone (1) into Bluetooth pairing mode?
Power on the headphones, then hold the Bluetooth pairing button on the inner side of the right headphone for three seconds. Release it when the indicator blinks slowly, and select Nothing Headphone (1) in your phone’s Bluetooth settings.
Where do I change EQ and Bass Enhance?
Open Nothing X after Headphone (1) is connected. The app provides the additional device settings, and Bass Enhance is enabled from the app home page. It is off by default, and its intensity can be adjusted after enabling it.
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Rotate the Roller to adjust volume, press it to play or pause, and press and hold it to switch between ANC and Transparency by default. Nothing X can change the press-and-hold cycle to include Off.
How do I enable LDAC on Android?
Confirm that the phone supports LDAC, connect Headphone (1) in Nothing X, enable High-quality audio in the device settings, and select LDAC in the phone’s Bluetooth codec settings. Nothing recommends Adaptive playback quality in Developer options and turning off dual connection when selecting a higher bitrate.
Does Nothing Headphone (1) support LDAC on iPhone?
No. Nothing states that iOS Bluetooth supports AAC and does not currently support LDAC or other high-resolution Bluetooth codecs. Pair normally and use the available Nothing X controls instead.
Why is there no Off option when I press and hold the Roller?
Off is not part of the default two-mode cycle. In Nothing X, change the Roller behavior to include Off, then press and hold the Roller to cycle through ANC, Transparency and Off.
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The Bottom Line
Pair Headphone (1) with the right-side Bluetooth button, install Nothing X, and treat the default sound as your reference. Use EQ and Bass Enhance to match your taste, select ANC, Transparency or Off for the environment, and enable LDAC only when both your Android phone and Nothing X are configured for it. Nothing’s 24-bit/96 kHz and 990 kbps figures describe capabilities, not a guaranteed audible improvement.
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