In a move that pushes the boundaries of personal audio, Ceva announced a new collaboration with London-based lifestyle consumer brand Nothing to bring Ceva’s RealSpace Spatial Audio Software to its upcoming audio lineup. Ceva will power enhanced listening experiences across the Nothing and CMF sub-brand audio product lines, including the newly announced Nothing Headphone, which is the company’s first entry into the over-ear style audio device, developed in cooperation with KEF.
The collaboration with Ceva is a significant step for Nothing to be able to deliver premium, immersive audio to its growing portfolio under the Nothing and CMF brands. By leveraging Ceva’s spatial audio technology and premium wireless audio SoCs powered by Ceva Bluetooth IP, Nothing aims to redefine how users engage with music, movies, and games on its wireless audio devices.
“Great audio isn’t just heard, it is felt. It is more than just sound, it’s an emotional connection, an immersive experience, and a reflection of personal identity,” says Andrew Freshwater, Head of Smart Product Marketing at Nothing. “With Ceva’s RealSpace technology, we’re delivering an unparalleled audio experience that envelops users in a richer, more lifelike experience that feels like stepping inside the sound.”
Ceva’s RealSpace Spatial Audio software is designed for low power consumption, efficient compute, and seamless integration into wireless audio devices. It delivers cinematic 3D sound with dynamic head tracking, making it ideal for Nothing’s design-first approach to consumer products.
Ceva RealSpace is a complete Spatial Audio software solution combining precise 3D rendering and accurate, low-latency head tracking. RealSpace supports multiple system architectures, giving manufacturers the flexibility to render content directly on TWS earbuds, headphones, XR headsets, or speakers for the lowest latency. Or choose to render on mobile phones, gaming systems, or PCs and save BOM costs on the device. RealSpace operates independently of audio codec choices, source vendors, or device ecosystems and is pre-integrated on some of the top audio SoCs in the industry. .
“Nothing is redefining what tech can look and feel like, and together, we’re pushing the boundaries of what it can sound like,” adds Chad Lucien, vice president and general manager of the sensor and audio business unit at Ceva. “Our RealSpace technology will ensure Nothing’s audio products deliver a truly immersive and differentiated listening experience.”
Based in London since 2020, design and marketing house Nothing is a lifestyle brand that is differentiating its smartphones and earbuds with its bold, transparent products, which the company says have sold over 10 million devices in just four years, surpassing $1 billion in lifetime revenue.
Nothing Headphones
For its latest project, the first over-ear headphones from the brand, Nothing also collaborated with KEF, establishing a “Sound by KEF” partnership. This co-engineered collaboration between two British brands manufacturing in China adds a layer of “high-fidelity acoustics” to Nothing’s distinctive design language. According to Nothing, this launch marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with KEF, which is owned by GP Acoustics and part of the Hong-Kong-based Gold Peak Group.
“This collaboration brings together KEF’s decades of acoustic expertise with Nothing’s bold design thinking,” explains Jack Oclee-Brown, Vice President of Technology at KEF. “With Headphone, we’ve applied our high-fidelity engineering approach to create a headphone that delivers natural, balanced sound with incredible precision. It’s a proud moment for our “Sound by KEF” initiative.”
“With Headphone 1, we set out to create something that doesn’t just sound great, it feels different the moment you pick it up,” adds Adam Bates, Head of Design at Nothing. “From the tactile controls to the transparent construction, every detail is intentional. It’s a product that looks different, works differently, and invites people to connect with sound in a more expressive way.”
The sound of these headphones and its custom-built 40mm dynamic drivers was acoustically engineered using KEF’s advanced tuning tools, maintaining the same sound signature across the ANC, Transparency, and Spatial Audio modes. The Nothing headphones support high-resolution audio with Sony’s LDAC codec, USB-C lossless playback, and a 3.5mm jack, working wired or wirelessly. A precision damping system and high-linearity suspension further minimize distortion, while the formed aluminum and PU memory foam add to the comfort and visual impact of the overall design.
The lightweight rectangular earcups combine aluminum and durable plastics, while the telescopic arms allow smooth adjustment. Oil-resistant ear cushions mold naturally to the listener’s head, reducing ear pressure and providing a secure, comfortable seal across a wide range of head shapes. Designed to be remembered, the Nothing headphones’ acoustic precision mirrors the design’s form and function. The headphones take a deliberate step away from touch sensors, opting instead for tactile controls built into the physical design, offering a precise and reliable way to adjust volume, navigate media, and toggle ANC.
Featuring dual feedforward and feedback microphones, the Nothing Headphone 1 delivers real-time ANC that dynamically adapts to changing environments, while Transparency Mode keeps users aware of their surroundings. A best-in-class 4-mic ENC system, powered by AI and trained on more than 28 million noise scenarios, ensures clear voice capture for calls in even the busiest environments.
The Bluetooth 5.3 design delivers up to 35 hours of listening time and fast charging, with dual device connection, Fast Pair support, and low-latency performance. Nothing also integrated ChatGPT access over the paired smartphone as a way to boost its voice-activated interactions. By customizing the Button (the physical button) actions in the Nothing X app, users can trigger voice assistants, access News Reporter, or open Nothing’s Essential Space – a second memory designed to capture voice notes, reminders, and fleeting thoughts.
This “Button” also enables a personalized listening experience, allowing users to cycle seamlessly through recent audio apps and favorite functions. Finally, an 8-band Advanced EQ in the Nothing X app lets users adjust audio beyond the device’s factory-tuned sound experience.
The Nothing first headphones are available in black and white for $299 starting July 15, 2025.
www.nothing.tech | www.kef.com
www.ceva-ip.com
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