You’ve seen open-ear headphones before, but nothing quite prepares you for the NWM One. Yes, they’re headphones. Yes, they play music. And yes, they look like something a sci-fi costume designer would sketch at 2 a.m. They’re the audio equivalent of wearing just the bottom half of a dress while insisting it’s a full outfit. And somehow, they work.
Developed by Japan’s NTT Sonority, the NWM One is designed for those who want immersive audio while still hearing the world around them. Thanks to Personalized Sound Zone technology, they deliver your music with minimal sound leakage, so you can vibe in peace without treating everyone around you to your playlist.
Under the hood, they pack a dual-driver system with a 12 mm driver for mids and highs and a 35 mm driver for bass, delivering a full range of sound despite their skeletal appearance. They also come with Magic Focus Voice Technology, which filters out background noise during calls—because nobody needs to hear the chaos of your surroundings while you’re trying to sound professional.
Other spec-sheet details include Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity, 20-hour battery life with a 5-minute quick charge for an extra hour, and a lightweight 185g design that won’t crush your skull after hours of wear. And if that’s not enough, the NWM Connect app lets you tweak the sound to your liking.
The NWM One was launched last August, and if anyone’s down, it is available from Amazon.com for US$299.
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Images: NWM [US].
