Nothing Takes Its Headphones Pro With a $399 Flagship Built for Serious Listening

Nothing is pushing deeper into premium audio with its new Headphone (1) Pro, a $399 over-ear model that combines the company's distinctive transparent design with a more serious focus on sound quality and studio listening.

The new headphones are positioned above Nothing's existing audio lineup and introduce a triple-driver system designed to separately handle bass, vocals and higher-frequency detail. The setup combines a 40mm dynamic driver, a precision dynamic driver and an xMEMS treble driver.

Nothing has also worked with London's Metropolis Studios to tune the headphones. One of the more unusual additions is a dedicated Flat EQ switch, which removes the usual sound processing and creates a more neutral profile aimed at music production, mixing and critical listening.

For everyday listening, users can still customize the sound through the Nothing X app, including individual EQ adjustments and several profiles developed with Metropolis Studios.

Noise cancellation has also received a substantial upgrade. The Headphone (1) Pro uses 10 microphones and a new silicone sound-sealing system, with Nothing claiming up to 46dB of active noise cancellation. Transparency mode is available when users need to hear their surroundings.

The headphones support high-resolution audio over both wireless and wired connections. USB-C delivers lossless audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz, while wireless listening supports LDAC. Nothing has also added Bluetooth 6.1, dual-device connectivity and Auracast broadcasting.

Battery life reaches up to 68 hours with ANC switched off, while ANC-enabled listening is rated for up to 30 hours. A five-minute charge can provide up to four hours of playback with ANC off.

Nothing has retained its unconventional approach to physical controls. The Headphone (1) Pro uses a roller for volume and playback, a paddle for track and call controls, and a dedicated button that can be configured for functions such as accessing a smart assistant.

The design has also been refined for comfort. Nothing says the new ear cushions are 50% softer than those on the previous Headphone (1), while the headband is wider and more heavily padded. The headphones use machined aluminum and titanium alloy components, along with scratch-resistant glass panels that expose elements of the internal hardware.

The Headphone (1) Pro is rated IP52 for dust and water resistance and weighs 327 grams. It comes with a protective hard-shell case, USB-C cable and 3.5mm audio cable.

At $399, Nothing is moving firmly into the premium headphone market, competing for attention alongside established players from Sony, Bose and other high-end audio brands. The combination of transparent hardware, studio-focused tuning and physical controls gives the Headphone (1) Pro a distinct identity in an increasingly crowded category.