Nothing Releases $399 Headphone 1 Pro With Triple-Driver Architecture

The Headphone (1) Pro has been launched by UK technology firm Nothing, with a target audience of critical listeners and music producers. The Headphone (1) Pro has been officially introduced by Nothing as an upgraded iteration of its inaugural over-ear headphones, placing a greater focus on studio-oriented capabilities and sound personalization. Versatility is a key design aspect of the Headphone (1) Pro, allowing it to function effectively for both casual listening and demanding audio tasks. Retailing for $399, Nothing’s Headphone (1) Pro costs $100 more than the standard Headphone (1). You can purchase the Headphone (1) Pro from 29 September 2026.

Triple-Driver Architecture Replaces Single Transducers

Stepping away from the single-driver design of earlier models, the new flagship over-ears incorporate three distinct drivers inside each earpiece. Low frequencies are managed by a bass dynamic driver, vocals and instrumentation are handled by a precision dynamic driver, and higher frequencies are delegated to an xMEMS driver across the three units housed in each earpiece of the Headphone (1) Pro. Each earcup houses a trio of drivers consisting of a 40mm bass dynamic driver, a mid-range precision driver, and a treble-focused xMEMS driver. To demonstrate what listeners can expect from this setup, Nothing specifies that the 40mm dynamic driver spans 20Hz to 10kHz, the precision driver covers 5kHz to 15kHz, and the xMEMS driver operates between 10kHz and 40kHz. Exceptional acoustic performance is promised by the Headphone (1) Pro through these combined measures aimed at minimizing distortion, enhancing bass response, and maintaining distinct vocal clarity.

That complex internal hardware required a structural redesign to keep weight manageable. Tipping the scales at 327 grams, the device is actually slightly lighter than its predecessor. Modifications to the internal layout, the substitution of titanium for steel within the headphone arms, softer ear cushions, and a broader, more heavily cushioned headband are credited by Nothing for the mass reduction. Constructed using an aluminum frame, a titanium hanger, and scratch-resistant glass over the cups, the Headphone (1) Pro also incorporates plastic elements. Through the shatter-resistant and scratch-resistant 9H Panda Glass panels on the earcups, portions of the triple-driver layout remain visible. The headphones also carry an IP52 rating and will be offered in Black and White.

Metropolis Studios Partnership Brings Studio Tools to Consumer Audio

A collaboration with Metropolis Studios brings a Flat EQ and a handful of other sound profiles. Sound customization features integrated into the Headphone (1) Pro are rooted in a partnership with Metropolis Studios, a recording and mastering facility in London where Mark Ronson recorded Amy Winehouse’s Back in Black. Even Apple finally added a 3-band equalizer option for the AirPods with its recent iOS 27 update. Spatial audio and EQ options can be disabled in the Nothing X app using a dedicated switch on the Headphone (1) Pro. Studio professionals are intended to benefit from this feature by experiencing their mixes without any unwanted audio coloration from the headphones. Nothing’s default Balanced EQ setting is forward in the mids and highs. Vocals sound present with a bit of bite, and cymbals are extra sizzly. It’s a marked difference when the switch is flipped. Neutralizing the mid and high frequencies relative to the bass is achieved by activating the Flat EQ, which prevents any single range from dominating, though it diminishes some of the musical airiness. Rather than relying on the Flat EQ switch, the advanced parametric equalizer within the application was preferred for softening the high-frequency sharpness during standard listening sessions. Positioned discretely on the internal corner of the left earcup far away from other controls, the small switch prevents accidental activation during use.

Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Battery Performance Specifications

The upgraded acoustic seal relies on redesigned ear cushions. An 8mm thin silicon baffle wall is built into the foam inner structure of the earcups to optimize the seal against ears, eyeglasses, and piercings. Weight-reduction efforts have yielded a minor decrease, bringing the Headphone (1) Pro down to 327 grams compared to its predecessor, though it remains significantly heavier than alternative over-ear models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Utilizing 10 microphones, the active noise cancellation (ANC) system on the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro operates in three stages with a maximum reduction of 46db, outperforming the previous model’s ANC by 5db.

Pricing and Global Availability Details

Sold in black and white color options, the Headphone (1) Pro ships alongside a distinctive carry case reminiscent of the 1990s aesthetic. Audio resolutions scaling up to 24-bit/192kHz are attainable when connected to a music player via the provided USB-C cable.