Phone makers can develop and sell any gadgets they want, but not every tech company is bold enough to venture into audiophile and prosumer audio territory. Not even Samsung with its own-branded headphones. But Nothing just did. I certainly did not see that coming. The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro, as it is called, is the brand’s first truly premium pair of headphones, with features aimed at listening, producing, and mixing music.
Aesthetically, Nothing chose to double down on its rather polarizing cassette-tape silhouette, first adopted by its first over-ear cans, Nothing Headphone (1), but with some tweaks. If the Nothing Headphone (1) is smart casual, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro would be likened to a three-piece suit. The familiar shape has been inherited, but it sure looks damn sleeker.
Under the hood, it boasts a triple-driver architecture featuring a 40 mm dynamic driver for bass, a 13 × 8 mm precision dynamic driver for vocal and instrumental detail, and a solid-state xMEMS tweeter for the highs. Each handles a designated frequency range, with the complete setup covering a quoted 20 Hz–40 kHz.
The Pro Part Has Its Own Switch
Nothing teamed up with Metropolis Studios to develop a Flat EQ profile for reviewing, producing, and mixing music. A dedicated switch lets you move between that neutral profile and your usual EQ settings. You can listen for enjoyment, then flip the switch when it’s time to hear what needs fixing.
Metropolis also helped create a Studio B spatial audio mode inspired by its actual studio. That joins Standard, Live House, Club, and Concert Hall modes, with dynamic head tracking adding to the experience. Nothing X provides further customization, including personalized sound and EQ adjustments for individual drivers.
The headphones support Hi-Res Audio over wired and wireless connections. LDAC handles wireless playback at up to 24-bit/96 kHz, while USB-C offers lossless playback at up to 24-bit/192 kHz. A 3.5 mm input is included, too. The supplied cable still has a place in this rather elaborate audio setup.
A Better-Dressed Pair of Cans
The Pro combines machined aluminum with titanium-alloy arms and 9H Panda Glass. Its glass window exposes hints of the driver arrangement, keeping Nothing’s fondness for showing off the internals intact.
Nothing says the titanium arms are 45% lighter than those on Headphone (1). The dual-layer ear cushions are claimed to be 50% softer, with a wider headband and thicker padding completing the comfort upgrades. The headphones weigh 327 grams (11.53 ounces) and measure 190.2 × 174.4 × 78 mm (7.49 × 6.87 × 3.07 inches).
The roller and paddle return for volume, playback, track skipping, and calls, alongside a customizable button and the new Flat EQ switch. Physical controls remain a welcome part of the design. You shouldn’t have to find your phone just to turn the music down.
Listening Longer, Hearing Less Outside
Adaptive active noise cancellation uses ten microphones, with Nothing claiming up to 46 dB of noise reduction. Transparency mode lets your surroundings through, while a four-microphone system helps isolate your voice during calls.
Bluetooth 6.1 supports connections to two devices simultaneously. There’s also Auracast audio sharing, wear detection, and support for SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3, with LC3 reserved for broadcast audio.
The 1,060 mAh battery delivers a claimed 68 hours of AAC playback with ANC off, or 30 hours with it on. Switch to LDAC, and those figures become 53 and 28 hours. Five minutes of charging provides up to four hours of playback without ANC, or two hours with it. A full charge takes approximately two hours.
Pricing and Availability
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is available in black or white for US$399, complete with a hardshell case, USB-C cable, and 3.5 mm audio cable. The cassette-inspired look may still divide opinions, but Nothing has given the Pro more to talk about than its appearance. I’m particularly interested in that Flat EQ switch. It makes the move into prosumer audio feel like a feature you can actually reach out and use.
You can also find it being sold on Amazon.com for the same US$399.
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Images: Nothing.
