Nothing’s first over-ear headphones made an impression mostly through their looks. With the Headphone (1) Pro, the company is trying to back up the design with more serious audio hardware. The new flagship keeps the recognisable styling of the original Headphone (1) but adds a three-driver setup, stronger noise cancellation and more premium materials. Pricing and availability weren’t part of the initial details, which leaves the most important question unanswered for now.
The driver arrangement is the biggest technical change. Each earcup combines a 40mm dynamic driver for bass, a second precision dynamic driver, and an xMEMS driver with a silicone diaphragm to handle treble. Splitting frequencies across multiple drivers is a familiar approach in high-end audio, and putting a solid-state xMEMS unit on the top end is an unusual choice for consumer headphones. How well those three drivers blend together will matter far more than the count itself. The headphones also carry Hi-Res Audio certification.
Nothing is adding Dynamic Spatial Audio with head tracking, offering several listening modes named Standard, Live House, Club and Concert Hall, plus one modelled on Studio B at Metropolis Studios. Spatial modes like these tend to divide listeners, so the real test is whether they add something to music or feel like a gimmick after the first few days.
Noise cancellation gets a significant hardware upgrade, with 10 microphones handling the work. Nothing claims up to 46dB of noise reduction, a figure that will need real-world testing on flights and busy streets before it means much.
The build now uses a scratch-resistant glass outer enclosure, a lightweight titanium component and an aluminium frame. Comfort changes include thicker padding, a headband 10 percent wider than the original model, more flexible cups and cushions Nothing says are softer. At 327g, they aren’t light, so those comfort tweaks will carry a lot of weight during long listening sessions.
Nothing claims 30 hours of playback with ANC switched on from the 1,060mAh battery, rising to 68 hours without it, with USB-C fast charging. Connectivity runs on Bluetooth 6.1 with Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair and quick setup on Apple devices, along with dual-device connections, a low-latency mode and auto-wear detection. Codec support covers AAC, SBC, LDAC and LC3. There’s an IP52 rating, tactile controls and a Switch button for toggling a flat EQ, which purists will appreciate.
The Headphone (1) Pro comes in black and white with a padded carrying case. Once pricing arrives, it will show whether Nothing is aiming to undercut established premium headphones or take them on directly.
