If you are looking for a premium over-ear headphone with a unique design and powerful audio features, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro deserves your attention.
Nothing has built its reputation around bold and unusual designs. With the Headphone (1) Pro, the company takes that idea further with a transparent-inspired design, machined aluminium, titanium alloy arms and scratch-resistant glass.
However, the design is only one part of the story. The real upgrade comes from the audio hardware.
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro uses a triple-driver architecture with separate drivers for bass, precision and treble. It also features an xMEMS treble driver, adaptive ANC with up to 46dB noise reduction, Bluetooth 6.1 and tuning developed with Metropolis Studios.
So, does this premium headphone actually deliver a premium listening experience? Let us take a closer look.
1. Design and Build Quality
The design is one of the first things you notice about the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro.
Nothing has kept its transparent design language but added a more premium construction. The headphones use machined aluminium, titanium alloy arms and upgraded 9H Panda Glass.
The glass elements also give you a glimpse of the internal triple-driver architecture. This makes the headphone look different from many traditional over-ear models.
The Headphone (1) Pro weighs around 327 grams. It is not an ultra-light headphone, but Nothing has worked on the fit to make long listening sessions more comfortable.
The headband is 10% wider and has 12% thicker padding. The dual-layer ear cushions are also 50% softer than those on the previous Headphone (1). Nothing says the new cushions are designed to adapt better when you are wearing glasses.
The headphones also carry an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance.
Tactile Controls
Another interesting part of the design is the physical control system.
Instead of depending completely on touch controls, Nothing uses a tactile roller, paddle and buttons.
The roller controls volume and playback. The paddle lets you skip tracks and manage calls. There is also a customizable button for additional functions.
This approach makes everyday controls easier to use without reaching for your smartphone.
2. Triple-Driver Audio System
The biggest technical upgrade is the audio architecture.
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro uses three separate drivers in each earcup. Each driver is designed to handle a different part of the frequency range.
The setup includes:
- 40mm dynamic driver for bass
- Precision dynamic driver for vocals and mid-range
- xMEMS driver for treble
This setup allows Nothing to focus on different parts of the sound spectrum instead of asking one driver to handle everything.
The 40mm bass driver uses a dual-magnetic system. According to Nothing, it provides 15% more punch and 26% higher sensitivity compared with its previous design.
The precision driver uses a PEN diaphragm to improve vocal texture and articulation. Meanwhile, the xMEMS driver handles high frequencies and uses a silicon diaphragm.
In simple words, the goal is to provide deeper bass, clearer vocals and more detailed instruments.
3. xMEMS Treble Driver
The xMEMS driver is one of the most interesting parts of the Headphone (1) Pro.
Unlike a conventional dynamic driver, xMEMS technology uses a solid-state design for high-frequency reproduction.
Nothing says the silicon diaphragm used in the treble driver is 95 times stiffer than plastic. The company says this helps improve transient response and detail.
For listeners who enjoy vocals, acoustic music, detailed instruments or high-resolution recordings, this hardware could make the listening experience more engaging.
The headphones also support Hi-Res Audio and LDAC. When connected through USB-C, they support lossless high-fidelity playback up to 24-bit/192kHz.
4. Metropolis Studios Tuning and Flat EQ
Nothing has also worked with Metropolis Studios on the tuning of the Headphone (1) Pro.
One of the standout features is the new Flat EQ option.
The idea behind Flat EQ is simple. Instead of heavily processing the sound, it aims to provide a more neutral listening profile.
This can be useful for people who want to hear music with less coloration.
There is also an advanced EQ inside the Nothing X app. Users can adjust different parts of the sound and create a listening profile based on their preferences.
The headphones also support Personal Sound, which is designed to adapt the sound experience to the listener’s hearing profile.
5. Active Noise Cancellation
For a premium wireless headphone, ANC is an important feature.
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro supports real-time adaptive Active Noise Cancellation with up to 46dB of noise reduction.
It uses a total of 10 microphones. Five microphones on each side are used for the hybrid ANC system. The headphones continuously analyse the surrounding environment and adjust the noise cancellation accordingly.
Nothing has also added a new silicone sound seal and redesigned the ear cushions to improve passive isolation.
This combination should help reduce unwanted sounds from places such as offices, public transport and busy streets.
Of course, actual ANC performance can vary depending on the type of noise, the fit and the environment.
6. Transparency Mode and Call Quality
Sometimes you do not want to block the outside world.
The Headphone (1) Pro includes a Transparency Mode that lets surrounding sounds pass through. This can be useful when you need to hear announcements or speak to someone without removing the headphones.
For calls, Nothing uses its Clear Voice Technology with a four-microphone call algorithm.
The company says the system was trained using more than 30 million scenarios to help separate the user’s voice from environmental noise.
This makes the headphones more useful beyond music. You can use them for calls, voice notes and other everyday communication.
7. Battery Life
Battery life is another major part of the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro experience.
With ANC turned off, the headphones offer up to 68 hours of playback using AAC. With ANC enabled, the rating drops to up to 30 hours.
If you use LDAC, the official figures are up to 53 hours with ANC off and up to 28 hours with ANC on.
The headphones also support fast charging.
A five-minute charge can provide up to four hours of playback with ANC off. With ANC enabled, the same five-minute charge provides up to two hours of playback.
These numbers are based on Nothing’s testing conditions, so real-world battery life can vary with volume, codec, ANC and other features.
8. Bluetooth 6.1 and Connectivity
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro comes with Bluetooth 6.1.
It supports AAC, SBC and LDAC for music playback. It also supports dual-device connectivity, allowing users to connect the headphones to two devices at the same time.
The headphones support Google Fast Pair on Android and Microsoft Swift Pair. Apple users also get MFi support.
There is also a 3.5mm audio connection and USB-C audio support, giving users more flexibility when listening to music.
Another interesting feature is Auracast support, which allows compatible audio to be broadcast to multiple headphones at the same time.
9. Spatial Audio and Personalisation
The Headphone (1) Pro also supports spatial audio with head tracking.
This feature can create a wider and more immersive sound experience, especially when watching compatible video or listening to supported content.
However, spatial audio is not something everyone will prefer. Some listeners may enjoy the wider presentation, while others may prefer traditional stereo sound.
That is why the option to customise the experience through the Nothing X app is useful.
You can experiment with EQ settings, Personal Sound and spatial audio until you find a setup that matches your listening style.
10. What Makes the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Different?
The premium headphone market already has several established names.
So, Nothing needs more than good sound to stand out.
The Headphone (1) Pro tries to differentiate itself through its combination of design, physical controls and advanced audio hardware.
The triple-driver system is unusual for this category. The xMEMS treble driver adds another layer of technical interest, while the Flat EQ and Metropolis Studios tuning are aimed at listeners who want more control over their sound.
The physical roller and paddle are also a nice change from headphones that depend heavily on touch gestures.
For people who care about both technology and design, these details could make the Headphone (1) Pro particularly interesting.
11. Things You Should Know Before Buying
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is not designed to be a basic everyday headphone.
It weighs 327 grams, so buyers looking specifically for an extremely lightweight model may want to consider the weight before purchasing.
The battery rating is also lower with ANC and LDAC enabled than the headline 68-hour figure. That is normal for wireless headphones, but it is worth remembering when comparing battery claims.
Price is another important factor.
Nothing has positioned the Headphone (1) Pro as a premium model. The US price is listed at $399, while the official specifications and availability can vary by market.
Therefore, buyers should check the local price before making a final decision.
Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: Key Specifications
| Feature | Nothing Headphone (1) Pro |
|---|---|
| Design | Over-ear wireless headphone |
| Drivers | Triple-driver system |
| Bass Driver | 40mm dynamic |
| Precision Driver | 13 × 8mm dynamic |
| Treble Driver | xMEMS |
| ANC | Up to 46dB |
| Microphones | 10 |
| Bluetooth | 6.1 |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC |
| Battery | Up to 68 hours, ANC off |
| Battery with ANC | Up to 30 hours |
| Fast Charging | 5 minutes for up to 4 hours |
| Weight | 327g |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP52 |
| Audio Ports | USB-C and 3.5mm |
| Spatial Audio | Yes, with head tracking |
| Flat EQ | Yes |
| Dual Connection | Yes |
Specifications are based on Nothing’s official product information and can vary by usage mode.
Final Verdict: Is the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Worth Considering?
The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is clearly aimed at users who want more than a standard wireless headphone.
Its biggest highlights are the triple-driver architecture, xMEMS treble driver, adaptive ANC, tactile controls, Bluetooth 6.1, high-resolution audio support and distinctive Nothing design.
The 68-hour maximum battery rating is also useful for people who spend long hours listening to music, while the 30-hour ANC rating gives you plenty of room for everyday use.
However, the premium price and 327g weight are worth considering before you buy.
Overall, the Headphone (1) Pro looks like a serious step forward for Nothing’s over-ear audio lineup. It combines experimental design with high-end audio hardware and a long list of modern features.
If you want a headphone that looks different, offers extensive customisation and gives you multiple ways to enjoy high-quality audio, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro is certainly worth putting on your shortlist.
What do you think about the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro? Would you choose its triple-driver setup and unique design over a more traditional premium headphone? Let us know in the comments.
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