Nothing Headphone 1 Pro launched: Price, specs

Nothing has introduced its latest flagship over-ear headphones, the Headphone 1 Pro, priced at $399. The launch follows the company's success with the Headphone A at $199 and the Ear 3A earbuds under $100, offering a range of options for buyers of all budgets. According to The Verge, which tested the new pair, the Headphone 1 Pro boasts a triple driver design, a physical Flat EQ switch for studio use, and a battery that lasts up to 68 hours with noise cancellation turned off.

At $399, the Headphone 1 Pro positions itself competitively within the mid-range of premium audio options, alongside the Sony XM6, Bose Ultra Headphones Gen 2, and Apple AirPods Max 2, all priced similarly. Standing out from competitors like the Sony XM6, Bose Ultra Headphones Gen 2, and AirPods Max 2, which use a single driver per ear cup, Nothing has opted for a three-driver setup in each ear cup.

This includes a 40mm dynamic driver for bass, a dedicated midrange driver, and a tiny solid-state xMEMS driver for higher frequencies, allowing each driver to specialize and deliver a cleaner sound across the frequency spectrum.

One unique feature is the Flat EQ switch located on the inside of the left ear cup. Initially intended for professional use, this switch disables all EQ and spatial audio processing, providing a flat, unprocessed audio experience. Developed in collaboration with Metropolis Studios in London, familiar to many in the music industry, this feature caters to those who prioritize a pure, uncompressed sound for mixing or critical listening, though its appeal may be limited to a niche audience.

The Headphone 1 Pro shines particularly in battery life, offering up to 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled and 68 hours with it turned off. Its noise cancellation performance is robust, effectively blocking low-frequency sounds like AC units and airplane engines, although it lags slightly behind other high-end models like the Sony XM6, Bose Ultra Headphones Gen 2, and AirPods Max 2 in this aspect.

The design maintains Nothing's trademark transparent aesthetic, with tactile buttons and an IP52 rating for dust and splash resistance. The included hard-shell case, while not fully enclosing the headband like some competitors, offers a practical alternative for storage and transport. The headphones support LDAC for high-resolution wireless audio up to 24-bit and 96 kHz, wired lossless playback via USB-C up to 24-bit and 192 kHz, and Auracast support for versatile Bluetooth functionality.