Nothing Headphone 1 Pro targets studio pros with triple drivers and flat EQ

Key points

• The Headphone 1 Pro costs $399, a $100 premium over the standard Headphone 1, and is available starting September 29, 2026.
• It utilizes a triple-driver setup per ear: a 40mm dynamic driver for bass, a precision dynamic driver for mids, and an xMEMS driver for treble.
• A physical switch activates a flat EQ mode, developed in partnership with Metropolis Studios, to remove audio processing for accurate mixing.
• The headphones feature 10 microphones for active noise cancellation, supporting up to 45dB of noise reduction, and support LDAC and USB-C lossless audio.
• Battery life is 68 hours with ANC off and 30 hours with ANC on, slightly lower than the previous generation due to the added drivers.

Background

Nothing has been active in the audio market this year, previously releasing the Headphone A at $199 and the Ear 3A earbuds under $100. The Headphone 1 Pro sits at the top of this lineup, following the original Headphone 1 released last summer. This launch coincides with broader industry trends, such as Apple adding EQ customization to AirPods and Bose introducing Auracast support to its headphones.

How outlets are covering it

The Verge highlights the unique flat EQ switch and notes that while the ANC is strong, it does not quite match the top three competitors (Sony XM6, Bose Ultra, and Apple AirPods Max 2). WIRED emphasizes the technical innovation of the triple-driver design and the durability of the glass panels, noting the headphones are 2 grams lighter than the previous model. Gizmodo focuses on the trade-offs, pointing out that battery life has decreased to 30 hours with ANC on compared to 35 hours previously, and notes the $100 price increase over the standard model. All sources agree on the $399 price point and the September 29 release date, but differ in their emphasis on the practicality of the flat EQ feature for casual listeners versus professionals.

Why it matters

The Headphone 1 Pro represents a shift in consumer audio toward specialized features for professional use, such as flat EQ and high-resolution audio support. By partnering with Metropolis Studios, Nothing is attempting to bridge the gap between consumer electronics and professional studio equipment, potentially attracting a new segment of users who require accurate audio monitoring on the go.

What to watch

The Headphone 1 Pro will be available for purchase starting September 29, 2026, on Nothing's website, Amazon, and Best Buy stores in North America. Future developments may include further integration of Auracast and potential updates to the Nothing X app to refine the EQ profiles and spatial audio modes.