Brandon Fletcher
Nothing’s latest wireless headphones have been elevated with a “Pro” designation, and the company is serious about it. Priced at $399, the Nothing Headphone 1 Pro is touted as their “most advanced headphones” to date, primarily due to two significant enhancements: the innovative driver architecture and the advanced EQ settings.
To begin with the driver architecture, Nothing has introduced a new three-driver setup, a notable upgrade from the Headphone 1’s single driver configuration. This new design allows each driver to specialize in different frequency ranges. One driver is dedicated to delivering precise bass, enhancing the Headphone 1 Pro with greater “punch and sensitivity.” Another driver is focused on reproducing vocals and instruments with clarity, while the third, a treble-centric driver from xMems, is responsible for managing higher frequencies.
While I have yet to experience the Headphone 1 Pro firsthand (a test I plan to conduct soon), the inclusion of dedicated drivers for each frequency range promises to significantly enhance audio performance from one generation to the next.
The second enhancement focuses on the EQ capabilities. Nothing has teamed up with Metropolis Studios, a renowned music studio known for its work with icons like Queen and the Rolling Stones. This collaboration has led to the introduction of a physical “flat EQ” switch, designed for “reviewing tracks or comparing mixes.” This feature allows the Headphone 1 Pro to eliminate any “colorization and processing” from the audio, providing a purer listening experience.
Nothing has introduced a new “Studio B” spatial sound mode in collaboration with Metropolis Studios. This mode is designed to replicate the experience of listening to music in a professional control room. there are several casual EQ presets tailored to various genres such as jazz, British rock, U.K. rap, grime, and electronica. For enthusiasts of electronic music, these features could prove particularly beneficial. While these enhancements primarily target music creators, they also offer intriguing options for casual listeners.
In terms of design, the Headphone 1 Pro features updates with stylish black accents on the outer earcups, complemented by high-quality materials. This iteration incorporates titanium, which reduces the weight of the arms by 45% compared to the Headphone 1. The headband padding has also been upgraded to be thicker and more comfortable, with the ear cushions claimed to be 50% softer than in the previous model. Although the Headphone 1 Pro is only 2 grams lighter (totaling 327 grams) than its predecessor, these changes may enhance comfort during extended wear.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) has seen enhancements as well, now reaching a maximum of 45dB, an increase from the 42dB offered by the Headphone 1.
The Headphone 1 Pro falls short in one significant area: battery life. The new model offers 30 hours of playback with ANC activated, compared to 35 hours for the previous generation. This decrease is not unexpected given the addition of three drivers. The potential tradeoff in sound quality might justify the reduction in battery life.
With these upgrades, the price also rises, necessitating an additional $100 compared to the previous generation. If the audio performance matches Nothing’s claims, these wireless headphones could stand as formidable competitors to high-end models from Sony, such as the WH-1000XM6, and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), both priced at $450. The Headphone 1 Pro will be available starting September 29.
Daniel Mercer
Ethan Carter
