Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Review: Stunning Sci-Fi Design and Refined Sound at $399

Introduction

The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro arrive as the company's third and most impressive attempt at flagship over-ear headphones yet. Blending a striking, futuristic sci-fi aesthetic with a sophisticated triple-driver audio system, these headphones aim to turn heads on the street while satisfying discerning audiophiles. Priced at $399, they enter a fiercely competitive market dominated by heavyweights like Sony and Bose. But do they truly deliver on their high-end promises?

Design and Comfort

True to Nothing's signature design philosophy, the Headphone (1) Pro feature a transparent look that cleverly combines matte aluminum, machined titanium alloy arms, and shatter-resistant glass earcup windows. Weighing just 11.53 ounces, they are remarkably light. Equipped with ultra-soft ear cushions and a plush headband, users can wear them for up to six hours straight without experiencing fatigue or discomfort. However, the hardshell case—reminiscent of the Apple AirPods Max's controversial design—is bulky and adds considerable weight, making it a polarizing feature for travelers.

Audio Performance and Triple-Driver Setup

The crown jewel of the Headphone (1) Pro is undoubtedly their audio architecture. Each earcup houses a triple-driver setup comprising a 40mm dynamic driver, an 8mm precision dynamic driver, and a 1.15mm xMEMS driver. Certified for Hi-Res Audio (both wired and wireless), they support lossless playback up to 24-bit/192KHz and LDAC connectivity. The result is a wide, expansive soundstage with punchy, deep sub-bass, refined mids, and crisp, non-fatiguing treble.

App Customization and Features

Powered by the Nothing X app (available on iOS and Android), the headphones offer staggering levels of EQ customization. Because of the triple-driver system, users can meticulously fine-tune settings for each individual driver, adjust gain and frequency, or run a personalized hearing test to build a custom sound profile. Additional features include spatial audio with head tracking, Auracast audio broadcasting, and IP52 durability.

Battery Life

Battery performance is another area where Nothing shines. With Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) turned off, the Headphone (1) Pro deliver up to 68 hours of continuous playback (dropping to 30 hours with ANC enabled). Even when streaming via high-bitrate LDAC, users can expect around 53 hours with ANC off and 28 hours with it on, easily outpacing rivals like the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) and Sony WH-1000XM6.

Drawbacks: ANC and Controls

Despite their many strengths, the Headphone (1) Pro have a few shortcomings. The Active Noise Cancellation is decent, blocking out office chatter and indoor noise quite well, but it falls short of the industry-leading isolation offered by Bose. Additionally, some physical buttons—such as the Flat EQ toggle located on the inner edge of the left earcup—are frustratingly difficult to reach while wearing them, while the volume controls can sometimes register accidental touches.

Verdict

The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro successfully prove that the third time is indeed the charm for the brand. Offering fantastic sound quality, exceptional comfort, a unique sci-fi design, and phenomenal battery life, they easily justify their $399 price tag for design-conscious music lovers—provided you can overlook the quirky carrying case and average ANC performance.