New Delhi: Consumer electronics company Nothing has launched its new Headphone (1) Pro, a premium wireless over-ear headphone priced at $399, as the London-based brand expands its presence in the high-end audio market.
The new headphones build on the distinctive design language of Nothing’s earlier products while introducing an aluminium-and-titanium construction, glass accents and upgraded audio features. The company is positioning the Headphone (1) Pro towards audio enthusiasts seeking greater control over sound and more advanced listening features.
The headphones will be available from September 29 through Nothing’s website, Amazon and Best Buy stores across North America. They will be offered in black and white.
The launch marks Nothing’s latest attempt to compete with established premium audio brands such as Sony, Apple, Bose, Sennheiser and Bang & Olufsen.
Triple-driver system and improved noise cancellation
Nothing says the biggest changes in the Headphone (1) Pro are focused on performance.
The headphones feature a triple-driver audio system and upgraded noise cancellation. The company is targeting consumers looking for a more detailed and customisable listening experience.
Nothing CEO Carl Pei said the improvement in audio quality compared with last year’s Headphone (1) represents a significant step forward for the company.
The new model also provides users with multiple sound modes designed for different listening requirements.
An everyday listening mode is available alongside a Flat EQ setting aimed at users involved in audio production. The headphones also offer spatial audio effects designed to simulate environments such as concert halls and dance clubs.
New EQ profiles target different genres
Nothing has also expanded the equalisation options available on the Headphone (1) Pro.
The company has introduced genre-based profiles including British Rock, UK Rap and Grime, Neo-Jazz and UK bass. These presets were developed in collaboration with London’s Metropolis Studios.
For users who do not want to adjust individual sound settings, Nothing has introduced simpler EQ options such as More Vocals and More Detail.
The range of presets gives listeners greater flexibility in shaping the sound according to their preferences.
This emphasis on customisation is part of Nothing’s attempt to move beyond its design-focused reputation and establish a stronger position in the premium audio segment.
Signature physical controls return
Nothing has retained the physical controls that distinguished its first over-ear headphones.
The Headphone (1) Pro features a roller for adjusting volume and controlling playback, while a separate paddle can be used to skip tracks or answer calls.
The company has also made changes aimed at improving comfort during longer listening sessions.
The ear cushions have been softened, while the headband has been widened and now contains 12% thicker padding.
Nothing has also replaced steel arms with titanium. According to the company, the change reduces the overall weight and helps create more balanced weight distribution.
Glass panels give headphones distinctive look
One of the most visually distinctive elements of the Headphone (1) Pro is the transparent glass window incorporated into each ear cup.
Nothing says the glass is intended to create a sense of depth and topology while reinforcing the brand’s unconventional industrial design approach.
The panels are hardened to protect them against scratches. The company has also designed the glass sections so that they can be replaced externally if they are damaged, without requiring an extensive repair process.
Glass remains relatively uncommon in mainstream headphone designs, although premium manufacturers including Sennheiser and Bang & Olufsen have used the material in some products.
The combination of glass, aluminium and titanium gives the Headphone (1) Pro a different visual identity from conventional plastic-heavy over-ear headphones.
Battery life reaches up to 30 hours
The Headphone (1) Pro offers up to 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled.
That figure is slightly lower than the 35-hour battery life claimed for the previous Headphone (1).
The new headphones retain an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance, matching the protection offered by the earlier model.
While the battery figure represents a reduction on the previous generation, Nothing has focused much of the Pro model’s development on audio performance, comfort and customisation.
Nothing targets growth in the US
The Headphone (1) Pro also forms part of Nothing’s wider strategy to increase its presence in the US consumer electronics market.
Pei said the company’s US audio business grew by about 175% in revenue last year, while unit sales increased by around 110%.
Nothing has also expanded its retail presence in the country. Earlier this year, the company began selling its smartphone portfolio at more than 500 Best Buy locations.
According to Pei, Nothing has surpassed $2 billion in hardware sales to date.
The CEO described Nothing as a mid-sized company that remains small enough to take risks while having the engineering and supply-chain capabilities needed to compete with larger technology companies.
Nothing considers future products and IPO
Pei also said the company is preparing for continued expansion and has told employees to be ready for a potential initial public offering in the next few years.
However, he said Nothing is not in a rush to go public.
The company has an ambitious product roadmap for next year, although some products have been put on hold while Nothing evaluates their value proposition.
Smart glasses and a Nothing-branded smartwatch are among the products currently on hold, according to Pei.
The company is also considering whether to enter the foldable smartphone segment. Pei said he is becoming more open to the idea as the category develops.
From Headphone (1) to the Pro model
Nothing entered the over-ear headphone market in July 2025 with the $299 Headphone (1). It was the company’s first full-size headphone product after several years of concentrating primarily on wireless earbuds.
The company later introduced the more affordable Headphone (a), priced at $199.
The new Headphone (1) Pro therefore represents a move further up the price range.
At $399, it puts Nothing directly into competition with established premium audio brands while giving the company an opportunity to showcase its design philosophy and increasingly sophisticated audio technology.
With triple drivers, enhanced noise cancellation, multiple EQ profiles, spatial audio modes and a glass-and-metal construction, Nothing is using the Pro model to signal a broader ambition in the premium headphone market.
(This story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)