Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Adds Triple-Driver Audio and a Sleek New Design

Headphone (1) Pro is Nothing’s newest pair of over-ear headphones, announced Monday at an evening event in New York City. The headphones are similar to Nothing’s first over-ear model, which debuted last summer, but feature a sleeker design, a more comfortable fit and a major change to the audio system.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro Uses Three Drivers per Ear

Instead of relying on a single dynamic driver in each ear cup, the Headphone (1) Pro uses three drivers per ear. Most headphones use one 40mm dynamic driver to handle a track’s bass, mids and treble. Separating those frequency ranges across multiple drivers can provide more room for a detailed, flexible sound profile while helping reduce muddiness or distortion.

A 40mm bass dynamic driver handles low frequencies, while a high-precision dynamic driver focuses on the midrange, including vocals, piano and guitar. According to Nothing, this driver also brings greater detail to “S” and “T” sounds. A dedicated treble driver handles high notes. The drivers use xMEMS technology, which relies on silicon diaphragms to make transients—sharp sounds such as cymbal hits and synth stabs—clearer.

Together, the three drivers are designed to produce a more detailed and richer sound. While headphone manufacturers routinely claim that their products deliver exceptional audio quality, Nothing is emphasizing the Headphone (1) Pro’s unusual triple-driver architecture.

A Transparent Design Shows the Headphone Technology

The triple-driver system is visible through the side of the headphones. Two 9H panda glass panels let users look into the internal technology. The rest of the headphones are made primarily from aluminum, with titanium accents.

Nothing says the glass was tested against 18 drops from more than a meter high, although Philipp von Lintel, associate principal industrial designer at Nothing, does not describe it as “unbreakable or scratch-resistant.” The glass design should not significantly affect repairability. Technicians can heat the glass from the outside to remove it and access the internal chamber. “Even if it cracks, there is a plastic film and the chamber will continue to function,” von Lintel told WIRED.

Headphone (1) Pro Battery Life and Durability

The Headphone (1) Pro is 2 grams lighter than the Headphone (1), with a wider headband and thicker padding. However, it has shorter battery life: up to 68 hours with active noise cancellation turned off, compared with 80 hours for the Headphone (1).

The headphones have an IP52 dust and water resistance rating, so users should keep them protected from heavy rain.