# Nothing's flagship headphones bring studio tools to listeners

> The Headphone 1 Pro add a unique flat EQ switch for studio work alongside strong noise cancellation and a triple-driver design.
- Title: Nothing's flagship headphones bring studio tools to listeners
- Summary: The Headphone 1 Pro add a unique flat EQ switch for studio work alongside strong noise cancellation and a triple-driver design. Nothing released the…
- Keywords: nothing, headphone 1 pro, audio equipment, active noise cancellation, studio headphones, john higgins, technology, culture, Nothing's, flagship, headphones, bring
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/tech/1001797/nothings-headphone-1-pro-review
- Author: John Higgins
- Published: 2026-09-29T01:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: nothing, headphone 1 pro, audio equipment, active noise cancellation, studio headphones, john higgins, technology, culture
## Nothing's new flagship headphones
Nothing released the Headphone 1 Pro at three hundred ninety-nine dollars. The company has released solid audio products this year, including the Headphone A at one hundred ninety-nine dollars and the Ear 3A earbuds under one hundred dollars.
## A switch for studio professionals
The Headphone 1 Pro include a flat EQ switch that removes processing, letting studio professionals hear what they are mixing without coloration. The idea came through a partnership with Metropolis Studios, a recording and mastering space in London.
## Where the switch sits
The flat EQ switch is small and on an inside corner of the left ear cup, far away from any other controls. This placement prevents accidental activation while using the headphones.
## What flat EQ actually sounds like
Nothing's default balanced EQ is forward in the mids and highs, making vocals present with bite and cymbals extra sizzly. Turning on flat EQ brings those frequencies in line with the bass, removing some airiness to the music.
## The science of what sounds good
Research by Dr. Sean Olive and colleagues at Harman shows most people prefer elevated bass, neutral mids for natural vocals, and slightly boosted highs before rolling off above around five kilohertz. This is called the Harman Curve.
## Triple drivers set them apart
The Headphone 1 Pro use a triple-driver design: a forty millimetre dynamic driver for bass, a separate midrange driver, and a xMEMS driver for upper frequencies. Competitors like Sony XM6 and AirPods Max 2 use a single driver per side.
## High-resolution audio support
The Headphone 1 Pro support LDAC for wireless high-res audio up to twenty-four bit slash ninety-six kilohertz, and wired lossless over USB-C up to twenty-four bit slash one hundred ninety-two kilohertz. They also work as Auracast transmitter or receiver.
## Noise cancellation performance
The ANC impressed during testing, blocking low-end rumbling from A/C units and airplane noise, and handling street traffic well. It is not quite as good as Sony XM6, Bose Ultra Headphones Gen 2, or Apple AirPods Max 2, but is the best Nothing has made.
## Design and battery life
The Headphone 1 Pro keep Nothing's distinctive design and tactile controls. The hard case closes around just the ear cups, leaving the headband exposed as a handle. The headphones are IP52 rated and get up to thirty hours of battery with ANC on.
## Battery without noise cancellation
With active noise cancellation turned off, the Headphone 1 Pro deliver up to sixty-eight hours of battery life, more than double the time with ANC enabled.
## The verdict so far
The Headphone 1 Pro are the best Nothing headphones made. The flat EQ switch will be a novelty for most users, but studio professionals could find it useful. They have strong ANC and distinctive Nothing styling.
## Key takeaway

Nothing released the Headphone 1 Pro at three hundred ninety-nine dollars with a flat EQ switch designed for studio professionals, alongside strong ANC and triple-driver audio.