Nothing, the London-based tech company known for its bold designs, launched a pair of high-end, studio-quality headphones on Wednesday, riding on the niche but growing market for premium over-ear headphones. The Headphone (1) Pro, which retail for $399 (or approx Rs 38,282), are the company’s second pair of over-ear headphones, a year after it debuted Headphone (1).

The Pro model is built on the original Headphone (1) but includes hardware improvements, better active noise cancellation, and subtle physical design changes. The premium headphones are slightly lighter at 327 grams, while also featuring softer ear cups, a wider headband, and thicker padding throughout. The design, in general, has a cleaner look, and the company has this time opted for a premium glass material for a see-through panel.

The biggest upgrade is the audio experience. The headphones feature a triple-driver setup for improved sound quality and greater control over tuning, along with a more advanced custom EQ in the Nothing X app. Users can independently adjust the main drivers and precision driver for much finer control over the sound.

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The Headphone (1) Pro costs 100 USD more than the original Headphone (1).

Nothing says it improved the audio quality with help from Metropolis Studios. The Headphone (1) Pro also features a physical switch for quickly switching to a neutral “Flat” EQ, along with Spatial Audio presets that recreate environments such as live houses and concert halls, with optional head tracking.

The Headphone (1) Pro also supports lossless audio over USB-C and Hi-Res wireless playback, while retaining the same physical controls, including the paddle and wheel found on the Headphone (1).

At $399, Nothing’s Headphone (1) Pro are among the more premium headphones on the market, rivaling the priciest offerings from Apple, Sony, Bose, Sonos, and Sennheiser. They cost $100 less than the AirPods Max 2 but $50 more than Apple-owned Beats’ premium over-ear 360 headphones, which debuted recently. Sonos’ Ace Ultra, which launched earlier this month, costs $449 and goes neck and neck with Apple’s highest-end headphones.

The market for premium headphones is on the upswing, with consumers willing to spend upwards of $300 on high-end over-ear headphones. Sony and Bose remain the dominant players, while Apple and Sonos cater to average consumers who appreciate premium design and superior audio quality. With the Headphone (1) Pro, Nothing is banking on its distinctive design and high-quality audio to stand out.