Tag Archives: headphones

Wireless headphones concept sits on a charger that doubles as a speaker

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Although they have been around for a long time already, it was the retirement of the 3.5mm headphone jack from smartphones that really caused a surge of interest in wireless headphones and earbuds. There is a wide variety of designs for over-ear cup headphones, most of them naturally focusing on the headphones themselves. The experience of using these accessories, however, doesn’t stop after you’ve taken them off, but most manufacturers seem to make charging headphones an afterthought. This design concept, in contrast, offers a more holistic experience, one that ensures you can continue enjoying your tunes even when your headphones are charging.

Designer: Zeta ID

Although it’s only too easy to lose one or two wireless earbuds, the small objects at least have a proper place to call their home. In contrast, larger wireless headphones have to be hung somewhere if they’re not left lying on a desk, and even then you have to remember to plug them in to charge. And, of course, you’re left with your phone or laptop speakers while its charging, perhaps with a noticeable loss in sound quality.

If earbuds and charging cases always come together, then maybe wireless headphones should also come with a wireless charger out of the box. That’s what the Eko concept tries to bring to the table, almost literally, offering a standard place where you know you’ll always find your headphones. Of course, it also charges while resting, so you can be sure that your personal listening device is always ready by the time you leave.

That stand, however, does more than just charge the headphones. It also functions as a Bluetooth speaker, so you can enjoy high-quality audio even when the headphones are docked. The concept doesn’t exactly say whether it can work independently of the headphones, but that’s often the case with Bluetooth speakers anyway. There can perhaps be a feature that could make it seamlessly switch between the headphones and the speaker as needed.

Eko also has a modern and stylish appearance, one that uses a streamlined band design instead of the usual circular cups. The speaker charging dock is a triangular prism that matches the dark motif of the headphones. One concern about the concept design is the comfort of the headphones themselves, as its speaker don’t seem to go over the ears like most designs and would instead press on it.

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Apple Clear Series reimagines AirPods Max, AirPods Pro and Watch Ultra in transparent skin

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Nothing brought a new dimension to the world of gadgets with their Nothing Ear (1) TWS earbuds. This gave young listeners a reason to show off their audio accessory having see-through aesthetics. The visible hardware of the earbuds and then later on the Phone (1) smartphone created quite a buzz before launch for the invisible aesthetics.

Beats got hooked on the idea and released their version of transparent Studio Buds + TWS. The craze for gadgets with visible innards is obvious as they look cool, and I believe, it’s not just another fad. The Apple subsidiary owned by the Cupertino giant since 2014 might give the big daddy some inspiration for a transparent series of gadgets fit for Gen-Z. Yes, of course, we are in the concept realm on this one!

Designer: Vadzim Sadouski

Dubbed the Apple Clear Series, this concept design reimagines the suite of Apple products with see-through aesthetics. Got bored with your AirPods Max in Blue color? The AirPods Max Clear are meant for you, with the dope transparent cans that expose the rear portion of the earcups. Here we are not talking about Open-Back headphones, but rather ones with the cups covered in a thick layer of acrylic fiber for structural strength. The see-through design continues to the headband with cushioning at the bottom for comfort.

Then there is the AirPods Pro Clear which more or less looks inspired by the sister brand Beats. Of course, we would have loved more renders to let loose our imagination but the designer has created just the frontal view of the earbuds. Just like the transparent headphones, the third proposed gadget is the Apple Watch Ultra Clear with a transparent shell encapsulating the watch. Interestingly the rubber strap is also wrapped in the see-through material.

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EEG sensor-enabled MW75 Neuro headphones track focus level for peak productivity all day long

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During CES 2023, Neurable AI demoed a pair of smart headphones developed in collaboration with premium audio brand Master & Dynamics. The cans are an extension of the MW75 headphones, as they come with the unique ability to monitor brain activity for variety of applications. The AI company employs advanced electrocephalography (EEG) technology using embedded sensors to detect focus levels or mental fatigue.

In conjunction with the accompanying app, the BCI-enabled headphones designed by M&D have EEG sensors capable of interpreting brain signals with lab-level accuracy. To make things interesting, the app gamifies the goal of achieving peak focus levels during the day. The user can get an in-depth analysis of high-focus periods and schedule the most important creative tasks at that time. The smart app learns user patterns over time to suggest needed actions and gives timely prompts.

Designer: Neurable AI and Master & Dynamic

According to neuroscientist and founder of Neurable, Dr Ramses Alcaide, “Your brain has no pain receptors, so these headphones can help with that. By the time your eyes are hurting from looking at the screen, your brain may have been needing a break for hours.” The ultimate goal is to get a deeper insight into cognitive health and attend to any red flags well beforehand to manage burnout and elevate daily performance and productivity.

Primarily the MW75 Neuro headphones are targeted towards people who use headphones while working. Neurable employs the AI features to expand the functionality when gaming, meditating, or during workouts to gaze the level of concertation. They can be used as normal ANC cans which perform just like the flagship MW75s and have similar transparency modes and customizable EQ settings.

The battery life with the ANC mode on is an impressive 28 hours, while in the focus tracking mode employing the EEG sensors, it drops to 8 hours which is understandable. Those who have been eyeing these advanced headphones since CES can now pre-order them for $699 which is $100 more than the usual MW75 wireless headphones. If you can spend that kind of money on your music accessories going for the MW75 Neuro makes more sense. Book them now in any one of the cool color options – silver, onyx, navy, and olive – and you’ll get them with a pair of lambskin leather earpads.

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Bang & Olufsen’s $1549 Beoplay H100 Headphones make the AirPods Max and Dyson OnTrac look ’mid’

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You thought a $500 pair of wireless headphones was expensive, think again. Bang & Olufsen just introduced the Beoplay H100, their flagship headphones with a design that gives legacy tech brands a run for their money. The Beoplay H100 comes with a gorgeously premium design, with lambskin leather and hardened glass parts, along with a rotating crown surrounding the earpiece that feels a lot like something Apple should have done with the AirPods Max. The only catch, is that the Beoplay H100 has a $1549 price tag – something which might deter most people, but will attract the kind of moneyed audiophiles who trust B&O with building their audio gear – not some vacuum-cleaner brand.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

The Beoplay H100’s design evokes the same sense of iconic minimalism as its other high-end speakers. With a focus on using premium materials, including an aluminum outer shell, lambskin leather accents, and hardened glass, these headphones prioritize both comfort and durability. The glass touch interface is not only functional but visually striking, offering a tactile experience that complements the device’s overall aesthetic. Bang & Olufsen has maintained their signature Scandinavian design sensibility by offering the H100 in three distinct colorways—Infinite Black, Hourglass Sand, and Sunset Apricot—each of which adds its own twist to the luxury audio market. Infinite Black, for instance, pays homage to Bang & Olufsen’s classic design aesthetic, while Hourglass Sand and Sunset Apricot bring in lighter tones that feel sophisticated yet understated.

For that price, you’d expect audio mastery… something that B&O takes pretty seriously. Inside the sleek aluminum grills are 40mm custom-made titanium drivers, tuned by Bang & Olufsen’s own tonmeisters, offering a Hi-Res sound experience that reaches up to 96 kHz / 24 bits.. This technical backbone ensures that whether you’re listening to complex musical compositions or handling a phone call in a crowded environment, the sound remains crisp, clear, and dynamic. The integration of Bang & Olufsen’s EarSense™ technology adds a layer of personalization, dynamically adapting the sound output to the wearer’s unique fit. This real-time adjustment is coupled with advanced noise cancellation, supported by 10 studio-grade microphones. This level of precision allows users to switch seamlessly between an immersive audio experience and the surrounding world through a simple gesture.

The H100 also supports Dolby Atmos for a state-of-the-art spatial audio experience, further enhanced by head-tracking technology. Whether you’re immersing yourself in a cinematic soundtrack or a live concert recording, the H100 promises to deliver sound as it was meant to be heard.

“Beoplay H100 elevates what we have accomplished over the past ten decades and defines our future: an era where beautiful sound is built to last. It represents the true potential of what a Bang & Olufsen audio wearable can be, and we cannot wait to bring the headphones to our customers,” says Bang & Olufsen CEO Kristian Teär. “Drawing inspiration from the unparalleled performance of our Beolab speakers, our iconic designs from the past and the modular construction that embraces material excellence and circularity, Beoplay H100 truly embodies our design and innovation capabilities.”

When the headphones are stored in their sleek leather case, they enter a low-power mode, extending their standby time to an impressive 90 days. If placed within the case, the H100 can remain powered off for over a year. This attention to detail, combined with a five-hour playtime after just five minutes of charging, makes the Beoplay H100 a practical choice for users who are always on the move. The headphones are also designed with user-replaceable parts, allowing for easy maintenance of components like the inner headband and earpad cushions. This ensures that the H100 will last well beyond most other wearables, which you’d obviously want from a pair of premium headphones.

The H100 is built on Bang & Olufsen’s new software platform for wearables, ensuring that it remains future-proof with the ability to receive upgrades over time. This means that as new technologies emerge, your Beoplay H100 headphones can evolve with them, making this an investment not just in a product, but in the future of audio.

The Beoplay H100 is available starting September 3, 2024, with a recommended retail price of £1,299 / €1,499 / $1,549 / CAD 2,199 / ¥11,598 CN. These headphones are available in Bang & Olufsen stores and online.

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nwm ONE open-ear headphones boast unique sound tech and lightweight design to be your daily driver

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Open-ear headphones have garnered a lot of interest lately because of their better-sounding acoustics, lesser pressure on the ears and the ability to listen to the outside world. All these features are very handy when traveling or commuting when you need to be aware of the ambient noises around you. That way you never miss out on any transit announcements or vehicles passing by on the road.

More commonly known as open-back headphones, the options are plenty but finding the one that keeps your music in focus without any sound leaks is important. NTT sonority wants your search to end with its nwm ONE open-ear headphones that employ a deeply researched noise suppression tech dubbed Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ) for next-gen sound.

Designer: NTT sonority

The headphones have 2-way drivers – a 35mm main driver for pristine audio in your ears and a smaller 12mm driver to cancel out unwanted ambient sounds to minimize sound leakage. Together they work to amplify the high and low frequency sounds to create a perfect balance between a high-quality audio listening cocoon and audible peripheral sounds that are important. In conjunction with the PSZ, there’s the Magic Focus Voice technology with advanced beamforming tech to accurately focus on anyone talking to you, and the Spectral Filtering to diffuse other noises that are not important.

All these technologies are developed in-house by the NTT Computer & Data Science Laboratories resulting in a next level three-sixty degree sound that’s comparable to surround sound speakers. It goes without saying that no matter how much technology is stuffed into headphones if they are not comfortable, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, the whole purpose is defied. Thankfully nwm ONE open-ear headphones don’t disappoint with their sleek form that sits on any ears without being uncomfortable after long sessions of listening.

They weigh just 6.5 ounces and clamp onto your head and ears without any uncomfortable pressure. The promise of these open-ear headphones seems good on paper but how they’ll perform in real life and justify their price of $299 remains to be seen. However, we are confident the pair of cans will live up to their claims and become a daily driver for many audio lovers!

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Headphones concept reimagines comfort with clear silicone headbands

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Even with the popularity and ubiquity of wireless earbuds, many audiophiles and gamers still have a soft spot for over-ear headphones. Despite their bulkiness, they still promise better noise isolation and fuller sounds, which is to be expected given their size. They are also expected to be less comfortable to wear over longer periods of time, despite many attempts at using different materials and even designs. This concept design for an aptly named “Comfortably Headphones” takes another stab at that problem, but its solution is more ambitious and, if we’re being honest, less practical. Then again, having a flexible and transparent silicone band is sure to get you some attention, at least during the time you’re comfortably wearing them.

Designers: Belrtarducci, Garabatfire (MinimalChat Studio)

Headphone headbands have always been solid and rigid for a reason. They need to provide sufficient structure and support to hold the large and heavy ear cups together while also ensuring the whole device sits securely on your head. That said, that same rigidity is one of the biggest sources of discomfort for users, and many designers have tried to alleviate the issue with comfortable fabrics or soft materials wrapped around the band or, better yet, make the band slightly more bendable to accommodate different head shapes.

This design concept, however, throws tradition out the window completely by replacing the usual metal bands with nothing but silicone, a material known for its flexibility and plasticity. Silicone can retain the shape it was formed into during production, but it can also slightly bend and even twist with enough force. It won’t perfectly conform to everyone’s head shapes, but it will at least put less pressure on your head while you’re wearing it, at least in theory.

It isn’t just regular silicone that was chosen for this design either; it is a transparent variety. This creates reflections and refractions that add a unique visual flavor to the headphones. At least under some light, it creates more playful and more natural rainbow colors better than what any RGB LED lighting can provide. Of course, it doesn’t do much in the dark, but even the organic form of shadows can become a source of fascination.

Sadly, such a mesmerizing design does have its share of flaws, particularly with the longevity of silicone as a material. It can warp and deform over time, and discoloration is a common phenomenon with “clear” silicone products. Then there’s also the fact that wires bridging the two halves of the headphones mars the transparent beauty of the silicone band unless the headphones are completely wireless even internally. At that point, however, the benefits of such large audio equipment become moot, and people might as well switch to lighter earbuds. Of course, you could just create a solid, opaque silicone band, but then where would be the fun in such a design?

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Dyson OnTrac Headphones: A Comeback After Dyson Zone’s Air Purifier Headphone Flop?

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When Dyson Zone headphones with a visor for beaming fresh air into your nose were released a couple of years ago, we were taken aback by the idea. Although the prospective buyers didn’t show much affinity towards the unconventional ANC cans costing $1,000, we knew Dyson was working under wraps to reclaim lost glory in the headphones segment. They were poised to take the heat to Sony 1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Apple AirPods Max, Bowers & Wilkins PX7, and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless.

This time the UK-based consumer tech giant has come up with a more conventional pair of headphones that are ultra-customizable. Meet the Dyson OnTrac headphones that tout class-leading ANC performance akin to the QuietComfort Ultra and AirPods Max. Audio quality is also the USP just like B&W PX7 or Momentum 4 Wireless. Priced at the upper end of the consumer tech segment, the cans have enough meat to pack a punch.

Designer: Dyson

The color customization of the headphones makes them stand out from the crowd with more than 2,000 possible combinations of the interchangeable outer cap covers and ear cushions made out of ultra-soft microfiber material. This is on top of the 4 basic color options in different material choices including CNC Copper, CNC Aluminium and CNC Black Nickel. OnTrac will also come in a special Ceramic Cinnabar version draped in a painted finish with a ceramic feel.

The headphones have an eight-microphone system capable of 40 decibels of reduction in unwanted sound courtesy of the 384,000 sound sampling per second. Good sound quality is a priority for the creators of the headphones, hence, the OnTracs feature 40mm drivers to reproduce the frequencies as intended by the artist. The frequency range of 6Hz to 21,000Hz makes you feel the rumble of sub-bass without muffling things and the highs are crystal clear. The Bluetooth codecs supported include SBC, AAC and the newer LHDC version.

The superior performance of the ANC doesn’t take a toll on the battery as Dyson promises 55 hours of impressive backup with Active Noise Canceling turned on. A charge of half an hour will juice them up for around 9 hours of playback. The controls for toggling volume levels, track change and ANC on/off are done with a tactile joystick button on the outside of either cup. Comfort is also important so the multi-pivot gimbal arms ensure the right amount of clamping force to prevent any pressure on the ears.

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Pet getting scared of 4th July fireworks? These quirky yet effective Dog Headphones with ANC can help

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Fourth of July can be a really fun time for the entire country, but a very stressful time for pet parents who have to deal with the extreme anxiety that dogs feel around those loud bangs and other noises. Dogs are highly sensitive to sound, so any loud noises, be it the pop of a firework or even the bang of a thunderstorm, can cause them high amounts of stress. Kirsten Brand nearly lost her dog Emma when a firework show on the 4th of July caused the pet to get so scared that she ran away from home. “After what seemed like hours, we found my furbaby, Emma, down the street. Thankfully, she had been taken into a garage by a neighbor, to ride out the rest of the firework show,” Kirsten mentioned.

That prompted her to design the Pawnix, a pet ‘helmet’ that covers their ears to dampen loud noises, while also playing calming and soothing sounds via Bluetooth. Sort of like ANC Headphones but for dogs, the Pawnix keeps your pets calm with relaxing audio, while also wrapping around their head to make them feel a sense of physical security and comfort.

Designer: Pawnix

Improved over various iterations, the Pawnix now comes with a foam-padded neoprene design, similar to the laptop sleeves you usually see people carry their MacBooks in. The helmet, shaped to look almost like a bonnet for your pet, wraps around the dog’s head, with pockets for the ears to fit in. The design works equally well for dogs with all kinds of ears, whether they’re erect, semi-erect, or hanging down. 4-way stretch Anti-microbial fabric with durable stitching means the Pawnix can go without being washed, and can definitely endure your dog trying to scratch at it or take it off.

On the inside, a set of audio drivers with active noise canceling and Bluetooth 5.0 let your dog listen to calming soundscapes instead of loud noises. Pop the headphones on, and you can connect your phone to the Pawnix via Bluetooth, choosing from a variety of calming sounds (you can actually find dog-calming tracks on YouTube). Alternatively, just the Pawnix itself should be able to drown out less intense noises like a dinner party with loud music. The Pawnix comes in 4 colors, and 4 sizes too, although there’s also an option to custom-make a Pawnix for even larger dogs.

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Nothing Headphones with physical glyph interface let’s you display your mood

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Nothing as a transparent brand reflects its vision in the see-through aesthetics of each of its offerings. The intricate working of the tech is visible, highlighting the beauty of simplicity which has resonated with many fans of the Carl Pei. They’ve focused on audio products, mainly earbuds with an official pair of headphones not far from fruition.

The inspirational transparent design of their phone and earbuds has captured the imagination of designers who’ve mustered up their thoughts on presenting what a pair of Nothing headphones would look and feel like. Case in point, the concept AIAIAI Headphones, Headset 1 and head (1). Now yet another concept pair dubbed Head.Phone (1) caught my attention for all the right reasons.

Designer: Niloy Lahiri

Where this concept design sets itself apart from those other iterations is the smart use of the Glyph interface in the headphones. It’s more aggressive looking with physically moving Glyphs that can be customized to send cool messages to the on-lookers. The texture is very nice, something that Nothing would love. The color and finish of the materials are impressive with detailing in the right places. Transparent design elements flow down to the headbands which give it the typical DNA of the brand.

The ANC, transparency and normal modes can be toggled from the physical glyph interface. The ANC mode is represented by the closing Glyph lights, while transparency has a more open representation. This way, anyone talking to you can visually understand whether you are open to conversations or just in your zone, preferring not to be disturbed. Features and specifications apart from these over-the-ear headphones will freshen up the otherwise predictable market led by consumer-centric options from Sony, Apple, Sennheiser and Bose.

Although the designer didn’t intend to create a pair that is inspired by the Teenage Engineering elements, this concept has telltale good looks. So why wear a pair that seems more or less contemporary, when you could (in the future) get the option to sport a one from Nothing?

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Fractal Design unveils maiden gaming chair and over-ear headphones

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At Computex 2024 Fractal Design has unveiled its first-ever gaming chair and pair of headphones that should have you interested. There’s a belief around the tech community that the best gaming chair isn’t a pure gaming chair – thus, your quest for the endgame chair for playing games should end at the Refine.

Keeping things to the basics with ergonomic comfort and intuitive controls at the helm, the Refine gaming chair brings the assuring comfort of high-end office chairs to the fore. According to Fractal Design, the gaming chair has mesh fabric and Alcantara finishes to get you through long gaming sessions without any discomfort. Refine is going to be available this summer in five different variants – ranging from $550 up to $890.

Designer: Fractal Design

Secretlab fans will write off this one just at first glance since the chair seems to be from the Herman Miller clan. But there are subtle design distinctions that will entice gamers into buying this one. The tall mesh seatback (Fractal is also offering a variant with solid padded fabric) and the ergonomic freedom of an office chair (something I love) are a good fusion of both worlds.

There is adjustable lower back support, supportive head cushion, impressive lumbar support and 4D armrests with a four-point adjustment system. This gives the user freedom to adjust the forward/back position and height rotation too. For maximum body comfort, Refine can be tilted and locked in 13 different positions. The mesh version will cost $550 and the most premium Alcantra variant will set you back $890.

Talking of the Scape headphones, the USP is the included wireless charging stand. Quality of life features such as flip-to-mute microphone that’s detachable should tilt the buying decision in the brand’s favor that’s if they manage to provide quality audio drivers and decent battery life of around 30 hours. Although the details of the drivers is not known, Fractal confirms the over-ear headset supports Bluetooth 5.3 and connectivity via a low-latency dongle. The headphones will come with ambient lighting and audio presets that can be tweaked. The audio accessory will be available later this year in two color options for $200.

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