For a company that single-handedly revived transparent tech, the Headphones (1) have absolutely no transparency in their design. If you saw this video dated a month or so ago, it was Nothing literally confirming that they were due to debut their first over-ears. The internet’s been asking for Nothing to build AirPods Max ‘killers’ for a while, and it seems like Carl Pei finally had his cards in place to make this play…

However, images from a private preview earlier last week showed what the headphones looked like – and the internet has thoughts. A lot of people on Reddit can’t help notice the odd shape, commenting on how it looks different from what they expected… and that’s a good thing. Subverting expectations is great if you can create a design that’s somehow received more positively than the consumer’s expectations. The problem is that Nothing’s ardent fan base now always has the highest expectations. And as a fan, I did too.

Designer: Monica Bhyrappa

Call me pedantic, but Nothing’s entire design DNA was transparency. Whether it was the earbuds or the phones, there was always an element of ‘see-through’ in their tech. Not so much in the phones, given how densely components are packed inside, but the Ear (1), Ear (a), and Ear (open) all had a transparent outer housing that let you peer into the electronics below. While the ‘alleged’ Headphones (1) do have a transparent shell, the design is FAR from actually transparent. In fact, it’s entirely opaque, except for one can-hugging outer shell that doesn’t really let you ‘peer into the headphones.’

That’s when I stumbled upon the ‘Spectrum’ headphones by Monica Bhyrappa. These phones were especially designed for wearers with autism, allowing them to experience less sensory load as compared to other humans. Autistic people experience the world very differently, and an overload of sensory input can easily overwhelm them. The Spectrum are a specially-tuned pair of noise-canceling headphones designed to phase out too many noises, allowing wearers to focus on audio that actually matters.

The design brief is spectacular, and I’m all for accessible tech, but I couldn’t help but also notice one of Monica’s concept renders, which featured a set of transparent cans… and the second I saw them, I knew exactly what I wanted the Nothing Headphones (1) to look like.

Nothing’s ethos is broadly to make tech fun again – not through awkward shapes, but through an eye-catching design that boasts transparency. You have a broader appreciation for tech if you know what’s inside it, or at least that’s what I personally believe. Beats by Dre had this entire scandal following a teardown that revealed metal cubes inside the headphones, added with zero purpose other than to make them feel ‘heavier’ and therefore ‘premium’. Nothing’s transparent tech was supposed to be an open challenge to that.

Are the upcoming Headphones (1) ‘fun’? I’m sure there’s a set of people who love the design, and a set of people who think it’s funky, but not specifically for them. That isn’t the point I’m trying to make. What I personally wish is that the headphones adopted the ‘transparency’ design direction more aggressively. Headphones aren’t like phones. They’re thicker, have more air gaps to allow for vibrating components and air-based resonance. This inherently allows for headphones to have a lot of empty space on the inside – empty space that is PERFECT for beautifully showcasing through transparency.

No, I don’t want glyphs on my headphones. But I do wish they looked a little different. I wish they championed transparency more than they currently are… because let’s not deny that Monica Bhyrappa’s Spectrum headphones do look absolutely gorgeous!

The post Here’s the Nothing Headphones (1) we wish existed instead first appeared on Yanko Design.

I've been using the Logitech G522 LIGHTSPEED wireless PC gaming headset for a few weeks, and have been impressed by its design and sound quality.

Hermès, the iconic French luxury house known for its craftsmanship and timeless design, has stepped into the premium audio space with the unveiling of its Ateliers Horizons headphones. Priced at $15,000, this offering merges high-fidelity listening with haute couture, delivering a product that targets connoisseurs who value exclusivity as much as sound.

This move differentiates Hermès from traditional audio brands such as Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, and Apple. Rather than competing on technical specifications alone, Hermès positions its headphones as wearable art – designed not just to perform, but to signal status and taste. To signal status and taste, underscored by their mind-numbing $15,000 price tag, these bespoke headphones are not within the reach of most of us. The headphones are expected to arrive in select Hermès boutiques by summer 2025

Designer: Hermes

According to Axel de Beaufort, creative director of Ateliers Horizons since 2012, “The idea is not to be able to replicate that 10,000 times as a big headset supplier would do. The idea is to have the few that we will do made perfectly, and that has been a very long learning process. It’s about really super high-end craftsmanship.”

Luxury Craftsmanship as a Core Feature

What sets the Ateliers Horizons headphones apart is the artisanal quality of their construction. Handcrafted over two years by nearly 50 artisans in France, each pair features premium materials like Hermès’ signature saddle-stitched leather and polished metal hardware. The design draws directly from the brand’s famed Kelly bag, with five distinctive colorways available, including Rouge H and Prussian Blue.

This level of craftsmanship is absent in mainstream headphones such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM6, which are designed for mass production. While these models offer excellent active noise cancellation and adaptive sound technologies, they lack the tactile richness and bespoke quality that defines Hermès products. For those seeking a headphone that reflects personal style and heritage craftsmanship, Hermès offers something no tech brand currently does.

Even Apple’s AirPods Max, arguably the closest in terms of design appeal, rely heavily on industrial processes. They are sleek, feature-rich, and integrate tightly into Apple’s ecosystem—but they’re not handcrafted. Hermès, on the other hand, delivers a product where no two units are entirely alike, tailored to the luxury buyer’s sensibilities.

Radical Philosophy in Audio Design

While Hermès hasn’t disclosed extensive technical specifications, the headphones are expected to deliver high-end audio performance consistent with their premium positioning. The open grille design suggests the use of planar magnetic drivers, often favored by audiophiles for their clarity and precision. However, the real differentiator is not technology but philosophy: Hermès is crafting a unique sound signature described as “Hermès sound,” developed in-house rather than licensed from existing platforms.

Unlike competitors that emphasize software-driven sound adjustments, Hermès focuses on authenticity in both build and audio. The headphones eschew touch controls in favor of physical buttons – offering tactile satisfaction and durability. Both wired and Bluetooth connectivity options are available, ensuring versatility while maintaining a minimalist design ethos.

This contrasts with feature-rich models like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, which touts customizable EQ settings, multi-device support, and extended battery life. Similarly, premium offerings from Bowers & Wilkins, such as the Px8, emphasize acoustic engineering, app-based sound personalization, and cutting-edge wireless performance. Hermès chooses not to compete on those terms, instead aiming for timelessness over upgradability – prioritizing craftsmanship and aesthetic permanence over iterative tech enhancements.

For fat-pocketed audiophiles who are also collectors, the Ateliers Horizons headphones represent a new category: audio as a luxury object. Hermès isn’t trying to replace the go-to travel or studio headphones. Rather, it’s offering an accessory that hones a refined listening experience that sits outside the typical framework of consumer electronics!

The post Hermès Ateliers Horizons Headphones launch with an eye-watering $15,000 price tag first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling are $120 off with this Memorial Day deal. They're an excellent choice, especially at this low price.

The Void Wireless V2 has it all: a comfortable design, great sound, and a good overall value. Basically, this is one of the best mid-range gaming headsets you can buy today.

The Audeze MM-100 wired headphones are true high-end cans packing impressive technology at a fraction of the price of other Audeze headsets, and they're amazing.

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.

The post Bang & Olufsen’s $1549 Beoplay H100 Headphones make the AirPods Max and Dyson OnTrac look ’mid’ first appeared on Yanko Design.

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.

The post Pet getting scared of 4th July fireworks? These quirky yet effective Dog Headphones with ANC can help first appeared on Yanko Design.