On first impressions, the newly unveiled Dyson OnTrac headphones are something of a headscratcher. And understandably so. After all — how does an appliance company suddenly decide to tackle audio after decades of manufacturing vacuums, air purifiers, and hair dryers?
But the answer is actually quite simple: they realised they could do it better than anybody else.
With best-in-class noise cancellation of up to 40dB thanks to the Active Noise Cancellation algorithm (which leverages eight microphones); studio-quality audio fidelity that delivers an enhanced sound range of 6Hz-21,000Hz (which you can feel, if not hear); and battery power to boot (up to 55 hours on a single charge)… this baby is certainly more than just a pretty face.
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Although the headliner does involve the aesthetic. Specifically its modular build.
Both the premium outer caps and ear cushions — the latter of which is crafted from ultrasoft microfibre and high-grade foam for everyday comfort — can be removed easily. This means you can customise the design of your Dyson OnTrac with an entire array of colour options.
From the shiny CNC variants of Black Nickel, Aluminium, and Copper, to Ceramic Blue, Khaki, and Ceramic Cinnabar, there are over 2,000 combinations of outer caps/ear cushions to choose from. Essentially, it is a personalised fashion statement. This also allows you to clean or replace the cushions painlessly, thereby ticking the product longevity box.
Practicality was clearly a priority during the design stage of the Dyson OnTrac headphones. In addition to the modular build and next-level comfort, weight balance was another major consideration.
The two high-capacity lithium-ion battery cells that give this puppy its juice (each just 30g) have been suspended in the cushioned and pinch-free headband. Effectively, the usual gripes of heftier headphones slipping off, sliding, and shifting about while you’re on the move are virtually non-existent here.
Additional features include the following:
- Head Detect
“Capacitive sensors detect when earcups are removed from the ears, signalling to
pause your audio. Audio resumes automatically once replaced.” - Intuitive Joystick
“Easily play, pause, skip, fast forward, and rewind tracks, or hold down for voice
commands.” - Crystal-Clear Calls
“Dual beam-forming microphones pick up your voice clearly, not outside noise.” - Real-Time Sound Tracking
“Continuously monitors in-ear and external volume, and indicates potentially harmful levels through live reports in the MyDysonTM App.” - Controlled by the MyDysonTM App
“The MyDysonTM app gives you automatic software updates.”
“Dyson’s audio engineering mission is to preserve the integrity of the artist’s sound wave, free from interference. We also wanted to create a set of headphones that people would cherish, be excited by, and be proud of,” said Chief Engineer Jake Dyson, son of company founder Sir James Dyson.
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“With over 30 years of experience in aeroacoustics, we’ve mastered sound physics. By reducing noise through in-house anechoic chambers and expert engineers, we’ve applied and further expanded our audio knowledge to develop the Dyson OnTrac headphones.”
“Our first over-ear audio-only headphones deliver best-in-class ANC, exceptional sound quality, and all-day comfort through unique materials, design and customisation.”
The Dyson OnTrac headphones (and all its accessories) will be available to purchase here in Australia from August 27th, 2024. The retail price? $799 — placing it at a nice mid-range benchmark right between the likes of Bose and Apple’s AirPods Max.
Find out more below.
