Dyson OnTrac Headphones: A Sonic Delight with a Few Flaws
Dyson, known for its innovative engineering in the vacuum and hair dryer industries, has now entered the headphone market with its new OnTrac headphones. These headphones offer an impressive sound quality and an incredible 55-hour battery life, making them a strong contender in the crowded market. However, there are a few pain points that may give potential buyers pause.
Impressive Sound Quality
The headline feature of the Dyson OnTrac headphones is their exceptional sound quality. According to Dyson, these headphones operate on a frequency range from 6 Hertz to 21,000 Hertz, expanding the range beyond the industry standard of 20 to 20,000 Hertz. This wider range results in improved bass, treble, and overall audio clarity. The sound is described as true to life, allowing listeners to appreciate new details in their favorite songs. While the spatial audio may not be as advanced as some competitors, the overall audio experience is still mighty impressive.
Long Battery Life and Clever Design
One of the standout features of the Dyson OnTrac headphones is their impressive battery life. With a whopping 55 hours of battery life, even with Active Noise Cancellation engaged, these headphones blow the competition out of the water. This is thanks to a clever design hack by Dyson. While the headphones appear to have three cushions along the inner side of the headband, only the top cushion is actually a cushion. The other two cushions house batteries, allowing for longer battery life and even weight distribution.
Customizable Design
The Dyson OnTrac headphones come in three pre-set colorways, with additional customizable accessories available for purchase. This allows users to personalize their headphones to their liking, a feature that other brands would do well to imitate. The ability to change the color of the ear plates and cushions adds an extra level of personalization to the headphones, making them a fashion accessory as well as a functional audio device.
Comfortable Fit
Comfort is king when it comes to headphones, and the Dyson OnTrac headphones deliver. The design of the headband and ear cushions ensures that users can wear these headphones for extended periods without discomfort or fatigue. The precise positioning of the ear cups adds to the comfortable fit, making them ideal for long flights or extended listening sessions. However, they may not be as comfortable when worn around the neck, so they may not double as a fashion accessory like some competitors.
Aesthetics and Connectivity
While the Dyson OnTrac headphones excel in sound quality and comfort, their aesthetics may be divisive. The chunkier design, with the prominent “Dyson” branding on the headband, may be a love-it-or-hate-it feature for potential buyers. Additionally, the headphones have a mini joystick-like toggle for music and volume control, which is more user-friendly than touch controls. However, they do fall short in terms of multipoint Bluetooth pairing, making it cumbersome to switch between devices.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Dyson OnTrac headphones come with a hefty $499.99 price tag. However, considering their exceptional sound quality, long battery life, and comfortable fit, they do justify the price for those who prioritize audio quality and performance. The customizable design is an added bonus for those who value personalization. However, if aesthetics and vibes are as important as comfort and audio quality, buyers will need to weigh their preference for the OnTrac design before making a decision. The Dyson OnTrac headphones are available for purchase at Dyson, Amazon, and Best Buy.