The Dyson OnTrac Headphones

The industrial design of Dyson is typically fairly on-point when compared to other company offerings – although at times they might use plastics where they could have used more premium materials but they are shaving weight when needed.

The new OnTrac headphones come with ear cups in premium materials – and you can twist off either or both exterior cups and replace them with other Dyson offerings – in different colors and finishes. This is pretty amazing and I back this approach with wild enthusiasm. There is one thing that I must point out that I think would have made for an even better experience.

The ear cups are perfect short cylinders which lend themselves for turning around a central pivot. Yes, that’s right. As premium knobs. But since the entire cup twists off for replacement – this couldn’t work. However, with one change – it could.

Let’s say you only wanted one cup to twist for – say – volume. Under that cup would be a rotary encoder with magnets. The exterior cup would attach to the encoder – and thus you would maintain a knob while also allowing for it to be replaced. Yes, they already cost about $500 – what’s another $35 for encoders and magnets? You would lose the ability to change out the disc below the knob unless that disc came separately and attached below the knob itself.

I think it would make for an amazing offering.