Dyson, a company mostly known for its innovative technology in household appliances, has ventured into the wireless headphone market with its new Dyson OnTrac headphones. Known for its trailblazing designs in vacuum cleaners, fans, and hair care devices, Dyson aims to bring its engineering expertise and unique styling to a highly competitive sector dominated by brands like Apple, Bose, and Sony.
The Dyson OnTrac headphones feature advanced active noise-cancellation (ANC) technology that Dyson claims is best in class. The ANC system uses eight microphones to monitor and track external noise 384,000 times per second, reducing unwanted sound by up to 40 decibels. This system is supported by the MyDyson app, which provides real-time sound tracking and alerts users to potentially harmful volume levels.
Sound quality is a key focus for Dyson. The OnTrac headphones use 40mm neodymium drivers that reproduce frequencies from as low as 6Hz to as high as 21kHz. This broad frequency range aims to deliver deep sub-bass and clear highs, providing a rich listening experience. The drivers are tilted 13 degrees towards the listener's ears to enhance audio response.
The Dyson OnTrac headphones stand out with their distinctive design and extensive customization options. The headphones are available in four primary colorways: CNC Aluminium, Copper, Nickel, and Ceramic Cinnabar. Additionally, users can customize their headphones with different outer caps and ear cushions, available in various colors and finishes, allowing for over 2,000 possible combinations.
The ear cushions are made from ultra-soft microfiber material and high-grade foam, which should ensure comfort and an enhanced acoustic seal. The headphones also feature multi-pivot gimbal arms that reduce pressure on the ears, providing a consistent fit across a wide range of head sizes.
Battery performance is another strong suit of the OnTrac headphones. Each unit is equipped with two lithium-ion batteries, providing up to 55 hours of listening time with ANC enabled. A quick charge of 10 minutes can extend the battery life by 2.5 hours, while a 30-minute charge can provide up to 9.5 hours of use.
The OnTrac headphones incorporate both physical and touch controls. A small joystick-style knob on the right earcup handles volume, playback, and call management. Additionally, touch sensors on the outer earcups allow users to toggle ANC on and off with a simple tap. The headphones also feature wear sensors that enable auto-pause and play functions when the headphones are removed or worn.
The Dyson OnTrac headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 and are compatible with SBC, AAC, and LHDC Bluetooth codecs. While they do not support Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound or the aptX Lossless family of codecs, the inclusion of LHDC provides a high-quality wireless audio experience, though limited to devices that support this codec.
For those seeking the highest sound quality, the USB-C charging port can be used for both lossless digital audio and analog audio with the appropriate cable, though the 3.5mm-to-USB-C cable is sold separately.
“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 Jake Dyson, the company’s chief engineer.
“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 customization.”
Technical Specifications:
Priced at $499.99, the OnTrac headphones position themselves in the premium segment of the market, competing directly with well-established products like the Apple AirPods Max and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Dyson’s entry into this market reflects its confidence in bringing something new to the table, particularly in terms of design and customization.
The Dyson OnTrac headphones will be available for purchase from August 1st on the Dyson website. Additional caps and cushions for customization can also be purchased separately, priced at $49.99 per set.
