Dyson is Back… Why Do These Exist?

Summary

In this review, the presenter evaluates Dyson's new headphones, a follow-up to their previous air purifying headphone combo. Priced at $500, these headphones aim to compete with Apple's AirPods Max, offering a lower price, longer battery life, and customization options. Despite being the heaviest headphones the reviewer has tested, they provide decent sound quality and noise cancellation. The unique selling points include replaceable ear cups and back plates for customization, and a long battery life that outperforms its competitors. However, the high price and the question of necessity make them a niche product.

Takeaways

• 🎧 Dyson released a new pair of headphones, which are essentially the previous model without the air purifier, priced at $500.
• 💡 The headphones are positioned as a potential alternative to the Apple AirPods Max, aiming to outperform them in various aspects.
• 💰 They are $50 cheaper than AirPods Max and offer replaceable ear cups at $50 a piece, undercutting Apple's pricing.
• 🔋 The rated battery life is 55 hours, significantly longer than the 20 hours of AirPods Max.
• 🔌 Dyson headphones are compatible with both iPhone and Android and feature a physical off button, unlike the AirPods Max.
• 🚦 The headphones are notably heavier than the AirPods Max, weighing 451 grams, but are designed to distribute weight evenly for comfort.
• 🛠️ They boast an innovative design with interchangeable back plates and ear cushions, allowing for customization.
• 🔄 The ear cups and back material can be replaced easily with a quarter twist, offering different color combinations.
• 🎚️ Physical controls include a joystick for play/pause and volume, and a force sensor on the left ear cup for noise cancellation modes, which can be finicky.
• 👂 The sound quality is solid but not exceptional, with EQ presets in the Dyson app to adjust the listening experience.
• 🔌 Active noise cancellation is decent but not as effective as competitors like Sony, Bose, and AirPods Max.

Q & A

What was the initial product released by Dyson that included a wearable air purifier?

The initial product was the Dyson Headphones Combo, which was a combination of headphones and a wearable air purifier.

What did Dyson release a year after the Dyson Headphones Combo?

Dyson released a new product that was just headphones, without the air purifier part, focusing on high-end active noise-canceling features.

How much do the new Dyson headphones cost?

The new Dyson headphones retail at $500.

What is the main competition Dyson seems to be targeting with their headphones?

Dyson seems to be targeting the Apple AirPods Max, aiming to offer an alternative to the high-end noise-canceling headphones market.

How does the battery life of the Dyson headphones compare to the AirPods Max?

The Dyson headphones have a rated battery life of 55 hours, which is more than double the 20 hours of the AirPods Max.

What is the weight of the Dyson headphones?

The Dyson headphones weigh 451 grams, making them the heaviest headphones the reviewer has tested.

How does the Dyson headphones' design allow for customization?

The Dyson headphones feature interchangeable back plates and ear cushions, allowing users to mix and match different color combinations.

What is the issue with the physical control on the left ear cup of the Dyson headphones?

The control on the left ear cup is finicky and only works about 50% of the time, requiring a forceful tap to activate noise cancellation or transparency mode.

How does the sound quality of the Dyson headphones compare to the AirPods Max?

The Dyson headphones sound solid but not amazing, with the AirPods Max sounding better in almost every genre by about 10 to 25%.

What is the main strength of the Dyson headphones in terms of features?

The main strength of the Dyson headphones is their impressive battery life, which can last over 50 hours with noise cancellation on.

What is the reviewer's final verdict on the Dyson headphones in comparison to other high-end noise-canceling headphones?

The reviewer concludes that while the Dyson headphones have some advantages like better battery life and customization, they are overpriced when compared to other high-end noise-canceling headphones in the $350 range.