TWS or true wireless stereo earbuds have become such a common sight that it’s not weird to see something sticking out of people’s ears these days. No matter how minimalist and sophisticated it is, it’s not a pretty sight. Unfortunately, acoustics and technology limitations also limit the possible designs of these small accessories, but what if those limitations were relaxed a little?
The concept design of this open-ear earphone explores that potential, delivering a product that is not only functional but also beautiful. With just a few changes to the basic formula, earphones can become a chic fashion accessory that you won’t be embarrassed to wear. It’s like wearing large, stylish earrings without the piercings, of course.
Designer: Jang Yunsib
The basic design of earbuds has evolved from humble earbuds, with Apple AirPods even being mocked for looking like EarPods with cut wires. Other current wireless earbuds don’t have such dangling stems, but the basic mechanism is the same. Insert part of the bud into your ear canal and hope it doesn’t fall out due to the fit and shape of the bud.
However, there are other ways to deliver sound waves to your ear without blowing them directly into your ear canal. For example, some “open-ear” headphones use bone conduction to transmit vibrations directly to the bones of your skull, allowing you to “hear” them as sound, while other headphones are simpler, don’t tickle your temples, and are more comfortable. But it uses more sophisticated air conduction.
This earphone’s design concept uses the latter to create an earphone that wraps around your ear and locks in position, placing the actual speaker just a few millimeters away from the opening of your ear canal. It’s a similar design to the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds that launched earlier this year, but with one key difference. That said, it looks very well made.
The elegant matte texture and mirrored finish of the ball-shaped tips make these earphones look more stylish than typical rugged or sporty earphones on the market. Rather than being pierced with a stem, they hang next to the ear to look like ear clips or earrings, giving the impression of a fashion accessory or jewelry.
The sleek, low-profile body doesn’t take up too much space or impose any distracting shapes, so you can wear your favorite earrings to complement your earbuds. It’s a simple change to a tested formula, but one that completely changes the appeal and purpose of a product, from a simple high-tech accessory to an expression of your taste and personality.
