I got my hands (and ears) on Dyson's colorful new noise-cancelling headphones
UPDATE: Aug. 13, 2024, 9:55 a.m. EDT The Dyson OnTrac headphones are now available to purchase from Dyson direct and third-party retailers including Amazon and Best Buy.
When Dyson tells you it's debuting a top-secret new product, you pay attention. So, when Mashable was invited to preview and test a mysterious new Dyson product a few weeks ago, I was genuinely excited. And as of July 18, the British brand officially revealed the new product to the world — the Dyson OnTrac headphones with active noise cancellation, which are now available to purchase directly from Dyson and third-party retailers including Amazon and Best Buy.
Also on July 18, I got my very own pair of OnTrac headphones for testing and review. Check back for Mashable's full, in-depth review of these noise-cancellers. We're very eager to see how they compare to our favorite headphones, particularly other flagship noise-cancelling headphones.
So, what do we know, and what do we like, about these headphones so far?
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Dyson's testing the headphones market
Dyson certainly has some competition in the premium audio space. The elite headphone class already includes the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sony WH-1000XM5, and Apple AirPods Max (a rumored AirPods Max 2 could also be coming in Fall 2024). And that's without getting into $1,600 studio-style wired headphones from brands Focal and Sennheiser.
Previously, Dyson released the futuristic (and slightly dystopian) Dyson Zone Noise-Cancelling Headphones and Air Purifier. We'll give Dyson a pass on these headphones, released in the wake of Covid-19, when we were all a little off our game. Fortunately, the OnTrac headphones are a fresh start — and they come with a big step down in price. As such, they mark Dyson's first big foray into the consumer audio space.
Everything we know about the Dyson OnTrac headphones
When can you get your hands (and ears) on these headphones? As of Aug. 13, Dyson OnTrac headphones are available to purchase from Dyson's website and third-party retailers. The OnTrac Headphones retail for $499.99.
The headphones connect to a MyDyson app, where EQ presets are available. Customization is limited, but there are presets for bass-heavy and high-range listening. Touch controls on the bottom of the earcups allow you to control the headphones. One of the controls is a mini joystick, which can be used to play, pause, skip, fast forward, rewind, and activate voice commands.
Dyson OnTrac headphones: The specs to know
These headphones have some unique features, including a ridiculous battery life. We're still in the process of testing the battery and sound quality, but Dyson promises these headphones will offer 55 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation engaged. That's enough to give other headphones an inferiority complex.
To pull this off, Dyson did what it does best — it made improvements to a universal design. At first glance, you'll notice that the headphones have three cushions on the headband, as is typical. However, while the top cushion is made from cushy foam, the side pieces aren't cushions at all — they're extra battery packs.
In terms of audio, Dyson uses 40mm neodymium drivers with a range of -6Hz to 21kHz, letting you appreciate details at the lowest lows and highest highs. And for noise cancellation, Dyson uses eight microphones that sample the environment 384,000 times per second. In total, the headphones provide up to 40dB of noise reduction. The Sony XM5s — our current top pick for noise cancellation — also have eight internal mics for ANC.
Finally, with microfiber and foam earcups and a headband designed to adapt to all head sizes, they promise comfort too. In a perfect world, they'll offer the comfort of the Bose QuietComfort line with the audio quality of Sony — but we're not rendering a verdict yet.
Swappable ear plates
Our tech products are becoming part of our personal style. Your phone case, phone holder, headphones, and earbuds can all affect the impression you make as you move through the world. For listeners who like to show off their personal style, Dyson has added a pop of color and personality to these cans.
The ear plates are made from CNC-machined aluminum (some also have a ceramic matte finish), and they can be swapped out. The ear cushions can be changed and the top band comes in a few different colors, letting you truly customize your headphones. Of course, you will have to purchase additional accessories to change the color. The headphones come in four colorways at launch (copper, aluminum, cinnabar, and black nickel), with more colors for sale from Dyson and other retailers.
A Dyson rep told us they hope to have more color options available in the future. Between all the accessories, Dyson says more than 2,000 unique color combinations are already possible.
How do they sound?
You'll have to wait for our full review, unfortunately.
When testing headphones, I like to listen to particular Radiohead and Florence & the Machine songs ("National Anthem" and "Between Two Lungs," if you're curious about this millennial's musical tastes). My initial listening sessions have been impressive, as is the noise cancellation. That said, I'm reserving judgment until I've had a few weeks to listen and compare.
I do have one spoiler alert for my upcoming review: The noise cancellation seems top-notch to me so far. I love slipping on noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones to drown out street noise, my partner's work calls, or the sound of Below Deck on the TV in the other room. These headphones instantly put me into a cone of silence.
When I first saw the new Dyson OnTrac headphones, I immediately spotted one feature that I didn't love. Personally, I'm not a big fan of products that include the brand name in prominent text. That's true for my clothing, and it's true for my tech. If these headphones didn't boldly say "Dyson" on the headband, I'd like the design a lot more. We'll see if I can get used to this detail as I test them out more.
In the meantime, you can head to Dyson to check out these headphones for yourself. And if you're a ride-or-die Dyson fan who isn't afraid to rep the brand (besides Apple, it's hard to think of a tech brand with more loyalists), you can check them out on the Dyson website, Amazon, or Best Buy.
Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.
Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.
