NY DESIGN WEEK 2013 - WANTED DESIGN
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FRIEZE NEW YORK 2013
We've seen Scandinavian headphones before, but Zound Industries differentiates themselves by specifically addressing DJs' needs while maintaining a minimalist-yet-highly-functional approach to design. Their latest product in the UrbanEars line of headphones, the Zinken, was "developed with the professional DJ in mind, with respect to the wallet of the unpaid amateur"—at $140, we're assuming they're referring to amateur DJs—boasting two key features as well as attention to detail such as noise isolation and materials.
While the swiveling cans and "an adjustable headband and specially selected materials that absorb sweat and odors" are certainly nice, UrbanEars has turned its focus towards the cable itself. The Zinken comes with an independent 1/8”-to-1/4” cable that connects from source to 'phone, which accepts either jack, such that the cable is effectively reversible. Thus, the so-called "TurnCable" is the company's "solution to an adapter-free life."
With a coiled section on the cord, the TurnCable lets you move about without getting unplugged and disrupting the sound coming from your headphones. It's also designed for maximum durability with a rugged Kevlar core—a material strong enough to stop bullets.
The Zinken also features a "ZoundPlug," a 1/8” output on the other phone, which allows a friend or fellow DJ to hear the same audio, eliminating the need for a Y-splitter. (This feature was previously debuted with their flagship over-the-ear Platten model.)
The pro/crossover approach is a smart move, considering that both the audiophile market and urban headphone segment are relatively saturated as it is.
Still, I can't help but question one seemingly-minor decisions: the TurnCable's in-line volume control is integrated near the 1/4" end of the cable, but I imagine it would be far more useful at the other end: any device that has 1/4"-outs probably has a nice, big dedicated volume slider or knob, whereas the remote is generally useful for mobile devices (laptops, music players, etc.), which have the smaller jack. Update 7/16: I neglected to actually, um, read the diagram of the TurnCable, which clearly labels the in-line mic with no volume control to speak of... in which case it makes sense to have the mic on that end.
Nitpicking aside, I'm curious not only to see them in person, but also to actually hear how they sound... I can't imagine that UrbanEars would compromise on the audio quality, but it's always a challenge to achieve style and substance; short of getting my hands on a pair, the Zinken seems like a promising contender for both.
Comments
As a DJ and Designer, it still baffles me nobody has put some thought into what actually goes on and what is needed in order to mix music at a club or party.
@ $140 it seems their price point is a bit high ( the standard pioneer/technics go for 160-180), but you can have audio technica's for like $60 which work in a pinch, these are tools, not toys.The Urban Ears lack any street cred so to speak yet command a high price ?
Aesthetically they are ripping the aiaiai's which already have a tendency to be associated with the indie/hipster Dj, the mic in the cable is for taking a call while mixing ?
I don't know about the professinal Dj, but this semi professional Dj thinks this cans are crap and phonies.
This will also be really good for recording music at home. I play guitar and the amount of times I've searched the house for a adapter makes this a good purchase. Being able to let someone else hear is also very cool.
Yes, obviously they were inspired by Aiaiai
Not very authentic but with such solid CMF, I'm sure they will do well. And the sharing thing is nice positive use of the fact that they don't want to tool two different cans, one with hole and one without.
Can't comment on the sound reproduction or balance but aesthetically they are a pretty direct rip off of Aiaiai TMA-1's and UE should be ashamed of themselves. Is this all the imagination they had?
"And the sharing thing is nice positive use of the fact that they don't want to tool two different cans, one with hole and one without."
:O Never thought about it, thanks
wow theyre pretty, perfect for the hipsters with ipods. want professional buy professional...sony, sennheiser, beyer yo