ReSound

What it does

The "ReSound" headphones are made for real music enthusiasts. Their components are easily replaceable, upgradeable and customizable. This allows for a much longer lifespan of the product and makes them a sustainable and alternative to other headphones.

Your inspiration

I have had many headphones in the past but all of them had one major issue. The battery started showing its age after a while which made me want to replace it and not necessarily buy new ones every time. As I had to discover, most over-ear headphones are not suitable to be opened at all. Nearly all components are soldered down permanently and the housing cannot be dismantled easily. On all my attempts I destroyed those headphones accidentally instead of repairing them. This made me wish for an alternative which is easy to repair, upgradeable over time and just always feels fresh to use. So I made this wish a reality.

How it works

The „ReSound“ headphones can easily be opened by twisting the integrated bayonet catch. This removes the headband which in itself can be opened and its components can be replaced. As for the housing, it can be opened with three screws. A battery and a circuit board can be found on each side of the headphones respectively. These are connected to each other and to the drivers via FFC-connectors that can be removed. Each component has a visibly printed QR-code that leads to a website with replacement parts. The headband and ear cushioning can also be detached quickly. This enables a fast and intuitive replacement of each technical component of the headphones. One cannot only replace parts if they are broken but also if a different listening and wearing experience is required which helps to improve the lifespan of this product. The aim of the “ReSound” headphones is to reduce the production of e-waste while providing a product that lasts and always feels fresh.

Design process

I started with an in-depth analysis of existing over-ear headphones and their components. This was the basis of my first prototype. First mock-ups were made with hardened foam material in order to get the basic shape of the housing, the packaging and the size just right. Thereafter the main goal was to fit all components into the housing in a way that allows to easily replace them. I wanted to make the disassembly and replacement process as intuitive as possible and therefore decided to integrate a bayonet catch as the basis of the headband, which is the first part to be dismantled by the user. This enables a very quick access into the housing and ensures a strong connection which will last over time. Many 3D printed iterations were tested before the right measurements and strength of this joint were found. Functional models were created with 3D prototyping, thoroughly tested and improved upon until the final version. Cross checking with friends and co-students was always essential in this process. The final iteration of the model was crafted as a show-peace for a presentation. All components are detachable and the joint is fully functional, just as the real product would work.

How it is different

Although there are many over-ear headphones on the market, even a handful of repairable ones, none of them combine upgradeabilty and customization in one sleek and easy-to-use package. The "ReSound" headphones are designed to last for generations as they adapt to every users changing demands. This enables a long lifespan of the product and helps to reduce the amount of e-waste we create because our products are not made to last.

Future plans

The beauties of this design are its endless expansion possibilities. The joint of the headband can be reused and new housings, headbands and drivers can be created. As one could imagine, this requires constant development. The joint could therefore be provided as an open source base on which creative users can build upon. The community could expand and build their own versions, best suited for their particular needs. The next steps in the journey of this product would be to develop all the necessary technical components and to thoroughly test the audio capabilities of the headphones.

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