Entry tags:
Print+ DIY Headphones
On 13 October 2015 I backed a crowd-funding campaign for DIY headphones. The plan being, they send you the electronic bits, and the fabric bits, and you 3D print the form (from designs they would provide). Seemed pretty sweet to me. And to many other people, because the next day it was successfully funded.
Around 9 May 2017 the electronics and squishy bits arrived. They were still tweaking the 3D design files, but it didn't matter much as I'd lost my access to 3D printers. They said they would be partnering up with 3D Hubs to help out people in my situation, so I scoped out some prices. They went from hundreds of euro, to thousands. I didn't order any. Shortly thereafter Print+ opened their own store selling printed parts for only €35. Much better! I ordered as soon as I could on 30 May. There was more of a delay, as I think they actually started doing the printing themselves. They sent me an apology, a discount code, and I got a shipment notice 26 July. They finally arrived last week, 10 August.
13 October 2015 to 10 August 2017. But, I now have some nifty headphones.
Everything comes in the two separate packages; one with the printed parts (two copies of the remote casing, just in case), the other with the electronics boards, wires, and cushions.
The printed parts are rough and textured, as you would expect from something 3D printed, with a couple of loose 'hairs'. But everything has been thoroughly tested, and the interlocking pieces work really well together. For instance, the ear cans arrived as one piece but actually need to be unscrewed for the assembly.
Couple of notes on the assembly;
- having a tweezers handy will help with fiddly bits,
- it helps to use your fingernails to push the wires into the cable gutters, and when tucking the black edge strip in after wrapping the fabric over the printed speaker cover,
- assembling the remote casing is tricky, and the final step that they describe as "might be difficult" benefits from having a stool/chair you can sit on on top of the casing to push the pieces together.
The fit is tight to the head, which I actually appreciate as there is less loss of sound. They're incredibly light-weight, and definitely possess an unique look. They also sound damned good, especially for the price tag.
Around 9 May 2017 the electronics and squishy bits arrived. They were still tweaking the 3D design files, but it didn't matter much as I'd lost my access to 3D printers. They said they would be partnering up with 3D Hubs to help out people in my situation, so I scoped out some prices. They went from hundreds of euro, to thousands. I didn't order any. Shortly thereafter Print+ opened their own store selling printed parts for only €35. Much better! I ordered as soon as I could on 30 May. There was more of a delay, as I think they actually started doing the printing themselves. They sent me an apology, a discount code, and I got a shipment notice 26 July. They finally arrived last week, 10 August.
13 October 2015 to 10 August 2017. But, I now have some nifty headphones.
Two neat little packages
Photo by ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chebe
Everything comes in the two separate packages; one with the printed parts (two copies of the remote casing, just in case), the other with the electronics boards, wires, and cushions.
Electronics and soft bits
Photo by chebe
Printed parts
Photo by chebe
Printed parts, ear cans opened up
Photo by chebe
The printed parts are rough and textured, as you would expect from something 3D printed, with a couple of loose 'hairs'. But everything has been thoroughly tested, and the interlocking pieces work really well together. For instance, the ear cans arrived as one piece but actually need to be unscrewed for the assembly.
Couple of notes on the assembly;
- having a tweezers handy will help with fiddly bits,
- it helps to use your fingernails to push the wires into the cable gutters, and when tucking the black edge strip in after wrapping the fabric over the printed speaker cover,
- assembling the remote casing is tricky, and the final step that they describe as "might be difficult" benefits from having a stool/chair you can sit on on top of the casing to push the pieces together.
The fit is tight to the head, which I actually appreciate as there is less loss of sound. They're incredibly light-weight, and definitely possess an unique look. They also sound damned good, especially for the price tag.
Print+ Headphones (design #1) in PolyMatte Grey and purple
Photo by chebe