These headphones forgo ear cushions for a breathable-geometric shaped frame. Meet Vie Shair, pain-free headphones.
VIE SHAIR: Pain-Free Headphones
Breathable and sociability are just two of the pros of the Vie Shair headphones. These spacey-looking cans are designed to float just above your ears. The speaker is positioned at an angle to deliver superior audio while still allowing the wearer to carry on a conversation or hear their surroundings. If user’s would like a more secluded listening experience, each headset comes with a closed air frame. This still allows the audio to breath, as the speakers still float just above the wearer’s ear. The headband is adjustable, however, Digital Trends finds one fault. “The headband, which is going to be given more slack to adapt to smaller heads in the model going to Kickstarter backers, comprises soft pleather with two metal rings above it. We found it too limited in adjustability.” They’ve been told by the founder, Yazz Imamura, that this issue is already being handled.
Using a light clamping system, the headphones are able to stay in place – even while working out. The entire frame is said to be lightweight with minimal pressure applied to the head. So much so, the Japanese-made headset can be worn with glasses for extended hours. The closed air frame is lined with soft cushions that prevent slippage against the arms of glasses while minimizing and changes to the amount of passive sound isolation.
The outer edge of the ear cups have built-in LEDs around the perimeter The built-in LEDs and can be set to one of five different colors (red, blue, yellow, green or white).
Vie Shiar seems to pride itself in its ability to allow the wearer’s to remain social and comfortable. Digital Trends got their hands on a pair and noted while wearing the open air frame they “expected there would be obvious noise leakage, both in and out from the speaker. But, as [they] sat in an area with plenty of ambient noise, [they] were surprisingly not distracted by it.” However, Digital Trends adds they are unsure of how much people could hear the music around them.
Equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 technology, the headphones are able to stay connected to a cellphone or other smart device 100 feet away. The battery on the headphones should operate for up to 8 hours off of one charge.
So how do these futuristic cans sound? Using Yamaha’s high spec MACH-5 audio module, Vie is said to deliver some awesome audio. The cans are set-up with 60 mm planar magnetic drivers which completely vibrates the diaphragm for a fuller sound. Audio can be enhanced to the wearer’s liking with the use of an accompanying app with a 3-band equalizer. However, Digital Trends says the headphones are not audiophile grade, but rather meet somewhere in the middle.
Vie Shair comes with a soft carry case, a 3.5 mm audio cable, and a micro USB cable and are available in five colors (black, white, pink, blue, and yellow). The headphones are selling via an Indiegogo campaign at the discounted rate of $229 (rather than $399) before they ship in November.
Crowdfunding Disclaimer: If you’re investing in a prototype hosted on a crowdfunding platform like Kickstarter or Indiegogo, be wary. Not all projects hosted by crowdfunding platforms come to fruition. Before making a purchase you should read the FAQs of the hosting platform as well as our article on the risks associated with investing in a crowdfunding projects.
