3D printing lets the average maker tackle building anything their heart desires, really, and many have taken to using the technology for audio projects. Printable speaker and headphone designs abound. The Head(amame) headphones from [Vector Finesse] are a design that combines 3D printed parts with hi-fi grade components to create a high-end listening experience. [Angus] of Maker’s Muse decided to try printing a set at home and has shared his thoughts on the hardware.
Printing the parts has to be done carefully, with things like the infill settings crucial to the eventual sound quality of the final product. Using a properly equipped slicer like CURA is key to getting the parts printed properly so the finer settings can be appropriately controlled. The recommendation is to print the pieces in PETG, which [Angus] notes can be difficult to work with, and several prints were required to get all the parts made correctly.
Assembly is straightforward enough with kits available with all the fasteners and electronic parts included. Subjectively, [Angus] found the sound quality to be impressive, with plenty of full bass and clearly defined highs. Overall, it’s a positive review in the areas of comfort and sound quality.
Detractors will note that the kit of parts costs over $100 USD alone, and that after hours of work and printing, the user is left with a set of headphones made out of obviously 3D-printed parts. It seems destined to be a product aimed at the 3D printing fanbase. If you want a set of headphones you can customise endlessly in form and color, these are ideal. If you prefer the fit and finish of a consumer-grade product, they may not be for you.
It’s a good look at a design sure to appeal to a wide set of makers out there. We’ve seen 3D printing put to good use in this realm before, too. Video after the break.
You might be able to find the parts (or substitutes) from the parts kit for cheaper, to be fair, and then get the files.That should help you with the “high price” thing, and maybe then it’ll appear to a “wide set of makers”; not everyone needs Mini-XLR on their headphones.
exactly seems to me all you really need at minimum is the print files and the drivers. everything else is just hardware store items of your own choosing.
Just a quick tip, from own experience: If you print a headband, pay particularly good attention to where the Z seam comes to rest when slicing. Headbands need to flex but also need to be rigid, you do NOT want the seam in the middle of the headband, it WILL break there sooner or later. You will want the Z seam at one of the ends of the headband.
I guess a random Z seam would also work for thjis?
That will probably do, too, you’ll just end up with random specks all over your print.
I believe the default for the seam is “sharpest corner” (CMIIW) which, depending on the part, can still end up at a stress point. Most of the 3d printing people I know choose to have the seam neatly in one line, usually facing the front or slightly offset so it ends up at the bottom of a part. Which is generally a good option, and in this case exactly the wrong thing to do.
I get that you DIY something because the process is half the fun.
But man… 120 bucks without shipping for bits and pieces you need to be extra careful vs. 150 including shipping for a beyerdynamic dt770 i can throw across the room and still have them be in perfect working condition…
Aye the dt770 250ohm version is hard to beat in quality vs price. At this side of the pond it retails for 124€. I doubt this printed contraption sounds any better.
I bought these headphone kits a couple of years ago when they just came out: https://www.print.plus/ still happy with them, but it looks like they’re not selling anymore.
Geez, I’m not sure if I’d pay $120 even if the headset came ready to use.
I have a Logitech G930 I’d love to replace one of these days though. I got a great deal on it a few years ago. But it’s wireless and constantly desyncing at the worst times. When it does, all sound will stop for a few seconds and then there’s a beep and it comes back. It’s not bluetooth, it’s some proprietary Logitech 2.4ghz signal. It has a USB port for charging. I wish Logitech had added a usb soundcard functionality to that too so I could just use it in a wired mode.
MIne has infinite high-tech battery included, 2 wires.
If you want some actually good 3D printed headphones (planar magnetics!), the Open Alphas look pretty good:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/open-alpha-t50-3d-printed-headphone-project-from-mrspeakers.825868/
That starts with a set of $160 headphones… seems like a lot for a gamble.
Cool. Reminds me a bit of a pair of DIY headphones from a 1984’s book from former East Germany (“Elektronikbasteln im Wohnbereich”, military publisher of GDR). But instead of a fancy 3D printer, two big Polystyrol lids of “VEB Bero” powder coffee cans were used. The hanger/holder was made from a 2mm thick stripe of PVC which was slightly heated to make it bend. Speakers used were normal 4-15 ohms types, though, so they had to be attentuted by an extra circuit. Connecting them directly to the speaker outputs of a home stereo (say HSV 900) was too dangerous for the human hearing..
Free visit from the Stasi with every build
Yeah, lets 3D print plastic parts that would cost under $1 to have moulded, this is just stupid in so many ways
Sure 3D printing has it’s place, but it’s not this
What would the added value of printing them yourself be?
It’s fun to put things together. It’s cool to get a compliment on something and say “Oh yeah I made these.” I really like how customizable it is. The color scheme is only limited by the filament that’s out there. I’d say that’s where the value comes from.
“i made these myself”
maximal customization?
Do you go to hobbyist woodworkers and tell them about ikea?
You’re not very good at this, are you?
Are the bits that make the actual sound 3D printed?
sad part is 99% of the people making these (probably including the video) is playing 128kb vbr mp3 files through them……..
But why though? Why pick an argument noone started, come up with a baseless assumption, and then get sad — or worse: angry — about it?
I think that is a rather unhealthy way to spend time online. Are you okay?
I’ve never had issues printing in PETG. I’ve found it as easy to work with as PLA, intact its my goto material these days.
same her