Jun 18, 2015 | By Simon
Although 3D printing has helped bring an entirely new level of customization to the products that we have come to enjoy in our everyday lives while simultaneously lowering their prices to all-time lows, there are always ways of using the technology to create entirely exclusive products as well.
With the rise in ‘luxury’ products including the recently-released gold Apple Watch Edition, it was only a matter of time before somebody applied the same marketing tactics on a fully-customized 3D printed product, too.
Among other companies, V-Moda has been actively using additive manufacturing technologies to create unique headphone designs for everybody ranging from professional DJs and musicians to even athletes including Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and movie star Tom Cruise.
To date, the company has been using the technology for a few years now to create a number of 3D printed plastic “Shields”, which act as customizable side panels where DJs and other users can show off their ‘brand and image’. While this has worked remarkably well for them, the company is now ready to move into offering the same product with more premium metal materials including stainless steel, platinum and even 14K white gold. Don’t get too excited yet though - some of these plates might end up costing you up to $40,000.
For interested users, all of the company’s professional quality headphones will include the option to have personalized 3D printed plates which will be fabricated based on a preferred color palette, material choice and design from one of five readymade patterns. Of course, each of these options are dependent on one’s budget for their headphones and are priced accordingly.
Starting with the most budget-conscious option, customers will be able to pick up the fiber shields in nine colors for just $40 for the on-ear headphone models or $50 for the over-ear models.
The next tier, the Stainless Steel tier, seeks to combine both a luxurious touch as well as affordability. In total, the options include matte black, stainless steel, polished gold, polished bronze and matte bronze in prices starting at $100 and going up to $400, depending on the desired finish.
For those looking for an even more premium product, the company is offering raw bronze and raw brass kits that will cost between $180 and $330 for on-ear models and $350 to $500 for over-ear models. Additionally, the company will be offering the option to purchase bundles which include the XS or the Crossfade M-100 at varying price points.
Finally, for those looking for the most luxurious option that the company offers, the flagship M-100 bundles will cost between $900 and a staggering $40,000 for the sterling silver, solid gold or platinum shields. Included with the price are the option to include a custom design as well as lifetime warranty coverage.
Although this isn’t the first time we’ve seen how 3D printing has been used to create custom headphone designs - NORMAL has been using 3D printing to create custom-fitting in-ear headphones for months now - it is certainly among one of the most whimsical and is sure to create some designs that will likely turn heads.
Find out more by heading over to V-Moda.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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This will vastly improve our world!
Deafwing wrote at 6/18/2015 4:48:11 PM:
There needs to be an option to 3D-scan your ears, and have them 3D printed onto these headphone panels! At least in my mind it looks funny. What i don't see from the above article: do they use massive metal plates for the most expensive models? If so, how can this be comfortable at all to have half a kilo of gold pulling on your headphones all the time?
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