TechAudioHeadphonesI tried Dyson’s new headphones – they’re unique, but will people buy at this price?The Dyson OnTrac, priced £449, feature interchangeable caps and earcups for a unique take in the headphones marketWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechAudioHeadphonesI tried Dyson’s new headphones – they’re unique, but will people buy at this price?The Dyson OnTrac, priced £449, feature interchangeable caps and earcups for a unique take in the headphones marketWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Dyson OnTrac, priced £449, feature interchangeable caps and earcups for a unique take in the headphones market
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
It was just over six weeks ago that I embarked on a trip to Dyson’s UK headquarters to get a behind-the-scenes secret look at the company’s new modular headphones, the Dyson OnTrac. Yes, Dyson has thrown its hat intothe best headphonesring proper.
Perhaps less bold than the headphones themselves, though, as the OnTrac feature giant earcups, multiple colourways, even interchangeable earcups and caps – so you can create your own unique mix to suit your preferred style. These are big headphones, too, with lots of battery wrapped into physical sections on the headband.
All of which is very interesting, but it’s had me pondering: “will people actually buy these?”. After all, Dyson’s brand is generally associated with cleaning and air purification products – so will the general public take the leap over to its audio output? Especially with a £449 ($499/AU$799) asking price to consider – plus an extra £49 ($49/AU$79) extra for each colourway accessory purchase.
1. Interchangeable design
Image1of2(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of2(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of2
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
That is one key unique selling point though: the OnTrac will come in four as-boxed arrangements – CNC Aluminium (the yellow earcups, as per my photographs), CNC Copper, Ceramic Cinnibar, and CNC Black Nickel – with additional caps and cushions for customisation purposes also available from Dyson.
There are a lot of combinations (officially thousands when you start to mix and match), so below I’ve included Dyson’s official colour chart and the official images of each of the four products, to make understanding what’s what altogether easier to visualise. The finish is impeccable, so each do look great, whatever the colour selection.
Image1of6(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)
Image1of6(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)
Image1of6
(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
I must say that replacing the sections is very easy too: it’s a twist-lock system, so there’s no faffing around with screw-down sections or anything like that. Dyson has also engineered those CNC panels in ultra-precise form, so they’re super-light, super-slim, yet suitably tough.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
The last modular system I can recall seeing in a product wasn’t actually headphones, but was a Pentax DSLR system (the K-50, with over a hundred combinations from various panels). That was a costly exercise, though, and didn’t last to the next generation far as I understand. You only need to ask most product-makers how well their ‘not black or white’ colour options sell – and the truth is that it’s a small percentage, irrelevant of how eye-catching they might look.
I don’t fall into the ‘standard’ consumer bracket, really, as I’ve been reviewing consumer electronics kit for the best part of 15 years – so when something new and shiny and extra colourful comes along it grabs my attention (and photographs better, typically). Whether the multi-colour personalisation approach will be a major point of appeal for prospective customers to open their wallets is another question.
2. Masses of battery
Image1of3(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of3(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of3
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The next unique selling point about the OnTrac is the masses of battery life. Dyson promises 55-hours of listening with active noise-cancelling (ANC) switched on, which will trounce its nearest competition fromSony,BoseandApple.
So how has Dyson achieved such longevity? It may sound obvious, but the OnTrac literally has more battery cells positioned within the product. It’s just not where you’ll usually find the batteries in many of the typicalbest noise-cancelling headphones: Dyson has elected to create headband ‘cushions’ where the battery sections are located, as you can see in my photographs above.
3. Big, bold design
Image1of8(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of8(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of8
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
As I’ve said, there’s an impeccable quality to the finish of the OnTrac. But that can’t take away from the industrial-like design of these headphones that’s part and parcel of the machined aluminium, large earcups and overall scale. I can’t help but find them just a bit, y’know,large.
Just because the headphones are big, however, doesn’t mean they’re in any way uncomfortable nor heavy when worn. Indeed, the OnTrac is US Ergonomics certified, while the use of foam in the cushions and micro-suede on the earcups certainly feels luxury. These aren’t ‘clampy’ headphones either, which is a really important factor for me – and something I loved about theSonos Aceupon their launch – so I suspect long-time wear will be a breeze (something I’ll be further investigating in my full review).
In terms of controls, I think Dyson has gone a step further than any other headphones-maker too. I’ve never seen a mini joystick control on headphones, which is exactly what you’ll find on the OnTrac, and which feels great to use. There’s also tap-activation controls on the earcups, automated stop/start wear detection, and a physical on/off button. It’s a clever mix of classic and new.
Image1of4(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)
Image1of4(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)
Image1of4
(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
(Image credit: Dyson)
Initial conclusion
You may have noted that nowhere in this hands-on experience feature have I mentioned anything about the Dyson’s sound quality. That’s for a simple reason: I tried the OnTrac on at a launch event, which had a DJ banging out tunes in the background. So I can’t yet assess how these headphonestrulysound.
What I can say, however, is that the active noise-cancelling (ANC) did a great job in blotting out a lot of that background noise. But I’ve never tested a pair of headphones in a club environment for obvious reasons, so until it comes to full and final review time (next month) my notes on sound quality are, let’s say, minimal.
Image1of5(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of5(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of5
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Still, Dyson suggests the sound will be top-notch, with the all-new 40mm neodymium drivers featured here able to deliver a considerable 6Hz through to 21kHz frequency range. At the low-end such sub-bass levels are largely unheard of, except in some ofthe best wired headphones, and while 6Hz will be frankly inaudible at this scale, there’s a clear focus on big bass capability that others scarcely even try to achieve.
Big scale, big audio, big battery and big aspirations – that’s the OnTrac in a nutshell. These headphones are certainly unique, thanks to that interchangeable design, but with no spatial audio and that highApple AirPods Max-matching price tag, Dyson’s entry into a new product category will likely raise as many questions as it answers when these go on sale from 1 August.
Today’s best Dyson OnTrac deals$499.99View$499.99View$499.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Dyson OnTrac deals$499.99View$499.99View$499.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Dyson OnTrac deals
$499.99View$499.99View$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
PS Plus getting one of the best PS5 games of all time for free, no argumentsA long-lost Indiana Jones adventure is also being added this month
A long-lost Indiana Jones adventure is also being added this month
A Week on the Wrist with the Ciga Design Z Series Hunter – all the fun of Richard Mille without the second mortgageI never expected to love this watch, but I can’t fault it
I never expected to love this watch, but I can’t fault it
