The overall design is beautiful, but I’m interested to see how they sound – or what difference the 3D printed part makes.
Originally shared by Sculpteo
Mass manufacturing through 3D printing is becoming a reality and AudioQuest’s new headphones are here to prove it. Their new NightHawk headphones use complex, 3D printed biomimetic grill which prove to be an integral part of the design. Each of those parts were printed through Sculpteo’s services.
I’d guess it makes absolutely no difference. But it’s a “feature” they can market well.
By the way, this is the same company that believes that their HDMI cable’s special insulation Reduces smearing and preserves dynamic contrast and that All audio cables are directional, including the ones for the digital signals in HDMI cables [1].
Typical audiophile bullshit, ignoring basic laws of physics to create perceived value for dimwits that actually buy this crap.
[1] http://www.audioquest.com/hdmi/hdmi-slinky
There’s more bullshit junk science about audio cables (and valves, CDs and vinyl) than all the anti-vaccination and climate change denial put together…
I’ve seen $1500 speaker leads that apparently harness some sort of life force and bring the listener in synch with the music.
Having grown up with and hung out with and played with and recorded musicians for a good chunk of my life, I think I am confident in saying that those attributes weren’t there when the music was played live and recorded, so any and all claims for this sort of thing are just another ploy to part well-heeled fools from their money.
Pure marketing BS. There’s no reason not to injection mold that part, except maybe low volume. The only function 3D printing serves here is to generate hype.
@Thomas_Sanladerer I agree they can be somewhat excited in their language but I can’t imagine they spent the extra money for a 3D print for a couple lines of marketing on their website…
It had to be something to do with the speed with which the object needed to be created or the complexity of the object – otherwise they would’ve just injection molded it.
@Zach_Correa it’s likely the most cost effective way of making them, as i’d doubt they will sell more than a few handful of them. Molds are ridiculously expensive, and 3D printing also has the bonus of not only creating more marketable features, but also getting more coverage on their products for being another world’s first 3D printed something.
The 3D printed grill makes no difference to the listener as it is on the outside, if it is more than just decoration as in a vent, then all it does is turn the headphones from a private listening device to a public device because the sound will not be contained within the shell of the headphones.
It’s just stupid marketing for stupid people, personally I would avoid this companies products, they might look good, but that is all.
@Richard_Earl well, the way the back side of the chassis is vented does make a difference in how the headphones sound.
@Thomas_Sanladerer you are correct, venting will make a difference, but the grill itself does not.
@Richard_Earl true. There are virtually no gains from changing the mesh shape or using 3D-printable geometries.
Even if it is just marketing hooplah, it’s good for 3D printing industry wide - companies that choose 3D printing as opposed to injection molds or another manufacturing method sets a precedent of 3D printing as a viable means of manufacturing.
