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Why Do Headphone Manufacturers Keep Repeating This Mistake?

Travel cases that come with flagship headphones are supposed to be protective. Why some aren’t is beyond me.

Headphone travel casesPhoto by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

By Tucker Bowe

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Dyson appears to have taken a page out of Apple’s book with its latest wireless headphones … but not necessarily a good one.

The renowned vacuum maker recently revealed the Dyson OnTrac, its first “audio-only” wireless noise-canceling headphones. They’re ultra-customizable and you can pick different colors for the earcups and headband. Dyson says there are “over 2,000 customizable color combinations.” That’s great.

Dyson headphones
The coolest thing about Dyson’s OnTrac headphones? Maximum color customization.
Dyson

One thing that doesn’t appear so great, however, is the carrying case that comes with the Dyson OnTrac. It has an open design — two hard ends held together by fabric — meaning it can’t be zippered shut. In other words, it’s not super protective.

(You can see an actual photo of the travel case that comes with Dyson OnTrac headphones in The Verge‘s article.)

Dyson headphones
The travel case that comes with the OnTrac headphones don’t look very protective.
Dyson

The AirPod Max headphones also come with an open-designed travel case — a heavily criticized decision that many hope Apple remedies on the followup rumored to come out in the fall.

That’s because the “Smart Case” provides no protection for the AirPods Max; it covers only the earcups — not the headband — and has no padding whatsoever.

Additionally, you’re required to use the Smart Case with the AirPods Max to enter them in a special low-power mode and essentially turn off. No, the AirPods Max don’t have a physical power button (another one of Apple’s super controversial design decisions).

AirPods Max Smart Case
The AirPods Max’s Smart Case basically provides zero protection.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

Admittedly, the Dyson OnTrac’s travel case looks significantly more protective than Apple’s Smart Case. But the open-design still annoys me. Did I mention the Dyson OnTrac cost $500? That’s expensive even by today’s standards, so you’d expect something that can protect them from drops or spills in-transit.

The AirPods Max's Smart Case basically provides zero protection.
Dyson and Apple aside, most audio companies ship their noise-canceling headphones with nice and protective travel cases.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

Dyson does include a hard travel case — yes, it zippers shut — with its $700 Zone headphones. So I’m not sure why it’s not doing the same with these new cans.

I’ve tested quite a few wireless noise-canceling headphones over the years, and, to the credit of audio companies, many flagship models come with pretty nice and protective travel cases.

I just wish Dyson and Apple would do the same.

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