A WORTHY AIRPODS MAX COMPETITOR?

For a very long time, Sony and Apple have been dominating the wireless headphone scene. But this year, a new challenger emerged, and that too from an unusual source.

- Sohil Nikam

DYSON OnTrac

Dyson, the firm known for making world-class vacuum cleaners, had tried its hand at launching headphones last year, but its Dyson Zone, which came with a mask of its own, failed miserably at capturing consumer attention. The company has shown grit in continuing with its foray into the headphone space. The Dyson OnTrac, which costs Rs 44,900, is proof of that, as it's looking to compete directly with AirPods Max with a Rs 15,000 undercut on the price of the Apple headset. Let's find out whether it's worth your cash.

DESIGN

The Dyson On Trac's design is clearly inspired by the company's vacuum cleaners, with its industrial looks and use of shiny materials. But unlike the vacuum cleaners, it's a very heavy headset. This is largely due to the battery packs that are unusually placed on its headband yet smoothly integrated into the design. If you're sitting on a chair and leaning back a little, there's a good chance the headphones will just slip off your head.

But what this headset loses in terms of comfort, it makes back up in terms of looks and modularity. Both the ear cushions and the aluminium caps on the outside are removable, so you can and mix and match the design. However, the steep price of Rs 4,900 for a new pair of ear cushions tells me not many will bother to utilise this opportunity.

FUNCTIONALITY