Open-ear headphones are having their moment. They’ve found a market in runners, cyclists, factory workers, parents, and others who want to take in a podcast or music while maintaining situational awareness. The form factors vary, but they’re typically small things that cling to your ear.
Japanese audio startup New Wave Maker (nwm) has a different take, with their Modernist-looking, can-style One model:
The company says the drivers offer “minimal sound leakage,” confining the sound to your ears, while also allowing you to hear ambient sound. I’m guessing this is the kind of thing that needs to be experienced in person.
They weigh just 6.5 oz (185 grams) and are reportedly comfortable for long stretches, offering “no feeling of compression.” They offer up to 20 hours of battery life on a full charge.
The company doesn’t have much of a track record (they were founded in 2022), but is charging Bose- and Sony-like prices. For those willing to gamble that the sound quality’s good, they’re $300.
