The Dyson Zone looks like a gadget straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster. As Dyson’s first venture into audio wearables space, it boldly breaks from the conventions of traditional headsets by combining high-end headphones with personal air filtration.
Design: Bold and futuristic
The device has large earcups and thick, chunky headband that gives it a bold and striking appearance that’s hard to ignore. The cups have a lightweight and durable plastic construction, while the removable grills are made of robust metal, adding to the headphones’ sturdiness and premium feel. It also features clear windows displaying specifications like “6Hz-21kHz, Dual NdFeB,” satisfying the curiosity of tech enthusiasts. These windows offer a glimpse of the fan and motor, showcasing the engineering inside. However, the plastic and rubber face visor feel slightly flimsy, but it’s a practical trade-off for weight reduction.
Despite its significant size and appearance, the Dyson Zone gives a snug fit and offers a level of comfort that makes it suitable for a commute or shorter listening sessions. However, weighing at 600g without the visor and 675g with it, wearing the device becomes noticeable, especially over extended periods.
Features: Purified air meets robust audio
As you slide the substantial cups over your ears, a flawless vacuum seal engulfs you, blocking out every unwelcome, external noise.
The Dyson Zone packs a punch with its 40mm neodymium drivers and a frequency range of 6Hz-21kHz. The sound quality is nothing short of sublime – crisp and balanced without being overpowering. It has a solid bass that’s sure to make your heart skip a beat (in a good way).
Dyson has put in serious work on the EQ settings, delivering a well-balanced sound profile that caters to various music genres. You can even choose between Bass Boost for that extra thump or Neutral for a flatter response curve.
Internally, the Dyson Zone hosts an impressive array of 11 microphones, which work tirelessly to create a fully immersive audio experience. Eight of these microphones are responsible for noise cancellation, two for noise reduction – ensuring crystal-clear communication, and one for capturing your voice.
The Dyson Zone’s active noise cancellation (ANC) is a force to be reckoned with as it can dispel up to 38dB of noise from your surroundings. Combined with passive noise reduction from the earcups, the total reduction reaches an impressive 40dB, with the headphones’ sensors monitoring its surroundings at 384,000 times a second. Most sounds fade away with the headphones on, leaving you undisturbed by engine noise or persistent distractions. Additionally, a simple double-tap on either earcup’s centre effortlessly switches between ‘transparency’ and ‘isolation’ mode.
The device boasts Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. It supports AAC, LHDC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs, meaning iOS users get standard playback quality, while Android users’ experience will rely on their phone’s LHDC compatibility.
Now, let’s dive into the most intriguing aspect of the Dyson Zone-air purification. The magic happens through a contact-free visor, effortlessly snapping on and off the headphones using magnets on each side. The dual-layer filters nestled within each earcup draw in air, which is then channelled straight to your nose and mouth through the mask. This filter can capture pollutant particles as tiny as 0.1 microns and effortlessly neutralises gases like nitrogen dioxide present in the air. According to Dyson, the electrostatic filters have an impressive lifespan of up to a year before requiring replacement. While the company doesn’t offer replacement filters in stores just yet, fear not, as the device ships with an extra set to keep you covered.
With the air purification system at its full might, Dyson Zone wearers can truly appreciate its benefits, especially during scorching summers in Dubai. The system could double as a refreshing companion, providing wearers with a cool, purified breeze to beat the heat.
Battery life
The Zone boasts a 2,600mAh battery, which Dyson says offers an impressive 50 hours of noise cancellation time, but this is without the air purification in full swing. Once you unleash the air purifiers, you’re looking at a mere four hours of combined purification and audio runtime, and if you crank up the airflow speed that number drops even further. Don’t worry, though – the device fully recharges in just around three hours via USB-C.
Verdict: A glimpse of the future
So, is the Dyson Zone a must-have gadget or a funky gimmick? It’s a bit of both, really.
If you’re all about pushing the boundaries of tech and want to breathe easy while rocking out, the Dyson Zone could make an interesting buy. The device’s design is bold and sure to turn heads. It is technically sound, boasting top-notch wireless performance, robust sound quality, and noise-cancellation. Moreover, the air purification system is a breath of fresh innovation (pun intended), ensuring you enjoy clean air while immersed in your favourite tunes.
But with a hefty price tag of $1000, these headphones might not be everyone’s cup of tea as their bulkiness and premium price tag may be a lot to handle, especially for those seeking portability.
