The designers must have been having a bad day.

After rating what I feel are the five best looking headphones, I feel it only fair to point out what I think the first worst looking headphones are. Some of these headphones are superb performers i hasten to add, but on a design level, they are among the most offending performers. These are some of the most unblingiest designs in the headphone world.

The only problem with this is that some of these suggestions happen to be the most formidable, best sounding pieces of audio equipment in the audio world today. And don’t start quoting big figures from bizarre audio manufacturers because I’ve heard a £11,500 CD based system, a £55,000 turntable based system, and a Linn system costing £70,000 and I’d still go for a pair of stax any day.

1) DirectSound Extreme Isolation Headphones

Maybe I’m being a bit harsh on the DirectSound Extreme Isolation Headphones, but I’m trying to work out where we would actually wear our noise canceling headphones. On a plane, train, bus or some sort of public transport?

It’s not that I don’t believe in the capabilities of these headphones, not at all, and I wouldn’t mind having a go on these myself. But I’m not sure that I’d want to be seen out in public with these on.

As for it’s usefulness, I’m a believer, as for the design…..hum…..ha…….uh….I’d feel more comfortable wearing my Sennheiser HD25 headphones, which more than adequately block out the noise.

2) Custom IEM’s including future sonics and Westone

I have enough nightmares about alien invasion, without buying a pair of their headphones, thank-you very much. No disrespect to any aliens who want audiophile quality.

I have no doubt, these IEM’s are absolutely mind blowing in terms of sound quality, and the custom colours make them all the more funky, but I have no wish to wear headphones design for Jabba the Hutt.

Sound? yes. Design? No

“Princess Leia, save me from Jabba’s headphones!”

O.K. Design aside, I would secretly love a pair.

3) Electrostatic headphones……

.. do sound amazing, but look like Robocop’s rejects, they really do. From Koss to Stax, they just look like something from the dark ages. Again, they are at the top of the headphone world in terms of performance, but the design leaves a lot to be desired.

Of all the headphones available, I just wish someone in the electrostatic camp would say,

“O.K. people, let’s design a stunning pair of electrostatic headphones today.”

instead of,

“I found this piece of plastic in a skip, I got the wire from my wife’s bra, and I managed to retrieve this vinyl effect cloth from the seat of a 1976 vauxhall viva. Lets design a pair of headphones.”

Some of the designs are more palatable, like the Stax SR-001 MK2. As for the rest, they’re in a design world of their own.

However, anyone that knows me, knows that I would love to have any pair of electrostactic headphones. Not because they look good, but because they sound as ‘out of this world’, as they look unattractive.

4) Skullcandy headphones

Now I don’t really want to upset the design team at Skullcandy, but they seem to be trying abit to hard, if you know what I mean. I’m sure that Skullcandy has a target market for their products, but you have to ask yourself if you want to be a part of that market.

I think snow-boarder’s, and people who are into heavy rock music, know that there are better choices on the market. You’ll stand out from the crowd, but is that a good thing?

5) igrado

Oh dear, oh dear, it’s all gone wrong. I thought these were going to be stunners when I first heard that Grado was bringing out a new baby headphone. ‘Lovely’ I thought ‘with a traditional headband and using the same drivers from the amazing Grado SR60’s, these are going to be Sennheiser PX killers.’

How wrong I was. With a less than bearable neckband design, and with looks that please my grandmother, I’m afraid these have to be the most eagerly awaited, but the most disappointing headphones to date. Not in terms of sound, just in terms of finally seeing what I thought would be the perfect product.

They remind me of those headphones you get on the patient line thing, in hospital.

Sorry Grado, but the SR60’s are the ones for me.

Final Thoughts

Now again this article has nothing to do with sound, and on that level there are many that are at the top of their class. Not only that, there are some in this selection that I really dream of having, but the wife wants a new kitchen instead.

I’m brave enough to put my hand up and say, “I think looks are important.” Again, people in the audiophile world would probably scream and hurl abuse at me, for saying such things, but what’s wrong with wanting audio products to look good.

We want our homes to look nice, people spend thousands making their cars looking nice, why does audio have to be different? Is it beyond the reach of audio manufacturers to produce good looking products?

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