Writer’s note: This is the second in a series of stories examining the design thinking and decisions that went into creating noteworthy new products, as told by their creators. 
Call them the anti-Beats. Upstart headphone-maker Master & Dynamic has largely eschewed celebrity tie-ins and flashy of-the-moment colors for a retro-influenced design, hefty materials, and a largely lauded audio profile. The result feels somewhat out of time: A gadget built for the modern tech-savvy consumer, but with the look and feel of headphones you might have plugged into a hi-fi in the pre-digital age. To get a sense of how Master & Dynamic’s flagship MH40 over-ear headphones came to be, I spoke to company founder and CEO Jonathan Levine:
Forged Aluminum Enclosure: “Most headphones are plastic-based. Utilizing forged aluminum, which is then precision machined, is far more expensive than plastic and lengthens the manufacturing process and timeline dramatically. Forged aluminum adds a bit of heft—which consumers have come to appreciate in luxury products—without compromising comfort. Perhaps best of all, the aluminum helps make the product extremely durable. As I set forth to create these headphones, I was encouraged by my manufacturing partner to give up on the idea of using forged aluminum. We persevered and I couldn’t be prouder of the results.”
Stainless Steel: “From the ear cup harness to the hinges and adjustment posts, our headphones contain numerous stainless steel components. Much like the forged aluminum used in the ear cups, stainless steel allows Master & Dynamic products to remain functional for years to come, whereas plastic is highly susceptible to the wear and tear that comes with age. Even aluminum in high stress areas like hinges can wear and deteriorate overtime. That’s why using stainless steel is so important to us. And let’s face it, perfectly finished metal is much more aesthetically pleasing than plastic.”
Leather Headband & Ear Cups: “Heavy grain premium cowhide covers the headband exterior surface and ear insets, with soft lambskin on the headband interior and ear pads. When I was visiting a museum in Washington D.C. in 2013 with my oldest son I stumbled across a pair of vintage headphones that caught my eye and eventually served as part of the inspiration for Master & Dynamic. The headphones had withstood the test of time thanks to the use of high-quality materials like leather and metal, and I sought to pay homage to that great craftsmanship with Master & Dynamic’s products.”

from Forbes – Tech http://ift.tt/1gmdlOU
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