Self-tuning Headphones

Nura is a pair of premium headphones that offer a truly personalised full-spectrum music experience.

We all hear differently, but standard headphones deliver the same audio output regardless of your individual hearing profile or sensitivity. Nura takes a more personal approach to music. Using built-in microphones, they measure the actual audio response from your ears at different frequencies in a process similar to an advanced clinical hearing test. The music signal is then calibrated through a proprietary algorithm and tuned to your unique hearing signature. Once the initial 30-second calibration sequence is completed, Nura will automatically recognise who is listening every time you put them on.

By further combining an innovative over-ear and in-ear design, Nura headphones can deliver immersive studio quality sound across the entire audible spectrum. Mid and high frequency tones are emitted through a spring mounted earbud directly into your ear canal, whereas low tones resonate from a separate 40 mm bass driver. The result of this acoustic separation is crystal clear mid and high notes that aren’t muddled by the powerful bass. In addition, the double barrier isolation achieved from the earbuds and over-ear cushions block out virtually all ambient noise, as well as being completely silent to people around you.

The split electronic architecture and speaker drivers are housed in two sturdy yet lightweight aluminium headphone enclosures with compliant cushions that are designed for comfortable long-term use. The headphones are connected by a slender flexible headband with an integrated cable channel and padding. The configuration allows for full size and fit adjustability, and is executed in a dark anodised finish with a signature coloured cable. The headphones connect to your device either wirelessly, or through a detachable Apple Lightning or USB cable. The initial calibration sequence and further custom settings are controlled through a smartphone app.

This design project was carried out in close collaboration with Nura, a Melbourne based audio start-up, and the HAX hardware accelerator programme. Besides the industrial design, Office for Product Design also created the logo and visual identity for Nura, as well as art directed and supplied the product photography.

Nura headphones successfully launched on Kickstarter, where they raised US$ 1.8 million in presales.