Designing for the Senses
Designing for the Senses
Photography by Spencer Heyfron from the Endurance photo shoot
When HIFIMAN set out to create this flagship product, their goal was to create the best headphone in the world. They selected Catalano Design to work with them to create a class-leading user experience from an ergonomic and aesthetic perspective, while utilizing HIFIMAN’s revolutionary driver technology to create a listening experience for audiophiles around the world. Our goal in designing the HE1000 V2 was to honor and elevate the pact between HIFIMAN and the audio world of commitment to beauty, comfort, and manufacturing quality in addition to groundbreaking sound. The result? European Product Design Award | Silver.
Careful ergonomic study and iterative testing led us to conceive key aspects of the design. A study of the ears and skull informed the asymmetrical shape of the ear cup, which we developed to create an even seal around the ear and provide a large surface area for the planar magnetic driver.
Borrowing manufacturing techniques from the furniture industry for molding high quality plywood, we designed lightweight durable wood rings for the earcups that enclose the drivers.
A unique suspension system that is sturdy, lightweight, and dissipates heat is the foundation for this headband design combining a stainless steel spring with perforated suede to set a new standard for comfort.
The innovative grill system was designed to both provide protection for the driver and allow an open back design that yields the best possible sound quality. The patented “Window Shade” grill is precisely designed to keep sound waves from a second refraction to avoid unwanted vibration and distortion, resulting in a wider and more open soundstage, outstanding imaging, and remarkable clarity.
Finally, the overall physical structure of the assembly took on a minimalist design to save precious weight, reducing the piece to its essence with a rich combination of materials: wood, stainless steel, and perforated suede.