Dyson OnTrac: Can a Vacuum Company Make Audiophile Headphones?
Dyson has finally entered the high-end audio market without the gimmick of an attached air purifier. The Dyson OnTrac is a distinct departure from the polarizing “Zone” headset released previously. This new product is a dedicated set of over-ear headphones designed specifically to compete with industry giants like Apple, Bose, and Sony. With a price point of $499, the OnTrac is positioning itself as a premium lifestyle product that prioritizes industrial design, massive battery life, and modular customization.
Moving Beyond Air Purification
The most important distinction regarding the OnTrac is what it lacks. It does not have the “Bane-like” air filtration visor that defined the Dyson Zone. By removing the motors and filters required for air purification, Dyson was able to focus entirely on audio engineering and ergonomics.
This shift allows the OnTrac to be a serious contender in the audiophile space rather than a niche health gadget. The headphones are slimmer and less cumbersome than their predecessor, though they still retain a distinct, industrial aesthetic that looks more like precision machinery than standard consumer electronics.
Unmatched Battery Life
If there is one area where the Dyson OnTrac objectively beats the competition, it is battery endurance. Dyson leveraged its decades of experience with battery technology from its cordless vacuum lines to engineer a high-capacity power system.
- 55 Hours of Playback: The OnTrac delivers 55 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) enabled.
- The Competition: For comparison, the Apple AirPods Max offers roughly 20 hours, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra provides 24 hours, and the Sony WH-1000XM5 offers 30 hours.
- Battery Placement: Dyson placed two high-capacity lithium-ion batteries in the headband rather than the ear cups. This design choice helps distribute weight more evenly across the head.
Industrial Design and Customization
The “customizable” aspect mentioned in early leaks is a core selling point. While most high-end headphones come in black, silver, or perhaps a shade of blue, Dyson has built the OnTrac to be modular.
The headphones feature a system of interchangeable outer caps and ear cushions. Owners can purchase additional caps and cushions in various finishes, including Ceramic Cinnabar, CNC Aluminum, and Copper.
- Combinations: By mixing and matching different ear cushions and outer caps, there are over 2,000 potential color combinations.
- Materials: The build quality utilizes premium materials like multi-jointed gimbal arms and a soft microfiber headband.
- Durability: The ear cushions are designed to be easily replaced, which extends the lifespan of the product significantly compared to headphones with glued-in pads.
Audio Performance and Specifications
To justify the $499 price tag, the OnTrac must sound as good as it looks. Dyson engineers developed 40mm neodymium drivers that operate within a frequency range of 6Hz to 21kHz. This range goes deeper into the sub-bass than many standard headphones, which typically cut off around 20Hz.
The sound profile leans toward a neutral, “scientific” curve rather than the heavy bass boost found in brands like Beats. The goal is to reproduce audio exactly as the artist intended.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Dyson uses an eight-microphone system to sample external sound 384,000 times per second. The company claims this system cancels up to 40dB of unwanted noise.
- Isolation: The passive isolation is also strong due to the large, plush ear cups that create a tight seal around the ear.
- App Integration: The MyDyson app provides real-time data on environmental noise levels, showing you exactly how many decibels the headphones are blocking at any given moment.
The Weight Factor
One specific specification that potential buyers must consider is the weight. The Dyson OnTrac weighs 451 grams (approximately 1 pound).
When compared to the competition, this is heavy. The Sony WH-1000XM5 weighs roughly 250 grams, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra sits around 253 grams. Even the Apple AirPods Max, often criticized for being heavy, weighs 385 grams.
Dyson mitigates this weight through the headband design mentioned earlier. By moving the batteries to the headband and using high-grade foam, the weight is distributed to avoid creating a “hot spot” on the top of the skull. However, for users who wear headphones for 8 hours straight, the extra mass might be noticeable.
Price and Market Competition
At $499, the Dyson OnTrac sits firmly in the luxury tier. It is priced slightly below the MSRP of the Apple AirPods Max ($549) but above the street price of the Sony WH-1000XM5 (often found around $348) and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($429).
Who is this for? The OnTrac is for users who value design and battery life above all else. If you are tired of charging your headphones every two days, the 55-hour battery is a game-changer. Furthermore, if you want a device that stands out visually and can be color-matched to your style, no other audiophile headphone offers this level of modularity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Dyson OnTrac have a transparency mode? Yes. Dyson includes a transparency mode (often called “social mode” or similar in the industry) that uses the external microphones to pipe in outside sound so you can have conversations without removing the headphones.
Can I listen to audio via a wired connection? Yes, but it requires an adapter. The headphones charge and transfer data via a USB-C port. You can use a USB-C to 3.5mm or USB-C to Lightning cable to listen to wired audio sources.
Is the carrying case protective? The OnTrac comes with a “Slimline” case. It is not a traditional hard-shell box. instead, it is a collapsible cover that protects the ear cups while leaving the headband exposed. This makes it easier to slide into a backpack but offers less impact protection than a hard case.
Do these headphones work with Android and iPhone? Yes. The Dyson OnTrac connects via Bluetooth and is fully compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The MyDyson app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.