Axent Wear Cat Ear Headphones - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: zeb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 27, 2014, 11:21:18 pm
content: Now, this appears to be a genuine campaign but seriously: WHY?https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/axent-wear-cat-ear-headphonesSurely the whole idea of headphones is that you hear the music/whatever, as opposed to forcing the people around you to listen to it!$250K goal but already $1.4M raised! Three people have even pledged $2K for a 'custom paint job'!Unbelievable!

author: _Sin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 10:14:15 am
content: They're quite pointy. I expect that will be to the owners disadvantage if they use them to annoy everyone around them and subsequently find them being jammed somewhere other than on their head.

author: MikeBOz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 08:42:39 pm
content: The external speakers are switchable on-off. And judging by the pictures they are appealing to a particular demographic. I think they look pretty cool actually.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 08:00:37 am
content: They discovered the recipe to a popular product, and it's working 600% better than intended.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 05:45:40 pm
content: Quote from: zeb on October 27, 2014, 11:21:18 pmBecause it would be popular with the target audience ... these people will wear these to conventions and play nyan cat non stop, you don't wear cat ears because you don't want to get noticed.Really this is brilliant.

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2014, 08:24:50 am
content: They don't claim it to be anything it is not. I love it. I want one for myself now

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2014, 08:51:23 am
content: Apparently only suitable for Asian headphone users?

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2014, 07:24:49 pm
content: Quote from: mikerj on October 30, 2014, 08:51:23 amHaha, when designers misunderstand pop-culture

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2014, 08:22:04 pm
content: Quote from: Yago on November 09, 2014, 07:24:49 pmNo misunderstanding at all, it's an anime thing, even some westeners are totally into that. And they will sell just wait and see. Or at least they will be cloned if not already.Not a thing I'm into but some at work are too much into this kind of things, and probably will buy them day one.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2014, 03:41:51 pm
content: Quote from: miguelvp on November 09, 2014, 08:22:04 pmExactly my point, it's an anime thing that has been misunderstood by designers!Particularly by western ones too!It's like they saw the hats that have ears sell well, and thought they would take that up a level/re-spin to the EastThey ended up with a product that to anyone older than two, looks akin to selotaping a crappy old mobile phone to their head, and serves no purpose other than attraction of fracas.IMVHO Miguel, I always classed my self as a half-nerd (daywalker!:P)(years in electronics and rock bands!).I remember the earthquake Akira made on release, that was long before Hello Kitty Island of Bastardised Monetised Culture.I suppose we'll see how it pans out, but if that thing sells, "I'll show my arse to the traffic lights" ( local saying, never though how mad it was before!)

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2014, 11:28:38 pm
content: I imagine the choice of the models was intentional even if it doesn't correspond to their most likely audience. Because that audience will have a lot of weeaboos ... and weeaboos will be more attracted to the product if they see asians wearing it.Either way, intentional or not ... I don't think 2.5 million dollar is bad revenue for a single model of headphones.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2014, 11:32:53 pm
content: Not for me, but hey it's not a product that can't be made. People want it so why not, Rubik did it.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2014, 01:20:15 am
content: Quote from: Yago on November 11, 2014, 03:41:51 pmDid you miss the bit about raising 2.6 million dollars so far.If I could "misunderstand" designing something and still sell 2.6 million dollars worth of it, I'd be so happy right now.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 01:14:34 pm
content: I did miss the amount raised, doh!Still think all that proves are there are enough fools to launch a non-buoyant craft.

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2014, 08:38:11 pm
content: Quote from: Yago on November 21, 2014, 01:14:34 pmYes, I do find it quite staggering just how completely obsessed people are about image above all other attributes. Headphones are for listening to music, why would you voluntarily choose to look stupid with a pair of cats ears on your head, whilst undoubtedly suffering from subpar audio quality when the same money would buy headphones that actually do what they are meant to? I could understand if these were aimed at younger children, but it seems that adults (I use the term loosely) are the target audience.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2014, 08:43:48 pm
content: Quote from: mikerj on November 23, 2014, 08:38:11 pmI think the target is young adults, I would think my daughter (19) would not hesitate to purchase this device, but I'm not telling her this thing will exist in the near future.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 01:03:12 am
content: It's too late though.If it were at the advent of the Ipod, then maybe.Now it looks like poundland material.Weather is looking bad too, might yet freeze in forfeit!

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 01:10:15 am
content: Quote from: mikerj on November 23, 2014, 08:38:11 pmPartly for the same reason some people (including a lot of adults) were sports jerseys and band shirts. To identify as part of a group.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 10:23:47 am
content: Quote from: mikerj on November 23, 2014, 08:38:11 pmIf you build your own product (or want to in the future), it's a lesson worth learning very well. Image is one of the primary motivators for purchasing. People buy products that are used by people who they want to be like or that they feel associate them with causes/ideas that they want to be seen to represent.That's why companies spend millions on celebrity endorsements and branding and magazine ads and... on and on.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2014, 10:51:20 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on November 24, 2014, 10:23:47 amIndeed, I had a hand in designing a product for vehicle despatch etc.As these were to be fitted into the drivers personal vehicles, I deliberately made the unit look as much as a nice car stereo as I could (as opposed to a beefy industrial look).Worked out well with the customers.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2014, 10:38:16 pm
content: I know this thread is kinda old but couldn't resist showing this.http://gyazo.com/ab91c74e2ddaa5e94da308e7871becc2I guess that's why they're so popular....

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2014, 12:27:26 am
content: The external speakers look smaller than the speakers inside the headphones.Now, find a way to fit some klipsch reference drivers in there and i'm in.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2014, 01:52:30 pm
content: Quote from: Refrigerator on December 28, 2014, 10:38:16 pmUh oh, the weather is getting very cold to be showing my proverbial to the traffic lights!

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2014, 10:13:49 pm
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on November 24, 2014, 10:23:47 amFWIW I do design and build products, but fortunately not ones that the average self obsessed consumer would want to purchase.When I mention "image", I don't mean the appearance of the product itself, I'm talking about the image that dumb people feel they have to project to others, and which they feel is enhanced by certain products/brands. For instance, the overpriced crap with Dr Dre's brand name on it.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2014, 12:19:48 am
content: Spinners, neon lights under the car, boom boxes, gages, grills, heck just even dancing it's all part of the matting ritual in modern society. Silly, sure but it's not going away anytime soon.Both boys and girls will do silly things to attract attention from the opposite or same sex depending what for and/or preferences.

author: kindablue
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 02, 2015, 06:12:47 pm
content: But Cat Ears? Is this just the purple cow phenomenon, or is there some underserved market that I'm missing?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2015, 06:48:56 pm
content: wait .. eh . do i understand this right. the ears are SPEAKERS ?if they were directional microphones it would work like true cat ears ..this is going to be fun... imagine being in atrain full of pop-anime-manga types each with their own music blaring out of these things....i don't wanna live in a world like that. i'm moving to an island in the south pacific.... my soldering iron and scope are packed...

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2015, 11:04:32 pm
content: Quote from: mikerj on December 30, 2014, 10:13:49 pmIn this case it isn't a brand though ... it has functionality and aesthetic appeal, it will only appeal under very limited circumstances but it will appeal.Kinda like a business suit (except for the functionality part).