PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11736847-B2
Application Number: US-202217894055-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Support structure for earpiece cushion

Abstract:
This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that enhance user comfort and improve user control of the headphones are discussed. Various sensor configurations and electronic component positions are also discussed. User convenience features that include detachable cushions and automatically detecting the donning and doffing of headphones are also discussed.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An earpiece suitable for use with over-ear headphones, the earpiece comprising:
 an earpiece housing including one or more walls that define an interior volume having a central region surrounded by an annular region, wherein the one or more walls include a cover disposed over the central region and having one or more apertures formed there through; 
 an annular earpiece cushion surrounding the one or more apertures and coupled to the earpiece housing; 
 an acoustic driver disposed within the interior volume and aligned to emit sound through the one or more apertures formed in the cover, the earpiece having a front volume formed between the acoustic driver and the annular earpiece cushion; 
 a pressure relief aperture formed through a portion of the one or more walls that defines the annular region of the interior volume; 
 a frame disposed within the interior volume and coupling the acoustic driver to the earpiece housing; and 
 a plurality of fasteners that couple the acoustic driver to the frame, the plurality of fasteners including at least one hollow fastener having a bore formed through its length; and 
 an acoustic channel extending through the bore formed in the hollow fastener to acoustically couple the front volume with the pressure relief aperture. 
 
     
     
       2. The earpiece set forth in  claim 1  wherein the one or more walls of the earpiece housing comprise a primary wall and the cover is coupled to and cooperates with the primary wall to define the interior volume. 
     
     
       3. The earpiece set forth in  claim 2  wherein the annular region is an annular bulbous region defined by the primary wall. 
     
     
       4. The earpiece set forth in  claim 3  wherein the annular bulbous region extends 360 degrees around the central region. 
     
     
       5. The earpiece set forth in  claim 1  wherein the housing is made from a rigid structure. 
     
     
       6. The earpiece set forth in  claim 2  wherein the cover is made from a plastic and the primary wall is made from aluminum. 
     
     
       7. The earpiece set forth in  claim 1  wherein the annular earpiece cushion forms a portion of a boundary of the front volume when the earpiece is part of a headphone worn by a user. 
     
     
       8. The earpiece set forth in  claim 7  wherein a back volume of the earpiece is formed between a back surface of the acoustic driver and the earpiece housing. 
     
     
       9. The earpiece set forth in  claim 1  wherein the annular earpiece cushion is part of an earpiece cushion assembly that is coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity sized to accommodate an ear of a user, the earpiece cushion assembly comprising the annular earpiece cushion and an annular support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing. 
     
     
       10. The earpiece set forth in  claim 1  wherein the cover includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. 
     
     
       11. The earpiece set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a main logic board having audio processing circuitry and wireless circuitry mounted thereon. 
     
     
       12. An earpiece suitable for use with over-ear headphones, the earpiece comprising:
 an earpiece housing having a back wall and a cover piece having one or more apertures formed therethrough, the back wall and cover piece cooperating to define an interior volume having a central region surrounded by an annular bulbous region, wherein the back wall at least partially defines a rear surface of the earpiece and the cover piece is disposed over the central region in a spaced apart relationship with a portion the back wall and wherein the cover piece includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough; 
 a frame disposed within the interior volume and coupled to the earpiece housing; 
 an acoustic driver disposed within the interior volume and aligned to emit sound through the plurality of apertures formed through the cover piece; 
 a plurality of fasteners that couple the acoustic driver to the frame, the plurality of fasteners including at least one hollow fastener having a bore formed through a length of the fastener; 
 an annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing and encircling the central region to define a front volume of the acoustic driver between the acoustic driver and the annular earpiece cushion; 
 an aperture formed through an exterior surface of the earpiece housing; and 
 an acoustic channel extending through the bore formed in the hollow fastener fluidly coupling the front volume to the aperture to allow pressure built up within the front volume to be relieved. 
 
     
     
       13. The earpiece set forth in  claim 12  wherein the annular earpiece cushion is part of an earpiece cushion assembly that is coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity sized to accommodate an ear of a user, the earpiece cushion assembly comprising the annular earpiece cushion and an annular support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing. 
     
     
       14. The earpiece set forth in  claim 12  wherein the annular bulbous region extends 360 degrees around the central region. 
     
     
       15. The earpiece set forth in  claim 12  wherein the housing is made from a rigid structure. 
     
     
       16. The earpiece set forth in  claim 12  wherein the cover is made from a plastic and the back wall is made from aluminum. 
     
     
       17. Headphones comprising:
 a headband having first and second opposing ends; 
 a first earpiece coupled to the first end of the headband; and 
 a second earpiece coupled to the second end of the headband; 
 wherein each of the first and second earpieces comprises:
 an earpiece housing having a back wall and a cover piece having one or more apertures formed therethrough, the back wall and cover piece cooperating to define an interior volume having a central region surrounded by an annular bulbous region, wherein the back wall at least partially defines a rear surface of the earpiece and the cover piece is disposed over the central region in a spaced apart relationship with a portion the back wall and wherein the cover piece includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough; 
 a frame disposed within the interior volume and coupled to the earpiece housing; 
 an acoustic driver disposed within the interior volume and aligned to emit sound through the plurality of apertures formed through the cover piece; 
 a plurality of fasteners that couple the acoustic driver to the frame, the plurality of fasteners including at least one hollow fastener having a bore formed through a length of the fastener; 
 an annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing and encircling the central region to define a front volume of the acoustic driver between the acoustic driver and the annular earpiece cushion; 
 an aperture formed through an exterior surface of the earpiece housing; and 
 an acoustic channel extending through the bore formed in the hollow fastener fluidly coupling the front volume to the aperture to allow pressure built up within the front volume to be relieved. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The headphones set forth in  claim 17  wherein the annular bulbous region of each of the first and second earpieces extends 360 degrees around the central region of the respective earpiece. 
     
     
       19. The headphones set forth in  claim 17 , for each of the first and second earpieces, wherein the housing is made from a rigid structure. 
     
     
       20. The headphones set forth in  claim 17  wherein, for each of the first and second earpieces, the cover is made from a plastic and the primary wall is made from aluminum.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This present application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/023,239, filed Sep. 16, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to headphones such as over-ear and on-ear headphones. More particularly, the various features help improve the overall user experience by incorporating an array of sensors and new mechanical features into the headphones. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Headphones have now been in use for many years. Consumers have become accustomed to regular, essentially yearly improvements in size, functionality and other design aspects of various electronic devices that consumers use in their day-to-day lives including devices such as smart phones, tablet and laptop computers, as well as listening devices such as earbuds and headphones. Accordingly, while numerous headphone designs exist in the market, new and improved designs are continuously being sought to satisfy consumer demands and preferences. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure describes numerous improvements on circumaural and supra-aural headphone designs. The headphones can include space and weight saving components that enhance the comfort for the user when the user is wearing the headphones. The headphones can include a headband connected to an upper portion of earpieces. The earpieces can include a pivot mechanism that can allow for rotation of the earpieces relative to the headband with a constant application of force. The rotation of the earpieces can be measured by one or more sensors in the pivot mechanism to determine an orientation of the earpieces. The orientation of the earpieces can be used to determine whether the headphones should be changed between an operational mode and a standby mode. 
     The headphones can also include earpieces with cushions that have variable thickness. The variable thickness cushions can be more comfortable for a user and can provide a better seal between the cushions and the users head. The improved seal can reduce external noise that can reach the user. Various headphones can also include a headband with multiple pieces formed into a single headband. The headband can be optimized for a clamp force that provides a snug comfortable fit for the user and will not degrade over time. The headband can include a mesh component that can form to a user&#39;s head when the headphones are being warn. 
     Headphones described herein can include an antenna for receiving and transmitting radio frequency (RF) waves. The antenna can receive and transmit the RF waves across multiple frequency ranges using capacitive components. The antenna can include plating to increase the transmission of the RF emissions and can be oriented in the earpieces to direct the RF waves toward a user. 
     Headphones can include inputs that can be optimized for users. The resistance of the inputs to depressing and rotation can be optimized to allow a user to feel when the input has been pressed and/or rotated. Dampening material can also be positioned in the inputs to reduce noise that can be generated when to components come in contact with one another. For example, dampening material can be put between two metal components to reduce or prevent the components from making noise when they come in contact. 
     Headphones can include a detection system to determine when they have been donned or doffed. The detection system can emit light towards a user and detected the reflected light. The reflected light can be used to determine if a user is present and if their ear is positioned in the earpiece. If a user&#39;s ear is in the earpiece, the headphones can be put into operational mode. 
     A listening device is disclosed and includes the following: a first earpiece; a headband having a first end coupled to the first earpiece, the first earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume; a speaker disposed within the interior volume; and a pivot mechanism coupled to the earpiece housing and operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate separate from the headband along a first axis, the pivot mechanism comprising: an aperture sized and shaped to receive one of the first or second ends of the headband; first and second pivot rods; a first cylinder having a first channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston that fits within the first channel and is coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the aperture while opposing rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis. 
     An earpiece is disclosed and includes the following: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume; a speaker disposed within the interior volume; and a pivot mechanism disposed at a first end of the earpiece housing and operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a first axis and comprising: an aperture sized and shaped to receive a first end of a headband; first and second pivot rods; a first cylinder having a first channel and a second cylinder having a second channel, the first and second cylinders coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston positionable within the first channel and a second piston positionable within the second channel, the first and second pistons coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and a second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the aperture while opposing rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis. 
     Headphones are disclosed and include the following: a first earpiece comprising a first earpiece housing defining a first interior volume and a first pivot mechanism coupled to the first earpiece housing and operable to enable the first earpiece to rotate about a first axis, the first pivot mechanism comprising: a first aperture sized and shaped to receive a first end of a headband; first and second pivot rods; a first cylinder having a first channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston that fits within the first channel and is coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the first aperture while opposing rotation of the first pivot mechanism about the first axis; and a second earpiece comprising a second earpiece housing defining a second interior volume and a second pivot mechanism coupled to the second earpiece housing and operable to enable the second earpiece to rotate about a second axis, the second pivot mechanism comprising: a second aperture sized and shaped to receive a second end of a headband; third and fourth pivot rods; a second cylinder having a second channel and coupled to the third pivot rod; a second piston that fits within the second channel and is coupled to the fourth pivot rod; and a second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the second aperture while opposing rotation of the second pivot mechanism about the second axis. 
     Headphones are disclosed and include the following: a headband; and an earpiece coupled with one end of the headband, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an aperture; a button assembly positionable in the aperture and comprising: a button housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move into engagement with the button housing; a damper positioned between the upper portion of the button housing and the crown and configured to dampen vibrations caused when the crown engages the button housing; a hub coupled with the crown and positioned in the channel and translatable along and rotatable about the central axis, the hub comprising one or more markings and configured to engage a compressible dome when the hub is translated toward an interior of the earpiece housing; and seals positioned between the hub and the button housing, one of the seals having a variable diameter and contacts the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the seal. 
     An earpiece is disclosed and includes the following: an earpiece housing defining an aperture; a button assembly positionable in the aperture and comprising: a button housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move into engagement with the upper portion of the button housing; a first damper positioned between the button housing and the crown and configured to dampen vibrations caused when the crown engages the button housing; a hub coupled with the crown and positioned in the channel and translatable along and rotatable about the central axis, the hub comprising one or more markings and configured to move between engaging the lower portion of the button housing and engaging a compressible dome when the hub is translated toward an interior of the earpiece housing; and a second damper positioned between the hub and the lower portion of the button housing and configured to dampen vibration when the hub engages the lower portion of the button housing. 
     A listening device is disclosed and includes the following: an earpiece having an earpiece housing defining an aperture; a button assembly positionable in the aperture and comprising: a button housing having an upper and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move into engagement with the upper portion of the button housing; a hub coupled with the crown and positioned in the channel and translatable along and rotatable about the central axis, the hub comprising one or more markings and configured to engage a compressible dome when the hub is translated toward an interior of the earpiece housing; and seals positioned between the hub and the button housing, a first seal positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the button housing and configured to form a watertight seal and a second seal positioned between the hub and the compressible dome and having a variable diameter to contact the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the seal. 
     Headphones are disclosed and include the following: a headband assembly; and a first earpiece coupled to a first end of the headband assembly and a second earpiece coupled to a second end of the headband assembly, each of the first and second earpieces comprising an earpiece housing, an acoustic driver disposed within the earpiece housing and an earpiece cushion assembly coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity sized to accommodate an ear of a user, the earpiece cushion assembly comprising: an annular earpiece cushion; and a support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising cantilevered support members distributed along a periphery of the cavity and protruding into the cavity. 
     An earpiece suitable for use with over-ear headphones is disclosed and includes the following: an earpiece housing; an earpiece cushion assembly coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity sized to accommodate an ear of a user, the earpiece cushion assembly comprising an annular earpiece cushion and a support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising cantilevered support members distributed around the cavity and protruding into the cavity; and an acoustic driver. 
     Headphones are disclosed and include the following: a first earpiece and a second earpiece, each of the earpieces comprising an earpiece housing, an acoustic driver disposed within the earpiece housing, and an earpiece cushion assembly coupled to the earpiece housing, wherein each earpiece cushion assembly comprises: an annular earpiece cushion; and a support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising cantilevered support members distributed around and supporting the annular earpiece cushion; and a headband assembly mechanically coupling the first and second earpieces. 
     An earpiece for a pair of headphones is disclosed and includes the following: a conductive earpiece housing defining an interior volume having a central region and an outer region surrounding the central region, wherein the conductive earpiece housing includes a portion that defines a ground plane element for an antenna and has an elongated slot formed through the ground plane element; and a slot antenna disposed within the outer region of the interior volume and electrically coupled to the ground plane element, the slot antenna comprising a frame formed from a radio frequency transparent material and defining an enclosed interior cavity within the interior volume, wherein the frame includes a tongue having first and second opposing surfaces protruding away from the interior cavity and a distal end facing the elongated slot and extending between the first and second opposing surfaces, and wherein a distal end of the tongue allows radio frequency waves to enter the interior cavity through the elongated slot and a remainder of an exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal that prevents radio frequency waves from entering the interior cavity. 
     An earpiece for a pair of headphones is disclosed and includes the following: a conductive earpiece housing defining an interior volume having a central region and an outer bulbous region surrounding the central region, wherein the conductive earpiece housing includes a portion that defines a ground plane element for an antenna and has an elongated rectangular slot formed through the ground plane element; wireless circuitry disposed within the interior volume; audio processing circuitry disposed within the interior volume and operatively coupled to the wireless circuitry; a microphone disposed within the interior volume and operatively coupled to the audio processing circuitry; a speaker disposed within the central region of the interior volume and operatively coupled to the audio processing circuitry; a slot antenna disposed within the bulbous region of the interior volume and operatively coupled to the wireless circuitry, the slot antenna comprising a frame formed from a rigid radio frequency transparent material and defining an interior cavity within the interior volume, wherein the frame includes a tongue having first and second opposing surfaces protruding away from the interior cavity and a distal end facing the elongated rectangular slot and extending between the first and second opposing surfaces, and wherein a distal end of the tongue allows radio frequency waves to enter the interior cavity through the elongated slot and a remainder of an exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal that prevents radio frequency waves from entering the interior cavity; and a grounding connection between the slot antenna and the ground plane element of the conductive earpiece housing. 
     An earpiece for a pair of headphones is disclosed and includes the following: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume having a central region and an outer region surrounding the central region, wherein the earpiece housing includes an elongated slot and an acoustic opening proximate the elongated slot formed through the earpiece housing; a slot antenna disposed within the outer region of the interior volume and comprising a frame formed from a radio frequency transparent material and defining an enclosed interior cavity within the interior volume, wherein the frame includes a support structure extending into the interior cavity and a tongue, the tongue having first and second opposing surfaces protruding away from the interior cavity and a distal end facing the elongated slot and extending between the first and second opposing surfaces, and wherein a distal end of the tongue allows radio frequency waves to enter the interior cavity through the elongated slot and a remainder of an exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal that prevents radio frequency waves from entering the interior cavity; and an acoustic pathway at least partially defined by an acoustic vent having an opening aligned with the acoustic opening, the acoustic pathway acoustically coupling the acoustic opening with the interior volume. 
     An earpiece for a pair of headphones is disclosed and includes the following: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume, the earpiece housing having an interior sidewall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first aperture formed through the interior sidewall surface; an earpiece cover coupled to the earpiece housing and covering the central opening, the earpiece cover having a plurality of sound openings formed through a central region of the earpiece cover, an outer sidewall surface extending around the central region and aligned with and extending over the interior sidewall surface of the earpiece housing, and a second aperture formed through the outer sidewall surface and aligned with the first aperture; an annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing surrounding an ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover into the ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a carrier coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed over the first and second apertures, the carrier having a body formed between first and second opposing major surfaces, the first major surface facing the ear-receiving region and the second major surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the earpiece housing different than the first angle; an optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical receiver and coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier, the optical sensor aligned to emit radiation through the body of the carrier and through the first and second apertures into the ear-receiving region and receive reflected radiation back through the first and second apertures and through the body of the carrier. 
     An earpiece is disclosed and includes the following: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume, the earpiece housing having an interior sidewall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first aperture formed through the interior sidewall surface; an annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing surrounding an ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy into the ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a carrier coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed over the first aperture, the carrier having a body formed between first and second opposing major surfaces, the first major surface facing the ear-receiving region and the second major surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the earpiece housing different than the first angle; an optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical receiver and coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier, the optical sensor aligned to emit radiation through the body of the carrier and through the first aperture into the ear-receiving region and receive reflected radiation back through the first aperture and through the body of the carrier. 
     An earpiece is disclosed and includes the following: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume, the earpiece housing having an interior sidewall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first aperture formed through the interior sidewall surface; an annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing surrounding an ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy into the ear-receiving region of the earpiece; an optical sensor coupled to the interior sidewall surface of the earpiece housing, the optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical receiver and aligned to emit radiation through first aperture into the ear-receiving region and receive reflected radiation back through the first aperture. 
     A headphone earpiece is disclosed and includes the following: a housing defining an interior volume; an earpiece cover disposed in the interior volume and comprising a first magnet and a metal shunt, the metal shunt positioned between the earpiece cover and the first magnet; and an earpiece cushion assembly removably coupled to the housing and comprising an annular earpiece cushion coupled to a frame and a magnetic element disposed between the earpiece cushion and the frame, the magnetic element magnetically coupled with the first magnet when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to direct magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing. 
     An earpiece is disclosed and includes the following: a housing defining an interior volume; an earpiece cover coupled with the housing and comprising a central portion disposed in the interior volume, an annular shelf surrounding the central portion, a sidewall extending around the central opening of the earpiece cover between the central portion and the annular shelf, and a first magnet and a metal shunt positioned on the annular shelf, the metal shunt positioned between the earpiece cover and the first magnet; a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy through the central portion of the earpiece cover; and an earpiece cushion assembly removably coupled to the earpiece cover and comprising a frame having a central portion, an annular surface surrounding the central portion of the frame, a sidewall extending around the central portion of the frame between the central portion and the annular surface, an earpiece cushion coupled with the annular surface of the frame, and a magnetic element disposed on the annular surface between the earpiece cushion and the frame, the magnetic element magnetically coupled with the first magnet when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to direct magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing. 
     An earpiece is disclosed and includes the following: a housing defining an interior volume; an earpiece cover coupled with the housing and comprising a central portion disposed in the interior volume, an annular shelf surrounding the central portion, a sidewall extending around the central opening of the earpiece cover between the central portion and the annular shelf, and a first magnet positioned on the annular shelf; an earpiece cushion assembly removably coupled to the earpiece cover and comprising a frame having a central portion, an annular surface surrounding the central portion of the frame, a sidewall extending around the central portion of the frame between the central portion and the annular surface, an earpiece cushion coupled with the annular surface of the frame, and a magnetic element disposed on the annular surface between the earpiece cushion and the frame, the magnetic element magnetically coupled with the first magnet when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to direct magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows an exemplary view of over ear or on-ear headphones; 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  show simplified front views of an exemplary set of over ear or on-ear headphones; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show simplified front views of headphones having off-center pivoting earpieces according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view of a pivot mechanism according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIGS.  4 B and  4 C  are exploded perspective views of various components of the pivot mechanism depicted in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  4 D  shows a portion of the pivot mechanism depicted in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIGS.  4 E through  4 G  show cross-section views of the pivot mechanism depicted in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  4 H  is an exploded perspective view of various components of the pivot mechanism depicted in  FIG.  4 A   
         FIG.  4 I  is a perspective view of a portion of the pivot mechanism depicted in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  4 J  is a cross-section of a portion of the pivot mechanism depicted in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIGS.  5 A through  5 D  show a locking mechanism for attaching earpieces to a headband stem in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  6 A through  6 D  show another locking mechanism for attaching earpieces to a headband stem in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  7    shows a perspective view of an earpiece contacting the side of a user&#39;s head; 
         FIG.  8 A  shows a perspective view of an earpiece housing and cushion frame configured to support an earpiece cushion according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  8 B  shows a perspective view of an earpiece cushion suitable for use with the earpiece housing and cushion frame depicted in  FIG.  8 A ; 
         FIG.  8 C  shows an embodiment in which a support structure that can take the form of an insert that is not integrally formed with a cushion frame as depicted in  FIG.  8 A ; 
         FIG.  8 D  shows how the support structure depicted in  FIG.  8 C  can include webbing that creates a loose mechanical coupling between adjacent cantilevered support members; 
         FIG.  9 A  shows a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating how an earpiece defines a cavity sized to receive an ear of a user; 
         FIG.  9 B  shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of an earpiece that depicts one of cantilevered support members that is integrally formed with a cushion frame in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  9 C  shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of an earpiece that does not include one of cantilevered support members in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  10 A- 10 B  show cross-sectional views of an alternative configuration of earpiece cushion assembly according to some embodiments that utilizes the support structure depicted in  FIG.  8 C ; and 
         FIG.  11    shows a cross-sectional view of one side of an earpiece cushion assembly having a support structure embedded within a protective cover in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  12    shows a perspective view of headphones according to some embodiments of the disclosure being worn by a user; 
         FIGS.  13 A- 13 D  show perspective views of various embodiments of components making up the canopy structure of the headphones depicted in  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIGS.  13 E- 13 G  are simplified illustrations of mesh assemblies that can be incorporated into a headband in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  14 A and  14 B  show cross-section views of a multi-component headband in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  14 C and  14 D  show additional views of the multi-component headband of  FIG.  14 A ; 
         FIGS.  15 A through  15 C  show a vibration dampening device according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  16 A  shows a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary acoustic configuration within an earpiece in accordance with some embodiments that could be applied with many of the previously described earpieces; 
         FIG.  16 B  shows an exterior of the earpiece shown in  FIG.  16 A  with an input panel removed to illustrate the shape and size of an interior volume associated with a speaker assembly; 
         FIG.  16 C  shows a microphone mounted within an earpiece, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 A  shows an earpiece including a slot antenna in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 B  is a simplified a cross-section of the earpiece of  FIG.  17 A  in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 C  is a simplified plan view of the earpiece of  FIG.  17 A , in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 D  is a simplified cross-section of the earpiece of  FIG.  17 A  taken along lines A-A′ in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 E  is a perspective view of a slot antenna according to some embodiments without the earpiece being shown; 
         FIG.  17 F  shows a view of the slot antenna of  FIG.  17 A , in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 G  is a simplified cross-section of the earpiece of  FIG.  17 A  along lines B-B′ to illustrate an acoustic channel formed through the earpiece in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 H  is a simplified cross-section of the earpiece of  FIG.  17 A  along lines B-B′ to illustrate an acoustic channel formed through the earpiece in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 I  is a detailed view of a portion of the cross-section of the earpiece of  FIG.  17 H  in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 J  is a simplified view of a portion of the acoustic channel of  FIG.  17 H  in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 K  is another portion of the acoustic channel of  FIG.  17 I  in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  17 L  is an additional portion of the acoustic channel of  FIG.  17 I  in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  18    shows a perspective view of a pair of headphones in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  19 A and  19 B  are simplified cross-sectional views of a user input button for use with the headphones of  FIG.  18   , in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  19 C  is a perspective view of a component of the input button of  FIGS.  19 A and  19 B , in accordance with embodiments; 
         FIG.  19 D  is a top view of a component of the input button of  FIGS.  19 A and  19 B , in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  20 A through  20 D  are simplified cross-sections of another example user input button for use with the headphones of  FIG.  18   , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  21    is a simplified cross-sectional view of an another example button for use with the headphones of  FIG.  18   , according to some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  22 A and  22 B  are cross-sectional views of a portion of an example button for use with the headphones of  FIG.  18    in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  23    is a flowchart showing a process for on-ear detection using an on-ear detection, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  24    shows an earpiece of headphones positioned over an ear of a user; 
         FIG.  25 A  shows a cross-section of an earpiece with an on-ear detection system, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  25 B  shows various components for use with the on-ear detection system of  FIG.  25 A , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  26 A  shows a cross-section of coupling components of an earpiece, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  26 B  shows a portion of the coupled components of the earpiece of  FIG.  26 A , according to some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  26 C and  26 D  show alignment orientation of the coupling components of the earpiece of  FIG.  26 A , according to some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  27 A and  27 B  show an example cushion identification systems for use with the earpiece of  FIG.  26 A , according to some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  28 A and  28 B  show another example cushion identification for use with the earpiece of  FIG.  26 A , according to some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  29 A through  29 C  show cross-sections of various cushions for use with headphones, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  30    shows exemplary headphones, which include earpieces joined together by a headband, in a flattened position in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  31    shows a carrying case with headphones positioned therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     Headphones have been in production for many years, but numerous design problems remain. For example, over ear headphones tend to be large and bulky, making their use outside of a studio or home environment less desirable. One contributor to the undesirable size and/or weight of some headphones is the earpiece pads that seal earpieces of the headphones around a user&#39;s ear to provide passive acoustic noise cancelling/isolation during use of the headphones. The earpiece pads are generally larger and/or thicker than necessary for any particular user so that the pads are able to create a robust acoustic seal for any user of the headphones. This additional padding is often necessary to allow the pads to conform to users having wide varieties of head sizes and shapes. For example, a user might have prominent protruding bones that an earpiece pad need to accommodate. 
     As another example, some headphones are uncomfortably heavy and/or provide a less than ideal fit for many users. The location that the headband connects to the earpieces can be part of the problem for some such headphones. For example, many traditional headphones connect the headband at a midpoint of the earpieces to allow the earpieces to pivot. However, this can cause discomfort and/or an undesirable fit for the user as one portion of each earpiece (e.g., a lower portion) may put pressure on a user&#39;s head while another portion (e.g., a top portion) may leave a gap allowing external sound to be heard. 
     As still another example, some headphones are susceptible to undesirable noise that can be generated and heard during use of the headphones when a user activates an input button or similar feature to control one or more aspects of the headphones. For example, some input buttons can include metal portions that contact another metal component to activate a particular function of the headphones. The contacting of the metal components can cause them to vibrate and create a slight noise, which because the headphones are directly on a user&#39;s ear, can sometimes be heard by the user resulting in a less than ideal user experience. 
     As described herein, the inventors have developed solutions to address the deficiencies described above and other shortcomings of some currently available headphones. Unless stated otherwise, the various solutions described herein can be used individually or can be used collectively in any appropriate combination to improve a user&#39;s experience with headphones. 
     One solution devised by the inventors and described herein to reduce the weight and/or size of the headphones is to reduce the thickness of the earpiece pads and to selectively reinforce the earpiece pads with a support structure that includes multiple discrete cantilevered support members distributed around a periphery of a central opening defined by each earpiece cushion assembly. The cantilevered support members increase the stiffness of the earpiece pads and have a size and shape that allows for deflection of the cantilevered support members sufficiently to conform with contours of a user&#39;s head. The support structure allows a first region of an earpiece pad that receives only a minimal amount of force to be fully supported by one or more of the cantilevered support members, which remain in an undeflected position. This first region of the earpiece pad may correspond to a recessed or flat region of user&#39;s head. The support structure also allows a second region of the earpiece pad that receives a larger amount of force to deform by one or more cantilevered support members that deflect to accommodate movement of material making up the earpiece pad within the second region. Because each of the discrete cantilevered support members is able to deflect independently, thereby allowing for an amount of force being exerted by the support structure to change drastically between adjacent cantilevered support members. For example, almost no force could be exerted upon earpiece pad by a first cantilevered support member while an adjacent second cantilevered support member could undergo a substantial amount of deflection. In this way, the earpiece pad is able to vary its shape greatly without relying on a thick pad while maintaining a consistent amount of force against a portion of a user&#39;s head surrounding the user&#39;s ear. 
     One solution described herein that improves the fit of the headphones for some users includes changing the location where the headband connects to the earpieces. For example, the headband can connect with the earpieces at an upper portion of the earpieces as opposed to a central region as is done in many traditional earpieces. The earpieces can include a pivot mechanism that connects with the end of the headband and allows the earpieces to pivot at an upper portion of each earpiece. The earpieces and pivot mechanism can be further designed to apply a relatively constant pressure across the entire contact surface of user&#39;s head. The constant pressure can provide a more comfortable fit for users and create a better seal to reduce the amount of external noise that is able to enter the earpieces. Additionally, in some embodiments the pivot mechanism can couple the stems of a headband to the headphone earpieces using a spring-driven pivot mechanism that controls motion of the earpieces with respect to the band. The spring-driven pivot mechanism can be positioned near the top of the earpiece, allowing it to be incorporated within the earpiece instead of being external to the earpiece. In this way, pivoting functionality can be built into the earpieces without adding to the overall bulk of the headphones. Different types of springs can be utilized to control the motion of the earpieces with respect to the headband. Specific examples that include compression springs are described in detail below. The springs associated with each earpiece can cooperate with the headband to set an amount of force exerted on a user wearing the headphones. In some embodiments, the headband can include multiple components formed together to minimize the force variation exerted across a large spectrum of users with different head sizes. 
     One solution described herein to the noise that can be made by certain user input controls is to position dampening material between components that contact one another. The dampening material can lessen the noise caused by the contacting of the components. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  1  through  31   ; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of exemplary headphones  100  suitable for use with the described embodiments. Headphones  100  including headband assembly  102 , which can be configured to mechanically and electrically couple earpieces  104 . The headband assembly  102  can include a headband  108  and stems  106 . The headband  108  can include multiple components and/or layers formed together into a single piece. For example, the headband  108  can include material layered around a central structure. In some embodiments, earpieces  104  can take the form of ear cups sized and shaped to fit over and/or around a user&#39;s ears (i.e., some embodiments pertain to circumaural headphones) and in other embodiments, earpieces  104  can take the form of on-ear earpieces sized and shaped to fit against a user&#39;s ears (i.e., some embodiments pertain to supra-aural headphones). 
     Earpieces  104  can be joined to opposing ends of headband assembly  102  by stems  106  of headband assembly  102 . Stems  106  are arranged at opposing ends of headband  108  and allow earpieces  104  to be independently oriented toward a surface of a user&#39;s head. Stems  106  can rotate along one or more axes (e.g., along a yaw axis  114  and/or roll axis  116 ). Stems  106  of earpieces  104  also allow for earpieces  104  of headphones  100  to be folded and/or oriented in a storage position. In some embodiments, the earpieces  104  can be detached from stems  106 . For example, the earpieces  104  can be detached and removed from the headband assembly  102 . 
     Each earpiece  104  can include an earpiece housing  112  and an earpiece cushion assembly  110  coupled to the earpiece housing  112 . Earpiece housing  112  defines a cavity within which electrical components such as speakers, microphones, sensors, printed circuit boards and the like are housed. In various embodiments, the earpiece housing  112  can be or include a monolithic aluminum structure. Earpiece cushion assemblies  110  can include a deformable material that is configured to deform to conform with a curvature of a user&#39;s head reducing and/or preventing the sound leaving and/or entering the earpieces  104 . The deformable material can be, for example, silicone or foam and wrapped in a layer of leather or textile material providing good cosmetics and comfort to a user of headphones  100 . In some embodiments each earpiece cushion assembly  110  can include multiple layers of different deformable materials and/or can include one or more portions that have varying acoustic properties as described below. 
     In some embodiments, a processor and wireless communication module can be disposed in one or both of earpieces  104 . The wireless communication module provides more convenient cord-free use of headphones  100 . Headphones  100  could also include a wired headphone jack for receiving media. the headphones  100  can receive media via the wired and/or wireless communication from one or more of a smartphone, television, computer, stereo, or any suitable media source. In addition to helping manage incoming media being received via wired or wireless receivers, the processor can also be configured to manage sensors that help to provide services such as headphones orientation determination (e.g. for determining which stereo channel to route to which earpiece  104 ) and active noise cancelling. In some embodiments, the processors can store the media received from the media source. For example, the processor can store media for later playback by the headphones  100 . 
     Various embodiments of headphones  100  include user input controls  118  for controlling one or more aspects of the headphones. For example, the user input controls  118  can control playback of the media (e.g., play or pause) and/or the audio volume, answer and/or end phone calls, and other functions of headphones  100 . The user input controls  118  can be or include buttons, knobs, touch sensors, or any suitable input device. While  FIG.  1    illustrates two user input controls  118 , the number of separate controls is not limited to any particular number and can vary from zero to four, six or more in various embodiments. Also, in some embodiments user input controls  118  can be implemented by a single input control area, such as a touch screen, that can detect a user&#39;s touch and identify gestures across a touch sensitive area formed along an outer portion of earpiece housing  112 . In still other embodiments, input controls can be in the form of one or more buttons located along an outer periphery of the earpiece housing  112  as discussed with respect to some of the example embodiments discussed herein. 
     Pivoting Earpieces (Moment Comp) 
       FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  show front views of an exemplary set of previously known over-ear or on-ear headphones  200 . Headphones  200  includes a headband  202  that is coupled with earpieces  204  at pivot point  206 . The pivot point  206  is located at a center of earpieces  204 , allowing for pivoting of the earpieces relative to the headband  202 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  2 B  the earpieces  204  can pivot in a range of motion  208 . The pivot point  206  positioned at the midpoint of the earpieces  204  allows the earpieces to pivot such that the earpieces are generally positioned parallel to a surface of a user&#39;s head. Unfortunately, having a pivot point  206  at the center of the earpieces  204  requires bulky arms that extend to either side of earpiece  204 , thereby substantially increasing the size and weight of earpieces  204 . 
     In contrast to the headphone design shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , embodiments of the disclosure include headphones  300  having off-center pivoting earpieces. The headphones  300  can be the same as or similar to headphones  100 , however, the headphones  300  can have additional and/or alternative components.  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show front views of headphones  300 , which can include a headband assembly  302  and earpieces  304 . Each end of the headband assembly  302  can be coupled to an upper portion of earpieces  304  via pivot mechanism  306 . In some embodiments pivot mechanism  306  enables the earpieces  304  to be pivoted around a pivot point spaced apart from an upper periphery of each earpiece  304  by no more than 20 percent or 10 percent of the height (H) of the earpiece. This differs from the conventional headphones  200  with pivot point  206  positioned at or near the center of the earpieces  204 . The earpieces  304  can pivot about pivot mechanism  306  in a range of motion  308 . The range of motion  308  can be configured to accommodate a majority of users head size based on studies performed on average head size measurements. 
     Despite the compact configuration of headphones  300 , the headphones can still perform the same functions as the more traditional configuration of headphones  200 , which includes applying a force through the center of the earpiece  304  and establishing an acoustic seal. In some embodiments, the range of motion  308  can be in a range between 10 degrees and 25 degrees. In further embodiments, the range of motion  308  may not have a defined stop (e.g., a hard stop point) but instead may grow progressively harder to deform as it gets farther from a neutral position (e.g., the position where the earpieces  304  are at a minimal distance from one another). The pivot mechanism  306  can include spring elements configured to apply a retaining force to the ears of a user when the headphones  300  are in use. The spring elements can also bring earpieces back to a neutral position once the headphones  300  are no longer being worn. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view of a pivot mechanism  400  according to some embodiments. Pivot mechanism  400  can be representative of pivot mechanism  306  shown in  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B  and can be positioned in the upper portion of an earpiece, for example, earpiece  304  according to some embodiments. Pivot mechanism  400  can be configured to accommodate motion around multiple axes, thereby allowing adjustments to both roll and yaw for earpieces  304  with respect to headband assembly  302 . For example, pivot mechanism  400  can rotate about yaw axis  402  and roll axis  404 . The pivot mechanism  400  can include an aperture  406  at least partially defined by collar  409 . The aperture  406  can be sized and shaped for receiving a portion of headband assembly  302 . The collar  409  can receive and engage with the headband assembly  302  (e.g., via a latching component that can couple the headband assembly  302  and the collar  409 ). The aperture  406  can receive the headband assembly  302  (e.g., the aperture in each of the left and right earpieces can receive one of two stems, such as stems  1208  discussed below, on opposing sides of the headband) and allow for rotation of the earpieces  304  about the yaw axis  402  and/or the roll axis  404 . 
     One or more seals  408  can be positioned to at least partially, and in some embodiments fully, surround the aperture  406  and can seal the ingress of the aperture  406  from external pollutants and/or moisture. For example, a face seal  408   a  can be positioned to seal a face of the pivot mechanism and an O-ring seal  408   b  can be positioned to seal around the portion of the headband assembly  302  that is positioned in the aperture  406 . The seals  408  can be made from a compressible or similar material. 
     One or more compression springs  410  can oppose rotation of the pivot mechanism  400  about the roll axis  404 . The compression springs  410  can be held in place by one or more spacers  412  that can separate and prevent lateral movement of the compression springs  410 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  4 B , the one or more spacers  412  can include multiple tubular sections that slide over a rod  413 . Two compression springs  410  can be coupled to the spacer by an arrangement of pistons  450  as discussed below. Spacers  412  are not limited to the particular implementation shown in  FIG.  4 B . As an example, in some embodiments, spacer  412  can be a bar or similar component having two grooves formed therein at desired spaced apart locations for attachment of the springs. 
     In various embodiments, one or more connectors  414  can extend from the pivot mechanism  400  to electrically couple components attached to the pivot mechanism  400  with the headband assembly  302 . For example, the connectors  414  can electrically couple the two earpieces  304  to one another via the headband assembly  302 . 
       FIGS.  4 B and  4 C  show various components of the pivot mechanism  400  in an exploded state. The pivot mechanism  400  can include a roll bar  416  and a base  418  that can act as a central hub to receive various components (base  418  is also visible in  FIG.  4 A ). Base  418  can also include attachment portions  446  that enable pivot mechanism to be affixed to a housing of the earpiece by fasteners  448 . Base  418  can receive magnets  420  that can cooperate with a sensor configured to determine whether the headphones  300  are donned or doffed (as described in more detail in reference to  FIG.  4 D ). A latch plate  422  can also be positioned internally in the pivot mechanism  400  for securing a portion of the headband assembly  302  (as described in more detail in reference to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B ). 
     Seals  424  can be positioned between the roll bar  416  and faceplate  426  (also visible in  FIG.  4 A ) to seal the ingress of the pivot mechanism  400  from moisture and/or dust particles. For example, a dynamic seal  424   a  can be used to seal the ingress between the faceplate  426  and the roll bar  416 . Similarly, an O-ring  424   b  can be positioned internally in the pivot mechanism  400  to provide an additional seal of the ingress. The dynamic seal  424   a  can include flexible material that allows for movement of the pivot mechanism, for example, movement about the roll axis  404 . The seals  424   a ,  424   b  (collectively referred to herein as “seals  424 ”) can be or include an elastomeric seal (e.g., silicone) and/or any suitable material for sealing the ingress against external particles and/or moisture. 
       FIG.  4 C  shows various electronic connectors that can be included in some embodiments of pivot mechanism  400 . Various flex connectors  428  can be used for connecting various sensors in the pivot mechanism  400  with processing components. For example, flex connector  428   a  can be used to connect a Hall effect sensors with a processing component (as described in more detail in reference to  FIG.  4 D ). Flex connector  428   b  can be used to connect a headband receptacle  430  with a processing component. Flex connector  428   b  can be a dynamic flex connector that can move in response to rotation of the pivot mechanism  400  (e.g., movement about the yaw axis  402 ). Flex connector shield  432  can be positioned within the pivot mechanism  400  to guide and/or protect the flex connector  420   b  during movement of the flex connector  420   b . The flex connector  420   b  can be electrically coupled with a cable  434  that can allow for movement of the pivot mechanism  400  about the roll axis  404 . For example, the cable  434  can have a length that allows the cable  434  to extend from a starting position as the pivot mechanism  400  moves about the roll axis  404 . 
       FIG.  4 D  shows the magnets  420  and a sensor  436  positioned in the pivot mechanism  400 . The magnets  420  can be positioned with opposing orientations (e.g., a first magnet has the north pole oriented outward from the pivot mechanism  400  and a second magnet has the south pole oriented outward from the pivot mechanism  400 ). The opposing poles of the magnets  420  can create magnet flux that travels between the two magnets. The sensor  436  can be or include a Hall effect sensor and/or a sensor that can detect a change in the magnet flux generated by the magnets  420 . The magnets  420  can rotate about the roll axis  404  (e.g. as the pivot mechanism  400  rotates about the roll axis  404 ) which can cause a change in the magnetic flux generated by the magnets  420 . The sensor  436  can detect the change in the magnetic flux which can be used to determine that the pivot mechanism  400  is rotating about the roll axis  404 . The sensor  436  can detect a change in the magnetic flux to determine when the headphones  300  are being donned or doffed by a user based on the pivot mechanism  400  rotating about the roll axis  404 . For example, the user can cause the pivot mechanism  400  to rotate about the roll axis  404  when the earpieces  304  are being pulled apart from one another. Pulling the earpieces  304  apart from one another can indicate that the headphones  300  are being donned or doffed. A flux shield  438  can be positioned over the magnets  420  (e.g., between the magnets  420  and surrounding environment) to reduce or prevent the magnetic flux from exiting the pivot mechanism  400 . For example, the flux shield  438  can reduce or prevent the magnetic flux from leaving the pivot mechanism  400  and interfering with electronic components positioned within the earpieces  304 . 
       FIGS.  4 E and  4 F  show a cross-sectional view of the pivot mechanism  400 .  FIG.  4 E  shows the pivot mechanism  400  in a relaxed position (e.g., a state where no torque is being applied to the pivot mechanism  400 ). For example, the pivot mechanism  400  can be in the relaxed state when the headphones  300  are doffed and/or when the headphones  300  are in a storage configuration.  FIG.  4 F  shows the pivot mechanism  400  in a rotated position (e.g., a state where torque is applied to the pivot mechanism  400  and/or the headphones  300  are donned). For example, the pivot mechanism  400  can be in the rotated position when the earpieces  304  are being pulled apart from one another and/or when the headphones  300  are positioned on a user&#39;s head. Traditionally, the force needed to pivot the pivot mechanism  400  would continuously increase the further the pivot mechanism  400  pivoted away from the relaxed state (i.e., it is relatively easy to start rotation of the earpieces  304  but gets harder to rotate the earpieces  304  the further the earpieces  304  are rotated). In various embodiments described herein, the compression springs  410  can be mounted at an angle  449  relative to the yaw axis  402  that can allow the force needed to pivot the pivot mechanism  400  to remain relatively constant as the pivot mechanism is pivoted away from the relaxed state (i.e., the same force can be used to rotate the earpieces  304  regardless of their rotation position). The pivot force remaining relatively constant can enhance user comfort by having the same force applied to the user&#39;s head by the earpieces  304  for a variety of head sizes. For example, the force the earpieces  304  apply to a user with a large head will be the same as or similar to the force the earpieces  304  apply to a user with a smaller head. 
     The one or more compression springs  410  can be positioned to allow for rotation of the pivot mechanism  400  about the roll axis  404 . As shown in  FIGS.  4 E and  4 F , the roll axis  404  extends out of the page pointing straight at the viewer and is represented as a dot. The compression springs  410  can be preloaded with a force and positioned at an angle relative to the yaw axis  402 . The force  440  from the compression springs  410  can be broken down into a vertical force vector  440   a  (i.e., the force in vertical direction) and  440   b  (i.e., the force in the horizontal direction). 
     The compression springs  410  can be attached at a first end  437  to a rotation beam  441  at a first pivot point  456 . The first end  437  of the compression springs  410  can be attached to the rotation beam  441  at a horizontal distance  443  and a vertical distance  445  away from the roll axis  404 . a second end  439  of the compression springs  410  can be attached to the base  418  at a second pivot point  458  (i.e., the compression springs  410  can span between the first pivot point  456  and the second pivot point  458 ). The compression springs  410  can be mounted at the first and second pivot points  456 ,  458  such that they are at an angle  449  relative to the yaw axis  402 . The angle  449  can be in a range between 10 degrees and 80 degrees (e.g., 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, or 80 degrees). For example, the angle  449  can be in a range between 15 degrees and 60 degrees. In various embodiments, the compression springs  410  can be preloaded with a force before being mounted to the first and second pivot points  456 ,  458 . 
     When the pivot mechanism  400  is in a relaxed position, the compression springs  410  can be in a position shown by  FIG.  4 E . For example, with the compression springs  410  having a first end  437  a horizontal distance  443   a  and a vertical distance  445   a  away from the roll axis  404  and at an angle  449   a  relative to the yaw axis  402 . The torque generated by the compression springs  410  is the result of the vertical force vector  440   a  multiplied by the horizontal distance  443  and the horizontal force vector  440   b  multiplied by the vertical distance  445 . In various embodiments, the horizontal force vector  440   b  can be approximately in line with the roll axis  404  (i.e., the vertical distance  445  is approximately zero) and the resulting torque can be approximately zero. The vertical force vector  440   a  multiplied by the horizontal distance  443   a  can result in a resistance torque that can resist movement of the pivot mechanism  400 . 
     Torque can be applied to the pivot mechanism  400 , causing the pivot mechanism  400  to rotate about the roll axis  404  causing rotation of the roll bar  416 . The rotation beam  441  can be attached to the roll bar  416  such that rotation of the roll bar  416  about the roll axis  404  causes rotation of the rotation beam  441  about the roll axis  404 . In various embodiments, the rotation beam  441  and the roll bar  416  can rotate in a range of approximately 10 degrees to approximately 30 degrees about the roll axis  404 . For example, the rotation beam  441  and the roll bar  416  can rotate approximately 20 degrees about the roll axis  404 . 
     As the rotation beam  441  rotates about the roll axis  404 , the first end  437  of the compression springs  410  can move a vertical distance away from the roll axis  404 . In the resulting rotated position, as shown in  FIG.  4 F , the compression springs  410  can have the first end at a horizontal distance  443   b  and a vertical distance  445   b  away from the roll axis  404  and at an angle  449   b  relative to the yaw axis  402 . The compressions springs  410  can generate a greater force opposing rotation due to the increased compression of the compression springs  410 . The horizontal force vector  440   b  can be positioned a vertical distance  445   b  away from the roll axis  404  which can result in a torque that opposes (i.e., subtracts from) the increased torque caused by the compression of the compression springs  410 . In various embodiments, the torque generated by the horizontal force vector  440   b  being positioned a vertical distance  445   b  away from the roll axis is approximately equal to the increased force from the compression of the compression springs  410 . The force needed to rotate the pivot mechanism  400  about roll axis  404  can remain approximately the same regardless of the pivot position of the pivot mechanism  400  (i.e., the force used to rotate the pivot mechanism  400  about the roll axis  404  does not need to significantly increase as the pivot mechanism  400  moves away from the relaxed state). 
       FIG.  4 G  shows a cross-sectional view of a compression spring  410  and  FIG.  4 H  shows an exploded view of the compression spring  410 . The compression spring  410  can include a piston  450  that fits within a channel  451  of cylinder  452 . Both piston  450  and cylinder  452  are at least partially surrounded by compression spring  410  (e.g., a portion of the piston  450  and the cylinder  452  extend past the length of the compression spring  410 ). The piston  450  and cylinder  452  can each be attached to pivot mechanism  400  at respective pivot points  456  and  458 . The piston  450  can engage with the cylinder  452  (e.g., the piston  450  can fit within the channel  451  of cylinder  452 ) and slide relative to the cylinder  452  as the pivot mechanism  400  rotates. The piston  450  engaged with the cylinder  452  can reduce or prevent the compression springs  410  from shifting laterally as the compression springs  410  compress in response to the pivot mechanism  400  rotating. For example, the piston  450  engaged with the cylinder  452  can prevent the compression springs  410  from bending and/or bowing in a lateral direction. In some embodiments, the piston  450  can engage with the cylinder  452  to provide additional resistance to the rotation of the pivot mechanism  400 . For example, the cylinder  452  can provide resistance to the sliding of the piston  450 . 
     Each pivot point  456  and  458  can be or include a bar (e.g., rod  415  or rod  413 ) that allows for rotation of the piston  450  and cylinder  452  around the respective pivot point. For example, first pivot point  456  can be or include rod  415  while second pivot point  458  can be or include rod  413 . The piston  450  can slide into and out of the cylinder  452  as the pivot mechanism  400  pivots and can prevent the compression spring  410  from bowing (e.g., bending) during compression. 
     The pivot mechanisms  400  can attach to headband assembly  302  via collar  409 .  FIG.  4 I  shows the pivot mechanism  400  with the headband assembly  302  positioned in collar  409 . The collar  409  can define the aperture  406  that can receive the headband assembly  302 . The collar  409  and/or the headband assembly  302  can include orientation elements  460  that can orient the headband assembly  302  and prevent rotation of the headband assembly  302  relative to the collar  409  when the headband assembly  302  is inserted into the collar  409 . The orientation elements  460  can be positioned on an inner surface of the collar  409  and extend into the aperture  406 . The orientation elements  460  can engage with the headband assembly  302  to position the headband assembly  302  in the collar  409  (e.g., generally align the headband assembly  302  coaxially with the collar  409  and/or orient the headband assembly  302  relative to the collar  409 ). The orientation elements  460  can be or include metal, rubber, or a similar suitable material. 
       FIG.  4 J  shows a cross-section of the pivot mechanism  400  with the headband assembly  302  positioned in the collar  409  of  FIG.  4 I . In various embodiments, the orientation elements  460  can be or include a keyway  460   a  and/or one or more bumpers  460   b . The keyway  460   a  can engage with a notch  462  in the headband assembly  302 . The keyway  460   a  can orient the headband assembly  302  relative to the collar  409  and prevent the headband assembly  302  from rotating relative to the collar  409 . The keyway  460   a  can allow the headband assembly  302  to be inserted into the collar  409  in only one orientation (e.g., with the notch  462  aligned with the keyway  460   a ). The notch  462  engaged with the keyway  460   a  can prevent the headband assembly  302  from rotating relative to the collar  409 . The bumpers  460   b  can aid in positioning the headband assembly  302  in the collar  409 . For example, the bumpers  460   b  can generally align the center of the inserted portion  464  of the headband assembly  302  with a central axis of the collar  409  (i.e., yaw axis  402 ). 
     Removable Earpieces 
     In various embodiments, the earpieces  304  can be removably attached to the headband assembly  302 . For example, a user may want to have two or more sets of earpieces  304  of different colors or different designs. As another example, a user may want to have earpieces with audio components particularly designed or calibrated for different types of music (e.g., classical music versus electronic music genre) or other uses. As still another example, a user may want to remove the earpieces for a more compact storage option for the headphones. 
     Some embodiments enable earpieces  304  to be removed by a user for storage and/or to be replaced with another set of earpieces. In some embodiments, the earpieces  304  can be attached using a latching mechanism that is somewhat difficult for a user to unlatch such that the earpieces are unlikely to become detached accidentally. For example, the latch plate  422  (shown in  FIG.  5 C ) can be used to connect headband assembly  302  to pivot mechanism  400 .  FIG.  5 A  shows the latch plate  422  in the latched position. In the latched position, latch plate  422  can be held in position with compression springs  502 , and can prevent the stems  504  of headband assembly  102  from being removed from the pivot mechanism  400 . As shown in  FIG.  5 D , the stems  504  can include a notched portion  506  with a smaller diameter that engages with the latch plate  422  when the latch plate  422  is in the latched position. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5 C , the latch plate  422  can include an opening  508  (e.g., an asymmetrical opening) that is wider than the diameter of the stems  504  on a first end  508   a  and approximately the same diameter as the notched portion of the stems  504  on a second end  508   b  (i.e., the second end  508   b  can have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the un-notched portion of the stems  504 ). In various embodiments, the latch plate  422  can engage with and hold the stems  504  in position by positioning the latch plate  422  to allow the stems  504  to be inserted through the first end  508   a  of the opening. The latch plate  422  and/or the stems  504  can be moved in a lateral direction until the stems  504  are positioned at the second end  504   b  of the opening (e.g., until a portion of the latch plate  422  is engaged with the notched portion  506  of the stems  504 ). The stems  504  can be held in place by the latch plate  422  because the diameter of the stems  504  are too large to fit through the second end  508   b  of the opening (e.g., the stems  504  can&#39;t be pulled through the second end  508   b  of the opening of the latch plate  422 ). In some embodiments, the latch plate  422  is moved to position the stems  504  at the send end of the opening by compression springs  502 . The compression springs  502  can apply a constant force to the latch plate  422  to hold the latch plate  422  in place (e.g., prevent the latch plate  422  from moving to a position that allows the stems  504  to removed). 
       FIG.  5 B  shows the stems  504  unlatched from the latch plate  422 . The stems  504  can be unlatched (i.e., removed) from the latch plate  422  by moving the latch plate  422  in a lateral direction until the stem  504  is positioned at the first end  504   a . The stems  504  can then be removed from the opening  508  (e.g., by pulling the stems out of the opening  508 ). Unlatching the stems  504  from the latch plate  422  can allow the stems  504  to be removed from the pivot mechanism  400  and/or the earpieces  304 . In various embodiments, the latch plate  422  can include an engagement point  510  for engaging with a pivot tool. The pivot tool can be used to move the latch plate  422  in a lateral direction from the latched position to the unlatched position. The pivot tool can be or include a tool that is external to the earpieces  304 . For example, the external pivot tool can engage with the engagement point  510  via an opening in the earpieces  304 . However, the pivot tool can be or include an internal mechanism that engages with the latch plate  422 . 
       FIGS.  6 A through  6 D  show another example latching mechanism  600  that can be used to connect headband assembly  302  to pivot mechanism  400 . Latching mechanism  600  can create an essentially permanent coupling between an earpiece and stem such that the earpiece cannot be readily removed by a user. Advantageously, however, latching mechanism  600  allows a manufacturer to, for example, assemble headbands and earpieces separately, test the earpieces using appropriate equipment before attaching them to a headband, and then, if a given earpiece meets the manufacturer&#39;s requirements, attach the earpiece in an essentially permanent manner to the headphones. 
     In some embodiments the latching mechanism  600  can be a semi-circular piece of material that can be expanded and return to its original shape (i.e., the latching mechanism  600  can be deformed and return to its original shape). The latching mechanism  600  can be or include steel, plastic, aluminum, or any suitable material that allows it to return to a relaxed state after being compressed. The latching mechanism  600  can have a relaxed diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the stem  604  and can be expanded to have a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the stem  604 . The latching mechanism  600  can be inserted into aperture  406  defined by collar  602  prior to the stem  604  being inserted into the aperture  406 . Collar  602  can be representative of collar  409  shown in  FIGS.  4 A,  4 B  The stem  604  can engage with the latching mechanism  600  and move (e.g., push) the latching mechanism down the collar  602 . The stem  604  can include a tapered edge  606  that can engage with the latching mechanism  600  to push the latching mechanism  600  down the collar  602 . The stem  604  can also include a notch  608  with a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the stem  604 . In various embodiments, the notch  608  can have a diameter that is approximately the same as the diameter of the latching mechanism  600  in the relaxed state. 
       FIGS.  6 B through  6 D  show a cross-section view of the latching mechanism  600  and stem  604  inserted into collar  602 . The latching mechanism  600  can be moved down the collar  602  until it reaches a recess  610  in the collar  602 .  FIG.  6 C  shows the latching mechanism  600  expanded into the recess  610 . The tapered edge  606  can expand the latching mechanism  600  into the recess  610  as the stem  604  is moved down the collar  602 . The latching mechanism  600  can remain expanded in the recess  610  by the stem  604  which has a diameter larger than the relaxed diameter of the latching mechanism  600 . The stem  604  can continue to move down the collar  602  while the latching mechanism  600  remains in the recess  610  until the stem  604  is seated into the collar  602  and/or the notch  608  is generally aligned with the latching mechanism  600 .  FIG.  6 D  shows the latching mechanism  600  secured in place on the notch  608 . The latching mechanism  600  can contract and engage the notch  608  when the notch  608  has been moved down the collar  602  and aligned with the latching mechanism  600 . The latching mechanism  600  can extend into recess  610  when engaged with the notch  608  and prevent the stem  604  from being removed from the collar  602  or make removal by a user extremely difficult. For example, removal of the stem  604  from the collar  602  can require sheering the latching mechanism  600 . In various embodiments, a tool can be inserted into the aperture  406  and used to disengage the latching mechanism  600  from the notch  608  and expand the latching mechanism  600  into the recess  610 . The stem  604  can then be removed from the collar  602 . 
     Cantilevered Support Member for Earpads 
       FIG.  7    shows a perspective view of an earpiece  104  contacting the side of a user&#39;s head  702 . This figure illustrates how the side of the user&#39;s head  702  can vary greatly. One reason earpiece cushion assemblies tend to be robust in thickness is to accommodate large varieties of cranial contours commonly found on the side of the user&#39;s head. Dashed lines depicted in  FIG.  7    illustrate the variance in distance earpiece cushion assemblies  110  need to overcome to conform with the cranial contours so that audio waves can be prevented from entering or leaving an area immediately adjacent to the user&#39;s ear. The conventional solution to this is to make earpiece cushion assembly  110  thick enough to accommodate the depicted variance for a majority of user&#39;s. It should be noted that while  FIG.  7    illustrates a gradual change in contour, some cranial contours could be much more abrupt. For example, some users can have protruding bones that create rapid changes in a curvature of an exterior surface of a user&#39;s head. 
       FIG.  8 A  shows a perspective view of an earpiece housing  112  and cushion frame  802  configured to support an earpiece cushion according to some embodiments. Cushion frame  802  can include a support structure that includes multiple radially distributed cantilevered support members  804  protruding toward a central region of cushion frame  802  and capable of moving independently from adjacent ones of cantilevered support members  804 . A curvature of cantilevered support members  804  can be curved upward and away from earpiece housing  112  to match a curvature of an earpiece cushion. Cantilevered support members  804  can be particularly helpful in reinforcing portions of the earpiece cushion positioned closer to the central region of cushion frame  802 . 
     While cantilevered support members are shown separated from adjacent cantilevered support members by in some cases as much as their own width, it should be appreciated that in some configurations cantilevered support members can be much closer. For example, cantilevered support members  804  could be separated by a space just large enough to prevent interference between adjacent cantilevered support members during deflection of one or more of cantilevered support members  804 . 
       FIG.  8 B  shows a perspective view of earpiece cushion  806  suitable for use with the earpiece housing  112  and cushion frame  802  depicted in  FIG.  8 A . As depicted, earpiece cushion  806  has an annular geometry that defines a central opening  808  sized to receive a user&#39;s ear. In some embodiments, earpiece cushion  806  can be formed by performing a subtractive machining operation on a block of open cell foam. Alternatively, earpiece cushion  806  can be formed by an injection molding operation. It should be noted that other elastic materials aside from foam can be used to form earpiece cushion  806 , including for example, latex and silicon materials. A resulting thickness of earpiece cushion  806  can be between about a quarter and half an inch. 
       FIG.  8 C  shows a discrete support structure  812  that can take the form of an insert and is not integrally formed with cushion frame  802  as was shown in  FIG.  8 A . Instead, support structure  812  can sit atop or could be adhered to cushion frame  802 . In some embodiments, cantilevered support members  804  can vary in length and/or thickness. A thickening or thinning of particular ones of cantilevered support members  804  could be performed in order to customize a response of support structure  812  for a particular user or class of users. Making support structure  812  in the form of an insert makes user customization much more feasible as support structure  812  could be 3D printed from a polymer or other deformable material after measuring a user&#39;s head to achieve a custom fit. For a user with cranial contours similar to those shown in  FIG.  7   , cantilevered support members  804 - 1  to  804 - 6  could include less reinforcement as these cantilevered support members  804  could be expected to undergo larger than normal amounts of bending due to the larger cranial contours immediately above and below an ear of a user. Cantilevered support members  804 - 7  to  804 - 11  could include more reinforcement as these cantilevered support members  804  could be expected to undergo a much lower amount of bending due to those cantilevered support members  804  being positioned over a more recessed portion of the user&#39;s head. 
       FIG.  8 D  shows how in some embodiments support structure  812  can include webbing  810  that creates a loose mechanical coupling between adjacent cantilevered support members  804 . In particular, webbing  810  is shown stretching between adjacent cantilevered support members  804 - 7  and  804 - 8 . This allows for a curvature of earpiece cushion assembly  110  to be partially constrained. For example, when cantilevered support member  804 - 7  undergoes a substantial amount of deflection to accommodate a particularly prominent cranial contour but cantilevered support member  804 - 8  does not contact that particular cranial contour, webbing  810  can distribute a portion of the force being localized on cantilevered support member  804 - 7  to cantilevered support member  804 - 8 . By distributing the force in this manner, excessive shearing forces that could result in fatigue or fracture of earpiece cushion  806  or other components adjacent to support structure  812  can be avoided. 
     A strength and/or stiffness of the material used to form webbing  810  can be selected to achieve a desired amount of force transfer between adjacent cantilevered support members  804 . In general, the webbing  810  will be more compliant than the material used to form cantilevered support members  804 . Examples of possible stretchy materials for linking adjacent cantilevered support members  804  include woven polyester, spandex and the like. In some embodiments, webbing  810  can be made up of a more rigid material/fabric but a desired amount of slack can be left between adjacent cantilevered support members, thereby only distributing forces to adjacent cantilevered support members  804  once a threshold amount of deflection is experienced. In other embodiments, webbing could take the form of an elastic cord running through openings in each of cantilevered support members  804  or having a discrete cord between each of cantilevered support members  804 . Webbing  810  can include pockets that fit over the end of each of cantilevered support members  804  to help couple cantilevered support members  804  together. Alternatively, webbing  810  can be adhesively coupled to adjacent cantilevered support members  804 . In some embodiments, webbing  810  can only be positioned between select ones of cantilevered support members  804 . For example, cantilevered support members  804  on a lateral side of earpiece  104  could all be connected but webbing could be omitted from cantilevered support members  804  on a top side of earpiece  104 . In some embodiments, webbing  810  can include padding that helps mask the presence of discrete cantilevered support members  804  when an owner of headphones  100  runs a finger along an inside edge of earpiece cushion assembly  110 . 
       FIG.  9 A  shows a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating how earpiece  104  defines a cavity  902  sized to receive an ear  904  of user  702 . An interior facing surface of earpiece cushion assembly and an adjacent interior surface of earpiece housing  112  operate to form an undercut  903  sized to accommodate a helix and lobule of ear  904  of user  702 . Headband assembly  102  typically includes a spring (e.g. a leaf spring) tuned to impart enough force to compress earpiece  104  sufficiently for earpiece cushion assembly to form an acoustic seal with an exterior surface of the head of user  702 . Cavity  902  is cooperatively defined by earpiece housing  112  and earpiece cushion assembly  110 . As depicted, an undercut  903  of cavity  902  accommodates and leaves ample space for the helix and lobule of ear  904  of user  702 . This undercut increases an amount of area of earpiece cushion assembly  110  contacting user  702  without unduly increasing an overall size of earpiece  104 . The larger surface area of earpiece cushion assembly helps to evenly distribute the force exerted upon user  702  by headband assembly  102  through earpiece  104 , thereby increasing the comfort of headphones  100 .  FIG.  9 A  also shows a location of acoustic driver  905  (i.e. speaker) within earpiece housing  112  and how it can be directed into cavity  902  and subsequently a canal of ear  904 . 
       FIG.  9 B  shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of earpiece  104  that depicts one of cantilevered support members  804  that is integrally formed with cushion frame  802 . Cushion frame  802  provides a channel within which earpiece cushion  806  is able to rest and be supported. Cantilevered support member  804  in particular helps to support is shown conforming to a downward facing surface of earpiece cushion  806  of earpiece cushion assembly  110 . Earpiece cushion assembly  110  also includes a protective cover  906  wrapped around earpiece cushion  806  and can be formed from one or more layers of textile or leather. In addition to providing a luxurious and comfortable feel for earpiece cushion assembly  110 , protective cover  906  also helps to mask the presence of cantilevered support members  804 . Cantilevered support members  804  can have a resistance to deflection that results in earpiece cushion  806  being compressed prior to any of cantilevered support members  804  when earpiece  104  is initially pressed against the side of a user&#39;s head. In locations where earpiece cushion assembly  110  contacts a recessed portion of a user&#39;s head, one or more cantilevered support members  804  located proximate that recess may not move at all. This occurs since an amount of compression experienced by earpiece cushion  806  is insufficient for a resistance to compression of that portion of earpiece cushion  806  to exceed a resistance to initial deflection of a corresponding cantilevered support member  804 . In locations or regions where earpiece cushion assembly  110  contacts a raised region of the user&#39;s head, cantilevered support members  804  would begin to deflect once a portion of earpiece cushion  806  exceeds a threshold amount of compression, thereby making deflection of those cantilevered support members  804  equivalent to further compression of earpiece cushion  806 . This results in both compression and deflection occurring until earpiece cushion assembly  110  conforms to the various contours of a user&#39;s head and creates a robust acoustic seal around the user&#39;s ear. 
       FIG.  9 B  also shows how earpiece cushion assembly  110  is engaged by earpiece housing  112 . In some embodiments, earpiece housing  112  can include recesses that are engaged by snaps on cushion frame  802  that help secure cushion frame  802  to earpiece housing  112 . It should be noted that while no components are shown being positioned within earpiece housing  112  that part of this space would be filled by electronics supporting one or more acoustic drivers, media processing and other sensors supporting headphones  100 . 
       FIG.  9 C  shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of earpiece  104  that does not include one of cantilevered support members  804 . This leaves a large amount of earpiece cushion  806  unsupported. For this reason, the spacing between cantilevered support members  804  is important as the size of the gaps between cantilevered support members  804  as well as the size and shape of cantilevered support members  804  can both be tuned to achieve a desired overall stiffness of earpiece cushion assembly  110 . 
       FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  show cross-sectional views of an alternative configuration of earpiece cushion assembly  110  that utilizes discrete support structure  812  (see  FIG.  8 C ). In particular, support structure  812  and one of cantilevered support members  804  is shown being positioned atop cushion frame  802 . In some embodiments, support structure  812  can be adhesively coupled to cushion frame  802 . In some embodiments, cushion frame  802  can include an alignment feature such as a slightly recessed area to position support structure  812 . Once protective cover is secured to opposing sides of cushion frame  802 , support structure  812  is locked in place on account of being compressed between protective cover  906  and earpiece cushion  806 . 
       FIG.  11    shows a cross-sectional view of one side of earpiece cushion assembly  110  having support structure  812  embedded within protective cover  906 . Incorporating or embedding support structure  812  within protective cover  906  can be accomplished when protective cover  906  is formed from a knitted material, thereby allowing cantilevered support members  804  to be incorporated within a weave of the knitted material. In some embodiments, incorporation of support structure  812  within protective cover  906  could involve the use of a higher strength material such as stainless steel or titanium having a thickness of about 0.5-2 millimeters. This profile thickness would allow for support structure  812  to maintain a desired level of stiffness while not overtly interrupting a weave pattern of protective cover  906 . Incorporation of the protective cover and support structure  812  could reduce a time taken for final assembly of headphones  100  to be completed. Final assembly time is reduced because the two parts become a single part making handling easier and because coupling protective cover to cushion frame  802  also results in attachment of support structure  812 . The incorporation of multiple parts in this manner can also improve part alignment since successfully coupling one part to cushion frame  802  also results in the other part being successfully coupled. 
     Mesh Canopy Headband 
       FIG.  12    shows a perspective view of headphones  1200  being worn by a user. Headphones  1200  can include the same or similar components as headphones  100 , however, headphones  1200  may include additional and/or alternative components not included in headphones  100 . Headphones  1200  can include earpieces  1202  joined together by headband  1204 . Headband  1204  can include stems  1208 , which couple headband  1204  to earpieces  1202 . Stems  1208  include a telescoping member  1210  that telescopes into and out of headband housing  1212  in order to resize headphones  1200  based on the size of a user&#39;s head. In some embodiments, telescoping member  1210  can be configured to be translated a distance in a range between about 10 mm and 50 mm. For example, telescoping member  1210  can be translated a distance of 34 mm. 
     Headband housing  1212  can define a central opening configured to accommodate a layer of conformable mesh assembly  1214  configured to distribute pressure evenly across the user&#39;s head. The central opening can be defined by two headband arms  1216  of headband housing  1212 . In some embodiments, headband arms  1216  can have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and accommodate routing of electrically conductive pathways configured to synchronize operation of earpieces  1202 . Headband arms can also include spring members configured to hold a shape of headband arms  1216  and help to keep headphones  1200  securely attached to a user&#39;s head. 
     Earpieces  1202  can also include a user interface  1206  positioned on the exterior of one or more of the earpieces  1202 . In some embodiments, the user interface  1206  can be configured to allow a user to manipulate settings and the playback of media. For example, user interface  1206  could be or include buttons configured to receive user input and cause changes in volume, next/previous track, pause, stop, etc. In further embodiments, the user interface  1206  can be positioned on each side of stem  1208 . The user interface  1206  can be positioned on the earpieces  1202  to allow a user to determine which interface they are interacting with based on the position of the user interface  1206  relative to the stem  1208 . For example, a first button of the user interface  1206  may be positioned on the side of the stem  1208  that is closer to the users face and controls the playback of audio. In some embodiments, user interface  1206  can include a crown assembly and an elongated button identical to or similar to input  1808  and input  1806  described below with respect to  FIGS.  18 - 22   . 
       FIGS.  13 A- 13 E  show perspective views of various embodiments of components making up the canopy structure of the headphones  1200  depicted in  FIG.  12   .  FIG.  13 A  shows a perspective view of conformable mesh assembly  1214  and a close up view showing a cross-sectional view of a portion of the periphery of conformable mesh assembly  1214 . As depicted, the periphery of conformable mesh assembly  1214  includes a locking feature  1302  overmolded around an edge of mesh material  1218 . Mesh material  1218  can be formed from nylon, PET, monoelastic or bielastic woven fabrics, or polyether-polyurea copolymer having a thickness of about 0.6 mm. Locking feature  1302  can be formed from a durable and flexible thermoplastic material such as TR90 and in some instances extend through openings in mesh material  1218 . In some embodiments, locking feature  1302  can define alignment features taking the form of notches  1304 , helping confirm correct alignment of conformable mesh assembly  1214  with the central opening. 
       FIG.  13 B  shows headband housing  1212  and how locking feature  1302  of conformable mesh assembly  1214  can be aligned with a channel defined by headband arms  1216  of headband housing  1212  prior to pressure  1305  being applied to conformable mesh assembly  1214  to engage locking feature  1302  within the channel.  FIG.  13 C  shows a channel  1306  defined by headband arms  1216  as well as central opening  1308  defined by headband arms  1216 . Channel  1306  can have an internal t-shaped geometry configured to receive and retain locking feature  1302  of conformable mesh assembly  1214 .  FIG.  13 D  shows conformable mesh assembly  1214  positioned within central opening  1308 . 
       FIG.  13 E  shows how a mesh material  1218  forming a majority of the conformable mesh assembly  1214  can have a substantially uniform consistency/mesh pattern. Mesh material  1218  can be flexible so as to prevent undue amounts of force to be applied to a user&#39;s head.  FIG.  13 F  shows an alternative embodiment in which conformable mesh assembly  1214  includes a first mesh material  1218  extending across a central portion of conformable mesh assembly  1214  and a second mesh material  1230  extending across a peripheral portion of conformable mesh assembly  1214 . First mesh material  1218  can be formed from a more flexible/compliant material than second mesh material  1230  allowing for the central portion of conformable mesh assembly  1214  to deform substantially more than the peripheral portion of conformable mesh assembly  1214 . This also allows the peripheral portion of conformable mesh assembly to be stronger and less likely to tear or be damaged. 
       FIG.  13 G  shows how conformable mesh assembly  1214  can include three different types of mesh material  1218 ,  1230 , and  1222 , thereby allowing for the conformable portion to become gradually stiffer toward the periphery. In some embodiments, a stiffness of conformable mesh assembly  1214  can vary even more gradually across its area. In particular, the mesh can include mesh of gradually changing mesh sizes so that a central portion of conformable mesh assembly  1214  can have a substantially lower spring rate than a periphery of conformable mesh assembly  1214 . In this way, portions of the mesh material likely to undergo the greatest amount of displacement can have the lowest spring rate, thereby substantially increasing comfort by reducing the likelihood of force being concentrated at a particular point or region of a user&#39;s head. In some embodiments, an arrangement of reinforcing members can be used in combination with mesh material  1218  to vary the amount of force transferred to a user by the mesh material making up conformable mesh assembly  1214 . In some embodiments, voids can be left in a central region of mesh material  1218  to reduce force in a central region of mesh material  1218 . 
     Multi-Component Headband 
       FIG.  14 A  shows a cross-sectional view of a multicomponent headband  1400  that includes two arms  1416 . The multicomponent headband  1400  can be used with earpieces  104  to form headphones  100 . The multicomponent headband  1400  can include a spring  1402  (e.g., a central spring) surrounded by one or more layers of material. For example, as shown in  FIG.  14 A  and  FIG.  14 B , which is a simplified cross-sectional view of one of arms  1416 , the multicomponent headband  1400  can include a spring  1402  made of metal and surrounded by multiple layers of material  1404  (e.g., plastic). In various embodiments, different materials are used for each layer. For example, a first layer  1404   a  can be or include a hard plastic material, a second layer  1404   b  can be or include a soft plastic layer, and a third layer can be or include plastic with cosmetic properties. A channel  1406  can be formed in the spring  1402  and/or the material  1404 . A notch  1408  can be formed in the layers of material  1404  for receiving material. For example, the notch  1408  can receive the mesh described in reference to  FIGS.  13 A- 13 E . 
     In various embodiments, the multicomponent headband  1400  can be tuned to have a clamp force in a desired range. In various embodiments, the clamp force is in a range between approximately 4 Newtons and approximately 6 Newtons. For example, the clamp force can be between 4.8 Newtons and 5.4 Newtons. The clamp force can provide enhanced comfort for a user and improve acoustic sealing of the earpieces over traditional headbands. Tuning of the multicomponent headband  1400  can also prevent the multicomponent headband  1400  from relaxing over time, resulting in the clamp force of the multicomponent headband  1400  to fall outside the desired range. The multicomponent headband  1400  can be tuned by heating and cooling the headband for one or more cycles. The heating cycles can cause the multicomponent headband  1400  to relax, which can prevents or reduce relaxation of the headband in the future. For example, the multicomponent headband  1400  can have a clamp force that is above the desired range and can undergo heat cycles until the clamp force is within the desired range. 
       FIGS.  14 C and  14 D  show multiple pieces that can be joined to form the multicomponent headband  1400 . The multicomponent headband  1400  can include the spring  1402  connected to two yokes  1410 . The yokes  1410  can be welded to the spring  1402  on opposing ends of the spring  1402 . The yokes  1410  can each receive arms that are connected to earpieces  104 . The spring  1402  can include channel  1406  along the length of arms  1416 . The channel  1406  can receive a cable  1412  for transmitting electronic signals between the earpieces  104 . In various embodiments, a portion of the cable  1412  can include a dummy cable that does not transmit electronic signals. The cable  1412  can be coiled in a portion of the yokes  1410  to allow for movement of the earpieces relative to the multicomponent headband  1400 . For example, the coiled cable  1412  can allow the arms positioned in the yoke  1410  to extend away from the multicomponent headband  1400 . 
     Vibration Dampener 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure pertain to headphones that include rigid materials that are lightweight and provide a comfortable fit for the wearer. For example, the earpieces, such as earpieces  104 , can include a rigid material (e.g., a metallic material).  FIG.  15 A  is a simplified illustration of a pair of headphones  1500  according to some embodiments. Headphones  1500  can be representative of headphones  100  as well as other embodiments of headphones according to the disclosure and described herein. As shown in  FIG.  15 A , headphones  1500  include earpieces  1504  can contact one another when a force  1502  is applied to one or both of the earpieces  1504 . The force  1502  can cause the earpieces  1504  to come into contact with one another. When the earpieces  1504  are made from rigid material (e.g., metal) the components inside the earpieces can experience a shock from the sudden deceleration caused by the earpieces  1504  contacting. 
     As shown in  FIG.  15 B , one or more of the components can be mounted on a board  1506  (e.g., a main logic board (MLB)) made of semi-rigid material. The board  1506  can flex in response to the shock caused by the earpieces  1504  contacting one another. The shock can cause the components  1508  mounted on the board  1506  to move. For example, flexing of the board  1506  can cause the components  1508  to move along direction  1510 . The movement of the components  1508  can damage the components  1508  (e.g., cause calibration errors or failure). For components  1508  (e.g., sensitive electronic components) repeated movement (e.g., over thousands of times) caused by the flexing of the board  1506  can result in failure. 
     In various embodiments, the effects of the shock caused by the contacting of the earpieces  1504  can be reduced using one or more masses  1512  positioned on the board  1506 . The masses  1512  can be positioned to reduce the acceleration of the board  1506  caused by the shock caused when the earpieces  1504  contact one another. Reducing the acceleration of the board  1506  can reduce the flexing of the board  1506  and movement of components  1508 . The mass  1512  can be or include a dense material (e.g., tungston) that is mounted on the board. The mass  1512  can be a static mass or a dynamic mass that can move in response to movement of the board  1506 . 
       FIG.  15 C  shows various mounting positions for the masses  1512  on the board  1506 . In some embodiments, the masses  1512  and/or the components  1508  can be mounted at optimized locations on the board  1506  to reduce the flexing of the board  1506 . For example, the masses  1512   a ,  1512   b , and  1512   c  can be mounted at various locations on the board  1506  based on the components  1508  mounted on the board and/or the sensitivity of the components  1508 . For example, the locations of the masses  1512  can be optimized to reducing flexing of the board at a location where a component  1508  (e.g., a sensitive electronic component such as an accelerometer or the like) is mounted. In various embodiments, the materials of the board  1506  can additionally or alternatively be optimized to reduce the stiffness of the board  1506  which in turn can reduce the flexing of the board  1506 . 
     In some embodiments, the board  1506  can be mounted using shock absorbing material  1514 . For example, shock absorbing material  1514  can be mounted between the board  1506  and the component the board  1506  is mounted to. The shock absorbing material  1514  can additionally or alternatively be mounted between a fastener and the board  1506 . The shock absorbing material  1514  can absorb some of the force caused by flexing of the board  1506 . Reducing the flexing of the board  1506  can in turn reduce movement of the components  1508  mounted to the board  1506 . 
     Earpiece Assembly 
       FIG.  16 A  shows a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary acoustic configuration within earpiece  1600  that could be applied with any of the previously described earpieces. The acoustic configuration can include speaker assembly  1602 , which in turn can include diaphragm  1604  and electrically conductive coil  1606 . The conductive coil  1606  can be configured to receive electrical current for generating a shifting magnetic field that interacts with a magnetic field emitted by permanent magnets  1608  and  1610 . The interaction between the magnetic fields can cause diaphragm  1604  to oscillate and generate audio waves that exit earpiece assembly, for example, through perforated wall  1609 . In some embodiments, the perforated wall  1609  can include one or more openings, for example, to allow one or more sensors to detect objects adjacent to the perforated wall  1609 . A hole can be drilled through a central region of permanent magnet  1608  to define an opening  1612  that puts a rear volume of air behind diaphragm  1604  in fluid communication with interior volume  1614  through mesh layer  1616 , thereby increasing the effective size of the back volume of speaker assembly  1602 . Interior volume  1614  extends all the way to air vent  1618 . Air vent  1618  can be configured to further increase an effective size of the rear volume of speaker assembly  1602 . The rear volume of speaker assembly  1602  can be further defined by speaker frame member  1620  and housing  1622 . In some embodiments, housing  1622  can be separated from speaker frame member  1620  by about 1 mm. Speaker frame member  1620  defines an opening  1624  that allows audio waves to travel beneath glue channel  1626  that is defined by protrusions  1628  of speaker frame member  1620 . In various embodiments, housing  1622  can be positioned with at least a portion protruding from earpiece  1600 . For example, the housing  1622  can be or include a button that is positioned for interaction with a user. 
       FIG.  16 B  shows an exterior of earpiece  1600  with housing  1622  removed to illustrate the shape and size of the interior volume associated with speaker assembly  1602 . As depicted, a central portion of earpiece  1600  includes permanent magnets  1608  and  1610 . Speaker frame member  1620  includes a recessed region that defines interior volume  1614 . Interior volume  1614  can have a width of about 20 mm and a height of about 1 mm as depicted in  FIG.  16 A . At the end of interior volume  1614  is opening  1624  defined by speaker frame member  1620 , which is configured to allow the back volume to continue beneath glue channel  1626  and extend to air vent  1618 , which leads out of earpiece  1600 . 
       FIG.  16 C  shows a cross-sectional view of a microphone mounted within earpiece  1600 . In some embodiments, microphone  1630  is secured across an opening  1632  defined by speaker frame member  1620 . Opening  1632  is offset from microphone intake vent  1634 , preventing a user from seeing opening  1632  from the exterior of earpiece  1600 . In addition to providing a cosmetic improvement, this offset opening configuration also tends to reduce the occurrence of microphone  1630  picking up noise from air passing quickly by microphone intake vent  1634 . 
     Slot Antenna 
     In some embodiments the earpieces  104  can include a housing made from material that impedes and/or blocks radio frequency (RF) emissions. For example, the earpieces  104  can include aluminum and/or a similar metal that insulates the earpieces against RF emissions. However, when a RF antenna is positioned inside the earpieces, the RF emissions need a way to travel through the housing. 
     Some embodiments form one or more slots  1702  (i.e., openings or apertures) through the earpiece housing to allow for the RF emissions to travel into and/or out of the housing. The slots  1702  can include an elongated slot  1702  formed in the housing  1704 .  FIG.  17 A  is a simplified perspective view of an earpiece  1700  that includes an elongated slot  1702  formed in the housing  1704  having an earpiece cushion  1701  attached to the housing. Earpiece  1700  can be representative of one or both of the earpieces  104  shown in  FIG.  1   . A slot antenna (shown in  FIG.  17 B  as RF antenna  1706 ) can be formed within housing  1704 . For example, the housing can define a ground plane element for the slot antenna and elongated slot  1702  can be formed through the ground plane element portion of the housing forming part of the antenna. In some embodiments, earpiece housing  1704  has a curvature along an outer portion of its thickness and elongated slot  1702  can be formed through the apex of the curvature (i.e, through the widest portion of the housing). 
       FIG.  17 B  is a simplified cross-section of the earpiece  1700  taken along its length. As shown in  FIG.  17 B , housing  1704  forms an interior volume that includes a central region  1705   a  and an annular bulbous regions  1705   b  that surrounds the central region. For example, the annular bulbous region  1705   b  can extend 360 degrees around the central region  1705   a . As a matter of convenience, the combined interior volume of central region  1705   a  and annular bulbous region  1705   b  is sometimes referred to herein as “interior volume  1705 ”. The housing  1704  can be made of and/or include a conductive material (e.g. aluminum), and can be or include a rigid or semi-rigid structure that forms the interior volume  1705 . An RF antenna  1706 , which in some embodiments can be a slot antenna, can be positioned within the annular bulbous region  1705   b  of the interior volume  1705 . 
     Housing  1704  can have an opening on a front side of the housing that enables components, such as an acoustic driver  1708 , to be placed within the housing. A cover  1707  can be attached to the housing in the area of the opening and, for example, positioned over the central region  1705   a  to complete the enclosure of interior volume  1705 . Cover  1707  can include one or more apertures  1707   a  that allow sound waves produced by acoustic driver  1708  to leave the housing  1704 . In some embodiments, cover  1707  can be made from plastic or a similar rigid material. 
     Various components of the earpiece  1700  can be positioned in the interior volume  1705 . For example, an acoustic driver  1708  (e.g., a speaker) and/or electronic components  1709  (e.g., wireless circuitry, audio processing circuitry, and/or components that can be electrically coupled with a main logic board (MLB)) can be positioned in the central region  1705   a  of the interior volume  1705 . The acoustic driver  1708  can be electrically coupled with the electronic components  1709 , for example, to generate sounds from audio data wirelessly received through RF antenna  1706  and processed by electronic components  1709  for output over the acoustic driver. 
     An earpiece cushion  1701  can be coupled to housing  1704  at the outer annular portion of the housing  1704 . The shape and structure of earpiece  1700 , including the earpiece cushion  1701  and housing  1704 , enables the acoustic driver  1708  to be recessed somewhat from the earpiece cushion  1701  and outer annular portion of housing  1704  to enable the earpiece to accommodate a user&#39;s ear. The area between the acoustic driver  1708  and the earpiece cushion  1701  can be a front volume  1717 . The front volume  1717  can be fully or partially sealed when the headphones are donned and the earpiece cushion  1701  is compressed against the head of a user which can cause the front volume  1717  to become pressurized. The front volume  1717  can be fluidly coupled with a relief port (e.g., aperture  1703   a ) that allows the pressure to be relieved from the front volume  1717 . A back volume  1719  can increase the efficiency of the system at certain frequencies (e.g., low frequencies) and/or allows for tuning of the acoustic driver. The back volume  1719  can be fluidly coupled with one or more outputs (e.g., aperture  1703   b ), for example, via an acoustic channel. 
     In some embodiments, RF antenna  1706  can receive RF emissions and/or to direct the RF emissions out of the housing  1704  through the slot  1702 . The slot  1702  can be formed through the housing  1704 . For example, the slot  1702  can be formed through the housing  1704  at a bottom portion of the housing (i.e., the portion of the housing on the opposite of the earpiece from where the stem is coupled to the earpiece). A position along the bottom portion of the housing is advantageous since, when the earpieces  1700  are positioned on a user&#39;s head, RF emissions can be received or sent through the slot to and from a host electronic device (e.g., a smart phone that streams music to the headphones) such that the radiation vectors for the antenna are pointed towards the host electronic device when the host device is in a user&#39;s pant pockets (a common scenario). 
       FIG.  17 D  is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of earpiece  1700  taken through lines A-A′ and thus through a portion of the RF antenna  1706 . As shown in  FIG.  17 D , the RF antenna  1706  can include a frame  1713  that defines a cavity  1714 . The frame  1713  can be or include radio frequency transparent material (e.g., rigid plastic made from an injection molded process) and can be formed in any suitable shape to define the cavity  1714 . Frame  1713  can be plated with one or more layers of backing  1716  to form RF antenna  1706 . In some embodiments, an end surface of a tongue  1725  adjacent to and extending along much of the length of the slot  1712  can be or include material that allows RF emissions to enter and/or exit the RF antenna  1706  through the tongue  1725  and metal plating can substantially surround the cavity  1714 . For example, as shown in the expanded view portion of  FIG.  17 D , tongue  1725  can include first  1726  and second  1728  opposing surfaces protruding away from the cavity  1714  and an end surface  1724  extending between the first and second opposing surfaces and facing the slot  1702 . The cavity  1714  can direct the RF emissions through tongue  1725  and out of the slot  1702 . The tongue  1725  can be or include radio transparent and/or radio opaque material. For example, the end surface  1724  can be or include radio transparent material that allows RF emissions to enter and/or exit the tongue  1725 . The cavity  1714  can be a void (e.g., filled with air) to provide the least RF energy loss to the RF emissions. 
     In various embodiments, the slot  1702  can act as an antenna for the earpiece  1700 . For example, coax cables can be electrically coupled with the housing  1704  and receive/emit RF emissions through the slot  1702 . In such embodiments, a slot antenna  1706  may not need to be positioned in the earpiece  1700 . However, an antenna  1706  can be positioned in the earpieces  1700  and the coax cable can be electrically coupled with the housing  1704  and one or both can receive/emit the RF emissions. The slot  1702  can direct RF emissions into the interior of the earpiece, for example, into cavity  1714 . In further embodiments, the RF emissions can be received into cavity  1714  without needing to pass through tongue  1725  (e.g., the RF emissions may not need to pass through end surface  1724 ). 
     In some embodiments, backing  1716  (e.g., metal plating) can include multiple separate layers of metallic plating. The backing  1716  can reflect the RF emissions that would otherwise be directed into the earpiece, out of the housing  1704  (e.g., via slot  1702 ) forming a cavity back slot antenna. Reflecting the RF emissions out of the housing  1704  can decrease latency by increasing the efficiency of the RF antenna  1706 . For example, in one particular embodiment the RF antenna can have a 3 db improvement with the backing  1716 . 
     The thickness of the backing  1716  and/or the materials used in the backing  1716  can be optimized for different RF frequency bands. For example, the thickness of the backing  1716  can be optimized for 2.4 GHz. However, the backing  1716  can be optimized for any suitable radio frequency (e.g., 5 GHz). The backing  1716  can be or include a layer of Copper, a layer of Nickel, and/or a layer of Gold. Each of the layers may have the same thickness or different layers may have different thicknesses. For example, the backing  1716  can include a first layer of Copper with a thickness between approximately 15 um and 30 um, a second layer of Nickle with a thickness of approximately 5 um, and a third layer of gold with a thickness less than 5 um. 
     In various embodiments, the slot  1702  can be sealed from external elements by seal  1720 . Seal  1720  can seal some or all of the slot  1702  and prevent or reduce moisture and/or dust from entering the housing  1704  while still allowing RF emissions from exiting through the slot  1702 . The seal  1720  can also prevent the slot  1702  from widening due to force on the housing  1704 . For example, the seal  1720  can keep the slot  1702  at the same approximate width when a force is being applied to the housing  1704 . The seal  1720  can be or include epoxy or a similar material suitable for sealing the slot  1702 . In some embodiments, the portion of the seal  1720  facing towards the exterior of the housing  1704  can be co-finished with the housing  1704 . Co-finishing of the seal  1720  and the housing  1704  can allow the seal  1720  and the housing  1704  to have a minimal or no gap and present an aesthetically pleasing design. 
     In various embodiments, the frame  1713  can include one or more stabilizing structures. For example, the frame  1713  can include ribs  1736  that extend into the cavity  1714  to provide additional structure and/or support to the RF antenna  1706 . 
     In various embodiments, the RF antenna  1706  can be used as a connection point (e.g., mechanical and/or electrical) for one or more components. For example, the RF antenna  1706  can be positioned in the housing  1704  and act as a mechanical coupling point for a microphone  1730 . The microphone  1730  can be positioned between the housing  1704  and the RF antenna  1706  and operatively coupled to receive sound through microphone aperture  1703   c  formed through housing  1704 . The RF antenna  1706  can act as a backstop to hold the microphone  1730  in place. The RF antenna  1706  can additionally or alternatively at as an electrical connection point for components in the earpieces  1700 . For example, the RF antenna  1706  can be connected to a common ground shared by the housing  1704  via a foam  1722  positioned against the housing  1704 . The RF antenna  1706  acting as a common ground can provide a grounding connection to other components in the earpiece  1700 . In various embodiments an electrical circuit  1732  (e.g., a flexible or flex circuit) can be coupled with the microphone  1730 . The electrical circuit  1732  can be routed around the RF antenna (e.g., over the top of the antenna) for connection with audio processing or other components in the earpiece  1700 . 
     In various embodiments, the earpieces  1700  can communicate with one another to coordinate use of RF antennas  1706 , for example, to reduce latency between a device and the earpieces  1700 . The earpieces  1700  may communicate with one another via a wired and/or a wireless connection. In various embodiments, the earpieces  1700  can each have an RF antenna  1706  and each receive some or all of the data from the device to avoid data loss. In some embodiments one earpiece  1700  can have an RF antenna  1706  to receive data and send that data (e.g., audio data) to the other earpiece  1700  via a wired connection. In further embodiments, the earpieces  1700  can communicate to determine which earpiece  1700  has a better connection with a host device, such as a smart phone or other electronic device that transmits data to one or both of the earpieces  1700 . The earpiece  1700  that has the better connection with the device can receive the data from the device. 
     RF antenna  1706  can be designed to allow the antenna to send and/or receive RF emissions across one or more RF bands. The elongated slot  1702  can have a length dimension and a width dimensions that determine the operating wavelength of the antenna. In some embodiments, the slot  1702  can have a width in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm and a length in a range between 60 mm and 90 mm. For example, the slot  1702  can have a width  1740  of approximately 1.2 mm and a length  1748  of approximately 80 mm. In various embodiments, the slot  1702  can be sized and shaped for RF emissions at specific frequency bands. For example, in some embodiments the slot  1702  can be sized and shaped to allow RF emissions to travel through the housing  1704  at 2.4 GHz. In other embodiments, the slot  1702  and/or transceiver  1715  can be sized and shaped to allow the RF emissions to travel through the housing  1704  at 5 GHz or at any suitable radio frequency. 
     Since physics dictates that the size of the radiating elements in RF antenna  1706  are a function of the required resonance, some embodiments add a passive element to the antenna pattern to effectively shift the tuning of the antenna to a particular frequency. For example, slot  1702  can be divided into two or more segments for tuning of the RF antenna  1706  to one or more radio frequencies as shown in  FIG.  17 E . The segments can be defined by one or more tuning components  1742  (e.g., passive components, capacitive components and/or surface mount technology (SMT) pads) positioned in the antenna pattern defined by slot  1702  and tongue  1725 . For example,  FIG.  17 E  shows the slot  1702  of RF antenna  1706  broken into two segments by tuning component  1742 . The different segments can allow the RF antenna  1706  to have multiple antenna resonance frequencies. The multiple antenna resonance frequencies can allow for RF emissions at multiple frequency bands. For example, as shown in  FIG.  17 F , the tuning component  1742  can split the slot antenna into two segments with length  1748   a  being used to produce an RF band at a first frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz) and length  1748   b  being used to produce an RF band at a second frequency (e.g., 5 GHz). The frequencies can be produced simultaneously by the RF antenna  1706  (e.g., the RF antenna  1706  can produce RF emissions at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously) or the frequencies can be produced one at a time. 
     For an efficient antenna design, the size of cavity  1714  should be large and hollow. In some embodiments, cavity  1714  can efficiently double as an acoustic volume to port the bass response and the as a pressure relief vent for the front volume.  FIG.  17 G  is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of earpiece  1700  taken through line B-B′. As shown in  FIG.  17 G , an acoustic channel  1754  can be formed through cavity  1714  and the backing  1716  in a portion of the RF antenna  1706 . The acoustic channel  1754  can form a channel between the interior of the housing  1704  and an aperture  1711 . The acoustic channel  1754  can be made by forming openings  1756  and  1758  in the RF antenna  1706 . The openings  1756  and  1758  can be sized to be less than the diameter of the RF wavelength, allowing for the passage of air while preventing RF energy from passing through. In some embodiments the openings  1756  and  1758  have a diameter of 3 mm or less. The acoustic channel  1754  can be used as a pressure release for the air that is being displaced by an acoustic driver. The acoustic channel  1754  can additionally or alternatively provide a channel for air to reach the microphone  1730 . 
     In various embodiments, an acoustic channel to the front volume  1717  and/or the back volume  1719  can be formed separate from the cavity  1714 .  FIG.  17 H  is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of earpiece  1700  taken through line B-B′ showing an alternative acoustic channel  1760  and  FIG.  17 I  is a callout portion of  FIG.  17 H . The acoustic channel  1760  can acoustically couple the front volume  1717  with the an aperture (e.g., aperture  1703 ) in the housing  1704 . In various embodiments, the acoustic channel  1760  can be defined by a hollow fastener  1762  (e.g., a hollow screw), a frame  1764 , and/or a vent  1766  that allows air to flow from the front volume  1717  and/or from the back volume  1719  out of the housing  1704  (e.g., via aperture  1703 ). 
       FIG.  17 J  shows a top view of the front volume  1717  including the acoustic driver  1708 , the hollow fastener  1762 , and fasteners  1768 . The front volume  1717  can be defined by seal  1770  that can prevent air from traveling out of the front volume  1717 . The hollow fastener  1762  can allow for air to leave the front volume  1717 , for example, to relieve the increased pressure that can occur when the earpiece  1700  has been donned by a user. The hollow fastener  1762  and fasteners  1768  can couple the acoustic driver  1708  to the frame  1764 . The frame  1764  can hold the acoustic driver  1708  in position within the earpiece  1700  (e.g., keep the acoustic driver  1708  centered relative to housing  1704 ). 
     In various embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  17 K and  17 L , the frame  1764  can include one or more acoustic channels  1760 . For example, acoustic channel  1760   a  can couple the hollow fastener  1762  with the vent  1766  and acoustic channel  1760   b  can couple the back volume  1719  with the vent  1766 . The vent  1766  can include the acoustic channels  1760   a ,  1760   b  and allow the air from the front volume  1717  and the back volume  1719 , respectively to leave earpiece  1700  via openings  1772   a  and  1772   b . The openings  1772   a  and  1772   b  can be aligned with aperture  1703  in the housing  1704 . 
     User Interface 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure include a user interface on the headphones that enable a user to control one or more functions, such as audio playback, of the headphones. For example, user&#39;s may want to control the volume of the audio, play/pause the audio, go to the next track, and/or go to the previous track. When in use, the headphones are placed directly over a user&#39;s ears and as such, any noise produced by components of the headphones mechanically interacting with one another can be amplified and disruptive or unpleasant to a user. The user interface of the headphones can include various aspects to reduce component noise and aid the user when interacting with the interface. 
       FIG.  18    is a simplified perspective view of a pair of headphones  1800  that includes first and second inputs  1806 ,  1808  (e.g., user controls) located on one of earpieces  1804  of the headphones. Headphones  1800  can be representative of headphones  100  or any of the other headphone embodiments of the present disclosure. The inputs  1806 ,  1808  can be or include buttons positioned along an upper portion of one of the earpieces  1804 . In some embodiments, the inputs  1806 ,  1808  can be positioned on opposing sides of the headband assembly  1802 . For example, the inputs  1806 ,  1808  can be positioned such that a user knows which input button they are interacting with based on the location of the input button relative to the headband assembly  1802 . The inputs  1806 ,  1808  can be received into a housing  1810  of the earpieces  1804 . For example, the housing  1810  can include an aperture that enables a first portion of the inputs  1806 ,  1808  (e.g., the portion a user directly interfaces with) to be external to housing  1810  and a second portion to be internal to housing  1810 . 
     While each of the inputs  1806 ,  1808  can take the form of a button or any other input control, in some embodiments, input  1806  is an elongated button and input  1808  is a rotatable and depressible button.  FIGS.  19 A through  21    show examples of inputs  1806  and  1808  that can be used with headphones  1800 . 
     In various embodiments, the input  1808  can include a button that is able to perform more than one function (e.g., the button can be depressed and rotated).  FIGS.  19 A and  19 B  are cross-sections of an example input  1808  for use with headphones  1800  of  FIG.  18   .  FIG.  19 A  shows in the input  1808  in an uncompressed state and  FIG.  19 B  shows the input  1808  in a compressed state. A portion of the input  1808  can be received into the housing  1810  via a button housing  1902  (e.g., a sleeve) that defines a cavity  1904 . The button housing  1902  can help secure one or more components of the input  1808  to the housing  1810  and can act to help seal the ingress of the cavity  1904 . In various embodiments, a portion of the input  1808  can extend from the button housing  1902  and/or the housing  1810  and form a crown  1906 . The crown  1906  can include material and/or features to aid a user in rotating and/or depressing the input  1808 . For example, the crown  1906  can include grooves that allow a user to more easily grip the crown and rotate the input  1808 . The crown  1906  can be coupled with a stem  1908  that extends into the button housing  1902  and engages with a coupling component  1910  that is sometimes referred to herein as a hub. 
     As shown in  FIG.  19 C , which is a perspective view of coupling component  1910  according to some embodiments, the coupling component can include a channel  1912  (e.g., a central channel) extending through its length for receiving the stem  1908 . The coupling component  1910  and the stem  1908  can be joined via the channel  1912  such that rotating the crown  1906  causes the stem  1908  and coupling component  1910  to rotate. 
     In various embodiments, the coupling component  1910  can include markings on at least a portion of the exterior surface. The markings can be formed based on characteristics of the material of the coupling component  1910 . For example, the markings can be areas of discoloration on the surface of the coupling component  1910 . In some embodiments, the markings can be made (e.g., etched, laser etched, and/or machined) on the exterior of the coupling component  1910 . As shown in  FIG.  19 C , coupling component  1910  can include grooves  1914  fully around the periphery of coupling component  1910  extending between upper and lower rims of the component. The grooves  1914  form an encoder portion that can be detected by a sensor  1916  to detect movement of the coupling component  1910  (e.g., movement caused by a user applying force to the crown  1906 ). For example, the sensor  1916  can detect a rotation and/or translation of the coupling component  1910 . The grooves  1914  can allow for greater precision in detecting the rotation and/or translation of the coupling component  1910  compared with using discoloration or similar markings on the exterior of the coupling component  1910  to detect the rotation and/or translation. For example, the grooves  1914  can cause less noise to be detected by the sensor  1916 , which can increase the sensitivity of the sensing system. 
     The sensors  1916  can be or include an optical sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a capacitive sensor, a light sensor, an image sensor, a pressure or force sensor, or any suitable sensor for detecting data associated with the input  1808 . In various embodiments, the sensor  1916  can include an optical transmitter  1917  (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) and a receiver  1919  (e.g., an optical receiver and/or a photo diode). The transmitter can direct light towards the coupling component  1910  which is reflected back to the receiver  1919 . In some embodiments, some or all of the button housing  1902  (e.g., the portion between seals  1924   a  and  1924   b ) can include a coating to prevent the emitted light from being reflected by the button housing  1902  and creating noise in the system. For example, the coating can absorb light in a wavelength range between 700 nm and 900 nm. The sensor  1916  can be electrically coupled with an electrical control circuit (e.g., an audio control circuit) that can receive the light data and determine if the input  1818  is being rotated (e.g., by a user). The electrical control circuit can determine the direction and magnitude of the rotation of the input  1818  and adjust the audio output (e.g., volume up or volume down). 
     The coupling component  1910  can couple the stem  1908  with the stop  1918 . The stop  1918  can include an step  1920  that extends around an outer surface. The step  1920  can have a larger diameter than the button housing  1902  and can aid in sealing the ingress of the button housing  1902  and/or cavity  1904  when the input  1808  is in the uncompressed state. 
     In various embodiments, seals  1924   a ,  1924   b ,  1924   c , and/or  1924   d  (e.g., O-rings) can be positioned in and around the cavity  1904  to seal the ingress of the cavity  1904  and/or the button housing  1902  against foreign particles and/or moisture. The seals, which are referred to herein collectively as “seals  1924 ”, can be or include material that is self-lubricating. A seal  1924   a  can be positioned in the cavity  1904 , for example, near the upper portion of the coupling component  1910 . The seal  1924   a  can seal the ingress of the cavity  1904  to prevent debris and/or moisture from reaching the coupling component  1910  and/or the sensor  1916 . The seal  1924   a  can also prevent light from entering the cavity  1904 . For example, the seal  1924   a  can be black to prevent possible light pollution into the cavity  1904 . Preventing light from entering the cavity  1904  can allow for better sensor data to be collected by sensor  1916 . Seal  1924   b  can aid in alignment of the stem  1908 , coupling component  1910 , and/or stop  1918  in the button housing  1902 . For example, the seal  1924   b  can be or include an O-ring that prevents or reduces lateral movement of the stem  1908 , coupling component  1910 , and/or stop  1918 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  19 D , one or more of the seals  1924  can be or include an O-ring  1940 . The O-ring  1940  can include large diameter portions  1942  and small diameter portions  1944 . The large diameter portions  1942  can have an interior face  1946  that can engage with the stop  1918  and/or the stem  1908  and an exterior face  1948  that can engage with the button housing  1902 . The large diameter portions  1942  can reduce the points of contact compared to an O-ring with a constant diameter. For example, the O-ring  1940  can be positioned between the button housing  1902  and the stop  1918  with the large diameter portions  1942  engaged with the button housing  1902  and the stop  1918  and the small diameter portions  1944  can be free from engaging with the button housing  1902  and the stop  1918 . Reducing the points of contact can reduce the friction and/or resistance caused by the O-ring  1940  which can reduce the force needed to compress input  1808 . The O-ring  1940  can be or include silicon, plastic, self-lubricating material and/or any suitable material. 
     As shown in  FIG.  19 B , the seals  1924   a  and/or  1924   b  can move with the stop  1918  (e.g., in a vertical direction) to seal the ingress of the button housing  1902  (i.e., the ingress remains sealed by the seals  1924   a  and/or  1924   b  when crown moves in the vertical direction). Seals  1924   c  and  1924   c  can be positioned between the crown  1906  and the button housing  1902  to aid in sealing the ingress of the button housing  1902  and/or the cavity  1904 . In some embodiments, seals  1924  can change the force needed to compress input  1808 . For example, seal  1924   a  can be made of a material that reduces the force needed to compress input  1808 . The seals  1924  can be or include a compressible material and/or a self-lubricating material. In various embodiments, the seals  1924  can be or include silicon, rubber, or any suitable material. 
       FIG.  19 B  shows the input  1808  in the compressed state. In the compressed state, stop  1918  can engage with dome  1926 . The dome  1926  can be or include a resilient and flexible material that collapses or flexes upon a predetermined force level and returns to its original shape when the force is removed. For example, the dome  1926  can be or include rubber and/or silicone. The dome  1926  can collapse (e.g., in response to the stop  1918  depressing the dome  1926 ) and causing contact element  1928  to generate an electrical signal (e.g., by completing an open circuit on contact element  1928 ). The electrical signal can indicate that a user has triggered an input (e.g., pressed input  1808 ). 
     In various embodiments, the dome  1926  can be optimized to withstand a certain amount of applied force before collapsing (i.e., a click ratio of the dome  1926 ). An increasing force (e.g., by a user) can be applied to the dome  1926  (e.g., via the crown  1906 ) until the dome  1926  can no longer resist the force and begins to collapse. The force at which the dome  1926  begins to collapse is the peak force of the dome  1926 . The peak force can be a single force value or a range of force values. For example, the dome  1926  can have a peak force between 4 N and 8 N. The dome  1926  reaching the peak force and collapsing can provide feedback to a user. For example, a user can be alerted an action has occurred because the force needed to move the dome  1926  decreases as the dome  1926  collapses. 
     Force can continue to be applied to the dome  1926  until the dome  1926  makes contact with the contact element  1928 . A force ratio (e.g., a click ratio) can be determined for the dome  1926  by subtracting the bottom force from the peak force and dividing the resulting number by the peak force. As an illustrative example, if the peak force (i.e., the force needed to collapse the dome  1926 ) is 6 N and the bottom force (i.e., the force needed to, after the dome  1926  has collapsed, move the dome  1926  into contact with the contact element  1928 ) is 1 N the resulting force ratio would be 0.83 
               (       i   .   e   .     ,       6   -   1     6       )     .         
A larger force ratio can provide better feedback to the user and enhance their interaction with the input  1818 .
 
     In various embodiments, dampening material  1930  can be positioned between components to reduce or prevent vibration (e.g., noise) when the components make contact. The noise made by components making contact with one another is of greater concern when the components are made of or include metal. In traditional headphones, these metal components are allowed to contact one another and can generate a contact noise that is unpleasant for users. The dampening material  1930  can be positioned between components (e.g., metal components) to reduce the noise generated by the components when they come in contact with one another. In various embodiments, dampening material  1930  can be positioned between the crown  1906  and the button housing  1902  to reduce the noise generated when the crown  1906  contacts the button housing  1902  (e.g., when the crown  1906  is depressed). The dampening material  1930  can extend into the button housing  1902  and curved to be positioned between a lower surface of the crown  1906  and the button housing  1902 . Additionally or alternatively, the step  1920  can be or include dampening material  1930  to reduce the noise generated when the step  1920  engages with the button housing  1902  (e.g., when the crown  1906  is released). The dampening material  1930  can be a component with an annular opening (e.g., a collar or a channel). The dampening material  1930  can be or include plastic (e.g., soft plastic), rubber, silicone, foam, and/or similar material that reduces noise when components contact. 
     In embodiments, it can be desirable to keep stop  1918  from rotating directly on the dome  1926  because continued rotation on the dome  1926  can cause damage. Additionally, it can be desirable to optimize the force needed to rotate the input  1808 .  FIGS.  20 A- 20 D  show cross-section views of various components for use with the input  1808  of  FIG.  18   .  FIG.  20 A  includes a coupling component  1910  positioned in cavity  1904 . A retaining component  2002  can be coupled to the coupling component  1910  and held laterally in place in the cavity  1904  by a bearing  2004 . A decoupler can be positioned in a cavity  2008  of the retaining component  2002 . The decoupler  2006  can include a rotation surface  2010  for engaging with the retaining component  2002 . The rotation surface  2010  can allow for rotation of the coupling component  1910 . Rotating on the rotation surface  2010  allows for rotation of the input  1808  without rotating on dome  1926 . 
       FIGS.  20 B through  20 D  show components that can be used with the components of  FIG.  20 A  to optimize the rotation force of the input  1808 . Optimizing the rotation force can allow for a user to make an accurate selection using the rotation of the input  1808  without needing to apply excessive force. The rotation force can be optimized by changing the resistance between the decoupler  2006  and the retaining component  2002 .  FIG.  20 B  shows using shims  2012  positioned in the cavity  2008  of the retaining component  2002  to change the friction force between the decoupler  2006  and the retaining component  2002 . Different sized shims  2012  can be used to optimize the rotation force for the components used in the input  1808 .  FIG.  20 C  shows using an expansion component  2014  positioned in the decoupler  2006  to adjust the friction force between the decoupler  2006  and the retaining component  2002 . The expansion component  2014  can include a spring  2016  that can be changed to optimize the rotation force.  FIG.  20 D  shows using an elastic material  2018  (e.g., a seal) to adjust the resistance force. Similar to the shims  2012 , the elastic material  2018  can be changed until the rotation force has been optimized. 
     Turning to  FIG.  21   , a cross-section of an example input  1806  is shown. The input  1806  can have the same or similar components to input  1808 , however, the input  1806  can have additional and/or alternative components. Two sleeves  2102  and  2104  can be received into respective apertures  2106  and  2108  in the housing  1810 . The sleeves  2102 ,  2104  can define respective cavities  2110  and  2112 . The cavities  2110 ,  2112  can receive respective stems  2114  and  2116 . The stems  2114 ,  2116  can be connected via a plate  2117  such that applying a force to the plate  2117  causes the stems  2114 ,  2116  to move downwards in the sleeves  2102 ,  2104 . The plate can be or include metal and/or a similar material that can be resistant to bending and/or flexing. In various embodiments, the length of the stems  2114 ,  2116  can be optimized for alignment in the sleeves  2102 ,  2104 . For example, the stems  2114 ,  2116  can be made longer for better alignment in the sleeves  2102 ,  2104 . Bushings  2118  can be positioned between the stems  2114 ,  2116  and the sleeves  2102 ,  2104  to align the stems  2114 ,  2116  in the sleeves  2102 ,  2104  and/or reduce friction between the stems  2114 ,  2116  and the sleeves  2102 ,  2104  respectively. The bushings  2118  can be or include self-lubricating material to reduce friction. In various embodiments, a portion of the bushings  2118  can be positioned above the sleeves  2104  (e.g., between 
     In various embodiments, the stems  2114 ,  2116  can be inserted into the sleeves  2102 ,  2104  and the sleeves  2102 ,  2104  can be positioned into apertures  2106 ,  2108 . In various embodiments, the apertures  2106 ,  2108  can have different diameters. For example, aperture  2108  can have a smaller diameter than aperture  2106 . The difference in diameters of the apertures  2106 ,  2108  can aid in aligning the input  1806 . The aperture  2108  can have a tight fit with the sleeve  2104  and the aperture  2106  can have a loose fit with the sleeve  2102 . The difference in fit can allow for some lateral movement of the sleeve  2102  in the aperture  2106 . The lateral movement of the sleeve  2102  in the aperture  2106  can allow the stem  2114  to remain aligned in the sleeve  2102  during installation of the sleeve  2102 . The sleeves  2102 ,  2104  can be positioned in the apertures  2106 ,  2108  and secured in place (e.g., glued or secured with fasteners). 
     In various embodiments, the stems  2114 ,  2116  can be connected via connector  2120 . The connector  2120  can join the stems  2114 ,  2116  so that movement of the two stems  2114 ,  2116  results in the movement of the connector  2120 . The connector  2120  can be positioned above a dome  2126  (e.g., a collapsible dome). The dome  2126  can be the same as or similar to dome  1926 . For example, dome  2126  can be or include a deformable material that can be compressed and return to its original shape. In various embodiments, the dome  2126  can be optimized to have a high force (i.e., click ratio) to enhance user feedback that input  1806  has been depressed. The dome  2126  can be collapsed and contact a contact element  2128 . The contact by the dome  2126  can cause contact element  2128  to generate an electrical signal. The contact element  2128  can be electrically connected to one or more electrical components in the earpieces  1804 . For example, the contact element  2128  can be electrically connected to an audio control circuit. The contact element  2128  can send the electrical signal to the audio control circuit which can adjust the audio output (e.g., play, pause, next track, skip track). In some embodiments, the electrical signal can cause the audio control circuit to toggle the earpieces  1804  between two or more modes (e.g., a noise cancelling mode and a listening mode). 
     In various embodiments, the input  1806  can include one or more seals (e.g., seals  2124   a - 2124   d , which are referred to herein collectively as “seals  2124 ”) that can be positioned in the sleeves  2102 ,  2104 . The seals  2124  can seal the ingress of the cavities  2110 ,  2112  for foreign debris and/or moisture. The seals  2124  can additionally or alternatively aid in alignment of the stems  2114 ,  2116  in the sleeves  2102 ,  2104 . In various embodiments, one or more of the seals  2124  can be or include an O-ring. For example, seals  2124   a  and  2124   c  can be or include self-lubricating O-rings that can aid in reducing friction of the stems  2114 ,  2116  when the input  1806  is being depressed. In further embodiments, seals  2124   b  and  2124   d  can be or include O-rings with portions of the O-rings having a larger diameter. Portions of the seals  2124   b ,  2124   d  having a larger diameter can reduce the points of contact between the seals  2124   b ,  2124   d  and the sleeves  2102 ,  2104  and/or the bushings  2118  which can reduce the friction caused by the seals  2124   b ,  2124   d.    
     In various embodiments, the inputs  1806  and  1808  can include a deformable dome (e.g., domes  2126  and  1926  respectively). As shown in  FIGS.  22 A and  22 B , the dome  2200  can be or include deformable material that can collapse and return to its original shape. In various embodiments, the dome  2200  can include a low-friction surface  2202 . The low-friction surface  2202  can be attached to the dome  2200  and/or may be or include treating a portion of the material of the dome  2200 . The low-friction surface  2202  can interface with the stop  1918  of input  1808  and/or the connector  2120  of input  1806 . The low-friction surface  2202  can be or include a material with a low coefficient of friction (e.g., silicon, silicon dioxide, and/or self-lubricating material). In various embodiments, the low-friction surface  2202  can be formed by shinning UV light onto the upper portion of the dome  2200 . For example, UV light can be shined onto the upper portion of a dome  2200  that includes silicon to form silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, the low-friction surface  2202  can be or include a replaceable shim. The shim can be changed to optimize the friction of the low-friction surface  2202 . In further embodiments, the low-friction surface  2202  can be or include lubricants deposited onto the dome  2200 . 
     In various embodiments, the dome  2200  can include one or more features for engaging with the low-friction surface  2202 . For example, the dome  2200  can include a projection  2204 . The projection  2204  can be used to align the low-friction surface  2202  with the dome  2200 . The projection  2204  can additionally or alternatively be used to retain the low-friction surface  2202  on the dome  2200 . 
     In various embodiments, the dome  2200  can be positioned above a sheet  2206  (e.g., a deformable sheet). The dome  2200  can be formed directly on the deformable sheet and/or joined to the deformable sheet using an adhesive and/or a fastener that extends through a portion of the dome  2200  and the sheet  2206 . The sheet  2206  can be deformed by the dome  2200  to contact a conductive film  2208  to electrical traces  2210  (e.g., electrical contacts that are separated such that they form an open circuit). The conductive film  2208  can contact the electrical traces  2210  and complete an electrical circuit. The electrical traces  2210  can be electrically connected to one or more electrical circuits in the earpieces  1804  and can send an electric signal to the electrical circuits when the conductive film  2208  contacts the electrical traces  2210 . 
     In some embodiments, the dome  2200  can include electrically conductive material  2212 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  22 B , the dome  2200  can include an electrically conductive insert  2214 . In embodiments with the electrically conductive material  2212 , the conductive film  2208  may not need to be positioned between the dome  2200  and the electrical traces  2210 . For example, the electrically conductive insert  2214  can engage with the electrical traces  2210  to close the electrical circuit between the electrical traces  2210  and send a signal to the electrical circuits in the earpieces  1804 . In various embodiments, the electrically conductive material  2212  can be positioned on the exterior surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the dome  2200 . The electrically conductive material  2212  can be or include conductive silicone and/or similarly conductive material. 
     On-Head Detect 
     It can be desirable to determine when headphones  100  are being donned by a user and when the headphones  100  have been doffed by the user. For example, when headphones  100  are doffed, the headphones can be put into a low power mode (e.g., a sleep or standby mode) and when the headphones are donned, the headphones can change from a low power mode to a higher powered mode that enables functions or activates features not available in the low power mode. Additionally or alternatively, audio playback can automatically start (e.g., the audio can start playing) when the headphones  100  have been determined to be donned by a user and audio playback can automatically stop (e.g., the audio can by paused) when the headphones  100  have been determined to be doffed by the user. 
     While it can be desirable and beneficial to determine when headphones are placed on a user&#39;s head, it can be challenging to accurately make such a determination in all use-case scenarios. Some embodiments of the disclosure can perform a multi-step process to accurately making such a determination.  FIG.  23    illustrates an example process  2300  that can be used by the pairs of headphones disclosed herein to detect when a user has donned the pair of headphones. As shown in  FIG.  23   , a pair of headphones can start in a low power operational state, such as a sleep state, standby state, lower power state (block  2302 ) in which only certain components, for example one or more sensors within the headphones that can detect environmental changes, receive power and are operational. In some embodiments the low power state (block  2302 ) can be an intermediate power state. For example, in some embodiments the headphones can have an extreme low power (or deep sleep state) in which the headphones can stored in a charging case for extended periods of time while consuming minimal power. The headphones can exit the deep sleep state when, for example they are removed from their case, and enter a second low power state in which certain sensors receive power that did not receive power in the deep sleep state. 
     In some embodiments, while the headphones are in low power state  2302 , sensors that detect whether the earpieces are pulled apart or otherwise rotated are operational. Process  2300  can be a multi-step process in which the circuitry within the headphones (e.g., a process or other type of controller) determines whether the headphones are donned based on readings from different sensors. For example, a mechanism that allows the earpieces to rotate and pivot, such as pivot mechanism  400  described above, can be leveraged to provide an initial indication that a user may have donned or is about to don a pair of headphones. Sensors associated with the pivot mechanism can detect that the earpieces have been bent or pulled outward by detecting a change in the angle of the earpieces relative to the headband along roll axis  404  (block  2304 .) Such an angle change, when above a predetermined amount (e.g., greater 10 degrees or greater than 15 degrees or greater than 20 degrees), can indicate that the earpieces have been moved into a wearable configuration and process  2300  can proceed to a next step in its on-head detect algorithm. If, on the other hand, the roll axis sensor detects that the earpieces have been pulled apart but not by a sufficient amount to indicate that the headphones are on or about to be placed on a user&#39;s ear (i.e., the angle change is less than the predetermined amount), process  2300  can keep the headphones in low power state  2302 . 
     Making an on-head detect determination based on sufficient movement of the earpieces with respect to the roll axis in block  2304  alone, however, can result in false triggers. For example, a user may pull the earpieces apart in preparation for donning the headphones but then change his or her mind and put the headphones away. Thus, some embodiments can use a second set of sensors, such as optical sensors or another appropriate type of proximity sensor or other sensor that can determine if a user&#39;s ear or other object is placed within the inner portion of the earpiece to confirm and make a final determination that the headphones have been donned (block  2306 ). In some embodiments, an optical emitter and optical receiver can be included in one or both earpieces as the second sensor. The optical emitter can emit one or more beams of radiation out of the earpiece towards a location where the user&#39;s ear would be if the headphones were placed on a user&#39;s head. Then, if the headphones are worn, radiation that is reflected back off the user&#39;s ear can be detected by the optical sensor. The detected radiation can then be sent to a processor to confirm that the headphones have been placed on a user&#39;s head (block  2306 , yes) if, for example, the intensity of the detected radiation is above a predetermined threshold. If no radiation (or radiation below a threshold intensity value) is reflected back, embodiments can determine that the headphones are not on a user&#39;s ear (block  2306 , no) and process  2300  can keep the headphones in low power state  2302 . 
     When process  2300  determines that the earpieces have rotated along the roll axis beyond a predetermined amount  2308  and the second set of sensors has determined that the headphones are on a user&#39;s ear, process  2300  can change the operational state of the headphones  100  from low power state  2302  (e.g., a mode in which wireless circuitry to receive and send audio data between the headphones and a host device is not operational) to a higher power, operational mode (e.g., a mode where audio data can be wirelessly transferred between the headphones and a host device). 
     It is worth noting that relying on output from the second sensor alone, without making an initial determination in block  2304 , can also lead to false positives. For example, the second sensor (or set of sensors) used in block  2306  could generate a false positive sensor signal indicative of the headphones being worn if the headphones are placed with the earpieces down on top of a reflective surface, such as a white table top. Thus, by combining the sensor readings from blocks  2304  and  2306 , embodiments of the disclosure can provide a reliable indication as to when a user dons a pair of headphones. 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure further relate to an optical sensor that can generate highly accurate sensor readings that can be used in block  2306  for an improved on-head detect determination as compared to previously known optical sensors. In some instances it is relatively easy for a simple optical sensor, such as a light emitting diode and a photodiode combination, to detect reflected radiation that can be indicative of when the headphones are on a user&#39;s ear. For example,  FIG.  24    illustrates a simplified cross-section of an earpiece  2400  that includes a sensor  2402  (e.g., an optical sensor) for determining when the headphones  100  are donned or doffed by a user  2405 . The earpiece  2400  can define a region  2408  within the inner periphery of its earpiece in which a portion of the user  2405  (e.g, the user&#39;s ear) can be situated. Sensor  2402  can be positioned in the earpiece  2400  and oriented to detect whether the user&#39;s ear is positioned within the region  2408 . For example, the sensor  2402  can emit light radiation into region  2408  and detect whether any portion of the emitted light is reflected back to a photo sensor within sensor  2402 . 
     In many user-case scenarios, the photodiode in sensor  2402  can readily detect light emitted from the LED in sensor  2402  when the headphones are on a user&#39;s head. In certain situations, however, such detection can be made more difficult resulting in a false negative determination. For example, users can have hair colors having different levels of reflectivity, some of which can adversely impact the sensor reading resulting in a false determination that the headphones are not donned. Some embodiments of the disclosure pertain to an optical sensor that can detect when a user&#39;s ear is placed within the region  2408  in use-case scenarios when other sensors may generate false negative readings. 
       FIG.  25 A  is a simplified illustration of a portion of an earpiece  2500  that includes an on-ear detect optical sensor according to some such embodiments. Earpiece  2500  can be representative of one or both of earpieces  104  discussed with respect to  FIG.  1    or can be representative of any of the other earpieces described in the present disclosure. Earpiece  2500  can include a housing  2502  and a cover  2504  (e.g., an earpiece cover) attached to housing  2502  that includes multiple perforated holes to enable sound from an acoustic driver positioned within the housing to be directed out of housing  2502  towards a user&#39;s ear. An earpiece cushion assembly  2506  can be attached to the housing  2502  and cover  2504 . 
     A sensor  2520  (e.g., an optical sensor) can be attached to the housing  2502  and oriented to detect a portion of a user (e.g., an ear of a user) positioned in the region  2505  within the inner periphery of earpiece cushion assembly  2506 . For example, sensor  2520  can have a field of view (FOV)  2522  (the area in which light is emitted from the sensor and the area in which the sensor can detect reflected light) that is relatively wide cone to encompass a large region within region  2505  yet is confined to the inner periphery of the earpiece cushion assembly. Sensor  2520  can be an electro-optical device that includes one or more emitters (e.g., one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, VCSELs) and an optical receiver (e.g., an array of photo sensors). In some embodiments, sensor  2520  includes a single nanosecond pulse VCSEL laser in the infrared wavelength range and a beam steering device that can direct the laser pulses at different individual fields of view within the larger FOV  2522  of sensor  2520 . 
     In some embodiments, sensor  2520  further includes an array of SPADs as the receiver that can detect the reflected beams from within the FOV  2522 . Thus, when earpiece  2500  is placed on a user&#39;s head, the sensor  2520  emits collimated beams of pulsed radiation at different locations within the FOV  2522 . The pulsed laser beams can reflect off of the user (e.g., off the user&#39;s ear or portion of the user&#39;s skull surrounding the ear) and be detected by the SPAD array optical receiver. A processor or similar control circuit (not shown) within earpiece  2400  can be coupled to sensor  2520  to control the timing of the laser pulses and receive detection signals generated by the optical receiver. The processor can utilize the known timing of the laser pulses and other known information to determine the distance to the user&#39;s ear (or other reflected object) using time of flight calculation techniques. For example, the time of flight can be determined by emitting a beam of light at an object and measuring the time it takes a receiver to detect the light reflected off the object. In some embodiments the sensor  2520  can detect objects between approximately zero and at least approximately 300 mm away from the sensors. For example, the sensors  2520  can detect objects positioned approximately 1 mm to approximately 100 mm away from the sensor  2520 . 
     Sensor  2520  can be electrically coupled with a processor for processing of the data detected by the SPAD as discussed above. The processor can additionally or alternatively change the headphones between a standby mode and an operational mode (e.g., between a low power mode and a higher power mode) as described with respect to  FIG.  23   . The processor can determine if the intensity of the reflected light meets a certain threshold and if the distance of the object indicates it is within the region  2505 . SPADs are highly sensitive devices that can detect radiation as small as a single photon in some instances. Because of the sensitivity of the SPAD optical receiver array and the ability of sensor  2520  to both detect an intensity of reflected radiation and determine a distance from the sensor to the object that the pulsed beams are reflected from, embodiments of the disclosure can use both such pieces of information to determine if the earpiece is on a user&#39;s head in block  2306  discussed above. For example, process  2300  at block  2306  can include receiving reflected radiation data (e.g., photon counts) detected by the SPAD array and determine if the intensity of the reflected radiation meets a threshold and/or if the distance to the object the radiation is reflected off of is greater than predetermined distance. If the intensity of the reflected radiation is below the threshold, the processor can determine the headphones are not on a user&#39;s head. The processor can also determine the object that the headphones are not actually being worn by a user when the intensity of reflected radiation is above the threshold but the distance to the object is greater than a predetermined distance (e.g., greater than the border of the region  2505 ). If the intensity of the reflected radiation is above the threshold and the distance is less than the predetermined distance, the processor can determine that the headphones are on a user&#39;s head. 
     As shown in  FIG.  25 A , sensor  2520  can be positioned behind an aperture  2508  formed in a sidewall portion  2510  of housing  2502  and cover  2504  to enable sensor  2520  to both project radiation into region  2505  and receive radiation reflected from one or more surfaces within the region  2505  back to the optical sensor. In various embodiments, sensor  2520  can be positioned on carrier  2521  that can couple with sidewall portion  2510  and span the width of aperture  2508 . In some embodiments, the sidewall portion  2510  can be at an angle  2511  relative to axis  2513 . For example, the sidewall portion  2510  can be at an angle  2511  in a range between 20 degrees and 60 degrees relative to axis  2513 . In further embodiments, the sensor  2520  can be oriented at an angle  2515  relative to the sidewall portion  2510 , for example, at an angle  2515  in a range between 15 degrees and 50 degrees. of design considerations require that an angle of the sidewall portion  2510  of cover  2504  be such that an optical sensor mounted directly to housing  2502  (which includes a sidewall surface directly behind sidewall portion  2510 ) would direct at least some radiation towards the earpiece cushion assembly  2506 . Radiation directed to the earpiece cushion can be readily reflected back to sensor  2520  and generate a false positive reading. To prevent such a situation and confine the field of view of sensor  2520  to a region within the earpiece cushion as shown by FOV  2522 , some embodiments of the disclosure include a carrier  2524  coupled between sensor  2520  and housing  2502 . Carrier  2524  can include an angled portion  2526  for mounting the sensor  2520  at an optimized angle relative to the housing  2502  and cover  2504  such that a field of view of sensor  2520  can detect a user&#39;s ear without encompassing any portion of the earpiece cushion assembly  2506 . In some embodiments the portion  2526  of carrier enables sensor  2520  to be oriented at an angle in a range between 20 and 40 degrees relative to housing  2502  of the earpiece  2400 . For example, the sensor  2520  can be oriented at a 32 degree angle relative to the housing  2502 . 
     In some embodiments, sensor  2520  can emit radiation in the infrared wavelengths and portion  2526  can be transparent to the emitted IR wavelength. Since some portion of the emitted radiation can reflected off the housing  2502  in the area of aperture  2508 , some portions of the disclosure coat a back surface  2528  of carrier  2524 , in an area surrounding angled portion  2526 , with an IR absorbing material to absorb IR light that can be reflected off of an inner surface of the housing and back towards the sensor. 
       FIG.  25 B  shows portions of the earpiece  2500  that can be used with the sensor  2520 . The earpiece  2500  can include a cover  2504  and an earpiece cushion assembly  2506 . The earpiece cushion assembly  2506  can include an aperture  2530  that allows the sensor  2520  to emit radiation through the cushion assembly and into region  2505  as described above. The cover  2504  can include a carrier  2524  positioned over the aperture  2530  that allows IR light through while blocking non-IR light. The cover  2412  can additionally or alternatively include or be made from a scratch resistant material that can resist damage that may cause noise in the detection system. The cover  2412  can be or include Nickel Titanium Oxide (NiO 3 Ti). 
     In some embodiments, earpiece  2500  can include two sensors  2520  on opposing sides of the earpiece where one of the sensors can be blocked by the cover  2504  and/or the earpiece cushion assembly  2506  (e.g., as shown by sensor  2520   a  being positioned adjacent to a side of the cover  2504  that does not include aperture  2508 ). The sensor  2520  can detect that there is something blocking the sensor based on detecting constant substantially stable data and/or a time of flight reading indicating there is an object positioned next to the sensor  2520 . In response to determining the sensor  2520  is blocked, an indication can be sent to the user. For example, an indication alerting the user that the cover  2504  is installed incorrectly in the earpiece  2500 . 
     Removable Earpiece Cushions 
     A user may want to change one or more components of the headphones  100  to customize and/or enhance the comfort of the headphones. For example, a user may desire to change the earpiece cushion assembly  110  to a newer and/or different earpiece cushion. The earpiece cushion assembly  110  can include components that allow for removal and attachment of the earpiece cushion assembly  110  from the earpiece  104 .  FIG.  26 A  shows an example of an attachment assembly  2600  for use with earpieces  104 . The attachment assembly  2600  can include a cover  2602  and a frame  2604 . The cover  2602  can be representative of cover  2504  discussed with respect to  FIGS.  25 A,  25 B  and attached to the earpiece housing  112  of the earpiece  104 . The frame  2604  can be attached to earpiece cushion assembly  110 . 
     One or more securing mechanisms can be used to removably couple (e.g., magnetically couple) the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 . The securing mechanisms can removably couple the frame  2604  to the cover  2602  when the frame  2604  is positioned in the cover  2602 . For example, when the frame  2604  has been positioned in the cover  2602 , the securing mechanisms can prevent the frame  2604  from being removed until a certain force threshold has been reached. In various embodiments, the securing mechanisms can be or include multiple components that engage with one another to attach the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 . For example, a magnetic element  2606 , such as metallic plate, may be positioned on the frame  2604  and a magnet array  2608  may be positioned on the cover  2602 . The securing mechanisms may be or include a latch, hook and loop connectors, and/or any suitable connector for removably coupling the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 . 
       FIG.  26 B  shows an example securing mechanism  2601  for use with the attachment assembly  2600 . The securing mechanism  2601  can include a magnetic element  2606  positioned on the frame  2604  and removably coupleable with a magnet array  2608  positioned on the cover  2602 . A metal shunt  2610  can be positioned on the cover  2602  (e.g., between the magnet array  2608  and electronic components positioned within the earpiece housing  112 ). The metal shunt  2610  can prevent or reduce magnetic flux from the magnetic array  2608  from interfering with the electronic components contained in the earpiece  104 . In some embodiments, the magnetic element  2606  may be positioned on the cover  2602  and the magnet array  2608  may be positioned on the frame  2604 . The magnetic element  2606  can be or include a magnet and/or a metallic plate including one or more of steel, iron, nickel, cobalt, stainless steel, aluminum, gold, a metallic plate, a magnet, and/or any suitable component that is magnetically coupleable with the magnet array  2608 . 
     The magnetic array  2608  can include one or more magnets that generate magnetic flux. The magnetic flux can act on the magnetic element  2606  to hold the frame  2604  in place when the insert has been positioned in the carrier. In various embodiments, the magnets in the magnetic array  2608  can be arranged in a pattern based on their orientation. For example, the magnetic array  2608  can include magnets arranged in a Halbach array (e.g., a rotating pattern of orientations for the magnets), an alternating array (e.g., the orientations of the magnets alternate), and/or a single pole orientation (e.g., the magnets are oriented in the same direction). 
     In some embodiments, the magnets of the magnetic array  2608  can be arranged in an alternating pole design (e.g., with poles of the magnets oriented in North, South, South, North (NSSN) or South, North, North, South (SNNS). In further embodiments, the magnetic element  2606  can be or include steel and the alternating pole magnetic array  2608  can direct magnetic flux into the steel element  2606 . The steel element  2606  and the alternating pole magnetic array  2608  can have a magnetic coupling that can have advantages over other arrangements of the magnetic array  2608  and/or materials used in the magnetic element  2606 . For example, the alternating pole magnetic array  2608  and the steel magnetic element  2606  can interact to have a greater retention force than other designs and/or materials. Additionally and/or alternatively the steel magnetic element  2606  positioned on the frame  2604  can prevent or reduce the magnetic flux from entering the front volume of the earpiece  204 . For example, the steel magnetic element  2606  can reduce or prevent the magnetic flux from interfering with metal worn by a user (e.g., earrings). 
     In various embodiments, the cover  2602  and the frame  2604  can include an annular surface  2620  (i.e., an annular shelf) surrounding a central portion  2622 . The magnetic element  2606  can be positioned on the annular surface  2620  of the frame  2604  and/or the magnetic array  2608 , and/or metal shunt  2610  can be positioned on the annular surface  2620  of the cover  2602 . The central portions  2622  of the frame  2604  and the cover  2602  can be aligned when the magnetic element  2606  is coupled with the magnetic array  2608 . 
     In further embodiments, the cover  2602  and/or the frame  2604  can include an opening in a side wall (e.g., opening  2624 ). The openings  2624  can align when the frame  2604  is coupled with the cover  2602 . In some embodiments, the opening  2624  can be representative of apertures  2508  and/or  2530  discussed with respect to  FIGS.  25 A,  25 B . 
     In some embodiments, one or more layers of foam can be positioned between the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 . A first layer of foam can be positioned, for example, on the annular surface  2620  of the frame  2604  (e.g., attached to the annular surface  2620  that engages with the annular surface  2620  of the cover  2602 ). For example, the foam can be positioned over areas where the magnetic elements  2606  are positioned on the annular surface  2620 . A second layer of foam can be position over the first layer (e.g., between the first layer of foam and the cover  2602 ). The second layer can extend around the annular surface  2620  (e.g., around the periphery of the central portion  2622 ). The foam can provide a seal between the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 . The seal can provide acoustic sealing for the earpiece  104  (e.g. provide acoustic sealing between the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 ). The foam can additionally or alternatively allow for consistent magnetic coupling of the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 . In further embodiments, one or more layers can be a stiff foam that allows for optimized retention between the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 , minimal deflection of the cover  2602  and/or the frame  2604  during engagement, and/or maximizing the tear strength. 
     The magnetic arrays  2608  and magnetic elements  2606  can be arranged in corresponding patterns on the cover  2602  and the frame  2604 , respectively. As shown in  FIGS.  26 C and  26 D , the magnetic arrays  2608  and the magnetic elements  2606  can be arranged such that the magnetic elements  2606  on the cover  2602  can engage with the magnetic arrays on the frame  2604  in only one orientation.  FIG.  26 C  shows the frame  2604  correctly oriented relative to the cover  2602  such that when the frame  2604  is positioned in the cover  2602 , the magnetic arrays  2608  will engage with the magnetic elements  2606  and hold the frame  2604  in place.  FIG.  26 D  shows the frame  2604  incorrectly oriented relative to the cover  2602  such that when the frame  2604  is positioned in the cover  2602 , the magnetic arrays  2608  will not engage with the magnetic elements  2606  and the frame  2604  will not be held in place. The arrangement of the magnetic arrays  2608  and the magnetic elements  2606  in corresponding patterns allows for simple user feedback on the orientation of the frame  2604  and the cover  2602 . For example, a user will know the frame  2604  is in the correct orientation because it will engage with the cover  2602 . Similarly, a user will know the frame  2604  is in the incorrect orientation because it will not engage with the cover  2602 . 
     In various embodiments, the attachment assembly  2600  can include an identification system that can differentiate between earpiece cushion assemblies  110 .  FIGS.  27 A and  27 B  illustrate an example identification system  2700  and  FIGS.  28 A and  28 B  illustrate an additional example identification system  2800  that can differentiate between two types of earpiece cushion assemblies  110 . The identification systems  2700 ,  2800  can include one or more sensors  2702 ,  2802  that can detect the magnetic flux from the magnetic array  2708 ,  2808 . The sensor  2702 ,  2802  can be or include a Hall effect sensor and/or a suitable sensor for detecting magnetic flux. In various embodiments, a sensor  2702 ,  2802  can positioned on one, some, or all of the securing mechanism  2601 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  27 A and  27 B , the identification system  2700  can include two different sized metal plates  2706   a  and  2706   b . The first metal plate  2706   a  can be sized and shaped to direct magnetic flux  2704  away from the sensor  2702 . For example, the first magnetic element  2606   a  may not extend beyond the magnet array  2708  and will direct the magnetic flux  2704  from one side of the magnetic array to the other in a circular pattern with the sensor  2702  positioned outside the circle. The second metal plate  2706   b  can be sized and shaped to direct the magnetic flux  2704  through the sensor  2702 . As shown in  FIGS.  28 A and  28 B , the identification system  2800  can include a single piece metal plate  2806   a  and a multi-piece metal plate  2806   b . The single piece metal plate  2806   a  can be sized and shaped to direct magnetic flux  2804  around the sensor  2802  and the multi-piece metal plate  2806   b  can have a piece sized and shaped to direct magnetic flux  2804  through the sensor  2802 . 
     The identification systems  2700 ,  2800  can differentiate between two different earpiece cushion assemblies  110  based on whether the sensors  2702 ,  2802  detect the magnetic flux  2704 ,  2804 . The detection or non-detection of the magnetic flux  2704 ,  2804  can correspond to an earpiece cushion assembly  110  having distinct properties. For example, an earpiece that causes the identification system  2700 ,  2800  to detect the magnetic flux  2704 ,  2804  may correspond to an earpiece cushion assembly  110  that is different and/or has distinct properties from the earpiece cushion assembly  110  that does not cause the identification system  2700 ,  2800  to detect the magnetic flux  2704 . In various embodiments, the earpiece cushion assemblies  110  may be distinct due to the materials used in the earpiece cushion assembly  110 , the size and/or shape of the earpiece cushion assembly  110  or their intended purpose (e.g., sport earpiece cushion assembly  110  or comfort earpiece cushion assembly  110 ). 
     In some embodiments, identifying the earpiece cushion assembly  110  that has been attached to the earpiece  104  can be used to adjust audio settings of the headphones  100 . For example, identifying an earpiece cushion assembly  110  with a known internal volume can allow for audio settings to be automatically adjusted to optimize audio playback for the identified earpiece cushion assembly  110 . The earpiece cushion assembly  110  can be identified using, for example, identification systems  2700 ,  2800 . 
     Earpad Cushion—Passive Attenuation 
       FIGS.  29 A,  29 B, and  29 C  show cross-sections of different embodiments of a cushion assembly  2900  for use with earpieces  104 . The cushion assemblies  2900  can include a cushion padding  2902  that enhances a user&#39;s comfort while the headphones  100  are donned. The cushion padding  2902  can be used to enhance comfort but may allow some level of external audio to penetrate the earpiece  104 , which can adversely affect an active noise cancelling (ANC) system of the headphones. Additional layers of stiffer and/or thicker material can be added to the cushion assembly to decrease external noise, however, this can lead to stiffer cushions that decrease comfort and can cause a gap between the earpiece and a user&#39;s head when the headphones are donned, allowing sound to reach a user. 
     In various embodiments, a layer of noise dampening (e.g., noise cancelling material)  2904  can be added to the cushion assembly  2900 . The noise dampening material  2904  can be added to an interior side of the cushion assembly  2900  to reduce or prevent sound from penetrating the earpiece. For example, the noise dampening material  2904  can be disposed on an interior side of the cushion assembly between an outer wrap  2906  and the cushion padding  2902 . The noise dampening material  2904  can be infused into the cushion padding  2902  and/or may be a layer of material that is positioned on the cushion padding. The noise dampening material  2904  can be or include silicon and/or a silicon mixture that decreases sound penetration while having a minimal effect on the stiffness of the cushion assembly  2900 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  29 B , the noise dampening material  2904  can be dispersed on only a portion of the inner face of the cushion padding  2902 . Spacing the noise dampening material  2904  can further decrease any stiffening effect the noise dampening material  2904  may have on the cushion padding  2902 . 
     In some embodiments, the noise dampening material  2904  can be or include variable thickness silicone (e.g., a variable thickness silicone wall). The variable thickness noise dampening material  2904  can allow for tuning of the cushion assembly  2900 . For example, the thickness can be increased in areas of the cushion assembly  2900  for additional noise dampening and decreased in areas for reduced cushion stiffness. The noise dampening material  2904  can additionally or alternatively be strategically thickened to tune for noise cancelling in the earpieces  104 . For example, a first portion of the noise dampening material  2904  can be thicker than a second portion of the noise dampening material  2904  (e.g., a top portion can be thicker than a bottom portion, a front portion can be thicker than a back portion, a side portion can be thicker than an opposing side portion). 
     As shown in  FIG.  29 C , the noise dampening material  2904  can be a low durometer silicone gel that penetrates into a portion of the cushion padding  2902  adding mass to the cushion assembly without adding stiffness. For example, the noise dampening material  2904  can penetrate into the cushion padding  2902  a distance from the inner surface of the cushion assembly  2900 . The noise dampening material  2904  can penetrate into the cushion padding  2902  by being deposited onto the outer surface of the cushion padding  2902 , being injected into the cushion padding and/or being integrated into the foam matrix. 
     Charging Case 
       FIG.  30    shows headphones  3000 , which include earpieces  3002  and  3004  joined together by headband  3006 . The headphones  3000  can be the same or similar to headphones  100 , however, the headphones  3000  may include additional and/or alternative components. A central portion of headband  3006  has been omitted to focus on components within earpieces  3002  and  3004 . In particular, earpieces  3002  and  3004  can include a mix of Hall effect sensors and permanent magnets. As depicted, earpiece  3002  includes permanent magnet  3008  and Hall effect sensor  3010 . Permanent magnet  3008  generates a magnetic field extending away from earpiece  3002  with a South polarity. Earpiece  3004  includes Hall effect sensor  3012  and permanent magnet  3014 . In the depicted configuration, permanent magnet  3008  is positioned to output a magnetic field sufficiently strong to saturate Hall effect sensor  3012 . Sensor readings from Hall effect sensor  3012  can be sufficient to cue headphones  3000  that headphones  3000  are not being actively used and could enter into an energy savings mode. In some embodiments, this configuration could also cue headphones  3000  that headphones  3000  were being positioned within a case and should enter a lower power mode of operation to conserve battery power. Flipping earpieces  3002  and  3004  180 degrees each would result in a magnetic field emitted by permanent magnet  3014  saturating Hall effect Sensor  3010 , which would also allow the device to enter a low power mode. In some embodiments, it could be desirable to use an accelerometer sensor within one or both of earpieces  3002  to confirm that earpieces  3002  and  3004  are facing toward the ground before entering a lower power state as a user could desire to set earpieces  3002  and  3004  facing upward to operate headphones in an off the head configuration and in such a case audio playback should be continued. 
       FIG.  31    shows carrying case  3100  for use with headphones, for example headphones  3000 , positioned therein. Headphones  3000  are depicted including ambient light sensor  3102 . In some embodiments, input from ambient light sensor  3102  can be used to determine when case  3100  is closed with headphones disposed within case  3100 . Similarly, when sensor readings from ambient light sensor  3102  indicate an amount of light consistent with carrying case  3100  opening, a processor within headphones  3000  can determine that carrying case  3100  has been opened. In some embodiments, when other sensors aboard headphones  3000  indicate headphones  3000  are positioned within a recess defined by carrying case  3100 , the sensor data from ambient light sensor  3102  can be sufficient to determine when carrying case  3100  is open or closed. 
     In various embodiments, Hall effect sensors  3104  can be positioned within earpieces  3002  and  3004  and configured to detect magnetic fields emitted by permanent magnets  3106  disposed within carrying case  3100 . This second set of sensor data could substantially reduce the incidence of sensor data from ambient light sensor  3102  mistakenly being correlated with case opening and closing events. The use of sensor readings from other types of sensors such as strain gauges, time of flight sensors and other headphone configuration sensors can also be used to make operating state determinations. Furthermore, depending on a determined operating state of headphones  3000  these sensors could be activated with varying frequency. For example, when carrying case  3100  is determined to be closed around headphones  3000  sensor readings can only be made at an infrequent rate, whereas in active use the sensors could operate more frequently. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, described embodiments related to headphones to provide a thorough understanding of the described components. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described components are not limited to use with headphones. For example, components described herein can be used with head mounted devices (HMD), augmented reality, virtual reality devices, and/or any suitable audio device. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations of components and/or embodiments are possible in view of the above teachings. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 
     It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     All patents, publications and abstracts cited above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The foregoing description of the embodiments, including illustrative aspects of embodiments, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Aspect 1 is a listening device, comprising: a first earpiece; a headband having a first end coupled to the first earpiece, the first earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume; a speaker disposed within the interior volume; and a pivot mechanism coupled to the earpiece housing and operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate separate from the headband along a first axis, the pivot mechanism comprising: an aperture sized and shaped to receive one of the first or second ends of the headband; first and second pivot rods; a first cylinder having a first channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston that fits within the first channel and is coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the aperture while opposing rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis. 
     Aspect 2 is the listening device set forth in aspect(s) 1 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a second cylinder having a second channel and coupled to the first pivot rod, a second piston that fits within the second channel of the second cylinder and is coupled to the second pivot rod, and a second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the aperture while opposing rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis. 
     Aspect 3 is the listening device set forth in aspect(s) 1 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a collar defining the aperture to receive one of the first or second ends of the headband, the collar having a protrusion for aligning the respective first or second ends of the headband with the pivot mechanism and configured to allow rotation of the pivot mechanism about a second axis. 
     Aspect 4 is the listening device set forth in aspect(s) 3 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the first axis is a roll axis and the second axis is a yaw axis. 
     Aspect 5 is the listening device set forth in aspect(s) 1 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a sensor configured to detect rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis. 
     Aspect 6 is the listening device set forth in aspect(s) 1 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism is positioned off-center of the first earpiece. 
     Aspect 7 is an earpiece, comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume; a speaker disposed within the interior volume; and a pivot mechanism disposed at a first end of the earpiece housing and operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a first axis and comprising: an aperture sized and shaped to receive a first end of a headband; first and second pivot rods; a first cylinder having a first channel and a second cylinder having a second channel, the first and second cylinders coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston positionable within the first channel and a second piston positionable within the second channel, the first and second pistons coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and a second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the aperture while opposing rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis. 
     Aspect 8 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 7 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a magnet and a sensor, the sensor configured to detect a change in a magnetic field of the magnet to detect rotation of the pivot mechanism about the first axis. 
     Aspect 9 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 7 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the first axis is a roll axis and the pivot mechanism is further operable to enable the earpiece housing to rotate along a yaw axis. 
     Aspect 10 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 7 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a collar defining the aperture, the collar comprising a protrusion configured to engage an alignment notch of the headband. 
     Aspect 11 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 10 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the collar further defines a notch configured to receive a locking component that prevents the headband from being removed from the pivot mechanism. 
     Aspect 12 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 7 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a gasket configured to prevent ingress of moisture between the headband and the aperture and flex in response to rotation of the pivot mechanism. 
     Aspect 13 is headphones, comprising: a first earpiece comprising a first earpiece housing defining a first interior volume and a first pivot mechanism coupled to the first earpiece housing and operable to enable the first earpiece to rotate about a first axis, the first pivot mechanism comprising: a first aperture sized and shaped to receive a first end of a headband; first and second pivot rods; a first cylinder having a first channel and coupled to the first pivot rod; a first piston that fits within the first channel and is coupled to the second pivot rod; and a first compression spring at least partially surrounding the first piston and the first cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the first aperture while opposing rotation of the first pivot mechanism about the first axis; and a second earpiece comprising a second earpiece housing defining a second interior volume and a second pivot mechanism coupled to the second earpiece housing and operable to enable the second earpiece to rotate about a second axis, the second pivot mechanism comprising: a second aperture sized and shaped to receive a second end of a headband; third and fourth pivot rods; a second cylinder having a second channel and coupled to the third pivot rod; a second piston that fits within the second channel and is coupled to the fourth pivot rod; and a second compression spring at least partially surrounding the second piston and the second cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the second aperture while opposing rotation of the second pivot mechanism about the second axis. 
     Aspect 14 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 13 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the first pivot mechanism further comprises a third cylinder having a third channel and coupled to the first pivot rod, a third piston that fits within the third channel and is coupled to the second pivot rod, and a third compression spring at least partially surrounding the third piston and the third cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the first aperture while opposing rotation of the first pivot mechanism about the first axis; and the second pivot mechanism further comprises a fourth cylinder having a fourth channel and coupled to the third pivot rod, a fourth piston that fits within the fourth channel and is coupled to the fourth pivot rod, and a fourth compression spring at least partially surrounding the fourth piston and the fourth cylinder and positioned to compress relative to the second aperture while opposing rotation of the second pivot mechanism about the second axis. 
     Aspect 15 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 13 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein first and second axes are roll axes, the first pivot mechanism is further operable to enable the first earpiece housing to rotate about a first yaw axis, and the second pivot mechanism is further operable to enable the second earpiece to rotate about a second yaw axis. 
     Aspect 16 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 13 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the first earpiece comprises a first sensor configured to detect rotation of the first earpiece about the first axis. 
     Aspect 17 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 16 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the second earpiece comprises a second sensor configured to detect rotation of the second earpiece about the second axis. 
     Aspect 18 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 13 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the first and second pivot mechanisms are positioned off-center of the respective first and second earpieces. 
     Aspect 19 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 13 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the first pivot mechanism comprises a collar defining the first aperture, the collar comprising protrusions engageable with the first end of the headband. 
     Aspect 20 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 13 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the first pivot mechanism comprises a gasket configured to prevent ingress of moisture between the first end of the headband and the first aperture, the gasket configured to flex in response to rotation of the first pivot mechanism. 
     Aspect 21 is headphones, comprising: a headband; and an earpiece coupled with one end of the headband, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an aperture; a button assembly positionable in the aperture and comprising: a button housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move into engagement with the button housing; a damper positioned between the upper portion of the button housing and the crown and configured to dampen vibrations caused when the crown engages the button housing; a hub coupled with the crown and positioned in the channel and translatable along and rotatable about the central axis, the hub comprising one or more markings and configured to engage a compressible dome when the hub is translated toward an interior of the earpiece housing; and seals positioned between the hub and the button housing, one of the seals having a variable diameter and contacts the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the seal. 
     Aspect 22 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 21 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a sensor positioned within a portion of the button housing and configured to detect rotation of the hub about the central axis. 
     Aspect 23 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 22 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the hub comprises a plurality of grooves formed along a length, the grooves detectable by the sensor to detect rotation of the hub. 
     Aspect 24 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 21 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein at least one of the seals comprises self-lubricating material. 
     Aspect 25 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 21 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the compressible dome is engageable with an open electrical circuit to create a closed electrical circuit. 
     Aspect 26 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 25 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the compressible dome comprises electrically conductive material engageable with the open electrical circuit to create the closed electrical circuit. 
     Aspect 27 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 21 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the damper is a first damper and a second damper is positioned between the hub and the lower portion of the housing. 
     Aspect 28 is an earpiece, comprising: an earpiece housing defining an aperture; a button assembly positionable in the aperture and comprising: a button housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move into engagement with the upper portion of the button housing; a first damper positioned between the button housing and the crown and configured to dampen vibrations caused when the crown engages the button housing; a hub coupled with the crown and positioned in the channel and translatable along and rotatable about the central axis, the hub comprising one or more markings and configured to move between engaging the lower portion of the button housing and engaging a compressible dome when the hub is translated toward an interior of the earpiece housing; and a second damper positioned between the hub and the lower portion of the button housing and configured to dampen vibration when the hub engages the lower portion of the button housing. 
     Aspect 29 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 28 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the hub comprises a plurality of grooves formed along a length, wherein the grooves are detectable by a sensor positioned within a portion of the button housing. 
     Aspect 30 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 28 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises seals positioned between the hub and the button housing, at least one of the seals comprising self-lubricating material. 
     Aspect 31 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 30 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein a first seal of the seals has a variable diameter and contacts the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the first seal. 
     Aspect 32 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 28 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a decoupler coupled to the hub and translatable along the central axis to engage the compressible dome, the decoupler configured to allow rotation of the hub relative to the decoupler. 
     Aspect 33 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 32 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the decoupler comprises an adjustable resistance component configured to adjust resistance between the decoupler and the button housing, the adjustable resistance component comprising at least one of a shim, a spring, or an elastic wedge. 
     Aspect 34 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 28 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the compressible dome is configured to engage with a flexible sheet comprising a conductive material, the flexible sheet configured to engage an open electrical circuit to create a closed electrical circuit. 
     Aspect 35 is a listening device, comprising: an earpiece having an earpiece housing defining an aperture; a button assembly positionable in the aperture and comprising: a button housing having an upper and a lower portion and defining a channel having a central axis; a crown axially aligned with the central axis and configured to move into engagement with the upper portion of the button housing; a hub coupled with the crown and positioned in the channel and translatable along and rotatable about the central axis, the hub comprising one or more markings and configured to engage a compressible dome when the hub is translated toward an interior of the earpiece housing; and seals positioned between the hub and the button housing, a first seal positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the button housing and configured to form a watertight seal and a second seal positioned between the hub and the compressible dome and having a variable diameter to contact the hub and the button housing with only a portion of the seal. 
     Aspect 36 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 35 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a first damper positioned between the upper portion of the button housing and the crown and configured to dampen vibrations caused when the crown engages the button housing. 
     Aspect 37 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 36 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a second damper positioned between the hub and the lower portion of the button housing and is configured to engage with the lower portion of the button housing when the button assembly is in an un-pressed state. 
     Aspect 38 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 35 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein at least one of the seals comprises self-lubricating material. 
     Aspect 39 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 35 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the button assembly further comprises a sensor positioned within a portion of the button housing and configured to detect rotation of the hub about the central axis. 
     Aspect 40 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 39 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the hub comprises a plurality of grooves formed along a length, the grooves detectable by the sensor. 
     Aspect 41 is headphones, comprising: a headband assembly; and a first earpiece coupled to a first end of the headband assembly and a second earpiece coupled to a second end of the headband assembly, each of the first and second earpieces comprising an earpiece housing, an acoustic driver disposed within the earpiece housing and an earpiece cushion assembly coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity sized to accommodate an ear of a user, the earpiece cushion assembly comprising: an annular earpiece cushion; and a support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising cantilevered support members distributed along a periphery of the cavity and protruding into the cavity. 
     Aspect 42 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 41 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein each of the cantilevered support members has a curved geometry that follows a curvature of a portion of the annular earpiece cushion. 
     Aspect 43 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 41 further comprising a cushion frame wherein the support structure is integrally formed with the cushion frame and the cushion frame is coupled directly to the earpiece housing. 
     Aspect 44 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 43 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the support structure and the cushion frame cooperatively define an annular channel, the annular earpiece cushion being disposed within the annular channel. 
     Aspect 45 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 41 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the earpiece cushion assembly further comprises a protective cover that wraps around both the annular earpiece cushion and at least a portion of the support structure. 
     Aspect 46 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 45 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the protective cover comprises material selected from a group consisting of leather and textile material. 
     Aspect 47 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 41 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the earpiece cushion assembly further comprises a protective cover and wherein one or more of the cantilevered support members are embedded within the protective cover. 
     Aspect 48 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 41 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), further comprising webbing coupling adjacent cantilevered support members together. 
     Aspect 49 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 48 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein a stiffness of the webbing is lower than a stiffness of the cantilevered support members. 
     Aspect 50 is an earpiece suitable for use with over-ear headphones, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing; an earpiece cushion assembly coupled to the earpiece housing to cooperatively define a cavity sized to accommodate an ear of a user, the earpiece cushion assembly comprising an annular earpiece cushion and a support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising cantilevered support members distributed around the cavity and protruding into the cavity; and an acoustic driver. 
     Aspect 51 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 50 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the earpiece cushion assembly further comprises a protective cover and wherein one or more of the cantilevered support members are embedded within the protective cover. 
     Aspect 52 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 50 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein a first one of the cantilevered support members has a different size or shape than a second one of the cantilevered support members. 
     Aspect 53 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 50 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the annular earpiece cushion is formed from open cell foam. 
     Aspect 54 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 50 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein an interior-facing surface of the annular earpiece cushion and an adjacent interior surface of the earpiece housing operate to form an undercut. 
     Aspect 55 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 50 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein each of the cantilevered support members have the same size and shape. 
     Aspect 56 is the earpiece as recited in aspect(s) 50 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein each of the cantilevered support members curve toward the annular earpiece cushion. 
     Aspect 57 is headphones, comprising: a first earpiece and a second earpiece, each of the earpieces comprising an earpiece housing, an acoustic driver disposed within the earpiece housing, and an earpiece cushion assembly coupled to the earpiece housing, wherein each earpiece cushion assembly comprises: an annular earpiece cushion; and a support structure disposed between the annular earpiece cushion and the earpiece housing, the support structure comprising cantilevered support members distributed around and supporting the annular earpiece cushion; and a headband assembly mechanically coupling the first and second earpieces. 
     Aspect 58 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 57 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the annular earpiece cushion comprises a foam cushion disposed within a protective cover. 
     Aspect 59 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 57 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the annular earpiece cushion further comprises a cushion frame and wherein the cantilevered support members are integrally formed with the cushion frame. 
     Aspect 60 is the headphones as recited in aspect(s) 57 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the cantilevered support members are configured to independently reinforce select regions of the annular earpiece cushion. 
     Aspect 61 is an earpiece for a pair of headphones, the earpiece comprising: a conductive earpiece housing defining an interior volume having a central region and an outer region surrounding the central region, wherein the conductive earpiece housing includes a portion that defines a ground plane element for an antenna and has an elongated slot formed through the ground plane element; and a slot antenna disposed within the outer region of the interior volume and electrically coupled to the ground plane element, the slot antenna comprising a frame formed from a radio frequency transparent material and defining an enclosed interior cavity within the interior volume, wherein the frame includes a tongue having first and second opposing surfaces protruding away from the interior cavity and a distal end facing the elongated slot and extending between the first and second opposing surfaces, and wherein a distal end of the tongue allows radio frequency waves to enter the interior cavity through the elongated slot and a remainder of an exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal that prevents radio frequency waves from entering the interior cavity. 
     Aspect 62 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 61 wherein: the earpiece housing further includes an acoustic opening proximate the elongated slot; and the frame includes a first and second apertures formed through the one or more layers of metal plating and a channel extending through the interior cavity defined by the frame and having walls formed from the radio frequency transparent material, wherein the second aperture is aligned with the acoustic opening in the earpiece housing and the channel acoustically couples the first aperture to the second aperture providing a pressure relief vent through the earpiece housing. 
     Aspect 63 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 61 wherein the slot antenna defines an antenna pattern and the earpiece further comprises a passive component positioned within the antenna pattern and configured divide the slot antenna into two or more segments tuning the antenna to at least two different radio frequencies. 
     Aspect 64 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 61 wherein the outer region of the interior volume has a bulbous cross-sectional shape that extends 360 degrees around the central region. 
     Aspect 65 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 61 further comprising a sealant disposed within and filling the elongated slot and co-finished with the earpiece housing. 
     Aspect 66 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 61 wherein the one or more layers of metal comprises a layer of copper, a layer of gold, and a layer of nickel disposed between the layer of copper and the layer of gold. 
     Aspect 67 is an earpiece for a pair of headphones, the earpiece comprising: a conductive earpiece housing defining an interior volume having a central region and an outer bulbous region surrounding the central region, wherein the conductive earpiece housing includes a portion that defines a ground plane element for an antenna and has an elongated rectangular slot formed through the ground plane element; wireless circuitry disposed within the interior volume; audio processing circuitry disposed within the interior volume and operatively coupled to the wireless circuitry; a microphone disposed within the interior volume and operatively coupled to the audio processing circuitry; a speaker disposed within the central region of the interior volume and operatively coupled to the audio processing circuitry; a slot antenna disposed within the bulbous region of the interior volume and operatively coupled to the wireless circuitry, the slot antenna comprising a frame formed from a rigid radio frequency transparent material and defining an interior cavity within the interior volume, wherein the frame includes a tongue having first and second opposing surfaces protruding away from the interior cavity and a distal end facing the elongated rectangular slot and extending between the first and second opposing surfaces, and wherein a distal end of the tongue allows radio frequency waves to enter the interior cavity through the elongated slot and a remainder of an exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal that prevents radio frequency waves from entering the interior cavity; and a grounding connection between the slot antenna and the ground plane element of the conductive earpiece housing. 
     Aspect 68 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 67 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein: the earpiece housing further includes an acoustic opening proximate the elongated slot; and the earpiece further comprises an audio port component that includes an opening aligned with the acoustic opening and an acoustic channel that acoustically couples the acoustic opening with the interior volume. 
     Aspect 69 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 68 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the acoustic channel comprises a hollow fastener defining an opening in a support structure coupled with the speaker. 
     Aspect 70 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 67 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), further comprising: a first termination feature electrically coupled to the microphone; and a second termination feature electrically coupled to the audio processing circuitry. 
     Aspect 71 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 67 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the frame comprises a plurality of ribs projecting into the interior cavity and providing additional strength to the frame. 
     Aspect 72 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 67 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the earpiece further comprises a speaker cover comprising a plurality of audio openings, the speaker cover coupled with the earpiece housing and positioned over the central region of the earpiece housing. 
     Aspect 73 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 67 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the one or more layers of metal comprises a copper layer, a gold layer, and a nickel layer. 
     Aspect 74 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 73 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the copper layer is positioned on the exterior of the frame and is disposed between the copper layer and the gold layer. 
     Aspect 75 is an earpiece for a pair of headphones, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume having a central region and an outer region surrounding the central region, wherein the earpiece housing includes an elongated slot and an acoustic opening proximate the elongated slot formed through the earpiece housing; a slot antenna disposed within the outer region of the interior volume and comprising a frame formed from a radio frequency transparent material and defining an enclosed interior cavity within the interior volume, wherein the frame includes a support structure extending into the interior cavity and a tongue, the tongue having first and second opposing surfaces protruding away from the interior cavity and a distal end facing the elongated slot and extending between the first and second opposing surfaces, and wherein a distal end of the tongue allows radio frequency waves to enter the interior cavity through the elongated slot and a remainder of an exterior of the frame is plated with one or more layers of metal that prevents radio frequency waves from entering the interior cavity; and an acoustic pathway at least partially defined by an acoustic vent having an opening aligned with the acoustic opening, the acoustic pathway acoustically coupling the acoustic opening with the interior volume. 
     Aspect 76 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 75 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the frame includes a first and second apertures formed through the one or more layers of metal plating and the acoustic pathway extends through the interior cavity defined by the frame and comprises walls formed from the radio frequency transparent material, and wherein the acoustic vent comprises the second aperture and the acoustic pathway acoustically couples the first aperture to the second aperture providing a pressure relief vent through the earpiece housing. 
     Aspect 77 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 75 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the acoustic pathway comprises a hallow fastener that acoustically couples interior volume of the earpiece with the acoustic opening. 
     Aspect 78 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 75 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the slot antenna defines an antenna pattern and the earpiece comprises an antenna tuning component positioned within the antenna pattern and configured to divide the slot antenna into multiple segments tuning the slot antenna to at least two radio frequencies. 
     Aspect 79 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 75 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein a microphone is positioned between the slot antenna and the earpiece housing and aligned with a microphone aperture in the earpiece housing. 
     Aspect 80 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 75 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the elongated slot comprises a sealant disposed within the elongated slot and wherein the sealant is configured to prevent ingress of moisture into the elongated slot and allow passage of radio frequency waves. 
     Aspect 81 is an earpiece for a pair of headphones, the earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume, the earpiece housing having an interior sidewall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first aperture formed through the interior sidewall surface; an earpiece cover coupled to the earpiece housing and covering the central opening, the earpiece cover having a plurality of sound openings formed through a central region of the earpiece cover, an outer sidewall surface extending around the central region and aligned with and extending over the interior sidewall surface of the earpiece housing, and a second aperture formed through the outer sidewall surface and aligned with the first aperture; an annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing surrounding an ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover into the ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a carrier coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed over the first and second apertures, the carrier having a body formed between first and second opposing major surfaces, the first major surface facing the ear-receiving region and the second major surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the earpiece housing different than the first angle; an optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical receiver and coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier, the optical sensor aligned to emit radiation through the body of the carrier and through the first and second apertures into the ear-receiving region and receive reflected radiation back through the first and second apertures and through the body of the carrier. 
     Aspect 82 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 81 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical sensor has a field of view that is confined to an area within an inner periphery of the earpiece cushion. 
     Aspect 83 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 81 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical emitter is an infrared laser. 
     Aspect 84 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 81 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the carrier comprises material transparent to infrared radiation and the first major surface of the carrier comprises an infrared radiation absorbing material. 
     Aspect 85 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 81 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical sensor comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and an array of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPAD). 
     Aspect 86 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 85 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the earpiece further comprises a processor programmed to calculate time-of-flight distance information received from the VCSEL and the SPAD. 
     Aspect 87 is an earpiece, comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume, the earpiece housing having an interior sidewall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first aperture formed through the interior sidewall surface; an annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing surrounding an ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy into the ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a carrier coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed over the first aperture, the carrier having a body formed between first and second opposing major surfaces, the first major surface facing the ear-receiving region and the second major surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the earpiece housing different than the first angle; an optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical receiver and coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier, the optical sensor aligned to emit radiation through the body of the carrier and through the first aperture into the ear-receiving region and receive reflected radiation back through the first aperture and through the body of the carrier. 
     Aspect 88 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 87 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), further comprising an earpiece cover coupled to the earpiece housing and covering the central opening, the earpiece cover having a plurality of sound openings formed through a central region of the earpiece cover, an outer sidewall surface extending around the central region and aligned with and extending over the interior sidewall surface of the earpiece housing, and a second aperture formed through the outer sidewall surface and aligned with the first aperture, wherein the speaker is positioned to direct the acoustic energy through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover and the optical sensor is aligned to emit radiation through the first and second apertures and receive reflected radiation through the first and second apertures. 
     Aspect 89 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 87 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical sensor has a first field of view contained within an inner periphery of the ear-receiving region of the earpiece. 
     Aspect 90 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 89 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical sensor further comprises a beam steering device configured to direct the radiation to a plurality of individual fields of view contained within the first field of view. 
     Aspect 91 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 87 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical sensor comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and an array of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPAD). 
     Aspect 92 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 91 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the earpiece further comprises a processor programmed to calculate time-of-flight distance information received from the VCSEL and the SPAD. 
     Aspect 93 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 87 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the carrier comprises material transparent to infrared radiation and the first major surface of the carrier comprises an infrared radiation absorbing material. 
     Aspect 94 is an earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing defining an interior volume, the earpiece housing having an interior sidewall surface extending around a central opening of the earpiece housing at a first angle and a first aperture formed through the interior sidewall surface; an annular earpiece cushion coupled to the earpiece housing surrounding an ear-receiving region of the earpiece; a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy into the ear-receiving region of the earpiece; an optical sensor coupled to the interior sidewall surface of the earpiece housing, the optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical receiver and aligned to emit radiation through first aperture into the ear-receiving region and receive reflected radiation back through the first aperture. 
     Aspect 95 is the earpiece as set forth in aspect(s) 94 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), further comprising a carrier coupled to the earpiece housing and disposed over the first aperture, the carrier having a body formed between first and second opposing major surfaces, the first major surface facing the ear-receiving region and the second major surface including a mounting portion disposed at a second angle relative to the earpiece housing different than the first angle, wherein the optical sensor is coupled to the mounting portion of the carrier and aligned to emit and receive reflected radiation through the body of the carrier. 
     Aspect 96 is the earpiece as set forth in aspect(s) 95 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), further comprising an earpiece cover coupled to the earpiece housing and covering the central opening, the earpiece cover having a plurality of sound openings formed through a central region of the earpiece cover, an outer sidewall surface extending around the central region and aligned with and extending over the interior sidewall surface of the earpiece housing, and a second aperture formed through the outer sidewall surface and aligned with the first aperture, wherein the speaker is positioned to direct the acoustic energy through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover and the optical sensor is aligned to emit radiation through the first and second apertures and receive reflected radiation through the first and second apertures. 
     Aspect 97 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 95 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the carrier comprises material transparent to infrared radiation and the first major surface of the carrier comprises an infrared radiation absorbing material. 
     Aspect 98 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 94 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical sensor has a field of view that is confined to an area within an inner periphery of the earpiece cushion. 
     Aspect 99 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 94 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical emitter is an infrared laser. 
     Aspect 100 is the earpiece set forth in aspect(s) 94 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the optical sensor comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and an array of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPAD). 
     Aspect 101 is a headphone earpiece assembly comprising: a housing defining an interior volume; an earpiece cover disposed in the interior volume and comprising a first magnet and a metal shunt, the metal shunt positioned between the earpiece cover and the first magnet; and an earpiece cushion assembly removably coupled to the housing and comprising an annular earpiece cushion coupled to a frame and a magnetic element disposed between the earpiece cushion and the frame, the magnetic element magnetically coupled with the first magnet when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to direct magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing. 
     Aspect 102 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 101 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the magnet comprises an array of magnets with alternating pole orientations. 
     Aspect 103 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 101 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the metal shunt is configured to direct flux away from electronic components positioned in the interior volume of the housing. 
     Aspect 104 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 101 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the magnetic element comprises a metal plate or a magnet. 
     Aspect 105 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 101 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the cover and the frame each comprise an annular surface surrounding a central portion. 
     Aspect 106 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 105 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the magnet and the metal shunt are disposed on the annular surface of the cover and the magnetic element is disposed on the annular surface of the frame. 
     Aspect 107 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 105 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein a plurality of magnets are arranged in a pattern on the annular shelf of the cover and a plurality of magnetic elements are arranged in the pattern on the annular surface of the cover. 
     Aspect 108 is an earpiece, comprising: a housing defining an interior volume; an earpiece cover coupled with the housing and comprising a central portion disposed in the interior volume, an annular shelf surrounding the central portion, a sidewall extending around the central opening of the earpiece cover between the central portion and the annular shelf, and a first magnet and a metal shunt positioned on the annular shelf, the metal shunt positioned between the earpiece cover and the first magnet; a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy through the central portion of the earpiece cover; and an earpiece cushion assembly removably coupled to the earpiece cover and comprising a frame having a central portion, an annular surface surrounding the central portion of the frame, a sidewall extending around the central portion of the frame between the central portion and the annular surface, an earpiece cushion coupled with the annular surface of the frame, and a magnetic element disposed on the annular surface between the earpiece cushion and the frame, the magnetic element magnetically coupled with the first magnet when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to direct magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing. 
     Aspect 109 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in 108 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein a plurality of sound openings are formed through the central portion of the earpiece cover and the speaker is positioned to direct acoustic energy through the plurality of sound openings in the earpiece cover. 
     Aspect 110 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 108 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the earpiece cover sidewall defines a first aperture and the frame sidewall defines a second aperture. 
     Aspect 111 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 110 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the first and second apertures are aligned when the earpiece cover is coupled with the earpiece cushion assembly. 
     Aspect 112 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 108 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein a plurality of magnets are arranged in a pattern on the annular shelf of the cover and a plurality of magnetic elements are arranged in the pattern on the annular surface of the cover. 
     Aspect 113 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 108 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the magnetic shunt is configured to direct flux away from the speaker in the interior volume. 
     Aspect 114 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 108 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the magnet comprises an array of magnets arranged in a pattern. 
     Aspect 115 is an earpiece, comprising: a housing defining an interior volume; an earpiece cover coupled with the housing and comprising a central portion disposed in the interior volume, an annular shelf surrounding the central portion, a sidewall extending around the central opening of the earpiece cover between the central portion and the annular shelf, and a first magnet positioned on the annular shelf. 
     Aspect 115 is an earpiece cushion assembly removably coupled to the earpiece cover and comprising a frame having a central portion, an annular surface surrounding the central portion of the frame, a sidewall extending around the central portion of the frame between the central portion and the annular surface, an earpiece cushion coupled with the annular surface of the frame, and a magnetic element disposed on the annular surface between the earpiece cushion and the frame, the magnetic element magnetically coupled with the first magnet when the earpiece cushion assembly is coupled to the housing, wherein the first magnet is configured to direct magnetic flux through the magnetic element to secure the earpiece cushion assembly to the housing. 
     Aspect 116 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 115 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), further comprising a speaker disposed within the interior volume and positioned to direct acoustic energy through the central portion of the earpiece cover. 
     Aspect 117 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 116 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), further comprising a metal shunt positioned on the annular shelf between the earpiece cover and the first magnet. 
     Aspect 118 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 117 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the metal shunt is configured to direct flux away from electronic components positioned in the interior volume of the housing. 
     Aspect 119 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 115 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein the magnet comprises an array of magnets with alternating pole orientations. 
     Aspect 120 is the headphone earpiece assembly set forth in aspect(s) 115 (or of any other preceding or subsequent aspects individually or in combination), wherein a plurality of magnets are arranged in a pattern on the annular shelf of the cover and a plurality of magnetic elements are arranged in the pattern on the annular surface of the cover.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220823
Publication Date: 20230822
Grant Date: 20230822
Priority Date: 20200916
Inventors: HATFIELD, DUSTIN A.
MINERBI, MICHAEL B.
WHANG, EUGENE ANTONY
SHAFFER, BENJAMIN A.
SIAHAAN, EDWARD
BLOOM, DANIEL R.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/105", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1066", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1075", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/0335", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1091", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/0335", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1066", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1066", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/0335", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/105", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1075", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 80628081