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V-MODA opens up the market for 3D Printed, custom-designed headphones
Not too long ago, V-MODA gave us a more modern take on how headphones should be customized. V-MODA gave us pretty much the first step into ultimate user control over how our headphones can look from materials to designs. V-MODA gives us customization on the user level with 3D printing.
Now, 3D printing isn’t revolutionary by any means. It’s very much a prototyping tool and isn’t meant as a means for mass-production. 3D printing is getting better, though. With cheaper filament-based 3D-printers on the rise and more advanced resin-based 3D printers, 3D printing in general has gathered quite a bit of attention in the past few years. V-MODA’s announcement defiantly contributes to that attention.
Well, it’s not all customizable. It seem like at the moment, V-MODA offers shield customization starting with customization base color and shield material. Additionally, designs can be uploaded or chosen from V-MODA’s collection. Seeing that the designs are 3D printing, the shields are already compatible with a variety of V-MODA’s existing headphones. Additionally, materials include fiber, stainless steel, and even precious metals, like sterling silver, 14k gold, 14k rose gold, 14k white gold, and platinum. With that being said, good 3D printing comes at a cost and that cost ranges from $200 all the way up to $40,000 on their website. Obviously, the average V-MODA customer probably wouldn’t spend more than $400 or $500 on shields made of stainless steel or fiber, but the $40,000 option is there for those who really want decked-out headphones.
Quite honestly, the $40,000 is really not overkill. Quite honestly, to have the power to make a piece of metal any shape you want is pretty amazing. I personally don’t see the value in $40,000 shields, but someone will and they’ll look awesome. V-MODA clearly has the right idea for a future where the user has the power to make their creative vision a reality with 3D printing, but at a cost. If history has taught us anything, this will only get better, cheaper, and more customizable.