Most people don’t identify Dyson with headphones, but the engineering business is ready with the second generation of its audio product, which might be described as a little toned-down version of the original. The Dyson OnTrac continues the design language of the Dyson Zone (review), but it is lighter on the head and pocket and focuses solely on audio.
I referred to the OnTrac as a toned-down version, but it is far from quiet by conventional headphone standards. Everything about these headphones is huge, including the headband and ear cups, but in a nice manner. The headband includes a soft cushion on top, making it pleasant to wear for long periods.
Meanwhile, the ear cups protect your ears and keep you cool even when you wear them for lengthy periods. The metal shell and cushions of the ear cups may be adjusted to suit your taste. The power button is located on the left ear cut and may also be used to pair. On the right is a toggle button that allows you to play, stop, modify volume, and skip tracks with ease. On both sides, some microphones help in noise cancellation, which is engaged with a forceful double tap on either of the cups. The cups’ metallic surface is big, but they do not support any additional gestures.
Let me start with noise cancellation. To begin, when you tap on the cups to turn them on, you hear a twangy suction noise that sucks in the sound and leaves you in a near vacuum. However, the noise cancellation does not transport you into a near-negative space, which is nearly strange. Although OnTrac’s noise cancellation is quite excellent, you may hear things in the background, such as the hum of the fan or the clickety-clack of my wife clicking away on her MacBook, if you are not listening to music. Using the Dyson app, you may disable noise suppression fully or switch to transparency mode.
The OnTrac is the type of earphone that provides different layers for the violin and cello, allowing you to experience the spirit of both instruments. When you listen to Shankar Mahadevan’s Paani, you’ll notice that it may also increase the bass without using the equalizer’s bass boost option. The chorus and Mahadevan’s vocals are easily audible, even when the percussions occasionally strain the bass envelope.
The call quality is also excellent, albeit the headphones appear to switch to transparency mode when answering a call. But that is apparent from both sides. The OnTrac is also ideal for absorbing material. While watching Napoleon on Apple TV, I could hear the rain on the carriage and the horse’s feet.
However, this is not an audiophile headset, and I missed the level of tweaking that an audio professional might have brought to a device like this, especially considering the high price point. The extra you pay here is for the comfort, style, and bragging rights that come with wearing a Dyson. The sonic signature might have been more identifiable, and Dyson could have benefited greatly from the assistance of an expert in this sector. Furthermore, just equalization presets is insufficient for such a high-end gadget; full customization is required.