Ricoh is known for its office hardware solutions and the intricate timepieces it made for three decades. They crafted their own movements, including the R31 automatic, and there was a time they were considered right among the top watchmakers from Japan. The likes of Seiko, Citizen, and Orient, to be precise. Even though they have gone out of production, dupe models and old Ricoh watches, like quartz models, can be seen online.
Although we might not see any new Ricoh watches on the official production lines, venturing into a new product line is always an option. The consumer technology market is all buzzing with audio accessories, primarily headphones and earbuds. So, how about owning a pair of Ricoh headphones?
Designer: Aleksandr Shepelev
Sony, Sennheiser, Bose, Beyerdynamic, Apple, and Bower & Wilkins have been the market leaders in the audio market when it comes to headphones that combine design, immersive sound, and value-added features like ANC or AI-assisted functionality. For Ricoh to enter this highly competitive market, design is going to be the key factor. This headphone concept by Aleksandr reimagines Space Age Headphones inspired by the 1970s retro themes. Contrary to the current design language of headphones, which sticks to the contemporary look, the Ricoh headphones go for a bolder design and look.
The designer has created three variants of these on-ear headphones: one having a muted-down look, another with a vintage feel, and the third with a more peppy look. We are going to focus more on the rustic one that has a dirt texture on the headband and cushions. This one is inspired by the original Ricoh Space Age Headphones, having a pretty similar look and feel. Although no specifications have been mentioned by the designer, we presume them to have the latest codecs and respectable drivers to deliver good audio quality. ANC should also be there since on-ear headphones lack a bit in passive sound isolation compared to over-the-ear cans.
The ergonomic shape and the weight distribution of these headphones should make them ideal for long sessions. The other two options come with stainless steel accents and textile ear cushions, respectively. We would love to see such headphones on the market, given their refreshing yet vintage design.
The post Ricoh Space Age Headphones impress with a vintage rustic design first appeared on Yanko Design.