3D Printing

These Custom 3D Printed Headphones Could Set You Back $200 to $40,000

Are you Paris Hilton? Then, these custom, precious metal headphones may be perfect for your gigs deejaying the hottest clubs around the world. From Milan-based V-MODA, the Crossfade M-100 Headphones can be customized and 3D printed in a variety of metal options, including such raw metals as stainless steel all the way to precious metals like platinum.  Beware, Paris! You’ll have to shell out somewhere between $200 to $40k, depending on how much meaning you feel like purchasing.

3D printed custom headphones from v-moda

V-MODA, whose headphones have been recognized by DJs as uniquely good looking and capable of producing great sound, has been customizing headphones for some time through the use of laser-engraved shields.  With today’s announced Forg3D system, these shields can be purchased with completely customized textures and from a wide array of materials.  Customers pick a base color, a shield material, a design, and a monogram or, if they’re feeling risky (manic?), they can upload their own design, a beta feature currently being tested by V-MODA.

v-moda 3D printed headphone shields

The headphones themselves start at $270, while the custom shields vary in price and perceived quality, depending on the material.  From least to most expensive, they are as follows:

  • 3D printed headphone shields for v-modaFiber, which I believe is laser-sintered nylon, comes in nine different matte colors ($50 shields)
  • Stainless steel, in matte black, stainless steel, polished gold, polished bronze, and matte bronze finishes ($400 shields)
  • Raw and gold plated metals, in raw brass, raw bronze, 14k rose gold plated, 14k gold plated, and rhodium plated finishes ($600 – $800)
  • Precious metals, in sterling silver, 14k gold, 14k rose gold, 14k white gold, and platinum ($900 to $27K, this price gets kicked up to $40k when patterns are added)

As the headphones are pretty highly rated, the headphones themselves may be a sound investment. The shields, on the other hand, are purely for show. If you’re not Paris Hilton, though, and the idea of conspicuous consumption makes you want to vomit your face off, then these headphones may not be for you.