Have These Aussie Guys Just Invented The Best Headphones Ever?

24 June 2016 | 2:44 pm | Staff Writer

The machines are taking over.

There’s an information and audio overload when it comes to the best ways of consuming music, but two Melbourne-based inventors are in the process of developing what might become your favourite headphones.

Nura headphones are the innovative project from Luke Campbell and Kyle Slater, who claim the new in-ear and over-ear product will “automatically tune to your unique hearing profile in 30 seconds”.

With prototypes developed and manufacturing partners confirmed, Nura is currently smashing its Kickstarter goal, raising $815,999 after setting it at $100,000 and there's 20 days left.

“Nura is a new headphone that integrates unique soundwave technology to automatically measure your hearing (from the outer ear all the way to the brain) and adapt music perfectly to you,” the Kickstarter campaign says.

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“In order for headphones to deliver the right sound, they must be matched to the listener. Nura even recognizes you when you put them on.”

So, how does it work? We interpret sound through vibrations on our eardrums. Those vibrations travel through the cochlea, which converts them to electrical signals the brain can decipher. That’s pretty common knowledge, but what might surprise you is the fact that faint signals are sent back out the ear, which is what Nura are using to their advantage. There’s a microphone in each earbud that uses those signals to adapt the sound it’s delivering.

Here’s an explanation from Nura:

At this stage, the Kickstarter has pledgers receiving their headphones in April 2017, noting the retail price will be $399.