tune x3 brings back tactile dials and switches

Préssec imagines a return to the tactile controls of traditional audio equipment with its Tune X3 headphones . The concept places a series of knurled dials and switches directly onto the earcups, including a dedicated control marked for bass and treble. Volume and active noise cancellation receive their own physical controls as well. These adjustments, often handled through a companion app, become part of the brushed aluminum headphones themselves and allow listeners to reach up and change the sound by feel.

The bass and treble adjustment is perhaps the most interesting detail. Borrowing from the familiar controls of stereo receivers and mixing consoles, the design brings the experience of tuning audio directly to the listener’s ears. Each dial has a ridged edge that suggests a satisfying resistance beneath the fingertips, while the different shapes help distinguish one function from another.…