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I did something stupid today..

garyjsmith

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20431207_1424036454376341_5660041460416633312_n.jpg


..I took apart Bose QuietComfort2 noise cancelling headphones.

The pleather headband was flaking apart on my head and neck anytime I used them. Today, I disassembled the cushion and covered it with Sunbrella Icon Pop outdoor material. Should be good for another 10+ years.

I see a need that could be fulfilled. The previous material only lasts about 2 years with daily use and the alternative is to bring them back to Bose and exchange them for another pair, only receiving a $100 credit (on a $300 pair).

Anyway, that was my project for the day. Feels good to produce and bring value, even if the value you bring is to fill your own need.
 
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Iammelissamoore

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That act, as simple and "stupid" as it may seem is how excellent productocracies are birthed. We may think - "Oh my gosh - Bose, who can top that?" Generally, building a productocracy isn't necessarily about topping another company/brand - as in competing with them - sometimes it's simply about making something that's existing and already great greater.

Lol, kudos on your discovery.
 
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MJ DeMarco

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How is this stupid? You exercised creativity and saved yourself some bucks.

Anyway, that was my project for the day. Feels good to produce and bring value, even if the value you bring is to fill your own need.

You created passion! Passion followed your effort!
 

Waspy

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Interesting design choice...
 

Scot

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When I see something like this and the words productocracy I think of a tag line like..

"Headphones so comfortable you'll forget you're wearing them"

Sure headphones are both a commodity and fashion accessory, but why not focus on people who wear headphones all day or for extended periods.. could be a market worth exploring...
 
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Chinobey

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Don't know why this is stupid at all you saw a problem and fixed it, but i don't really think you found something that would appeal to the market of people who wear headphones for a long duration as there are a lot of these on the market already but hell what do i know.
 

Imgal

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The previous material only lasts about 2 years with daily use and the alternative is to bring them back to Bose and exchange them for another pair, only receiving a $100 credit (on a $300 pair)

I knew someone who made a fair profit by buying old Bose products on Ebay then sending them back to Bose to get the credit. Made a huge amount from it, but dried up after a while. You start to look a little odd when you're returning you 400th Bose item!

Loving your work though. Customised headphones covers - you could make a fortune!
 

AFMKelvin

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One side is by machine and the other is by hand (ladder stitch, like used in closing a pillow).
I asked because I'm just beginning to learn how to sew and design. Did you have any prior sewing experience before you tried this?
 
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ThirtyOne

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One of my favorite quotes (because it actually has application, not like those cheeseball motivational posters): "It ain't stupid if it works."
 

ramonorencio

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Nice!
I have the same problem with my Audio-technica M50's.
Replaced the ear pads, but couldn't find a headband replacement.
 

Greg R

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Rep + for being creative

Rep - for calling it stupid!

Where did you learn how to sew by the way???
 
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million$$$smile

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I think this has a great application.
There are an inordinate amount of outdoor 'contractors' that would use this item. I would suggest checking into local landscapers/lawn maintenance/heavy machinery businesses that run large mowers/chainsaw/arborists as an example. Many utilize isolation headphones similar to those headphones for the noise cancelling abilities and/or for music etc. If you could create a GENERIC headphone wrap that could be utilized on various headphones
Radio headphones that cancel mower nosie?
I think you would have a good market. In fact, if you come up with something, and could wholesale it to me, let me know. I could sell it in my B&M if the price was right..
Generic is the key. It would have to be able to be utilized in several different brands.
I think you have a product that is needed. If you do not source this, someone else will...

I can give you an example of something similar that sell quite well. PM me if you'd like.
 

JasonR

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I have nearly $1000 in my portable audio gear - it's ridiculous, and that's just for two pairs of headphones and a dragonfly DAC.

My biggest annoyance is with wearing headphones out. I have a $300 pair of Bose that I know will break one day, and an even more expensive pair of cans where I fear the leather ear cups will wear out but the headphones themselves will function fine (Oppo PM-3s).

I also wore out the ear cups on my last ATH-M50s.
 

garyjsmith

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Rep + for being creative

Rep - for calling it stupid!

Where did you learn how to sew by the way???

Thank you for the rep! I learned to sew last year when I had built an upholstery business...and then my upholsterer never showed up to work, all while I had a client who had placed an order for about 37 replacement outdoor cushions (hence the Sunbrella fabric on my headphones) and paid a lot for the job. The customer also kinda tossed in that they needed them in two weeks.
 
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Greg R

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Thank you for the rep! I learned to sew last year when I had built an upholstery business...and then my upholsterer never showed up to work, all while I had a client who had placed an order for about 37 replacement outdoor cushions (hence the Sunbrella fabric on my headphones) and paid a lot for the job. The customer also kinda tossed in that they needed them in two weeks.

The color looks kind of Reggae or Jamaican. The options would be endless for headphone covers!
 

ZF Lee

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On a separate note, those with Iphones may have noticed that the end of the charging cable tends to tear. While it might have to do with crap China manufacturing, the mainstream solution has been to patch up the tear with tape as opposed to purchasing a new and expensive charger.

But I have found tape to be shit material...it will wear off and looks shoddy as F*ck. I'm considering a solution in the form of a rubber covering that you can slide over the tear to protect the exposed wiring.

Could be Fastlaned, but on market demand, the mainstream masses might prefer the shoddier tape method or to buy a cheaper China charger duplicate....
 

ZF Lee

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Wouldn't that be Heat-Shrink Tubing? Slide it over, heat, and your good to go.
I am uncomfortable about heating, though.
I am afraid of applying too much heat that it damages something vital. Most people aren't handy with heat-based DIY.
I myself did a similar thing...but that was in soldering electronics. Living skills class. Boy, my circuits were grotesque. I burnt through the soldering iron too much into the components legs, that when I pulled the switch, the currents couldn't reach them.

At least I learnt something. These days kids just do paperwork on DIYs and no hands on work.

An alternative sealing method could be the seal for airtight packaging. Although it is made of flimsy plastic, airtight package seals are pretty solid. For some reasons I have a fascination with them. If the concept can be alternated, it could be recreated with more hardier plastic or some other synthetics.
 
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Aaron T

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What a wonderful new business idea now. There has got to be a market for reconditioning or customizing old Bose or really any higher end headphones that people spent way to much money on.

Think about it. You spent $350 on decent headphones and they are aging, but still good. It isn't worth buying a new pair. Why not get them reconditioned at www.customizeyourbose.com (insert whatever cheesy effective name you want) for $60. Good as new and better too.

Of course the labor side of this might just be another job, but it is still an idea worth toying around with. Might be worth doing.
 

garyjsmith

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the charging cable tends to tear..

The same thing happens with my Samsung charger cables. A reason why this [and the iPhone] cable repair would be worth pursuing is that there are many crappy knockoffs which don't work as well as the original. A convenient solution would be better than searching through your favorite online store to see which is real and which is a knockoff. That and if you could pick it up at your local grocery, it'd be quicker than ordering online.
 

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