Would you buy headphones with a built-in screen?

Designer Olga Orel's new headphone concept, called Futureahead, adds a whole new dimension to these popular audio devices. The design idea combines the influences of retro technology with the modern tendency to integrate screens into practically any device. The result is a headset that would do well in the world of Cyberpunk 2077.

The concept images of the product show that the screen almost completely covers the outside of the headphones. 

The question that arises for practically everyone who came across this unusual idea is in which scenarios the screens on the headphones will be useful. The designer obviously has an answer to this question as well. According to her, the Futureahead headphones could be used to share the music experience through album artwork, display a playlist, track information, display music visualizations, and the like. At least for now, there are not exactly convincing reasons for use, but let us be surprised. 

If you're riding public transport, you've probably noticed that some people like to share the music they're listening to. The Futureahead headphone concept takes music listening to an even higher level with diverse visual elements. However, putting such power-hungry components into headphones of dubious benefit to other people means you'll need to charge them more often - unless you're using them in a lighter mode, in which case you'll be ;rpali energy from the phone or player.

Olga Orel shares some more technical information about the design of Futureahead. The headphones are expected to work in both wired (USB-C) and wireless Bluetooth connection modes. It is also known that the ear pads are magnetically attached, which allows easy replacement according to the user's wishes or maintenance needs.

The design also includes intuitive physical controls, such as a volume rocker and screen on/off button. In addition to the physical controls, users will do most of the configuration of the Futureahead headphones via the app – specifically to select and adjust what is shown on the screen.

The concept is very niche, but there may be a target audience willing to test whether this unusual concept has real-world value.