Daisy Sound Enters the Premium Headphone Market
California-based startup Daisy Sound, led by CEO and founder Jack Mulroe, is launching its first product, the Daisy One headphones, at $399. Mulroe believes the premium headphone market has become stale, dominated by brands like Beats. The Daisy One aims to offer a fresh California-inspired alternative to industry leaders such as Apple’s AirPods Max and Sony’s WH-1000XM5, which typically retail for $450 to $550. Mulroe stated, “I just saw a pattern of there being kind of a dead space, honestly, in the headphone market, where the most recent culturally relevant brand was Beats. It just felt kind of stale.” The company bills itself as a team of industrial designers from outside the audio industry.
Design and Build: California-Inspired Aluminum
Materials and Durability
The Daisy One headphones feature a chiseled-aluminum construction with composite TR90 headstraps, a material common in headphone manufacturing. They weigh 318 grams (nearly three-quarters of a pound), slightly heavier than some competitors. The ear pads attach magnetically for easy removal. Mulroe emphasizes durability, saying, “You can just yeet it,” while stretching the headband. The design is intended to evoke California chic, with most designers based in the state.
Color Options and Connectivity
Three color options are available: silver, a blue shade called Pacific, and a greenish-brown called Kelp. The headphones support Bluetooth, USB-C, and 3.5-mm auxiliary wired connections, ensuring versatility.
Audio Experience and Battery Life
Sound Engineering and Software
The sound system is developed by an unnamed Utah-based company contracted by Daisy. The headphones include stored ambient soundscapes recorded in California, such as ocean waves and forest ambiance from Big Sur, along with a guided breathwork exercise to help users relax in stressful environments like airports. Early reviews have praised the build but criticized the transparency mode, which Mulroe acknowledges: “Transparency, it’s tough because we are up against Apple and Sony, who have great [intellectual property], great designers, great engineers, so they did it. I tweaked out on transparency for months, like every single element of this product. It’s as good as I could make it in the time we had.” He promises software upgrades to improve this feature.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is approximately 35 hours with noise cancellation enabled and 45 hours with it off. However, the battery is not user-replaceable, a limitation the company says it is addressing in future models.
Competition and Value
The Daisy One enters a crowded market ranging from budget-friendly Anker Soundcore options to flashy Nothing headphones and premium models from Sony and Apple. Despite the competitive landscape and current memory shortages affecting electronics, Mulroe remains confident: “Pick ours up next to Sony and Bose and tell me who you like more because I’m that confident in build quality. I think we’re here to stay, honestly.” The $399 price point undercuts major rivals while offering a distinctive aesthetic and robust build.