Every CES, or consumer electronics show, is packed with ambitious ideas that promise to change everything, but most of them just kind of fade away before even scratching the surface of their claims. Every now and then, though, a product comes along that brings back that thrill and curiosity.
Breggz has rolled out the Zohn-1, a set of custom-fit earphones that truly caught my eye. It’s described as a perfect mix of modern design, top-notch materials, and thorough hand assembly, setting pretty high expectations. The brand claims to offer amazing audio fidelity combined with a customized experience—a feat that not many hearables have pulled off.
Designer: Xander + Breggz
The Importance of Custom Fit: Personalized Comfort and Performance
Getting a custom fit doesn’t just mean comfort or stability—it can really change audio performance. When the Zohn-1 is specifically shaped to your ear’s unique contours, it eliminates acoustic leaks, which results in better bass response and clearer sound clarity.
Balanced armature drivers are carefully placed close to the eardrum, increasing immersion with a direct sound path. This design adds richness to the audio and allows for lower volume levels to create the same perceived loudness, which cuts down on ear strain over time. By combining all these aspects, custom fitting becomes essential for quality sound and ear health in the long run.
The ear-scanning technology used in the Zohn-1 ensures precise positioning of the balanced armature drivers, a crucial aspect for top-notch audio quality. When I spoke to Breggz’s founder, Xander, he revealed they included a hearing test into the app. This test detects missing frequencies in the user’s hearing, especially in the high and low ranges, and adjusts the sound accordingly. This thoughtful touch guarantees a richer, more balanced listening experience, making the Zohn-1 genuinely personalized for everyone.
The scanning method sends data to specialized companies, which transforms the visual data into 3D-printable files. These files create a custom shell that’s perfectly shaped to the user’s ear contours. This accurate fit adds to comfort and significantly boosts audio isolation and performance, providing a unique listening experience tailored for each individual.
Revolutionary Product Concept: Modular Approach Featuring the “Pebble”
The product design revolves around the innovative mix of custom ear shells and a small, replaceable module called the pebble. This module enables modularity and substantially elevates user experience by hosting crucial electronics in a compact, easily replaceable unit.
The pebble is key because it makes it easy to upgrade or fix components, all while maintaining a seamless fit with the custom ear shells. Plus, its design allows for personalization, offering various materials and finishes to boost its attractiveness as a stylish accessory.
Beyond looks, the pebble houses most of the electronics and clicks securely into the customized shells. This thoughtful approach results in an ergonomic piece that sits snugly and comfortably in the ear without causing much pressure. By taking this route, Breggz manages to produce a universal core while still giving a custom fit for each individual user.
Comparing to My Current Setup: JH Audio 16
Currently, I’m using the JH Audio 16, which many consider to be one of the best for audiophiles. Its sound quality is remarkable, boasting detailed highs, well-balanced mids, and an impressive bass range that is tough for other products to match. But the Bluetooth ear module that goes with the JH Audio 16 is lacking.
The module is pretty bulky and awkward, leading to discomfort during extended use. It feels like an afterthought, lacking in aesthetic appeal and a sense of cohesiveness. Additionally, its steep price point takes away from the overall value, no matter how stellar the JH Audio 16 sounds.
The Zohn-1 is set to solve these issues through its integrated design and modern features. Breggz aims to offer a more cohesive and user-friendly experience without sacrificing audio quality, thanks to its modular approach with the pebble and a focus on comfort and aesthetics.
Battery Life and Charging Features
Breggz has put together the Zohn-1 with a commendable battery life of eight hours, making it suitable for a whole day of listenings. This is further enhanced by a stylish charging case that serves both practicality and as a piece of functional artistry. The case peaks the total playtime to 40 hours before it needs juicing up, perfect for long flights or weekend trips.
The charging case is a centerpiece for the Zohn-1 experience. It’s designed with a gull-wing door system—a nod to high-end automotive design—balancing aesthetics with functionality, thus boosting its appeal as a premium accessory. Apart from its good looks, the case can recharge the Zohn-1 five times, reducing the need for constant access to a power socket. This is especially nice for those who find themselves often on the move.
Additionally, the Zohn-1 features a rapid charge function, allowing the battery to fill up to 50% in just five to ten minutes. This quick recharge lessens the worry of forgetting to charge overnight, ensuring the earphones are ready to go with very little downtime. Overall, these features highlight both convenience and thoughtful design, making the Zohn-1 a reliable fit for any lifestyle.
Unboxing and Accessories
Unboxing the Zohn-1 is an experience that showcases both personalization and visual appeal. At the core of the package are the custom-shaped earphones, designed to seamlessly connect to the balanced armature drivers. These earphones are crafted to uniquely fit each individual, reinforcing the tailored approach Breggz has taken with this product.
Interestingly, the package includes five silicone ear tips. This could be seen as unusual for a custom-fit device, but they are provided to further refine the fit for users needing minor adjustments. These tips help seal any little gaps or add extra comfort, ensuring that everyone finds a snug and optimal fit right from the start.
The charging case stands out, featuring a gull-wing door system that merges stylish design with functionality. This case supports both USB-C and induction charging, offering up to 40 hours of additional playtime. Its careful design complements the premium positioning of the Zohn-1.
To wrap up the unboxing experience, Breggz adds a proprietary cleaning kit and a leather carrying case. These accessories highlight the brand’s commitment to quality and functionality, giving users a chic and protective way to maintain and carry their earphones.
Sustainability and Materials
The sustainability angle is a crucial part of Breggz’s ethos, even if it lurks behind the flashier features. By using an on-demand 3D printing process to create the earpieces, the company avoids wasting materials on unsold stock. Breggz also mentions that glue-free assembly simplifies recycling and that both the shell and pebble designs can be taken apart for future upgrades. This approach aims to cut down on electronic waste typically seen from disposing of entire devices every year. With extended battery life and the ability to fix or replace smaller components, these efforts reinforce their commitment. They are suggesting that luxury and eco-consciousness can coexist, and if they pull this off, they could really set themselves apart.
The materials used in this design reflect a premium direction, leaning towards sustainability and luxury. Breggz has shared that the Zohn-1 meets CE and FCC safety and performance standards. The shell is printed on demand, and there’s a possibility for those wanting to go all out with metals like gold. The pebble gets a leather wrap that can be swapped for different textures or colors, turning practical electronics into something that can kind of show off personal style.
Anticipating the Breggz Zohn-1 Experience
In my talk with Breggz founder, Xander, he emphasized the unique blend of advanced personalization, modular design, and sustainability that lies at the core of this product. The custom ear-scanning process—which cuts out the need for audiologists—and the 3D-printed shells shaped specifically for each user are only the beginning. Features like the replaceable “pebble,” high-quality balanced armature drivers, and environmentally friendly materials show the thoughtful design behind the Zohn-1.
I am really looking forward to trying out the Zohn-1 and see if it lives up to all the hype. By keeping an eye on easy assembly, upgradeable electronics, and 3D-printed customization, Breggz has already set itself apart from the sea of wireless earbuds at CES. If this product can deliver on its promises, it might just change what consumers come to expect from personalized audio technology.