tune X3 headphones by préssec take design cues from vintage
Préssec reveals the tune X3 headphone concept featuring brushed aluminum housings, physical knurled dials for bass and treble, and orange textile cushions.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Préssec designs the tune X3 concept headphones inspired by vintage studio equipment
- Features physical knurled dials for bass, treble, volume, and active noise cancellation
- Combines brushed aluminum housings with vivid orange textile padding
- Part of a fictional product family alongside the CINE X3 camera using Vizcom software
Préssec has introduced the tune X3 headphone concept, imagining a return to the tactile controls of traditional audio gear. The design places a series of knurled dials and physical switches directly onto the earcups, allowing listeners to reach up and adjust their music by feel rather than relying on a companion smartphone app.
The dedicated bass and treble adjustments serve as a standout detail, borrowing inspiration from the familiar controls found on mixing consoles and stereo receivers. Each dial features a ridged edge designed to offer satisfying resistance beneath the fingertips, while distinct shapes help users identify each function without looking.
Aesthetically, the headphones mirror the look of old-school studio hardware. The housings are constructed from brushed aluminum, contrasted by vivid orange textile padding across the ear cushions and headband. Préssec Design leaves the construction details fully visible, highlighting small fasteners along the metal body and cylindrical fittings connecting the earcups to the headband.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"a dedicated tone wheel allows listeners to imagine adjusting bass and treble directly from the earcup"
Préssec Design
In addition to the tone wheels, separate physical controls for volume and active noise cancellation are seamlessly integrated into the earcup layout. The interplay between soft orange fabric and hard metallic surfaces gives the substantial earcups a lighter, more playful profile while retaining the precision of professional studio equipment.
The resurgence of physical knobs and tactile controls in modern concept design highlights a growing desire for tangible interactions over menu-heavy digital interfaces. While the tune X3 remains a conceptual project without finalized acoustic specifications, weight metrics, or production timelines, it successfully proposes a more immediate and emotionally engaging relationship between listener and hardware.
The headphones belong to a fictional product family created by Préssec, sharing a unified visual language with the CINE X3 camera concept. The studio utilized Vizcom during the design process to explore how an established set of visual references could inform multiple devices within the same imagined collection.
Source: designboom
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