Headphones without ear pads: hygienic and comfortable

Many museums think that headphones without ear pads must be less comfortable. In practice, the opposite is true. The Orpheo Airset has no foam and no ear cups, and that is exactly why it is so popular. Visitors wear it for longer and enjoy it more. In addition, your team spends far less time on cleaning. In this article, you will read why these headphones win on two fronts: hygiene and comfort.

Why ear pads often let you down

Ear pads feel soft, but they have one big drawback. Foam and faux leather soak up sweat, skin flakes, make-up and hairspray. Moreover, you can never get foam fully clean, because moisture and disinfectant sink into it. That is why many venues use throwaway covers. However, they cost money, create waste and add daily work at the front desk.

Besides, a closed ear cup gets warm. After half an hour, many visitors have hot, sticky ears. The cup also presses on the ear, which people with glasses or a hearing aid notice most. A closed headset also cuts visitors off from each other. As a result, they talk less, while talking is just what makes a visit special.

The Orpheo Airset: headphones without ear pads

The Orpheo Airset takes a different approach. These open headphones never touch the ear, neither on the outside nor in the ear canal. Instead, a small speaker sends the sound straight to the ear. So the visitor hears every word, while people nearby are not disturbed. The French firm Orpheo has built visitor systems since 1992 and designed the Airset for museums.

Hygiene: why headphones without ear pads stay cleaner

The Airset is made entirely of smooth plastic. There is no foam inside and no fabric at all. Therefore, you can fully disinfect it after each visit with a simple wipe. It only takes a moment, and then it is ready for the next guest. You no longer need throwaway covers, so you save on costs and on waste.

Visitors notice the difference too. More and more people care about hygiene, especially since the pandemic. Headphones without ear pads feel fresh right away, because nothing is left behind from the last user. Furthermore, the Airset does not touch the ear, so there is no skin contact with the ear itself. That builds trust from the moment you hand it out.

Comfort: light, open and free of pressure

The biggest myth is that comfort comes from soft cushions. On the Airset, the contact point sits above the ear, close to the temple. The ear itself stays free, so there is no pressure and no heat. At just 95 grams, it is also very light. Consequently, visitors forget they are wearing it, even on a long tour. In short, a headset without ear pads is simply more comfortable.

The open design adds even more comfort. Visitors still hear the world around them. So they can chat, point something out to a child or ask a guard a question. Also, the Airset works well with a hearing aid, since nothing closes over the ear. For children, a small add-on makes the headband fit a smaller head. Inside, a little icon shows how to put it on. That way, everyone wears it the right way at once.

Practical and durable for your team

Behind the scenes, the Airset is just as handy. The jack cable clicks off, so storing the headphones is easy. Meanwhile, the curved plug stops the cable from coming loose during a visit. Does a cable break anyway? Then you swap it in ten seconds. Every part can be repaired or replaced, and the Airset comes from France. You also get a one-year warranty.

The Airset fits any device with a 3.5 mm socket. That is why it is the natural partner of our Orpheo Mikro audio guides. It also works well with a tour guide system or a smartphone. Still in doubt? Then read Which headphones suit your attraction best?

Why museums switch to headphones without ear pads

In short, the Airset combines three things that rarely go together: clean, comfortable and easy to look after. That is why more and more museums choose headphones without ear pads. Visitors feel at ease and keep listening for longer. At the same time, your staff spend less time on cleaning and replacing. So every tour gives more, both to the visitor and to you.

Order the Orpheo Airset

Ready to switch? You can order the Orpheo Airset in sets of ten, for €469 excl. VAT. That is less than €47 per headset. See all the specifications on the product page, or get in touch for advice on your venue.