Daisy One Headphones Review: Design-First Audio Falls Short on Sound

Daisy, a California-based company founded by former Harman Professional Solutions engineers, has released its first pair of headphones, the Daisy One, priced at $349. The headphones feature a design-focused approach with aluminum and TR90 polymer construction, tactile controls including a scored metal volume dial, and a magnetic carrying case. They offer 45 hours of battery life, a 3.5mm aux port, USB-C audio, and support for 24-bit digital audio. Daisy has signed an agreement with Sony to add LDAC support via a future over-the-air update. The headphones come in three colors: Silver, Pacific (blue), and Kelp (greenish brown). CEO Jack Mulroe stated that the motivation was a lack of differentiation in the headphone market, which he believes has been stale since Beats by Dre. The review notes that while the hardware feels premium and comfortable, the sound quality is lacking, particularly in noise canceling and transparency modes, which distort audio in certain environments. The companion app offers limited sound options, and the default Daisy EQ with dynamic bass sounds muddier than competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM4. The price was reduced from $399 to $349 at launch. The review concludes that despite the attractive design, the audio performance does not justify the cost, especially when top-tier models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 are often available at similar prices during sales.