Radio head: Consumers customise their own earphones

Japan – The look of portable music can now be as personal as the sounds that are played.

Audio equipment manufacturer Fostex is enabling customers to design their own headphones online. Kotori headphones can be customised by colour, and the size and shape of each casing component can be selected to meet the tastes of the user.

Seven pre-set themes are available, such as Pop, Sweet, Cool and Vivid, to help customers get a design variation that is tuned to their tastes. Within each theme are 15 colour variations, including bright yellow, green and purple. Each part of the headphone can then be modified.

And for those less imaginative, a shuffle option will find a random variation of colours and style.

This customisation in products is part of a wider growth in democratic branding as explored in Brandtocracies.