Urbanears
Scandinavian collective making headphones and accessories since 2009.
Urbanears is a Scandinavian collective that makes headphones and related accessories. It was founded in 2009 by Norra Norr and Zound Industries, now known as the Marshall Group, with the aim of creating headphones and audio gear.
The Zinken, a headphone model launched in July 2012, targets both professional DJs and hobbyists and is designed for different settings. It includes a reversible TurnCable with rugged Kevlar inside, a coiled section for extra movement, and both a 6.3mm plug for mixers and a 3.5mm plug for mobile devices. Reviews note strong bass and treble but find the midrange somewhat lacking. The headphones are praised for their looks, sturdy build, excellent sound isolation, low sound leakage, and comfort over long periods, though they can distort at very high volumes, similar to other headphones in their class. They are no longer in production.
The Plattan, a classic headphone model, came out in 2009. It receives positive comments for decent sound quality at its price point, though highs are somewhat weak, and for its appearance and build quality. Some users find it uncomfortable after a few hours of use.
The Plattan ADV, released on 18 November 2014, is an upgraded version of the original Plattan. It features a washable headband, an interchangeable cable, and an improved hinge that adjusts to the listener’s ears for a soft, comfortable fit.
The Slussen, an adapter released on 1 February 2013, works with the Slussen iOS app for mobile DJing. It acts as a splitter, letting two separate audio streams pass through a single headphone jack. It has been criticized for subpar scratching and output distortion at peak volumes, similar to many similar products. Concerns also exist about the durability of its key ring holder, but it is generally praised for ease of use, portability, and good looks.
The Plattan 2, released on 14 December 2016, comes with a fabric cord, a built-in microphone and remote, and a two-way audio input.
Quick Facts
- Industry
- Consumer electronics
- Founder
- Norra Norr · Zound Industries
- Hq Location City
- Stockholm
- Hq Location Country
- Sweden
- Area Served
- Worldwide
- Parent
- Marshall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Urbanears was founded in 2009 by Norra Norr and Zound Industries, which later became Marshall Group. The collective's first product was the Plattan, a pair of classical headphones released in 2009. The Plattan received positive remarks regarding generally good sound quality for the price, with somewhat subpar highs, good-looking design, and good build quality, though some users found them uncomfortable after a few hours of usage.
In July 2012, Urbanears released the Zinken, a pair of headphones aimed at professional DJs and amateurs alike, designed to work in various environments. The Zinken featured a TurnCable with rugged Kevlar inside, a coiled section for freedom of movement, and both 6.3mm and 3.5mm plugs. Reviews noted good bass and treble, while the middle of the spectrum was critiqued as possibly lacking. The headphones were praised for looking good, sturdy build, great sound isolation, low sound leakage, and comfort during long usage, though sound could become distorted at very high volumes. The Zinken is now discontinued.
On 18 November 2014, the Plattan ADV was released as an upgraded version of the Plattan, featuring a washable headband, interchangeable cable, and an improved hinge for a soft and comfortable fit. The Slussen adapter, released on 1 February 2013, was designed for use with the Slussen iOS app for mobile DJing, functioning as a splitter for two separate output streams through a single headphone jack. The Plattan 2, released on 14 December 2016, included a fabric cord, built-in mic/remote, and a two-way audio input.
Reader's Guide
Urbanears occupies a distinct place in the headphone market as a Scandinavian collective that entered the audio space with a focus on design and accessibility. The Plattan, their first product from 2009, established the brand's approach: good sound quality for the price, attractive aesthetics, and solid build, though comfort over extended periods was a noted limitation. The Zinken, released in 2012, targeted the DJ segment with a rugged reversible cable and dual plug options, receiving praise for isolation and low leakage while acknowledging distortion at high volumes—a common trait in its range. The Plattan ADV (2014) addressed earlier comfort concerns with a washable headband and improved hinge, while the Slussen adapter (2013) ventured into mobile DJ accessories, though it faced critique for subpar scratching and output distortion at peak volumes, alongside durability concerns about its key ring holder. The Plattan 2 (2016) added a fabric cord and built-in mic/remote. Urbanears' legacy is one of a design-conscious collective that produced a range of headphones and accessories, with the Zinken now discontinued, reflecting a product cycle that balanced style, functionality, and the practical trade-offs of consumer audio gear.
Did You Know?
- The Zinken headphones included a TurnCable with rugged Kevlar inside and a coiled section for freedom of movement.
- The Plattan ADV featured a washable headband and an interchangeable cable.
- The Slussen adapter was released on 1 February 2013 for use with the Slussen iOS app for mobile DJing.
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