Even if you like wearing headphones, there’s a high probability that the headband part—the thing that sort of makes them headphones in the first place—is probably not your favorite aspect. To help increase your tolerance of the dreaded headband, wireless headphone makers have tried various ways to keep the footprint (or, uh, headprint) low. Apple, for example, makes its AirPods Max headband out of a breathable mesh material that lowers the weight and the strain on your head.
For some, that approach clearly isn’t far enough, though, which is why Japan-based audio company Final made a pair of wireless headphones with a headband that’s so thin it almost ceases to exist. The Porta, as you can see, have a paper clip-like headband that Final calls an “AirWire” structure. The result is a pair of wireless headphones that weigh in at just 40g. For context, the aforementioned AirPods Max 2 weigh 386g. I’m not saying the Porta are anywhere near the AirPods Max 2 in terms of sound quality, but if heaviness is a major concern for you, it’s worth recognizing.
Outside of the weight, the Porta are also pretty unique in their retro look. I’m a big fan of the orange ear pads that give a Sony Walkman vibe, and I like the fact that they’re wireless, despite looking like a more traditional wired pair of headphones. Final says you’ll get up to eight hours of battery life with the Porta, which is better than many average pairs of wireless earbuds out there, though those come with active noise cancellation (ANC), something you will not get here.
They do support AAC and SBC for high-res streaming if that’s your jam, and they charge with USB-C, thank god. Ultimately, these wireless headphones are more about the lightness and the vibes than anything else.
Right now, the Porta only has a Japanese release date, which is slated for Oct. 23, but Final sells most of its audio gear internationally via its Amazon page, so I would keep an eye out for these wireless headphones to find their way there if you don’t live in Japan. The debut price is 12,800 yen, which is around $80 USD.
