The aeroplane seat’s headrest is equipped with headphones

• Standard aeroplane headphones with their tangled cords and multi-pronged jack connections seem more and more antiquated.
• Wireless headphones become more commonplace.
• Some in-flight entertainment systems on aeroplanes now allow you to connect your own headphones.

Standard aeroplane headphones with their tangled cords and multi-pronged jack connections seem more and more antiquated as wireless headphones become more commonplace.

Some in-flight entertainment systems on aeroplanes now allow you to connect your own headphones. However, can your batteries last the duration of a long journey, and are you ready to take the chance of losing your pricey earbud in the seat mechanism, never to be seen again?

Enter Euphony, a brand-new seat design for aircraft created by French interior aviation designer Safran Seats in partnership with music technology company Devialet.

Personal headsets are unnecessary with Euphony. Instead, custom-tuned speakers are placed in the headrests of each seat so that passengers can enjoy their preferred in-flight entertainment without being overheard or bothered by their neighbor.

Read more: F-16 combat aeroplane deliveries are expected to begin in 2024

In order to test out what might be the upcoming in-flight entertainment system, CNN Travel had the opportunity to visit the Euphony “experience room” at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, where Safran debuted the concept this month.

The AIX prototype initially has the same appearance as a typical business class aeroplane seat. Only modest aesthetic modifications have been made to the headrest design by Safran.

But as soon as the in-flight entertainment is turned on, the difference is obvious. The pre-recorded sounds of an aeroplane engine that are already resonating throughout the experience room begin to blare out of the headrest.

The loud trailer for the most recent Marvel film, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” is playing on the television. Through the headrest, ambient music is audible.

Read more: Airbus announces profit & plans to build new aeroplane assembly line in Alabama

It takes me a little while to position the headrest so that it is as close to your ears as possible for the best sound quality.

However, the personal speakers appear to function nicely if they are set up properly. My attention is drawn to what I’m seeing and hearing, and the whirling of the model airplane’s engine is reduced to background noise.

The cocoon-like feeling of noise-canceling headphones is not replicated by Euphony, but it is a pleasant setup that is more like watching a movie on your couch. If you were travelling with someone else and wanted to talk and connect while watching a movie together, that would be ideal.

Getting the highest sound quality at the least weight was a problem. In order to lessen their carbon impact and prevent additional expenditures, airlines always strive to eliminate unneeded extra weight.

Euphony is now only available in business and first class because the finished product still adds an additional kilogram to any pre-existing seat.

Read more: How To Connect Your Headphones To Your TV

Because it weights too much, it might not be acceptable at this time given the economy, according to Wills.

The team believes they could improve the idea in the future for less expensive cabins.