Hermès, the French maison long synonymous with craftsmanship, has taken its first solo step into the audio world. Building on past collaborations with Apple and Bang & Olufsen, the brand now unveils its own high-fidelity headphones under the Ateliers Horizons label. Priced at an astonishing $15,000, these headphones are not about mass appeal – they’re about mastery, heritage, and exclusivity.
The design is unmistakably Hermès. Inspired by the iconic Kelly bag, each pair is sheathed in saddle-stitched leather with a supple cream lining and accented by polished metal frames. Available in limited quantities and five handpicked colors – including Rouge H and Prussian Blue – these are less headphones, more wearable sculpture. Nearly 50 artisans in France spent over two years crafting them. According to Axel de Beaufort, the creative force behind Ateliers Horizons, the goal wasn’t scale but perfection: “The idea is to have the few that we will do made perfectly.”
While traditional audio brands race to push specs – adaptive ANC, AI-driven sound personalization, app control – Hermès moves in the opposite direction. No software gimmicks. No flashy features. Just solid physical controls, Bluetooth and wired connectivity, and an emphasis on authenticity – both in materials and sound.
The headphones reportedly house planar magnetic drivers, a favorite among audiophiles for their clarity. But Hermès isn’t selling specs. It’s selling a philosophy: the notion that listening can be as tactile, intimate, and timeless as wearing a well-made jacket or holding a hand-stitched bag. Even Apple’s AirPods Max, with all their polish, feel industrial next to this kind of craftsmanship.
In a world driven by upgradability and constant iteration, Hermès is making a statement: some things aren’t meant to be replaced. The Ateliers Horizons headphones aren’t trying to compete with Bose or Sony. They’re not built for plane rides or gym sessions. They’re for collectors. For connoisseurs. For those who want their audio to come wrapped in art. Also be sure to check Lamborghini & Technics Limited-Edition Supercar-Themed Turntable.
