Stories | Enduring Legacy

ZINKEN

—THE LEGENDARY DJ HEADPHONES

Launched a decade ago, Zinken quickly established itself as the go-to headphone for superstar DJs and music fans the world over. After a short break the classic, robust design is back and better than ever.

Born out of a passion for music

Urbanears was founded in 2009 on one principle: to create things we like for people we love. Engineered in Stockholm, our philosophy has always combined what director Emelie Runnquist describes as ‘minimalistic form with extraordinary, playful functionality’.

Co-founder Oscar Axhede was and still is deeply immersed in club culture, and couldn’t resist the opportunity to create something unique for the community. Having launched the game-changing Plattan headphones, the team applied the same approach to a DJ-specific product. Adding a microphone and a cord remote, collapsible functionality and a palette of ever-changing colourways with a pared-back look moved basic headphone design on from a product which hadn't changed in 30+ years.

The rise of your favourite DJs’ go-to headphones

In 2013 Zinken headphones were launched with a modest event in Kreuzberg, Berlin alongside some local legends. We talked, ate, drank and made the most of our new product at the party. From 2015-17 Zinken partnered with Amsterdam Dance Event, producing exclusive ADE edition headphones as well as hosting everything from record stores to taxi services. In the meantime Zinken quickly became a favourite with some of the biggest names in music, seen in the hands of DJs and musicians alike including Questlove, Axwell & Ingrosso, Alesso, Giorgio Moroder and Diplo.

“ZINKEN HAVE BEEN MY GO TO

HEADPHONES FOR YEARS...”

/Sven väth

StIll LIFE IMAGERY

from 2013–2016

An enduring legacy

Demand never died when Zinken was retired back in 2017, so we continued to stock spare parts to keep loyal DJs happy. In 2022 work began on a relaunch, improving design details and using recycled plastics wherever possible. We even dug up the original moulds instead of creating something new in order to use less of our planets resources and keep emissions down. The relaunched headphones feature new drivers and tuning, a redesigned, more durable TurnCable™ and a rubber coating alternative which is more hardwearing and eco sustainable. Also back: Zinken’s seasonal colourways, showcasing the relaunched headphones in a fresh new palette.

Cueing up a re-introduction

To celebrate Zinken’s 2023 relaunch, Urbanears has partnered with global music platform NTS to profile DJs Marcel Dettmann, Moxie and Fauzia. The campaign explores their inspirations and creative processes, recognising that their Zinken headphones aren’t just a tool for music creation – they’re an outlet for self expression on their musical journey.

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