Bose Open Earbuds

Bose wanted to be first-to-market with a new open-ear audio product with an innovative form factor. The question was: how would people respond to such a bold earbud design? 
 

Specifically, what color, material, and finish combinations should Bose produce at launch that could sway customers on the fence about such a unique design? 

We also wanted people to perceive this product as an accessory they could wear all day long, so determining what color, material, and finish combinations resonated with a variety of genders and skin tones was also important. 

Of course, when trying to gauge if customers will actually wear a product, you have to have them try it on!  So we brought participants from a mix of genders and skin tones to the lab to try on wearable prototypes of the open earbud. 

They tried on prototypes with several combinations of colors, materials, and finishes on different parts of the bud and were asked for their feedback and to rank their favorites. 

We also did some activities with participants that let us explore possible future color, material, and finish variations.  

The insights had direct impacts on which colors, materials, and finishes Bose went for their initial launch in February 2024. 

In the months that followed, even more color, material, and finish variations were launched, inspired by feedback from our participants. 

The earbuds have garnered positive reviews for their bold style, and Bose has had several celebrity partnerships to market the buds. 

 

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