# Outer Ear Headphones Fanny Wang's 'Wang Buds' Are Practical By Jordy E | Published 2012-08-03 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fanny-wang-wang-buds References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5930255/put-a-wang-in-your-ear-hole) & [fannywang](http://www.fannywang.com/) Fanny Wang's 'Wang Buds' provide an alternative to typical music gear. The headphone specialist has pioneered a collection of sets that rest just outside of one's ear, effectively turning the earbud production industry on its head. There are several factors at play when taking in the Wang Buds. On the one hand an [extra-ear device](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jbl-openear) does limit sound quality, and this can present a problem for those who love to blast songs. They do however tackle a practical issue on the other hand. Many have expressed discomfort with [inner ear designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nothing-ear-open-earbud) as they can put pressure on tissue or fall out easily. These [soft-gel silicone pieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baseus-bowie-mc1-openear-earbuds) provide an interesting solution, and an aesthetically pleasing one at that. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Outer Ear Headphones:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Rethinking traditional earbud designs by providing a practical and comfortable alternative with outer ear headphones. - **Extra-ear Devices:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring the use of extra-ear devices to address the discomfort and instability associated with inner ear headphone designs. - **Soft-gel Silicone Pieces:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing aesthetically pleasing soft-gel silicone pieces as a solution to the pressure and falling out issues of traditional headphones. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Headphone Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embracing the development of outer ear headphones to revolutionize the headphone manufacturing industry. - **Technology Accessories:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Expanding the market of extra-ear devices to offer practical and comfortable alternatives in the technology accessories industry. - **Materials Innovation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Investing in research and development of advanced soft-gel silicone materials for improved comfort and stability in various industries, including headphone manufacturing. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Earring Earbud Concept Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zhang-yunxib.md) - [Contoured Ear-Hugging Headphone Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earbugs.md) - [Open-Ear Affordable Ear Buds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pearlclip.md) - [Scenic Awareness Audiophile Earbuds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maxell-ows-pro.md) - [Affordable Sports Earbuds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allway-oe10.md) - [Fashionable Clip-On Earbuds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bose-ultra-open-earbuds.md) - [Industrial Open-Ear Headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nothing-ear-open.md) - [Airy Bass-Boosted Earbuds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundpeats-pearlclip-pro.md) - [Industrial Earbud Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teenage-engineering-bd1.md)