The Consumer Electronics Show has a long tradition of serving as a launch platform for many unconventional devices, and its latest iteration is no exception to that rule, with one of the most unusual products unveiled this week in Las Vegas being the YEVO x Humanium Metal. On the surface, the offering from Stockholm, Sweden-based YEVO is just another pair of earbuds, albeit of the ultra-premium variety. However, that very surface has been manufactured using metal obtained from the destruction and reprocessing of illegal firearms, whereas a significant portion of the proceeds generated from the sales of the earphones will be donated to humanitarian programs aimed at combating the effects of armed violence around the world.
While being made of processed weapons is as unique as selling points can get in the consumer electronics space, the shiny exterior and noble purpose of the YEVO x Humanium Metal aren’t meant to compensate for a lack of quality in other aspects. The newly announced gadget is basically a revision of the original YEVO 1 earbuds but made of different materials and with a new silver finish. As far as audio performance is concerned, the sound crispness offered by the YEVO x Humanium Metal is on par with any other high-end offering in the wireless headphone segment. Bass could be slightly deeper but generally speaking, this is a device that sounds as good as it looks.
The effective range of the earphones is also worth mentioning as it amounts to 30 feet or just over 9 meters, making the YEVO x Humanium Metal suitable for a broad range of scenarios. Compatibility with both Android and iOS devices is part of the package, as is a charging case with a 600mAh capacity that will allow up to five recharge cycles without having to be refueled itself. In practice, the only objective shortcoming of the device is its battery life, as up to four hours of music playback on a single charge isn’t bad but is also below what one would expect from a high-end gadget. On a much brighter side, the earphones are extremely comfortable to use and the design of their case manages to be both elegant and practical, in addition to setting the product apart from other offerings in the segment.
Ultimately, the YEVO x Humanium Metal likely isn’t worth its $500 price tag from the pure value perspective but about half of that seems fair. Coincidentally, that’s exactly what you’ll pay to YEVO should you opt to purchase this limited-edition pair of earphones, whereas the other $250 will be donated to IM Swedish Development Partner, the firm running programs for supporting victims of armed violence across the globe whose initiatives include the manufacturing of Humanium Metal itself. If you’re the type of person whose purchase decision amounts to more than just getting the maximum value out of every cent and you also want to support companies due to their ideologies and general practices, the humanitarian message behind the new YEVO-made gadget could easily appeal to you, making this a purchase you’re rather unlikely to regret.
