Android Audio
AC Contributor, vinyl collector, and hobbyist drummer Brady Snyder dives into the world of headphones, earbuds, audio system, streaming, and all the pieces in between in Android Audio.
The very best headphones and earbuds normally include a strong quantity of equipment, from further ear tip sizes to instances and chargers. Likelihood is, you may finally want extra equipment or alternative elements in your Android audio gear eventually. The excellent news is that when you’ve got entry to a 3D printer, you may make all the pieces you want at residence.
Initially, I did not assume to make use of my 3D printer for my headphones and earbuds. I printed a number of wall mounts for storage, and that was about it. Then, the headscarf on my AirPods Max wore out, and it might be round $300 to get it mounted from Apple. I clearly did not try this, and as an alternative discovered an affordable repair utilizing my Bambu Lab A1 printer that price merely 22 grams of filament.
That despatched me down a rabbit gap — what different issues might I print for my large assortment of wi-fi headphones and earbuds? I discovered equipment for the Google Pixel Buds Professional 2, OnePlus Buds Professional 3, Beats Solo Buds, and extra on Bambu Lab’s free MakerWorld database.
After a number of hours of printing, I had a handful of really helpful companions for my audio gear, and you may make them too.
Android Bot case for Google Pixel Buds Professional 2
By far, the good accent I 3D printed was an Android Bot case for the Google Pixel Buds Professional 2. Not everybody makes use of instances on their earbuds’ included charging case, however it may well assist add further safety in opposition to drops and scuffs. You’d be shocked how a lot an earbud case can get roughed up sharing a pocket or bag along with your keys. So, this 3D printed protecting case had my consideration.
What’s extra is that this Pixel Buds Professional 2 case is designed to resemble the Android Bot mascot. It has the eyes, the well-known Bot head, and the arms. Truthfully, this practice case is a must have accent for Android followers. It provides a little bit of safety and a novel look that you simply gained’t discover on many different Pixel Buds Professional 2 instances on the market.
It seems to be merely superior, with the “mouth” opening as much as reveal the earbuds when the case is open. There are cutouts for the standing gentle, USB-C port, and speaker. I printed this in inexperienced translucent PETG filament, however versatile TPU would work higher for this sort of factor. I simply could not resist making a inexperienced Android Bot to match the Mint colorway of my Pixel Buds Professional 2.
H/T – @spasbilyarski on MakerWorld
Carabiner loop case for OnePlus Buds Professional 3
Subsequent up, my OnePlus Buds Professional 3 wanted a makeover. I discovered this minimal TPU case with a lanyard/carabiner loop. This print file affords the right mixture of utility and design. It basically offers you a small mounting gap that you should utilize to clip the Buds Professional 3 case onto your waist, a lanyard, or a bag.
I really like this idea, because it ought to assist be certain your earbuds are all the time close by if you want them. The TPU strip most likely will not present a lot drop safety, because it solely covers a fraction of the charging case physique. Nonetheless, if you don’t need a cumbersome case, it is a neat technique to connect your OnePlus Buds Professional 3 securely to one thing else. In my testing, the TPU supplies grips the charging case properly.
H/T – @im.jackharvest on MakerWorld
Substitute ear ideas for Beats Solo Buds
I am certain we have all misplaced an ear tip at one level or one other — I do know I’ve. As a substitute of painstakingly looking for the precise alternative in your mannequin at a web-based retailer, you’ll be able to print replacements at residence in minutes. These ear ideas for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Professional are a fast print and match properly on quite a lot of stem-based earbuds. I attempted them with the Beats Solo Buds, and so they labored nice.
I will not lie and say these are essentially the most snug ear ideas on the planet, however they’re definitely satisfactory. Utilizing the softest TPU you’ll find, these slide proper onto your earbuds and match solidly within the ear.
H/T – @newstream on MakerWorld
Wrap case for KZ ZSN Professional X
Wired earbuds are clutch, even in 2025. They’re simply tough to maintain tidy. Wrap instances clear up that drawback, as they offer you a technique to neatly wrap your wired earbuds securely in place. The KZ ZSN Professional X are my wired earbuds of selection, and somebody made a customized wrap case for this mannequin. After printing, this instantly turned a part of my on a regular basis carry.
You probably have a special pair of wired earbuds, there are numerous renditions of the basic wrap case on the net that you’ll find for any pair.
H/T – @B_Cinematic on MakerWorld
Earbuds are notoriously soiled, with mud, earwax, hair, and sweat getting in them over time. Cleansing them might be difficult, and lots of corporations wish to promote you specialised instruments only for this objective. As a substitute of shopping for them, you may make instruments at residence with a 3D printer. This earbud cleansing software solely makes use of one gram of filament and takes eight minutes to print.
It is important for cleansing out the nooks and crannies of your earbuds and their charging case. Since its time and filament prices are so little, you’ll be able to simply toss this software and print one other if it will get too soiled or worn down.
H/T – @fifindr on MakerWorld
Why you would possibly wish to 3D print audio equipment
3D printing comes with quite a few advantages for creating audio-related equipment. For starters, it is typically cheaper to make one thing in your headphones or earbuds at residence.
Then, it is value contemplating that it may be faster to make your individual accent than await one to reach within the mail. Should you lose or break an ear tip, you’ll be able to instantly print a alternative so your earbuds are nonetheless wearable when you await an official resolution.
Making one thing at residence additionally offers you the prospect to customise it to your liking. I used the default settings for these publicly out there print designs, however you’ll be able to create your individual or remix an current file. It allows you to make the accent you need even when it would not exist anyplace else.
If you do not have a 3D printer at residence, verify your native colleges and libraries. They may have group 3D printers that anybody can use, and if not, there are on-line print outlets that may make what you want for reasonable.
