What is Graphene?
Graphene is a new material, first isolated in 2004. The researchers won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for their work. Graphene is a single atomic layer of carbon that forms a hexagonal crystal lattice. The hexagonal shape creates a honeycomb structure which makes Graphene extremely strong and lightweight. Graphene has been dubbed “the wonder material” for its potential to improve batteries, computers, space shuttles, medical devices, and even to desalinate water.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
If Graphene is so great, why isn’t used in more stuff?
Graphene is a very exciting material with a lot of potential. Billions of dollars have been committed world-wide for ongoing Graphene research. However, applying Graphene to consumer electronics and other products is not a simple task. Pure Graphene is very expensive and difficult to deposit into large areas. ORA’s patented technology allows inexpensive Graphene flakes to be bonded together to form a material that maintains many of the mechanical benefits of this wonder material while avoiding the costs involved in depositing areas of Graphene larger than a few micro-meters.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
How is ORA’s technology different from other audio products that claim to use Graphene?
ORA is the first company to patent a method to apply Graphene to dynamic loudspeakers. ORA’s GrapheneQ is the ONLY consumer-ready technology that uses Graphene to significantly improve loudspeaker performance in an objective and quantifiable way.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
What is the difference between Graphene and GrapheneQ™?
GrapheneQ is ORA’s patented loudspeaker membrane material. It has been acoustically optimized by ORA’s chemists and materials scientists for use in the cones of loudspeaker drivers.
Rather than trying to form one, large, continuous layer of Graphene, ORA has developed GrapheneQ, where flakes of Graphene Oxide are stacked together into a laminate material. GrapheneQ maintains the benefits of Graphene while allowing the material to be formed into loudspeaker cones.
GrapheneQ is over 95% Graphene by weight bonded together with proprietary cross-linking agents. The cross-linkers (the other 5% of the material) are oxygen and other elements that can be used to fine-tune the mechanical characteristics of the material.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
What is the benefit of Graphene for headphones?
• Sound quality improvement with lower distortion and superior frequency response • Improved efficiency providing up-to a 70% increase in battery life over standard wireless headphones • Louder speakers that can be made smaller with better performance. • Excellent imaging and improved localization cues for more immersive audio experiences • Better power handling reducing the risk of damage over time.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
How long does the battery last?
Our prototype provides 22 hours of playback time. Our team continues to engineer the production version of the ORA GQ Headphones and are confident we will have 26+ hours of playback time on a single charge. We are avoiding giving an exact number until we know for sure but it will be one of the longest battery life of any wireless headphones on the market!
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
Can I use these headphones wired? (Without Bluetooth and without needing the battery to be charged)?
Of course! We included a 3.5 mm headphone jack so you can always enjoy the best possible audio experience.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
Can it connect to my phone wirelessly via Bluetooth?
Yes! ORA integrates Bluetooth connectivity for wireless high-resolution listening and for taking phone calls. Cut the cord and experience audio without wires getting in the way.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
Do the ORA headphones have a built in microphone?
Yes they do. The built-in microphone means you never have to take your phone out of your pocket to take a call.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
How much do the ORA GQ Headphones cost?
Retail price is $499USD, but ORA is offering HUGE discounts (up to 60% off) through Kickstarter!
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
Will ORA be offering a warranty on the headphones?
ORA will offer a warranty on the headphones as well as the LiPo battery. The specifics of this warranty have not been finalized yet but we will announce the details before the end of the Kickstarter campaign.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
Will ORA use Bluetooth 4.2 or Bluetooth 5.0?
If we reach our $600K CAD stretch goal, ORA will provide the latest version of Bluetooth that is available on an aptX HD capable chipset, which also supports our full list of features. We will notify our backers as soon as we select and test the device to ensure optimal performance, stability, and sound quality. We are actively working on evaluating all currently available solutions.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
Can ORA re-order its stretch goals?
The stretch goals and their price-points were carefully considered based on order quantities and price-breaks for components. It is not as simple as just swapping the order of the goals. While aptX HD is relatively simple to implement, different colors require specific minimum order quantities to be viable. Implementing active noise cancellation requires additional engineering and testing cycles as well as a re-design of some of the fundamental components in the headphones.
Last updated: June 30, 2017 12:58
Do you offer a warranty?
ORA’s warranty covers the Lithium Polymer Battery as well as parts and labor for any manufacturing defects. You will have 30 days from the receipt of your ORA headphones to report any issues and ORA will repair or replace the unit.
Last updated: July 13, 2017 10:10
What is BackerKit?
BackerKit is a service that crowdfunded project creators use to keep track of hundreds to tens of thousands of backers—from shipping details, pledge levels, preferences and quantities, whether they have paid or had their card declined, special notes, and everything in between!
The BackerKit software and support team is independent from the campaign’s project team—BackerKit does not handle the actual reward shipping. For more information about the preparation or delivery status of your rewards, please check the project's updates page.
How does BackerKit work?
After the campaign ends, the project creator will send you an email with a unique link to your survey. You can check out a walkthrough of the process here.
I never received my invitation. How do I complete the survey?
The most common reasons for not receiving a survey email is that you may be checking an email inbox different from the email address you used to sign up with Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account, or it may be caught in your spam filter.
Confirm that the email address you are searching matches the email address tied to your Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Tilt Pro account. If that doesn’t work, then try checking your spam, junk or promotions folders. You can also search for "backerkit” in your inbox.
To resend the survey to yourself, visit the project page and input the email address associated with your Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account.
How do I update my shipping address?
BackerKit allows you to update your shipping address until the shipping addresses are locked by the project creator. To update your address, go back to your BackerKit survey by inputting your email here.
When will my order be shipped, charged or locked?
That is handled directly by the project creator. BackerKit functions independently of the project itself, so we do not have control of their physical shipping timeline. If you want to check on the project’s status, we recommend reading over the project's updates page.
I completed the survey, but haven't received my rewards yet. When will they arrive?
As BackerKit does not actually handle any rewards or shipping, the best way to stay updated on the shipping timeline would be to check out the project's updates page.