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Yes—you can build Ploopy’s open-source headphones, either by assembling a kit or by making the electronics yourself. The design combines 3D-printed headphone parts with a Raspberry Pi Pico-powered DAC, amplifier and EQ board. Ploopy publishes the design files and build documentation, but a from-scratch build also means sourcing and fabricating circuit boards and soldering components.
What the Ploopy headphone project includes
Ploopy describes the project as 3D-printed headphones paired with a DAC/amp/EQ board powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico. The repository says it contains the design and production files needed to make a set. In other words, this is a buildable headphone design with its own audio electronics—not simply a conventional headphone fitted with a custom-printed shell. The repository frames the board around a Raspberry Pico; the “RP2040-powered” shorthand refers to the Pico platform rather than a separate headphone feature.
The hardware and firmware have separate licenses: CERN Open Hardware Licence version 2, Strongly Reciprocal (CERN OHL v2-S) for hardware, and GPLv3 for firmware, according to the project repository.
Choose a kit or a from-scratch build
Ploopy’s headphones wiki documents both assembling the project and making its electronics. The main guide covers drivers, ear cups, the headband, and the amplifier and cables. Separate appendices cover printed parts, PCB fabrication, firmware programming, hardware, EQ tuning and reading the frequency-response graph.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Eight 470uf Capacitor Filter】:Eight 470UF capacitor filter is very clean, excellent power system to no hum, filaments are powered with DC 12V and need to be connected in series in order to reduce noise.
- 【Funtion】:This vacuum tube amplifier can connect the 6J1 tube pre-amp between sound source and amplifier, it will effectively filter digital flavor, the music and human voice will be relatively good.
- 【High Frequency And Low Proof】:The eight 470UF capacitors included in the DIY tube amplifier kit have very clean filtering, and the power system is excellent and noise-free. The filament is powered by DC 12V and needs to be connected in series to reduce noise.
- 【Assemble Yourself】:This diy amplifier kit comes in parts so you can assemble them together by yourself, enjoy the process of building your own tube amplifier.
- 【Easy To Use】:This vacuum tube amplifier uses a DC 5.5*2.1 socket and an AC 12V transformer. You can also use an AC 12V transformer. No plug is needed, just solder the power cord to the circuit board.
| Route | What the documentation describes | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Use a kit | Ploopy says its kits include PCBs that are soldered, tested and programmed; you follow the assembly instructions for the rest of the build. | Builders who want to avoid one-off PCB fabrication and component procurement. |
| Make the electronics from scratch | Order the specified boards from a PCB manufacturer, source components, solder them onto the boards and program the microcontroller. | Builders comfortable with electronics work who want to handle board production and parts sourcing themselves. |
The kit route is presented as a way to avoid the complexity and expense of producing boards for a single set. The documentation does not establish current kit stock, price, shipping availability or a definitive current list of included parts, so check the live product details before ordering. In particular, do not assume a Raspberry Pi Pico is included unless the current kit listing says so.
What a from-scratch electronics build requires
Ploopy’s PCB appendix describes a six-layer FR-4 amplifier board and a four-layer ENIG planar-driver board. The published amplifier-board specification is 1.6 mm thickness with 1 oz copper on both outer and inner layers. These are the project’s stated board specifications, not general requirements for headphone electronics.
Rank #2
- 【Funtion】: This vacuum tube amplifier can connect the 6J1 tube pre-amp between sound source and amplifier, it will effectively filter digital flavor, the music and human voice will be relatively good.
- 【Eight 470uf Capacitor Filter】: Eight 470UF capacitor filter is very clean, excellent power system to no hum, filaments are powered with DC 12V and need to be connected in series in order to reduce noise.
- 【High Frequency And Low Proof】: The eight 470UF capacitors included in the DIY tube amplifier kit have very clean filtering, and the power system is excellent and noise-free. The filament is powered by DC 12V and needs to be connected in series to reduce noise.
- 【Assemble Yourself】: This diy amplifier kit comes in parts so you can assemble them together by yourself, enjoy the process of building your own tube amplifier.
- 【Easy To Use】: This vacuum tube amplifier uses a DC 5.5*2.1 socket and an AC 12V transformer. You can also use an AC 12V transformer. No plug is needed, just solder the power cord to the circuit board.
The appendix’s process is to order the boards from a fabrication company, obtain components from distributors such as DigiKey or Farnell, solder the parts to the boards and program the microcontroller. It lists the amplifier and planar-driver boards, components, a soldering iron, solder and printed schematics among the tools and materials. Schematics and component information are in the project’s electrical design files. Ploopy cautions that producing boards for a single set can be complex and expensive; the kit avoids that particular procurement and assembly work.
Pay attention to driver-board orientation
The driver assembly instructions include a detail that is easy to miss: the TRRS jacks are installed on mirrored flex boards, so the connector orientation should be checked on both sides before soldering. Soldering the connectors in the wrong orientation can turn a small assembly check into a rework problem. The official driver guide provides the step-by-step assembly context, including the printed driver parts, foam, screws, magnets and flex board.
Rank #3
- 【Definition】 A valve er or tube er is a type of electronic er that uses vacuum tubes to increase the amplitude or power of a
- 【Function】 Connect this preamplifier to the audio source with 6J1 tubes and effectively filter the digital flavor. Tube ers produce a warmer or more valve sound, make music and the human voice is relatively good.
- 【Noise Reduction】Eight 470UF capacitor filter is very clean, excellent power system to no hum, filaments are powered with DC 12V and need to be connected in series in order to reduce noise.
- 【Application】Using DC 5.5*2.1 socket and AC 12V transformer, you can also use AC 12V transformer without plug, just need to weld the power cord onto the circuit board.
- 【DIY】The kit is divided into several parts, you can freely combine and DIY applications according to your needs, which is a good choice.
What Ploopy reports about sound
Ploopy says it tuned the headphones close to the Harman AE/OE 2018 Target. Its frequency-response interpretation page reports an average deviation of 0.66 dB from that target and a 93/100 preference score attributed to a study by S. Olive and colleagues. These are figures and interpretations published by Ploopy Corporation in 2023, not independent measurements or listening-test results for this article, and the preference score is not a guarantee of how an individual listener will rate the headphones.
For its measurements, Ploopy lists a GRAS45BC-10 KEMAR head-and-torso simulator, GRAS KB5000/5001 anthropometric pinnae, an APx515 or APx526 signal generator/analyzer and an APx1701 amplifier. The setup and Ploopy’s interpretation are documented in its frequency-response appendix.
Rank #4
- 【Professional Repair Kit】Includes 10 3.5mm replacement repair plugs (5 gold + 5 silver plating) providing complete solutions for multiple repairs and custom projects. The quantity supports experimentation, replacements, and different device matching requirements.
- 【All-Metal Durability Construction】TRS mono male plugs are crafted from solid alloy with precision-machined contacts and spring-loaded strain relief. The full-metal design ensures superior conductivity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength for long-term reliability.
- 【User-Friendly Soldering Design】3.5mm replacement repair plug jack features clearly labeled terminals (L/R/Ground) and spacious solder cups for easy wire insertion. The spring-loaded cable grip requires no special tools, making professional-quality repairs accessible to beginners.
- 【Universal 3.5mm Stereo/Mono Compatibility】TRS 3 pole stereo males plugs adapter works with headphones, microphones, audio equipment, PA systems, and communication devices. Supports both TRS (stereo) and TS (mono) configurations for comprehensive audio connectivity solutions.
- 【Professional Spring Strain Relief System】Incorporates 6mm diameter spring protection that absorbs cable stress and prevents wire breakage. The reinforced design maintains signal integrity during frequent use and movement.
Where to start
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Open the official wiki and review the main build sections to understand the assembly sequence.
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Choose whether to use a kit or fabricate the boards and source components yourself; use the PCB appendix to assess the latter route before ordering parts.
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Velleman, Inc – Super Stereo Ear MiniKit MK136 – Entry Level Audio Amplifier Soldering Project- DIY – This kit is 100% DIY and a perfect project for those who are new to circuit design, hobby electronics, and sound technology.
- TRUE STEREO AMPLIFICATION – This build features two microphones that act as inputs to create a stereo signal, outputted through a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
- FULLY FUNCTIONAL – You’ll produce a practical, usable piece of tech with this project: it includes an on/off switch and a potentiometer which can be used to adjust the volume.
- POWERFUL AMPLIFICATION: This build is capable of amplifying sound up to 50x louder. Perfect for a science project, a DIY hearing aid, headphone add-on, or just for fun.
- SPECS – Power Supply: 3 1.5V AA Batteries (not included). Dimensions: 2.4” x 2.1” x 1.7”.
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Follow the relevant assembly guide closely, checking the mirrored driver-flex-board orientation before soldering the TRRS connectors.
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