From Nokia to the Lab: Janne’s Idea
Our founder Janne first discovered active noise cancelling headphones at a busy airport in Beijing. Curious, he tried them on—and the noise around him vanished. The experience left a lasting impression.
“It felt great. I felt my pulse slowing down, and my mood improved. I just stood there and listened to the lack of noise, my own body, and enjoyed the moment. Although I didn’t buy the product, the value and feeling of silence stayed.”
Years later, when cellphone production at Nokia came to an end, Janne began to reflect on his future. He wondered what kind of product could truly bring value to people. That moment of peace in the airport came back to him, and he began to imagine a way to deliver silence in a compact form—perhaps through a tiny earbud using active noise cancellation.
He shared the idea with his friend Matti Nisula. Matti didn’t know if it was possible, but he was intrigued and ready to explore the challenge.
We took on the philosophy of doing one thing and doing it the best we can. With encouraging feedback from our customers and many successful generations behind us, we were confident that this philosophy will carry us forward when creating the QuietOn 4.
What’s New and Why We Redesigned It
The latest QuietOn earbuds are more comfortable and better performing than ever. We redesigned the shape to match the natural oval form of the ear canal, so they fit better, stay in place, and feel almost invisible—even while sleeping.
“Now that the product fits anyone and sits ergonomically in the ear, noise cancellation improves with a more airtight seal.”
We also upgraded to Comply foam tips, which are more durable and moisture-resistant. A new wax guard keeps dirt out of the tech, helping the earbuds last longer.
These updates came directly from user feedback. People wanted better comfort, clearer left and right markings, and a more secure fit. We listened and improved the shape, materials, and overall design.
“Let’s make this earbud exceptionally small with great battery life and keep improving comfort and performance.”
Even small changes made a big difference. After lots of testing, this version is easier to use and blocks noise more effectively.
QuietOn and the Science of Sleep
QuietOn’s mission has always been to solve the problem of sleeping in noisy environments. Whether it’s helping people concentrate in loud offices or supporting those with sound sensitivity, the earbuds offer a real solution—not just noise masking or sleep tracking.
“Lack of sleep affects your ability to function, your joy, and your health. We’re dealing with something deeply important.”
The earbuds can even create a sense of home while traveling, helping users relax and fall asleep more easily. This psychosocial effect turns QuietOn into a portable safe space, improving sleep quality wherever you are.
“When you insert the QuietOns, you may start to automatically feel sleepy. They can act as your own safe space, travelling with you in an unfamiliar place.”
Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. One particularly memorable message stood out: Thank you for saving our marriage.
Looking Ahead
QuietOn remains committed to its philosophy: doing one thing as well as possible. While future improvements are being considered, the focus now is on maintaining high product quality and thoughtful design.
