A tale of divine craftsmanship that was too good to be true.
Effect Audio announced the launch of Hephaestus, a fully customizable headphone cable inspired by the Greek god of fire. However, the product drop was an April Fools’ joke, cleverly used to shed light on the intricate process behind developing their products.
A Godly Cable at a Heavenly Price
Effect Audio amused audiophiles with news about Hephaestus, a supposed new, fully customizable headphone cable. The company said it would allow buyers to tailor a cable from a selection of “premium materials and Effect Audio specials.”
Hephaestus, named after the Greek god of craftsmanship, was released as part of their “Imagination Series.”
The Reveal
People who clicked on their website found that they couldn’t buy the cable.
However, it was revealed that the Hephaestus was, in fact, an April Fools’ joke in the brand’s follow-up post, days after the first announcement.
They explained that the product was a playful nod to the Greek god known as the divine smith. It was also a way for Effect Audio to compare Hephaestus’ legendary skills and the expertise needed in making their real top cable, the Fusion 1.
The company also invited fans to visit CanJam SG that weekend to try some of their real cables, like the Eros S, Fusion 1, and Chiron Nova. And, they encouraged international fans to contact their local dealer to try Effect Audio’s cables in their home country.
Community’s Mixed Reactions
The audiophile community found the prank funny, and some users, like ThanatosVI and OhmsClaw, pretended to place orders. Both ended up with a single customized cable costing over $4 million.
Others, like Cecala, shared how easily they could’ve been fooled given the high prices linked to high-end audio equipment.
Everyone else just had a good laugh.
April Fools’ Trends in Tech and Audio
Effect Audio’s Hephaestus joke is part of a trend in audio communities where fans create fake products and say they’re from popular brands.
One rumor said Astell & Kern was set to launch an AK480 music player, tagged at an eye-watering $4,899 in 2012. The fictional device had exaggerated specs, emphasizing Astell & Kern’s dedication to creating top-notch audio technology.
Another funny review featuring the Beyerdynamic DT 404 headphones made rounds in 2018. The imaginary product was called the “Pink Elephant” and had fake black fur on the ear cups and headband.
Avid joined in on the April Fools’ fun by introducing the Pro Tools Watch, suggesting that customers could edit and mix music directly on their smartwatch.
In 2017, Master & Dynamic also joined in with the announcement of the MH40C1.
These were concrete headphones that weighed 10.6 pounds and listed at $399.
