Origins — 2012–2013

In 2012, Iida was enrolled in a technical training institution affiliated with a major Japanese piano manufacturer, where he studied the structure and tuning of acoustic instruments. During this time, he became fascinated with Japanese vintage headphones from the 1970s and 80s, leading him to begin independent research and prototyping.

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His first creation was a purely DIY effort: a 9cm pulp-cone speaker unit, a hand-bent metal headband, and wooden housings featuring a piano-style resonator board. Although unrefined, it embodied the foundational concepts that would shape KuraDa—wood-based construction and acoustics inspired by musical instruments.

The Founding and Early Development Challenges (2013)

In 2013, KuraDa began transforming its initial prototype into a headphone suitable for real-world use.

A major obstacle quickly became apparent: core components such as dynamic driver units and high-precision ear pads were nearly impossible to produce independently. Achieving the required level of acoustic performance and build quality meant working closely with specialized manufacturing partners.

During this phase, Shinnosuke Iikura joined Iida as a partner, taking on production coordination. Together, they established the foundation of the brand—naming it “KuraDa,” a synthesis of their surnames.

The pair approached manufacturers across Japan. In Hokkaido, they commissioned a local woodworking firm to create laminated wood plates by bonding two thin sheets of spruce—the same material traditionally used in piano soundboards. The housings were shaped with high-precision metalworking tools and finished using polyester coating, applied by a rare, specialized finishing workshop.

Through these efforts, Iida’s vision of a headphone that resonated with the clarity and warmth of a fine instrument began to materialize.

The First Public Debut and Reception of the P-10 (Late 2013)

Later that same year, KuraDa unveiled its prototype, the “P-10,” at an industry exhibition.

Until that moment, the brand had maintained complete silence—no website, no press, no presence. This was its first public appearance.

The response was mixed but illuminating. Many attendees were struck by the originality of the structure and the acoustic character born from natural materials. Others, however, found the design unrefined. Yet these critiques proved invaluable, offering clear direction for refinement and helping to define the brand’s path forward.

Market Introduction and the Birth of KD-FP10 (2014)

The P-10 had used repurposed headband components from major manufacturers, which resulted in poor comfort and structural mismatch. This led KuraDa to rethink its approach entirely—redesigning and producing all elements, including the headband, in-house.

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The team began to treat clamping force and headband geometry as fundamental elements of acoustic design. This process led to the development of the FP10, a second prototype with a fully original structure. After extensive refinements in shaping and finish, the first commercial model, KD-FP10, debuted at the Headphone Festival in autumn 2014.

A Crossroads of Design — Wood and Metal (2014–2015)

Following the FP10, KuraDa pursued multiple development paths. The KD-C10, a wooden-structured model inspired by string instruments, explored resonance through material combinations. At the same time, the KD-OR12 prototype—an open-back headphone with a metal housing—was developed in response to a client’s request for a fully open design.

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In parallel, a rare experimental model was created: a version of the C10 built with a metal housing and open-back structure. Though never publicly released, it served as a conceptual forerunner to the later KD-Q1.

A Focus on Components — The Wooden Frame Driver

KuraDa took on a rare challenge: building a dynamic driver frame out of wood.

To shape such a sensitive material with precision—and ensure stability over time—required deep knowledge rooted in instrument making.

This wasn’t just a change in material. It was an attempt to rediscover how sound behaves, starting from a single component.

Though difficult to produce, a few were built as high-end custom options and remain functional today.

It was a quiet, deliberate experiment—one that reflected KuraDa’s enduring trust in the hidden potential of wood.

KD-P1 — Integration and Icon (2015)

Based on the lessons learned from the OR12, KuraDa developed the KD-P1 as a production-ready model. Its housing and frame were machined entirely from A7075 super-duralumin, offering a bold visual presence and an expansive, speaker-like sound.

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The KD-P1 quickly became synonymous with the KuraDa name, remembered for its unmistakable form and resonant, open presentation. It remains one of the brand’s most iconic creations.

A New Chapter — KD-Q1 and 3D Printing Innovation (2024-)

By 2017, the basic design of KD-Q1 had already been completed. Drawing from the concept behind the metal C10 open-back prototype, the Q1 was envisioned from the outset as a model to be produced using 3D printing.

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KuraDa adopted HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) process, which allowed for lightweight, rigid structures with complex internal geometries. At the time, however, there were no domestic vendors capable of producing small-batch, final-grade MJF parts, delaying its realization.

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After years of preparation, KuraDa found a reliable production partner. With manufacturing and quality validation complete, the KD-Q1 was officially launched in 2024—marking KuraDa’s first fully mass-produced headphone and a new era of precision through additive technology.