Back when portable music meant a Walkman clipped to your belt, headphones were simple: thin headbands, soft ear pads, and just enough tech to make your tunes mobile. Fast forward to today, and km5’s Lightwear HP1 brings that same spirit back — but now with Bluetooth, noise cancellation, and wired high-res audio packed inside a sleek retro frame.

Originally launched through a Japanese crowdfunding platform last year, the HP1’s release hit a few delays. But now, they’re officially available from km5’s online store for $189. You can choose between black and white models, and each color comes with two sets of magnetic ear cushions you can swap out depending on your style: light gray and turquoise for the white version, black and carmine for the black one.

Weighing just 103 grams, the HP1 headphones are way lighter than most wireless models out there today. They use a polished stainless steel headband and small on-ear pads, keeping the design slim and portable — a real nod to the classic Walkman era.

Even though they look simple on the outside, there’s a lot packed into those tiny housings: 40mm drivers, 120mAh batteries in each earcup, and all the electronics needed for wireless sound.

Unlike bulkier over-ear headphones that block noise just by covering your ears completely, the HP1 uses active noise cancellation (ANC) to help tune out distractions. There’s also a transparency mode if you need to hear what’s going on around you, like traffic or announcements.

The HP1 connects wirelessly using Bluetooth 5.4 and supports SBC, AAC, and LE Audio codecs. But if you prefer a wired setup, you can plug them into your device using a USB-C cable, and that unlocks 24-bit/96kHz high-res audio too.

There’s a catch, though. Unlike older headphones where a single cable connected both sides, the HP1’s design means each earcup is independent. That means you’ll need to charge both sides separately with two cables. It’s a little less convenient than the one-and-done charging most people are used to.

And while km5 hasn’t explained the technical side in full detail, it’s assumed that in wired mode, one earcup sends the signal wirelessly to the other. It’s a clever workaround, but it might be something to get used to if you’re expecting the simplicity of old-school wired headphones.

Charging both earcups fully takes around three hours, and you’ll get up to 24 hours of playback, though it’s not totally clear if that’s with ANC turned on or off.

True to its throwback style, the HP1 doesn’t have touch or swipe controls. Instead, there are physical buttons tucked under the earcups to handle playback, volume, and voice assistant activation (Siri or Google Assistant). It’s a more tactile, hands-on experience that sticks with the analog feel km5 seems to be aiming for.

The magnetic ear cushions add another practical bonus. They’re made of soft fabric for comfort and can be swapped easily when they wear out, which should help extend the life of the headphones without much hassle.

You can grab the km5 Lightwear HP1 now for $189 from km5’s website. With their super light frame, a mix of modern wireless features, and wired listening support, they offer something a little different, especially for anyone who misses the look and feel of older, simpler headphone designs.

That said, having to charge each earcup separately and dealing with a thicker USB-C cable instead of a skinny audio wire could be a bit of an adjustment. These aren’t traditional in every sense — they’re more like a remix of old and new, rather than a straight-up return to the ‘80s.

In today's world where most noise-canceling headphones are big, bulky, and built to block everything out, the Lightwear HP1 shows there’s still room for something lighter, simpler, and a little nostalgic — even if it comes with a few modern quirks along the way.