Twelve South Fermata, Black | Luxury Headphone Charging Stand

The Twelve South Fermata is one of the newer entries from Twelve South, seemingly as a response to the new (pictured on the box!) Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones. (Also, it's an unusual product for a company that usually sells exclusively Apple-based products.)Of course, the Fermata will work with other headphones other than the QC35 that use the micro USB connection, but I felt at least reasonably assured it would work with my new Bose headphones as pictured, and it does - absolutely fine. I'd read a few reviews with users complaining their headphones won't charge. It may well be a defective cable, so it's worth swapping it out if you otherwise like the product. I charged both my QC35 and my wife's QC35 without issue.Setting up the Fermata is very simple, and the included picture and instructions are very clear. It should take no more than two minutes to put together.The stand is a relatively simple affair, really. What you see is really what you get. The base is sturdy, which is great.However, the little snake-like reversible micro USB cable you connect to your headphones is much more of an annoyance than I thought it would be. I get the design, but it's just a bit too short and fiddly when you're trying to plug it into the bottom of a pair of headphones when you have so little slack. You end up trying to balance things without scratching the headphones on the base part and ... oy... it annoys me quite a bit even thinking about it. In addition, because the cable is reversible it doesn't fit quite the same or as easily into micro USB ports like on the QC35 (takes more pressure than normal), and removing the cable from the QC35 also required some wiggling since it's sort-of wedged in there. I just do NOT like this part of the Fermata. In addition, as tricky as it is to get your QC35 plugged in when you have full access to the shelf it's on, if you're trying to plug these in when they're set back on a shelf? Good luck with that. Far too annoying.Of course, once plugged in, it's altogether quite handsome, really. And of course you don't need to plug your headphones in every time when you pop them on the stand. It would just make sense that you'd WANT to if it were a really simple thing to do. I can say for a fact that someone a little more elderly and less tech-oriented will struggle (sorry, old neighbors!) with the fiddling here.Overall, I strangely kinda/sorta like the Fermata, but it's not cheap, there's some questionable build quality issues apparently out there with the reversible micro USB cable, and it really is just a too fiddly to plug headphones in, at least for my liking.3 stars out of 5. Just... OK.

Works great as a headphone stand, and the additional charging cable you can attach to it works great for keeping my iPad charged on my desk. But the built in reversible micro USB cable that's meant to charge your headphones, in my case, the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 (which is featured on the packaging) simply failed the charge the headphones after working for a few minutes. The reversible concept is great, but simply appears to fail in practice (see other reviews who had the exact same issue). I'd rather they include a standard micro USB connector on the same flexible rubber material. I should have listened to the other reviews, seems like something Twelve South needs to fix (and not my first issue with Twelve South products, I went through multiple BookBooks after having problems with the stitching in the leather falling apart). Bummed - such great product potential, but always seem to somehow fall flat.Update: Twelve South personally contacted me and recognized an issue and immediately resolved it. Very happy with the service and promptness. I can now absolutely recommend the Fermata.

Materials/build:Stand is ok but not stunning. Aluminum surface is not fully resistant to fingerprints and is glossier and worse quality than e.g. a macbooks' aluminum case. The top pad is nothing like "ultra-soft" - it is sturdy and deforms the pad on QC 35 (having it soft was a big criterion for me while picking a stand - so this was also misleading and false).Interfaces/connectors:The stand has the cable management system built into the base and a micro-USB input (includes USB to micro-USB cable). One USB output port (labeled 5V/2A) and a forked micro-USB to micro-USB can be used to charge headphones (cable included, and you can fit it into the stand when not charging - so far it fits well but will likely get loose over time).Packaging/condition:Came packed in a brown box (looked messy and used but undamaged inside) wrapped in a yellow bubbled envelop. Power adapter was obviously used (see scratches on the attached photo). I paid for a new item so getting a used one hurt my OCD in a very bad way.I would not buy & would not recommend buying from 12 South again.

I initially had a lot of difficulty setting it up; it has a connection at the base that will require patience and small fingers. The AC brick is large; I finally jettisoned it when I connected the USB directly in an Apple Express. Since then it has worked perfectly. It loses one star because of the lack of robust materials.

Really top quality stand; very solid and stylish. I bought this from the Outlet and it was missing a part (even though it was listed as "like new"). Twelve South customer service was great and sent me the part for free. Works great and much better than stuffing headphones in a drawer.

Excellent presentation and packaging. Easy to assemble. Looks great on my desk. Feels very well built and sturdy construction. Although it is a bit expensive for a headphone stand, it is competitively priced when compared to similar headphone stand/charger combos. I wish it came with a USB-C cable for the post as well, but other than that, no complaints.

It does one thing and does it beautifully. It's a headphone stand upon which you can rest headphones. Works great for wireless headphones that charge via Micro USB (e.g., Beats), as it has an integrated charging cable. You can place it on your desk without adding much clutter -- the charging cable can be hidden discretely, exiting the back of the device neatly.

It doesn't charge my Sony MDR 1000x although it charges my Bang & Olufsen wireless headphone. Not sure why. Otherwise it's a good product.

A little expensive for what it does. The charging cord is not long enough.Assumed that the headphones would charge through the cradle on top but charges through the plug-in.A very expensive stand for your headphones.

the charging câble at the base of the stand is a specific version of usb charging that is not compatible with my playstation headphone... I wish this was made clear.

Great product very happy.