the Enigmatic Headphones of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho — Audiophile ON

In a movie like American Psycho where such minute detail was placed on the aesthetic and the ability to keep up with appearances, it would have seemed really out of place to have a Sony logo so prominently placed on the screen. It just wouldn’t fit the theme.

In my opinion, Bateman’s headphones in the movie are a set of Sony headphones with the headbands swapped out for a Parts Express headband. The prop department probably did this to ensure the headphones fit Patrick’s style.

In reality, the headphones and the drivers used by the prop department may be lost forever, but if we are going by aesthetic, I think this theory is correct, or its super close.

Looking at the pictures in this article, we can compare screenshots from the movie to the photos of the parts direct headphones. The telltale sign is the angular plastic part that attaches the drivers to the headband. Aesthetically speaking, they are identical.

Build Your Own Patrick Bateman Headphones

Now if you want to buy the headphones from American Psycho, id say don’t buy the Parts Express headphones (but do… ill explain later) because they are one of the worst-sounding headphones you will ever hear, even at their ridiculously low price. They aren’t worth it. We can do better.

Let’s remember the prop department is trying to fill a style at a time before thousands of Paul Allens would one-up you with the rich audiophilic sound quality on their headset.

I like to reimagine the famous business card scene. Bateman is sitting there proudly, showing his peers his brand-new Focal Utopia. “That’s carbon,” he says, pointing at the headband and leaning back in his chair. “Earpads, Poron Memory foam with genuine calf hide leather” *pause* “Provides a linear register in the 1 – 10kHz frequency range”….

Let’s see Paul Allen’s headphones, says someone in the room. Allen throws a set of ignition keys on the table. Batemans lip trembles. “Sennheiser Orpheus” Paul replies. Game. Set. Match.

I’m saying that the sound of a Parts Express headphone or a Sony/Express combo wouldn’t fit with the character. Bateman would be horrified he had inferior sound quality. That someone could have a more refined experience than him. So how can you get the look but also have audiophile sound? You’re on the right website.

What do you need?

Only two items are required for this project, and three if you want to step up the game to excessive American Psycho levels of detail.