Audio Dream was founded in São Paulo, Brazil, in September 2015 by Matheus Freitas and René Ramirez. From the start, the goal was simple but ambitious: to build in-ear monitors that delivered the kind of sound they themselves wanted to listen to. Early products focused on durability and solid engineering, while later designs increasingly centered on creating focused on sound character and on achieving a listening experience comparable to hi‑fi sound systems.
This direction reflects René Ramirez’s personal background. An audiophile and musician himself, he originally started building in‑ear monitors because he could not find products that met his expectations around sound. That perspective continues to shape Audio Dream’s approach today. As René puts it:
“We started because I am an audiophile, and I could not find something that met my requirements of sound.”
Audio Dream operates as a boutique production with a strong focus on complex, high‑quality custom in‑ear monitors, rather than mass production.
René and Matheus run the business themselves, sourcing specialized materials such as wood or gold faceplates. Their customers include musicians and audiophiles, as well as professionals such as physicians and bankers – customers who spend long hours wearing their monitors and care about comfort and superior-quality sound.
For years, Audio Dream produced shells by hand using traditional techniques like wax and agar.
“Before that we used the normal mode that was like using wax and the agar agar jelly - the normal way of doing the shells.”
— René Ramirez
This allowed for a lot of artistic freedom, there were also challenges: shell thickness was difficult to control, measurements varied, and repeatability became harder as designs grew more complex.
Some products were particularly demanding. René describes in‑ear monitors that could take two to three days to produce, largely due to the complexity of the shells and internal layouts. Eventually manual methods became a bottleneck.
Audio Dream explored several options before settling on 3Shape Audio Designers. According to René, some of the other software they tested worked well for earmoulds and hearing aids but didn’t offer the flexibility needed for complex in-ear-monitor shells. That’s why they decided to go with 3Shape.
At the same time, Audio Dream needed a solution that made sense for a small business with relatively low production volumes. The licensing options for Audio Designers played a role here, later helping the company expand its offering with a more accessible product line.
Onboarding to 3Shape was faster than expected. René already had experience with advanced 3D modelling software and found 3Shape’s software straightforward and easy to work with. He also highlights the importance of documentation in supporting a smooth start.
Audio Dream moved almost directly into using 3Shape for shell design, integrating it into their existing production workflow with minimal disruption.
Today, 3Shape is used early in Audio Dream’s production workflow. A typical workflow includes:
Designing shells digitally from the outset gives Audio Dream far greater control over geometry, connector placement, and internal layouts before anything goes to print.
One of the most significant gains has been precision. Using 3Shape, Audio Dream can design shells with a thickness of around one millimetre. That extra control creates more space for complex driver setups, while keeping structural control. Previously, this was difficult to achieve by hand.
“You see how thin the shell is - it’s like one millimetre. It’s amazing for placing all the components inside,” René remarks.
Efficiency has also improved. By batch‑printing multiple pairs of shells on a single print plate, production can continue while René focuses on other tasks. This reduces downtime and maintains Audio Dream’s quality standards.
“I can put them together on one plate and print five pairs of shells.”
— René Ramirez
These changes have made it possible to support a broader product portfolio, including the launch of Dreamfit Monitors, a more accessible line designed to complement Audio Dream’s high‑end models and help balance the costs of digital production.
The workflow is still evolving. Some steps, such as reinforcing cable connectors, are currently done manually, and René would like to bring these further into the digital design process over time.
Audio Dream is not aiming for mass production, but controlled growth. This maintains the unique feel of a boutique manufacturer while using digital tools to improve product consistency and repeatability. With 3Shape integrated into their workflow, Audio Dream can continue building complex, high-end in-ear monitors – without losing the craftsmanship that makes them stand out.