Apple-Branded Over-Ear Headphones Said to Launch as Early as Second Half of 2019

[oneMadRssn]

$399 would be an entirely reasonable and competitive price for a pair of ANC over-ear headphones.

I think $399 is a bit high, when Bose and Sony price their top-end sets at $349 MSRP - and are frequently discounted to $250-$300.

Also, ANC isn't easy to do - it took Bose over a decade to develop a good system before anyone else. Even with the benefit of being able to reverse engineer Bose, it took Sony several iterations over several years to match ANC performance.

I would pay $350 only if Apple's over-ear set meets or exceeds the Bose ANC quality.
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Hopefully they'll do a soundbar next.

An Apple soundbar with tvOS built in would be pretty interesting. I wouldn't consider it for my main tv, where I have a proper receiver and speakers, but I would consider it for a bedroom or home gym tv.

 

[CWallace]

Would gladly pay $100 more for Apple branded ones that have equal or better audio & noise canceling + W1 wireless chip technology. By far the worse part of the 1000XM3 experience is connecting via bluetooth and its limitation of only connecting to one device at a time.

I knew going in that the Beats Solo 3 were not going to be the best-sounding nor best-performing wireless headsets I could purchase, but being able to instantly connect to my iPhone, my iPad, my AppleTV, my iMac and my MacBook Pro made the choice for me (admittedly helped by a large sale at Amazon).

So I too am hoping that the Apple model will be more nuanced in it's audio performance than the bass-forward Beats.

Sure, so why the need to produce headphones rather than making it clear that Beats=Apple?

Beats are generally known for having a bass-forward sound profile and therefore are either actually less-than-optimal for many forms of music or are perceived in the public's mind to be so.

By branding them as their own and also offering a more versatile / wider sound profile, they can appeal to markets that will not consider a Beats product while still having the (very profitable) Beats market.

Are they just the Lexus versions of Toyota then? I don't understand this move.

See above - it is to offer a product that appeals to the larger part of the market than those who find Beats products appealing.

 

[Baymowe335]

News flash-every single product at every single tech company faces "development challenges." That's why it's called product DEVELOPMENT. It's why Apple is spending well over a BILLION dollars a month on research and DEVELOPMENT. You don't simply sit down around a table, write specs and send it to the factory and VOILA! a new tech product. LOL.

And one more thing- please stop falling for the fake news by pundits where they tell you their unidentified "sources" tell them something about a delay.

Pretty much the most accurate post in this thread.

Remember the same hate for AirPods? How’s that looking now?

 

[KPandian1]

Also, when you have a choice, why not stick with the American company?

Last I checked, Bose is just HQ'd in Boston, all their manufacturing is abroad; do correct me if I'm wrong with their latest products being made in the USA.

I have nine headphones from them, including NC versions. Only critique is the material used in their older ear-cups.

 

[dazz87]

Let see if it could take down the king.....Sony-Wh1000xm3........i bet it will be double the price........The way

 

[chfilm]

Let see if it could take down the king.....Sony-Wh1000xm3........i bet it will be double the price........The way

I just got the Sonys and they are truly amazing.
Pairing is a pain in the a** with them though, even compared to the Bose QC35. I always have to UNPAIR them on one device before they work properly on another. They will pair, but they wont be selectable as a music output in the music app on the iphone if they were previously not unpaired from my ipad for example. SUPER annoying.

 

[AngerDanger]

Sorry no way will these have an Apple logo that large (if the have one at all).

How about this?

 

[kaycrystal626]

Add extra $100 for Apple Logo!

 

[2GoldFish]

So same beats garbage but you pay 20% more?

Same Beats Garbage "with" an Apple logo. All yours for a 120% mark up.

 

[BGPL]

Let me guess, $1049 price point?

I'm all about Apple products when it comes to mobile devices and desktops. What I'm not about are rebranded electronics with a price markup. I have a $59 pair of Sony OTE headphones that sound spectacular. Furthermore, I have Chinese no-name OTE headphones that sound darn near spectacular, but I know the quality won't be there long term.

 

[jarman92]

I think $399 is a bit high, when Bose and Sony price their top-end sets at $349 MSRP - and are frequently discounted to $250-$300.

Also, ANC isn't easy to do - it took Bose over a decade to develop a good system before anyone else. Even with the benefit of being able to reverse engineer Bose, it took Sony several iterations over several years to match ANC performance.

I would pay $350 only if Apple's over-ear set meets or exceeds the Bose ANC quality.
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An Apple soundbar with tvOS built in would be pretty interesting. I wouldn't consider it for my main tv, where I have a proper receiver and speakers, but I would consider it for a bedroom or home gym tv.

There are tons of comparable headphones for $399+. B&O, Bowers, Sennheiser, Bose, Sony, Audio Technica...all have sets in that range. Factor in the “Apple tax” and the unique features of the W chip, and $399 is totally reasonable.

 

[Millah]

They faced development challenges causing a delay. That sounds familiar. What’s going on with their engineering teams these days?

It’s called the development process and prototyping. I would be worried if everything was SMOOTH sailing completely as planned, because then that would mean they’re not pushing hard enough.

New ideas comes with engineering challenges. That is a fact of life in developing new products. If they’re trying to do something new with their headphones, problem solving is required. The greater the challenges, the more ambitious the product is likely to be.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Last I checked, Bose is just HQ'd in Boston, all their manufacturing is abroad; do correct me if I'm wrong with their latest products being made in the USA.

I have nine headphones from them, including NC versions. Only critique is the material used in their older ear-cups.

I know they're products are manufactured abroad by contract manufacturers. Almost nobody in the consumer electronics space does their own manufacturing anymore. But Bose still employs thousands of people in the US (technical and business) and pay US taxes.

 

[Marco Klobas]

 

[mdriftmeyer]

All yours for $1000

That would be these in-ear monitors.

https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE846-...358801&sr=8-16&keywords=shure+in-ear+monitors
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I know they're products are manufactured abroad by contract manufacturers. Almost nobody in the consumer electronics space does their own manufacturing anymore. But Bose still employs thousands of people in the US (technical and business) and pay US taxes.

And Apple employs over 200k people in the states. So what's your point?

 

[480951]

I'm afraid to find out what "High end" does mean for Apple these days

Higher end then Beats=bugger price tag then the $400 (CDN) Studios. I used to work at Best Buy, the margins on headphones are absurd.

 

[Jaro65]

I'd stick with the QC35. The XM3 users have reported issues with cold weather affecting the battery life drastically. Since you're in Seattle according to your profile, you may find yourself in cold areas.

Also, when you have a choice, why not stick with the American company?

Ha! I like your post. Especially the last part. Thumbs up to that!

 

[nadador]

I miss the days when Apple was mostly a computer company.

 

[oneMadRssn]

There are tons of comparable headphones for $399+. B&O, Bowers, Sennheiser, Bose, Sony, Audio Technica...all have sets in that range. Factor in the “Apple tax” and the unique features of the W chip, and $399 is totally reasonable.

You have to compare apples to apples - we're talking about over-ear ANC headphones, right? All the brands you listed, except for B&O, have their flagship over-ear ANC headphones priced at $300-$350. B&O is a bit different, as a low-volume luxury brand.

Of those, according to objective measurements, Sony and Bose have by far the best attenuation. Bass is the hardest to cancel, so that rating is the key usually. The others are worth buying for other reasons, but not if ANC is a top priority imo. For me personally, as I wear headphones mostly while commuting on the subway, ANC is a the single most important feature. The W1 chip is super nice value add. $50 worth? Maybe. But only if the ANC is on par.

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That would be these in-ear monitors.

https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE846-...358801&sr=8-16&keywords=shure+in-ear+monitors
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And Apple employs over 200k people in the states. So what's your point?

Decided to reply without reading the whole thread I see.

I was replying to guy considering buying Sony instead of Bose.

 

[dumastudetto]

I'm ready to order NOW NOW NOW!!!
Seriously I am certain these will sound incredible on your ears.
Really excited to see where Apple takes this high-end audio product.
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I miss the days when Apple was mostly a computer company.

What's a computer?

 

[deadoctopi]

I'm afraid to find out what "High end" does mean for Apple these days

500+ and they come with 100+ replaceable ear pads they sound just like every other goddamned headset at $200 less also. But the box is matte white and you get two stickers.

 

[Gilligan's last elephant]

Still something that’s never officially announced with a release date can’t be delayed. AirPower is delayed. The white iPhone 4 was delayed. Rumored headphones that haven’t been announced can’t be. Why should I as an end consumer care about Apple’s internal product timelines?

Something doesn't have to be announced to be delayed. A company can have a date they intend to release and if that slips its delayed. And customers get it later than they would otherwise have got it. So its delayed.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

So ready for these.

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Apple branded? So, why did Apple buy Beats? This makes no sense.

Apple bought Beats to help build Apple Music.

Beats hardware products will stick around for a "lower-end" market and geared towards a pop/hiphop lifestyle audience, profiting from Apple tech (like W1 chip).

Apple has it's own audio engineering team which is doing an insanely great job.
Even Apple-owned, Beats remains a separate company.

 

[Yr Blues]

My BS radar is buzzing off the hook.

 

[racerhomie]

Higher end then Beats=bugger price tag then the $400 (CDN) Studios. I used to work at Best Buy, the margins on headphones are absurd.

Don’t like the products,don’t buy them. Who are you to say what margins are ok. You are not running the business, Just selling them.