Apple's Upcoming Over-Ear Wireless Headphones to Target High-End Noise-Canceling Market

[Abazigal]

Apple is an expert at software?

Apple is an expert at integrating hardware and software together in a way no other company can because they don’t hold the keys to Apple’s ecosystem. They also have the resources to invest in features such as the W1 chip. All other things equal, a pair of Apple branded headphones would be able to offer me functionality no other product can match.

Cheating perhaps, but that’s not the business of the average consumer.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple is an expert at integrating hardware and software together in a way no other company can because they don’t hold the keys to Apple’s ecosystem. They also have the resources to invest in features such as the W1 chip. All other things equal, a pair of Apple branded headphones would be able to offer me functionality no other product can match.

Cheating perhaps, but that’s not the business of the average consumer.

I agree they are great at integration of hardware and software.
Apple's software quality on its own, however, can be very hit and miss.

I'm not even close to an Apple hater here - My favorite product in the last 5 years is my AirPods.
I just think we can tone down the rhetoric a touch with respect to calling Apple "experts", especially on the software side of things.

 

[manhattanboy]

It would also be ironic if they put little tube amps inside.

Or maybe “ironic” is not the word for it. “Unlikely.” Yeah, that’s the word.

Ironic:
happening in the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this.

I thought it “unlikely” that I would have to write that definition

 

[fhall1]

Too late to the party. I held out but needed a pair for air travel and got a pair of Sony 1000XM2's for Christmas - they were better than the Bose QC35s in my side by side testing as far as ANC and sound quality. Any Apple product would have to top the Sony's performance plus last for 40+ hours with ANC and bluetooth on before I'd even think about blowing an insane amount of money on them.

 

[Huffboys1]

The studio 3's are like the Monster Turbines. They are surprisingly good for the price despite the manufacturer that it came from. You can still find comparable if not better for the $, but they are definitely no slouch.

I agree. I got mine for close to $100 off the price so I couldn't really pass them up.

 

[Neodym]

The one to beat is Bose QuietComfort 35! They are fantastic!

In terms of noise canceling: yes. In terms of audio quality: no! I’d see Sony and Sennheiser offering the best overall compromise package (audio quality AND noise canceling) and thus being the competitor(s) to exceed.

If Apple would manage to marry Sennheiser audio quality (ideally from the Momentum series) with Bose QC35 noise canceling, I’d immediately replace my 2017 Sennheiser PXC550! But if the Beats sound signature is any indication, I’ll stick to my current cans, no matter how well Apple would implement the noise canceling.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

I have replaced three ear cushions on my Bose Noise Cancelling Headsets at $35 a pop. I do not consider that a desired feature. Make them quality in the first place. Otherwise, great for air travel with OK sound.

I've used these at $18:
https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Cushions-Bose-Replacement-Pads/dp/B01I2JJ7BI?ref=ast_p_ep

Anything that contacts humans will wear out one or the other over time.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Any Apple product would have to top the Sony's performance plus last for 40+ hours with ANC and bluetooth on before I'd even think about blowing an insane amount of money on them.

And insane it probably would be - I could easily see $499 or even $599

I'm probably on my own on this around here, but I'm even put off by the Bose & Sony's at MSRP honestly.

 

[SecuritySteve]

Well, if they're going for noise cancellation I guess they're going to forgo the addition of a decent digital microphone. Guess it's still Razer headsets for me!

 

[DakotaGuy]

Apple really hates making computers now..

That’s because they believe we are in the post PC era. Apple would dump the Mac tomorrow if they didn’t think there would be too much backlash. Give them a few more years. The end of the Mac is coming. Products like this have way better margins then PCs do.

 

[Kobayagi]

And here I thought maybe sound quality would be the main criteria rather that how pretty they are.

How very smart of you. But from what I've read about them and having tested them once, they sound pretty amazing for a bluetooth pair.

 

[citysnaps]

Apple is an expert at software?

Of course they are. Look at the various Mac and iPhone operating systems and variants developed over the years. Along with creating their own software design tools. And all the dozens of apps and utilities that run on those operating systems.

With that track record behind them do you really think they're not experts?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Of course they are. Look at the various Mac and iPhone operating systems developed over the years. Along with creating their own software design tools. And all the dozens of apps and utilities that run on those operating systems.

With that track record behind them do you really think they're not experts?

They've developed a lot of software - some of it great - some of it not - some of it buggy - some of it lacking.
Sometimes it is wonderful - Many times it's not.

They are generally very good at software, yes..."experts" just has a connotation with it that rubs me the wrong way and feels like an inaccurate or incomplete way to describe the situation. I suppose by the simple definition of the term, irrespective of output consistency and quality, sure - they are experts.

That said - It honestly just feels like the wrong term to use.
This is off the topic anyhow - let's move on.

 

[citysnaps]

They've developed a lot of software - some of it great - some of it not - some of it buggy - some of it lacking.

Sometimes it is wonderful - Many times it's not.

They are generally very good at software, yes..."experts" just has a connotation with it that rubs me the wrong way and feels like an inaccurate or incomplete way to describe the situation.

It honestly just feels like the wrong term to use at all.

OK. So...with respect to your original post, "Apple is an expert at software?," list a few companies that deliver operating system level software at the "expert" level 100% of the time, and have been doing so for a long period of time, that meet your your threshold; i.e. always great, never with bugs, none lacking, etc.

 

[sonsofnarcissus]

I'm guessing there will be a LTE version with Siri integration at some point.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@citysnaps
We are off topic - Let's move on from this please.
Fully admitting I helped us go off topic - my apologies

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

perhaps the sound. in ear airpods are better, on ear bose and sony are better. for me.

This is surprising. I have airpods and they sound like crap compared to my beats. But again I’m not an audio person.

 

[magicschoolbus]

But the iPad replaces your computer. What are you complaining about? /s (never thought I’d use that)

What’s a computer

 

[truthertech]

You make my point. But I still don't know who this huge audience is for Apple branded phones. I mean for the most part its kids that use consumer grade headphones. Adults mostly use buds unless they are audiophiles or musicians. And those are completely different classes.
[doublepost=1520284557][/doublepost]


Hmm. Where did all my money come from then? Regretfully, I'm no spring chicken. Come back when you have something more concrete than snark.

It was pretty snarky Chupa. My apologies, Even though you kind of worded it that way, I shouldn't have lumped you in with the folks who don't understand that a huge tech company like Apple has hundreds of projects under development and it isn't an "either/or" matter.

 

[coolfactor]

AirPods Pro

 

[Burger Thing]

Too late to the party. I held out but needed a pair for air travel and got a pair of Sony 1000XM2's for Christmas - they were better than the Bose QC35s in my side by side testing as far as ANC and sound quality. Any Apple product would have to top the Sony's performance plus last for 40+ hours with ANC and bluetooth on before I'd even think about blowing an insane amount of money on them.

Dito. I bought the Sony's, too. They blow the Bose QC35 out of the water sound quality wise.

The Sony 1000 XM2s are really nice. Instantly connects, the touch controls are convenient. Easily the best NC Headset at the moment. Super happy with them.

At home nothing beats the Shure 1540 for me

 

[BvizioN]

And what's the problem with that? You don't see Ford building bikes just because they know how to build automobiles or just because they have so many people working in the company. A company that moves away from the core products will be the loser in long run.

Based on your logic Apple should have never made the iPod, should have never made the iPhone, should have never made the iPad, should have never made the Apple Watch, so overall should have never made products that generate revenue for the company so they can continue developing new technologies, but instead they should have focused on........ You guessed. On Macs.
Just No. And glad Apple don't have you on their payroll.

 

[SRLMJ23]

The editorial maxes Sennheisers at $500. Ttry these. https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/sennheiser-he-1
p.s. $60K

I hope you meant $6,000 not $60,000.

Edit: You were $30,000 off but that is just outrageous for a pair of damn headphones. I would rather by another car for $30,000 than a pair of headphones. These are just for the the outrageously wealthy...obviously.

https://www.wired.com/2014/05/most-expensive-headphones/

From the article:

"What we've collected here is by no means the definitive list of world-class headphones. There are omissions like the legendary Sennheiser Orpheus, which comes with its own dedicated tube amplifier, and today can go for as much as $30,000. We also left out acclaimed "earspeakers" from Stax–like the $4,450 SR-009, also widely considered to be one of the world's best."

 

[mattopotamus]

Great sounding cans, awesome build quality, decent ANC... they do leak sound though and are uncomfortable as hell. Beoplay H9i are my choice

I have small ears, so I think I luck out with them fitting and being more comfortable. Agreed about leaking sound.

 

[aknabi]

I’m sure Apple believes they can walk and chew gum at the same time but how about they focus on their core products first.

iOS 11 has been a mess. High Sierra has had too many bugs. The Mac mini and Mac Pro are waiting for a refresh. The MacBook Pro needs to be rethought. No future development on AirPort products. No more Touch ID.

But somewhere was a group of people asking for Apple-branded headphones and Apple is about to deliver. I’m happy for those people.

There's higher margin, less work and more time for partying with champagne when you appeal to the Kardashian crowd as opposed to design and media professionals, developers, etc... those folks are so like yesterday's market
[doublepost=1520340075][/doublepost]

I hope Apple does better job for the sound than Bose. Bose is horrible sound. Truly it's horrific sound quality (all boomy as it's way too much bass).

No one who knows audio equipment at all buys Bose other than for active noise cancellation which is fantastic

Interesting you'd say Bose is all bass, since they're known for being quite neutral... indeed not the best sound, but I've always had the issue they're not bass-y enough.

Beats on the other hand is all base (and some lead weighting :/)