Apple's Work on High-End Over-Ear Headphones: Everything We Know

[MacRumors]

Apple has been selling audio accessories since December 2016 when the original AirPods launched. We now have the AirPods 2 and the AirPods Pro, and Apple is planning to add to its lineup with new over-ear Apple-branded headphones.

Apple already sells over-ear headphones under its Beats brand, but as with the AirPods, Apple is also working on headphones that will be Apple branded rather than Beats branded. These headphones are said to be aimed at the high-end market.

Design

The headphones will feature an all-new design, and while we don't know a lot about it, we do know some details shared by Bloomberg.

Apple is said to be working on two versions of the high-end over-ear headphones, including a premium version with leather-like fabrics and a fitness-focused model that uses lighter, breathable materials with small perforations for better airflow.

Prototypes of the headphones have been described as having a retro-like look with over-ear cups that swivel along with a headband connected with thin metal arms.

Apple is planning to attach the ear pads and the head padding to the headphone's frame magnetically, allowing users to swap different colors and variants in and out for customization purposes.

An icon representing the headphones was found in the code in a leaked version of iOS 14, but little detail can be gleaned from the imagery.

Rumored Features

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's over-ear headphones will feature Active Noise Cancellation, a high-end feature baked into the Beats Studio 3 headphones, Solo Pro headphones, and the AirPods Pro.

Active Noise Cancellation is designed to cut down on ambient noise so you can focus on what you're listening to. If it mimics ANC on the AirPods Pro, there will be a transparency mode that will enable noise cancelling features, but with an option to continue to hear what's going on around you.

Sound quality is expected to be better than the sound quality of the AirPods.

Pricing

Apple could price the new headphones at around $350.

Launch Date

Current rumors indicate the headphones will launch at some point in 2020, though a specific date has not yet been nailed down. Mass production on the headphones is scheduled to begin in mid-2020, which perhaps suggests a fall 2020 launch.

There were rumors indicating that Apple initially planned to launch the headphones at some point in 2019, but that did not happen.

Over-Ear Headphones Rumor History

• Mass Production on Apple's High-End Headphones Rumored to Start in Mid-2020
• Apple to Unveil High-End Over-Ear Wireless Headphones With Magnetically Swappable Parts Later This Year
• Apple Reportedly Targeting WWDC for Over-Ear Headphones Launch, New 'AirPods X' Later in the Year
• Icon for Apple's Rumored Over-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones Discovered in Leaked iOS 14 Code
• Apple-Branded Over-Ear Headphones Said to Launch as Early as Second Half of 2019
• Apple's Upcoming Over-Ear Wireless Headphones to Target High-End Noise-Canceling Market
• KGI: Apple Developing High-End Over-Ear Headphones, Launching Late 2018 at the Earliest

Guide Feedback

Have a question about Apple's over-ear headphones, know of something we left out, or want to offer feedback? Send us an email here.

Article Link: Apple's Work on High-End Over-Ear Headphones: Everything We Know

 

[C44B2yeah!]

Why wouldn’t they just release them as a Beats model? Not a fan of the Apple/logo design in the mockup... i actually like that the Beats headphones are in the Apple family but didn’t get gobbled up completely. There’s already an Apple logo on my phone/iPad, do I really need to advertise their brand anymore?

 

[Nick A]

The high-end market for headphones is generally not interested in ANC or wireless, and most have hundreds or thousands of dollars invested in amps and DACs. I can't see Apple aiming for this market, or aiming to take on high-end audio companies such as Sennheiser, Audeze, HiFiMan, Focal, etc.. I think they're going to aim at Sony and Bose and make comfortable wireless headphones with a "fun" sound signature and with ANC.

I'd personally really like to see Apple, with their resources, take a shot at truly high-end audio and maybe even planar magnetic headphones, but I think that's really far fetched.

 

[tkukoc]

I hope pricing is wrong on this product. Airpods with a 250-300 pricetag come down to ease of use and tossing them in your pocket for on the go. Over-Ear.. ease of use will be there due to the chipset, and true ANC and wireless.. but on the go.. not so much. I get it, people want higher quality listening devices so they'll pay more for them. But kind of the whole point of the beats brand that they purchased. I would hope these would be less than airpods and less than beats.. but i'm dreamin' here.. it's Apple... 500 bucks min. But in all seriousness.. I really do hope rumored pricing is the one thing that is incorrect.

 

[mcfrazieriv]

Why is apple in the head phone and speaker business? What's next? StyleWriter 2020 with 1 year of Apple TV+ for free?

High end? Wireless? This goes together? 350? LOL

 

[jayducharme]

I can't see Apple aiming for this market, or aiming to take on high-end audio companies such as Sennheiser, Audeze, HiFiMan, Focal, etc..

I can see them aiming for that, but I don't see them hitting it. I got the Beats Studio 3 on sale. They're okay. The ANC is wonky; I prefer not using it. The frequency response and clarity again is okay, but I wasn't really impressed. I've had less expensive wired headphones that sounded a lot better. ANC seems overkill with that style of headphone anyway. It's more useful when you go running outside.

 

[jonnysods]

I miss my Bose QC15’s, sold them a couple years ago to be more portable with AirPods.

I’d definitely like to get a pair for when I’m home to enjoy a better sound, I’d be game to see what apples would be like.

 

[Expos of 1969]

"Sound quality is expected to be better than the sound quality of the AirPods."

Ok, no use setting the bar high or anything. Not many who are interested in quality sound will give these branded headphones a second glance.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Why wouldn’t they just release them as a Beats model?

I think they can lean more into the “only for Apple” with Apple branded ones. For example, Beats Studio charge via micro-USB. The Apple brand could charge via lightning, USB-C or wirelessly.

Why is apple in the head phone and speaker business?

They’ve been in that business for years, do you mean why do they stay in it? Probably because it’s very profitable. Beats is still the number one seller for headphones.

 

[decypher44]

If they are truly going for high-end, then these should be wired, with a wireless option (combo).

 

[sub150]

At the $350 price point, there are two types of headphones. The first for noise cancellation for traveling/open office (that have decent), and the second for what I would call professional sound that is trying to get you the most accurate sound possible.

Apple is clearly going for the first which was quite a robust market that is most likely going to come back.

I don't get having two brands. My guess is the branding of Apple headphones will be a mix between the two types listed above (the most accurate sounding headphones with ANC), and Beats will stay in the bass heavy, "fun" type of headphones.

 

[Expos of 1969]

At the $350 price point, there are two types of headphones. The first for noise cancellation for traveling/open office (that have decent), and the second for what I would call professional sound that is trying to get you the most accurate sound possible.

Apple is clearly going for the first which was quite a robust market that is most likely going to come back.

I don't get having two brands. My guess is the branding of Apple headphones will be a mix between the two types listed above (the most accurate sounding headphones with ANC), and Beats will stay in the bass heavy, "fun" type of headphones.

Neither will be the choice of smart consumers in the two categories.

 

[subjonas]

I’d only be interested in these if they were somehow lossless like the sennheiser rs series.

 

[jerryk]

I would like to see them bring out a set that competes with the Bose QCs and Sony WH-100XMs. The price is about the same so I suspect this the target market. That means BT connection and ANC and likely an app to let you set the sound response to your tastes.

 

[uburoibob]

The real audio world looks at this and just shakes their heads. Want great headphones? Get Sennheiser.

 

[44267547]

If they are truly going for high-end, then these should be wired, with a wireless option (combo).

I ordered a pair of Audio-Technicas {ATH-M50XBT) referencing exactly both wireless/wired . Honestly, I think that would stretch to a much wider demographic to include both capabilities. There’s so many considerations with Bluetooth isn’t always the most viable option, where someone might want to use a wire connection. If Apple releases these without having a 3.5 mm option and only Bluetooth, I seriously think that would stunt their sales.

(Also, I’ve super impressed with the Sony WH-1000XMS, curious to see how Apple rivals those in particular.)

 

[DeepIn2U]

Again with this guy Ming-Chi Kuo. Whom yesterday came about saying oh the 14" MBP may come in 2021 as if the entire Apple consumer/fan based didn't already figure out lol. Now he seems to think that ANC and Transparency are co-related as a feature set for headphones lol. Their independent and work independently from one another.

 

[sub150]

Neither will be the choice of smart consumers in the two categories.

So you already know that Apple's Over-Ear ANC won't be better than Bose/Sony?

 

[citysnaps]

"Sound quality is expected to be better than the sound quality of the AirPods."

Ok, no use setting the bar high or anything. Not many who are interested in quality sound will give these branded headphones a second glance.

Read and (and even more important) interpret critically.

 

[sub150]

The real audio world looks at this and just shakes their heads. Want great headphones? Get Sennheiser.

The real ______ world looks at 99% of the stuff for sale and shakes their head. 99% of the stuff you own isn't great. You have to pick and choose what you care about. That car you drive, it isn't great. That knife you use, it isn't great. The wine you are drinking, it isn't great. There is no audiophile/somm/car enthusiast/world class chef/etc in the world, and if there was that guy would have no friends.

I haven't bought Sony or Bose headphones because the support is a PITA, and all my friends that have QC 35's or MX3000's have issues with them. I personally don't have a portable amp/DAC that I plug my "audiophile" headphones in to to act like I car hear the difference between 192 Kbps and 320.

 

[Expos of 1969]

So you already know that Apple's Over-Ear ANC won't be better than Bose/Sony?

That is my prediction, yes.

 

[ChrisA]

The professional market will be hard to crack. There are already some very nice headphones from the likes of AKG or Sony. Thes are not just good but are industry standards that people use as a reference.

Pros are not interested in exaggerated bass and other kinds of sonic "coloration" that Beats has. So I can see why Apple does not want to market these under the Beats consumer brand. The pro headphones will have a different sound.

But what does Apple have to offer that has not already been available for decades?

 

[uburoibob]

The real ______ world looks at 99% of the stuff for sale and shakes their head. 99% of the stuff you own isn't great. You have to pick and choose what you care about. That car you drive, it isn't great. That knife you use, it isn't great. The wine you are drinking, it isn't great. There is no audiophile/somm/car enthusiast/world class chef/etc in the world, and if there was that guy would have no friends.

I haven't bought Sony or Bose headphones because the support is a PITA, and all my friends that have QC 35's or MX3000's have issues with them. I personally don't have a portable amp/DAC that I plug my "audiophile" headphones in to to act like I car hear the difference between 192 Kbps and 320.

Glad I'm not your friend, or I'd have issues with my QC 35s. For real listening, I have Sennheiser HD580s. WORLDs beyond anything BEATS have offered. Funny thing is, unlike with cars, or knives, or wine, BEATS are priced much higher than stuff that's well made and sounds good, let alone great. If one researches and listens, one can get a MUCH better pair of headphones for a LOT less money.

 

[ChrisA]

Glad I'm not your friend, or I'd have issues with my QC 35s. For real listening, I have Sennheiser HD580s. WORLDs beyond anything BEATS have offered. Funny thing is, unlike with cars, or knives, or wine, BEATS are priced much higher than stuff that's well made and sounds good, let alone great. If one researches and listens, one can get a MUCH better pair of headphones for a LOT less money.

If you are an "audiophile" you are not the target market for these. Apple is selling to professionals who earn a living mixing sound for TV, film, and the recording industry. These people will use older products like the Sony MDR7506 or AKG K240 or some others.

There is a difference between the needs of a content creator and a content consumer. The so-called audiophile is clearly a consumer who listens to already mixed and mastered content. It is the mastering process that changes the sound so it can be best reproduced in "audiophile" headsets and speakers.

 

[RickInHouston]

High-end starts at $1500. Big difference between, say a Sennheiser HD600 $500 and 800S, $1800. Let's not even mention Focal or Audeze...