If they are truly going for high-end, then these should be wired, with a wireless option (combo).
Wired is unlikely to happen with Apple, except maybe for charging.
If they are truly going for high-end, then these should be wired, with a wireless option (combo).
High-end starts at $1500. Big difference between, say a Sennheiser HD600 $500 and 800S, $1800. Let's not even mention Focal or Audeze...
High-end starts at $1500. Big difference between, say a Sennheiser HD600 $500 and 800S, $1800. Let's not even mention Focal or Audeze...
Exactly!’ I’m a music producer myself and I mix on 8inch monitors. I think people in this thread are conflating audiophile and somebody that actually makes the damn audio itself.As I just wrote, Professionals don't use "audiophile" gear. There are a few "standard" headphones that they use. Most are under $200. The reason is that the pros are creating content, not consuming it. I've thinking that Apple is addressing the need of people using software like Logic or Final Cut to edit sound for the TV, film or recording industry. But this seems odd because the pros would want to continue with the old standards they are used to and the audiophiles want gold plated silver cables. So it is hard to see where their market is.
I'm going to spend $350 on Apple headphones? I don't think so, for that price I'm going for Sennheiser or Beyerdynamic.
And a magnet near your head is not a good idea
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.
Apple have been selling audio accessories since at least 1993, when I bought the AppleDesign Powered Speakers, as a quick glance at Mactracker would have shown.
I can’t see anything thing that suggests Apple is going to make proficThe 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?
i really struggle to believe that Apple will get in to the professional headphones market, particularly open back mixing headphones. (They could give it the cheese grater design if they did ;-) ). I suspect they will make a moderately upmarket product and call it Pro like iPhone/iPad Pro.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.
But what does Apple have to offer that has not already been available for decades?
Can confirm, I am a food/beer/coffee/audio snob and am no fun at parties.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.
Yet they will sell a lot of them. Good for Apple. If people will buy. They will make.Neither will be the choice of smart consumers in the two categories.
being able to take the ear cups off and attach them magnetically sounds interesting. I wonder if that means Apple will sell different colour ear cups to swap and change out?
So wonder if we see these airpods studio at WWDC?
They don’t strike me as particularly needed by developers to be honest.
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