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They will want to hope the ANC is better than the Beats, because those cans are very, very average. I own them and I was quite disappointed with them. Uncomfortable and average ANC. Seems Apple will fix the first issue, but the 2nd...?
 
I purchased Apple headphones (Beats Solo Pro) purely because of connectivity (H1 chip) and that there is no need to download a third party app or create an account. I would prefer over-ear so I hope Apple doesn't make this too expensive.
 
High-end starts at $1500. Big difference between, say a Sennheiser HD600 $500 and 800S, $1800. Let's not even mention Focal or Audeze...

Not really. I'd say a HD6XX (HD650) that is routinely on sale for $195 is the tipping point for diminishing returns. Sure $1,000+ headphones are generally technically better, but not usually significantly so. And even then I reach for my 6XX more so than my LCD-2s because of their chill, super laid back sound and intimate vocals.

Also most 'audiophiles' you ask will tell you the HD600/650/660S series is better for everyday listening than a HD800S which can be fatiguing to listen to, depending on your hearing. So it's really subjective.

With their resources Apple could make a high-end pair to rival anything on the market for sub-$1000, easy.
 
High-end starts at $1500. Big difference between, say a Sennheiser HD600 $500 and 800S, $1800. Let's not even mention Focal or Audeze...

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.
 
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"Apple could price the new headphones at around $350." - Apple could price them at $3,500 and people would still buy them!
 
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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.
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.
 
Anyone who thinks this is being targeted to professionals is nuts. Both AirPods models have been runaway hits for the average consumer and Apple has no interest in targeting any other demographic. I’m just hoping they are more conscious of how inconvenient Beats are for travel and how irritating they are when worn with glasses. Otherwise I’m sticking with the AirPods Pro for now.
 
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
 
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

Every speaker in every headphone or earbud you've ever listened to has a magnet..
 
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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.

I don’t think Apple cares about marketing to “audiophiles”.

For me, what I like about my AirPods is that while sound quality is average, they are so comfortable to wear and convenient to use, which in turn means that I end up using them more. Compared to a pair of headphones that may sound better, but who really cares when they are hot and heavy and make my ears hurt from pressing my spectacle frames against.

In a sense, the AirPods feel like the laptop market all over again, with OEMs focusing solely on sound quality, and not enough on the other factors like comfort or portability.

I think there is a huge untapped opportunity for Apple to rethink the whole listening experience beyond just sound quality in a vacuum, and I am interested to see Apple’s take on this.
 
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Apple has been selling audio accessories since December 2016 when the original AirPods launched.
Rubbish. They’ve sold earphones since 2001.

source:
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.

But why bother taking the time and trouble to actually research a news article before posting it? Reliable journalism is so passé.
 
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Amazon has been selling Taotronics Model 60, noise cancelling Bluetooth, over the ear phones, identical to what Tim has apparently told his techies to find a way to copy legally somehow, for $60 or less for many months.
I bought a set last year.
I used to have a set of Sennheiser 580s, and these are better and much more comfortable, including a 3.5mm jack if you insist on using one. They sync beautifully with my iPod Touch. The Sennheisers died long ago anyhow.
Spending $350 for over the ear phones these days seems a bit silly. Apple and Beats are just names, not worth that kind of money.
 
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?
I can’t see anything thing that suggests Apple is going to make profic
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.
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.

Would love to be proved wrong though as $300 is a good price point for reference headphones.
 
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But what does Apple have to offer that has not already been available for decades?

The same value proposition Apple has always offered its customers.

Take an emerging product category with a frustrating user experience and deliver a polished product made possible by its control over both the hardware and software.
 
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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?
 
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.
Can confirm, I am a food/beer/coffee/audio snob and am no fun at parties.
 
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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?

Other brands use this idea to attach a headphone cable if needed or purely to service and swap out the old ear cushions. But you have a great idea there too.
 
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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

Exactly. This reminds me of the article a few days ago mentioning how Apple has screwed up the noise cancellation on the Air Pods. Apple hasn't been able to make any speakers or earbuds beyond mediocre and this will be no different. But they will definitely make a lot of money trying.

What Apple means by "high-end" is "high-price".
 
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