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Apple's Work on High-End Over-Ear Headphones: Everything We Know
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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...?
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.
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.
Apple has been selling audio accessories since December 2016 when the original AirPods launched.
Rubbish. They’ve sold earphones since 2001.
source:
Apple headphones - Wikipedia
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.
Every speaker in every headphone or earbud you've ever listened to has a magnet..
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.
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.
Apple has been selling audio accessories since December 2016 when the original AirPods launched.
But why bother taking the time and trouble to actually research a news article before posting it? Reliable journalism is so passé.
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.
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.
I can’t see anything thing that suggests Apple is going to make profic
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.
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.
Can confirm, I am a food/beer/coffee/audio snob and am no fun at parties.
Yet they will sell a lot of them. Good for Apple. If people will buy. They will make.
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.
Neither does the HomePod mini but that’s likely to be announced at WWDC...doesn’t mean it will be just a software event
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".