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Bluetooth Headphone Revenue Overtakes Non-Bluetooth Ahead of iPhone 7 Launch
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Since you're pointing fingers, I'd have to say your argument is weak as well, because not everyone buys BOSE quality BT headsets. Due to the price, I'd say most buy "value" BT headphones, which will probably fail sooner because their electronics will fail.
You're both right and wrong, depending on how good of a product you buy. My good headphones have a removable cable so it can be replaced. No other electronics in the cans, they should last forever. BT anything, on the other hand, will fail at some point.
Of course, they're both Bluetooth. Until they adopt Bluetooth 5.0, they're all going to be junk. But I wanted to get a pair for watching tv at night and Skullcandy seemed like the logical choice sound wise and cost wise.
Hey I have a question someone here could probably answer. I hear that Bluetooth headphones have some lag. Is that a problem with current headphone models? I'm considering getting some BT headphones to use with my Mac, I play guitar into my Mac and I would listen through headphones while playing. But if there is lag, it would mess up my playing. Of course it doesn't matter for just listening to music, but if the guitar sounds I hear are delayed from when I pluck the strings, that would be a dealbreaker.
I hate to say this, but I now hate Sony stuff. I was a big Sony fan, buying EVERYTHING Sony; turntables, MiniDisc stuff, gadgets, gizmos, headphones… you get the point. But I was also a Mac user, and Sony's Mac support was non-existent. I used to joke that if Sony made a mouse pad, it wouldn't be Mac-Compatible. I finally broke down and got a 3rd gen iPod when it was clear that Sony would never make MiniDisc work with Mac.
But Sony headphones? I continued to buy them, even though they always let me down. Crappily made, one of the sides would conk out. I bought one of their high-end BT headphones that got high marks a few years ago. I still use it because it cost a small fortune. It sounds good, except that it's laggy as hell (I have another set of headphones, slightly older, that don't lag at all) and it cuts off the beginning of every song. That was the biggest Sony purchase I had made in 15 years, and it's the last I'll ever make.
Beats are way overpriced, as are Bose. It's interesting to see LG in 2nd place. I have been using some AKG bluetooth headphones.
It has taken several years to get BT stable enough to be enjoyable in headphone applications. I used a set of Sony's about 6 years ago that were awful, sounded terrible and dropped out a lot.
I do think its banana's that consumer headphones can cost $300-$400 - I think that has an awful lot to do with marketing more than quality! and am very happy with by AKGs that cost me less than $100!, they sound great and have yet to have a drop-out, do not interfere with multi-channeling - iPhone stays connected to headphones and iWatch.... simultaneously.
Time for Bluetooth Headphones has arrived. Just wish the marketing twits would calm down a bit! bluetooth might be coming of age in headphones, but its hardly a new thing.
It has taken several years to get BT stable enough to be enjoyable in headphone applications. I used a set of Sony's about 6 years ago that were awful, sounded terrible and dropped out a lot.
I do think its banana's that consumer headphones can cost $300-$400 - I think that has an awful lot to do with marketing more than quality! and am very happy with by AKGs that cost me less than $100!, they sound great and have yet to have a drop-out, do not interfere with multi-channeling - iPhone stays connected to headphones and iWatch.... simultaneously.
Time for Bluetooth Headphones has arrived. Just wish the marketing twits would calm down a bit! bluetooth might be coming of age in headphones, but its hardly a new thing.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
OK, so you appear to be saying that both types should be viewed as equally reliable or unreliable on a longevity (of use) basis? If so, that's just not my own experience... nor have I noticed that in my circle.
And I have to believe the "battery dying", "one bud fails", "one bud is lost" thing happens far more often than the "wired cable breaks". Sure, there's always 10 guys that will step forward who can argue some odd luck that is probably an exception instead of the rule. But again, in my experience, wired just lasts and lasts and lasts. Wireless is temporary because it is NOT going to last. Exceptions- even opposite experiences for some? Sure. But most of the time??? ...for most people???
That's not what the post is implying at all. As others have mentioned, it's simply stating the revenue from BT headphones has surpassed revenue for non-BT headphones. Revenue. According to the data from the post, most people still purchased almost 5X as many non-BT headphones. 17% share for BT vs 83% share for non-BT.
When the next tech is up to an overwhelming 17% of units sold? Maybe there's an argument to be made for the transition, but these sales stats ain't it.
Except that they're not. Read past the misleading headline, only 17% of headphones sold are wireless. Wireless is just generally more expensive.
what nonsense. I'm a consumer, and i like wireless headphones and better devices. if apple announces cool features making ditching the 3.5mm jack worth it, I'm all for it. time will tell.
Even if we are talking about value products, the electronics inside wireless headphones do not fail as easily as a cable breaks.
In my eyes, the longevity argument just does not work in favor of wired headphones.
And you should consider that many wireless headphones can be used passively when you attach a cable.
But wireless headphones are worse than wired. You can prefer wireless, but they are not better than wired....and as a consumer you need to understand this fact, this is a step backwards, irespective what gimmick features are added
No way in a month of Sundays are Sony MDRs less durable, reliable, or repairable than Bluetooth headphones. Not even close.
Nothing on that list is considered an audiophile's headphone which typically come in at much higher price points. The market is currently dominated by cheap throwaway junk and that really needs to change. Right now, the goal is to get reliable bluetooth connectivity, decent battery life, and better than mediocre build quality. At least a couple of the manufacturers (Beats, Bose, Jaybird) on that list are bringing out products that resolve many of the longstanding complaints regarding wireless headsets. Hopefully, Apple's ditching of the 3.5mm analog headphone jack will continue to accelerate major improvements in these products.
I have personally tested Jaybird, Jabra and Beats for exercise. The Jaybird and Jabra headphones had terrible sound quality, Beats had good sound quality. The Beats headphones integrated the best with the iPhone while the Jabra headphones killed me with terrible battery life. I really hope my preferred headphone manufacturer, Grado Labs of Brooklyn, NY, embrace the wireless headphone market soon.
They are not actually. 83% are buying wired
I hardly ever use headphones, if they have to be charged mine will never be charged when I want them. Not thrilled with having to deal with another battery
is bluetooth apt-x coming to ios yet? or does iphone 7 have something better?
is bluetooth apt-x coming to ios yet? or does iphone 7 have something better?
Well there are never any certainties with tech as there are so many elements that can stop things working correctly; as such, it's a case of playing Devil's Advocate.
Are you less likely to get lag issues with wired headphones? Yes. So don't get Bluetooth ones.
Yeah, I'm on your side...I agree that wired would outlast wireless, given they were both decent quality. I disagreed that the only issue with BT is the battery dying, when in fact there are electronics (and cheap crappy ones in some models) that will fail before a passive driver fails in wired headphones.