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You mean considering only iDevices have Lightning? Nothing get's by you does it...

What else matters? A Mac? I use a 27" iMac, so I'm not going to be using earbuds with a 1 foot cord on them. Not without an extension cord (aka, and adapter).

What other device, in this day and age, and am I going to have time to listen to music with headphones? Not my home/house audio system...speakers for that.

Really, the argument just doesn't add up.

A bit defensive? Relax. It sounded like you used lightning exclusively so I made a statement in that vein. I asked as I listen to sound (music, video, etc...) on a number of devices. Even though I own Apple stuff, I don't limit myself. Great headphones are too expensive for me to buy a set that can only be used on a subset of devices.

Have B&O and Pur for wired. Use them on almost everything.
Have Pump Mini and TrebLab for BT.
 
No, you're wrong.

Your phone has one in it. The Sansa Clip has one in it and that device is TINY. You would also be hard pressed to find better audio quality than you'll get from that little DAC in the that little player.

Whether from your phone's 3.5mm jack or from a DAC in a lightning adapter, the signal will be about the same. The 3.5mm output might technically be a little noisier on a scope but I doubt you would be able to hear an audible difference between that and the output from a quality DAC attached to the lightning port.
 
It will not be transitional for many, anyone with quality headphones will continue to use 3.5mm for a long time. No one is buying another set of quality headphones to get a lighting port and fixed DAC . Fixed DAC in quality heaphones is a killer
The adapter will be transitional for the majority of people who chose to buy one, based not only on the definition of the word transitional, but on the percentage of people who will be effected. Check your numbers: "Many" = less than 20%. The vast majority of people who listen to music on iPhones do it via earbuds or Bluetooth/AirPlay. And "long time" will be 1-3 years for most people. Most folks with wired phones will use them with an adapter for a year or two and then upgrade to wireless audio when theirs wear out or when the audio quality improves, which it does constantly.

Plus, anyone who "invests" $500 or more in audiophile quality headphones with a 3.5mm jack and is looking to get use out of them for a "long time" shouldn't be using an iPhone as their primary listening device anyway. And such outliers are a tiny percentage of the users who've bought the 1 billion iOS devices to date.

Wireless headphones are the future of mobile audio. Period. Resistance is wasted energy.

I don't mean to sound pedantic but I've seen a few folks make these assertions now. Is this number verifiable somewhere? Is it just an educated guess on your part? I guess I just don't see how you are so sure that most folks willeither use Bluetooth or whatever is packaged with their phone.

Maybe I just haven't studied the market (and others have), so I'm just totally off base.
You're not being pedantic. That's a good question. 80/20 is a number I triangulated from a few sources. I've seen it written on multiple sites that the vast majority of people who have iPhones still use their original headphones. I cannot recall exactly what articles, but it was likely on Mac Rumors or Daring Fireball or The Verge, where I tend to cruise. And in walking around and riding the el, taking the bus, my personal observation verifies this. And when I do see non-white Apple earbuds, they are generally pretty cheap ones. Rarely do I see people with the nice Sennheiser or Shure in-ear phones that I have. People who wear big Beats phones in public certainly stand out, but if you look at the percentage of people wearing them it's pretty small. It makes sense, since most people aren't audiophiles and are happy with what we comes bundled. It's that way with most ALL electronics. I own a Harmony universal remote. Most people use the one that came with their TV. Etc.

Also, try to find a portable speaker these days that's not Bluetooth. Its hard. The vast majority have been BT for several years. Headphones are heading in a similar direction, although not in quite the same extreme. Ear bud and workout type headsets are trending heavily toward BT, with on ear or over ear phones just behind. (There is a parallel trend toward fancy, old school wired headphones as well, but this is a high end niche trend driven by by hipster fashion and nostalgia. Serious audiophiles might drop half a G on a nice pair of cans to listen lossless like on their home stereo, but not on their iPhone. And even then, that's very small sub-group. Same with car audio systems. We own a 2010 VW and the Bluetooth works flawlessly for music, connecting automatically as soon as we get in the car. New cars are even better, with CarPlay and numerous other wireless features.

So between the huge chunk of people who use the whatever ear buds are bundled with their phone (and thus will happily use the new lightning earbuds, which may potentially also include a noise cancelling mic for better phone calls) and the large and ever growing number of people who use BT headphones, speakers, car stereos or AirPlay to listen to music, it's clear how Apple saw that this was as good a time as any for the transition. It will be a slight hassle for those who wish to still use their old wired Beats or Bose phones for a few years, but a small $19 adapter that you can leave attached to them will patch that. And think of it this way: if you agree, as most industry experts do, that portable audio will eventually go almost completely wireless (in most use cases), then every year Apple waits to make the change to Lightning/Blutooth is another year where you or I or someone else might unknowingly buy an old 3.5mm set of headphones because they think that it still has a future, which is a drag for everyone because it's viability will become less and less every single year. The sooner everyone gets on the Lightning/BT wagon, the better it is for everyone. Not just Apple or early adapters. Because (most) every dollar spent on old tech would be better spent on new tech, because it lengthens it's practical life.
 
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You're awfully adamant with your stance. Could you please cite sources to back up your opinions? Again, this is akin to the lossless vs lossy compressed vs vinyl debate. Unlike myself, most don't have McIntosh amp's or Bang & Olufsen systems and even if they did there is no hard evidence to suggest that bluetooth A2DP audio is inferior on a mobile device. That comes down to the quality of the track and headset.

You can drop quoting McIntosh etc, really not relevant to the wireless v wired debate, you are better quoting something like the sennheiser monument 2.0 wireless or B&O H8 .

when talking about wireless, get yourself a quality headset see above, as in one that can reproduce quality recordings.....and listen wired v wireless , differnce is obvious. That is sound quality

Part 2 is connection, I've tried every highend wireless headset, all have constant connection issues, some take multiple attempts, firmware updates, and drop outs due to interference .

Part 3. Battery life, and annoyance of charging

Like networking , find me a major company or any professional Setup that chooses wireless over wired? Wired is still the standard for stable secure setups for very good reason.

So yes, I have a B&O H8, and I've had enough of paring issues and drop outs , along with inferior sound quality that I can say from my experiece wireless is not worth the hassle right now, more to do with connection issues actually, that I used it wired.

If you are a fan of apple earbuds .... Well in which case be it wired or wireless , they are not going to reproduce high def audio so will sound much the same. Though enjoy connection and battery issues. The average so consumer does not want the hassle of recharging headphones every night in my opinion.
 
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I don't mean to sound pedantic but I've seen a few folks make these assertions now. Is this number verifiable somewhere? Is it just an educated guess on your part? I guess I just don't see how you are so sure that most folks willeither use Bluetooth or whatever is packaged with their phone.

Maybe I just haven't studied the market (and others have), so I'm just totally off base.
Also, I really like the quote/phrase at the bottom or your entry:
"Endorse what you love instead of attacking what you hate."
Wish everyone practiced that.
 
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You can drop quoting McIntosh etc, really not relevant to the wireless v wired debate, you are better quoting something like the sennheiser monument 2.0 wireless or B&O H8 .

when talking about wireless, get yourself a quality headset see above, as in one that can reproduce quality recordings.....and listen wired v wireless , differnce is obvious. That is sound quality

Part 2 is connection, I've tried every highend wireless headset, all have constant connection issues, some take multiple attempts, firmware updates, and drop outs due to interference .

Part 3. Battery life, and annoyance of charging

Like networking , find me a major company or any professional Setup that chooses wireless over wired? Wired is still the standard for stable secure setups for very good reason.

So yes, I have a B&O H8, and I've had enough of paring issues and drop outs , along with inferior sound quality that I can say from my experiece wireless is not worth the hassle right now, more to do with connection issues actually, that I used it wired.

If you are a fan of apple earbuds .... Well in which case be it wired or wireless , they are not going to reproduce high def audio so will sound much the same. Though enjoy connection and battery issues. The average so consumer does not want the hassle of recharging headphones every night in my opinion.

1 - You're being condescending

2 - You have not backed up your opinions with any sources of studies, etc., we call that "Confirmation Bias"

3 - You're using your H8's wrong

4 - Stop throwing around names and misinformation then inform me I should drop my one reference

5 - This is getting no where, I'm done.
 
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I won't disagree with anything you've said. It doesn't change the fact that I've had worse experiences with these cables then I do with others despite putting those other cables through similar stresses. (Forgot to mention I have a few micro USB in the car as well for my work phone, but it also gets plugged in less).

It's a bit early to tell but I replaced my car cables with insignia mfi certified cables, namely because my wife is manager at Best Buy and they were $3 a cable. This happened about 4 months ago and no issues thus far. I can also say that I bought a 10 foot Belkin two years ago for using in bed. That cable gets trashed. I yank, bend, twist, roll over with my computer chair, etc. aside from being dis colored a bit (I hate white cables) you couldn't even tell it's used.

My conclusion, collecting mine and other's anecdotal experiences is that apples cables, namely their outer coating, just doesn't stand up to the stresses that those of other manufacturers do. If their lightning buds are made the same way precious peripherals have been made, I give them half a year tops before I need new ones for the gym.

Same club. I ended up buying braided or woven cables with reinforced ends. I got tired of swapping them out at the Apple Store. Apple has a cheaply designed iDevice cable.
 
Check your numbers: "Many" = less than 20%. The vast majority of people who listen to music on iPhones do it via earbuds or Bluetooth/AirPlay. Al

That was many of the 20% you quoted.

Also you need to break out the wired from wireless users from your remaining 80%, cause your will find the vast majority of users are wired.

Your average consumer uses the accessory that comes with the Product, BT biggest issue is cost, vast majority of users will not upgrade to BT due to the high cost over the wired set they got "free" when they buy a smartphone .
 
With the lightning headphones you dont need a DAC because lightning is a digital IO.

Just like you need the internal DAC in the iPhone to play sound via the internal speaker, you
need another DAC (a second DAC in the headphones or on the lightning cable) to convert the digital signal to be played on the analog speakers in headphones, earbuds, etc. The last step in the "chain" is to convert to an analog signal.
 
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1 - You're being condescending

2 - You have not backed up your opinions with any sources of studies, etc., we call that "Confirmation Bias"

3 - You're using your H8's wrong

4 - Stop throwing around names and misinformation then inform me I should drop my one reference

5 - This is getting no where, I'm done.
how does one use Bluetooth headphones wrong?

I have no idea about the validity of these claims as I don't have high end Bluetooth anything, but isn't it as simple as connecting and listening?

My only experience with bkuetooth audio is my our RAV4 and I can say it does some wired stuff, anywhere from delayed sound, speed up of tracks (sounds like fast forwarding), to occasional disconnecting (though it doesn't case repairing).

From what I've read this is common (with my car), and there really isn't much to do. You pair the device and, beyond that, that's it.
 
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1 - You're being condescending

2 - You have not backed up your opinions with any sources of studies, etc., we call that "Confirmation Bias"

3 - You're using your H8's wrong

4 - Stop throwing around names and misinformation then inform me I should drop my one reference

5 - This is getting no where, I'm done.

Okay , if it came across as condescending, that was not the intention, though you may want to look at your reply , quoting such high end audio gear... Reflect please.

http://www.headfonia.com/review-bo-beoplay-h8/

Read the part about connection issues and wireless. This sentiment is carried over many reviews of this headset.

Saying I'm using my H8 wrong is condescending, live by you own advice . Done ;)
 
how does one use Bluetooth headphones wrong?

I have no idea about the validity of these claims as I don't have high end Bluetooth anything, but isn't it as simple as connecting and listening?

My only experience with bkuetooth audio is my our RAV4 and I can say it does some wired stuff, anywhere from delayed sound, speed up of tracks (sounds like fast forwarding), to occasional disconnecting (though it doesn't case repairing).

From what I've read this is common (with my car), and there really isn't much to do. You pair the device and, beyond that, that's it.

I and many others I know and countless reviews have had no issues with H8's. Additionally, B&O has an OS X app that updates the firmware on their devices. The H8's included.

I'm sorry for your RAV4 having Bluetooth issues. I would confer with your Toyota dealer as there have been issues with the hardware in some of Toyota vehicles (including a few older model Lexus vehicles).
 
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That was many of the 20% you quoted.

Also you need to break out the wired from wireless users from your remaining 80%, cause your will find the vast majority of users are wired.

Your average consumer uses the accessory that comes with the Product, BT biggest issue is cost, vast majority of users will not upgrade to BT due to the high cost over the wired set they got "free" when they buy a smartphone .

I agree with your general assessment, average user will not care.
 
I and many others I know and countless reviews have had no issues with H8's. Additionally, B&O has an OS X app that updates the firmware on their devices. The H8's included.

I'm sorry for your RAV4 having Bluetooth issues. I would confer with your Toyota dealer as there have been issues with the hardware in some of Toyota vehicles (including a few older model Lexus vehicles).
No need to be sorry. It's easy to just plug in since I do that anyway lol. I was more curious how one might use Bluetooth incorrectly. As I've learned in my experiences with technology and forums, so engines incompatibilities exist even among similar/same products. I know people were having horrible issues making phone calls over Bluetooth on their SE. No such bad luck for us. Happens though.

Asking the dealer is a good step. Honestly our dealer was terrible and I vowed never to go back. But I may just do it. Or go to the farther one lol.
 
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I and many others I know and countless reviews have had no issues with H8's. Additionally, B&O has an OS X app that updates the firmware on their devices. The H8's included.

I'm sorry for your RAV4 having Bluetooth issues. I would confer with your Toyota dealer as there have been issues with the hardware in some of Toyota vehicles (including a few older model Lexus vehicles).

Google H8 BT drop outs, issues exist.

Even on apple reviews.

http://www.apple.com/shop/reviews/HHHH2ZM/B/bo-play-beoplay-h8-wireless-on-ear-headphones

Many posts here about BT issues
http://www.head-fi.org/t/749700/ban...ireless-noise-cancelling-on-ear-headphones/75

Also you cannot update firmware via B&O app.

I have to ask, do you have a H8?
 
Okay , if it came across as condescending, that was not the intention, though you may want to look at your reply , quoting such high end audio gear... Reflect please.

http://www.headfonia.com/review-bo-beoplay-h8/

Read the part about connection issues and wireless. This sentiment is carried over many reviews of this headset.

Saying I'm using my H8 wrong is condescending, live by you own advice . Done ;)

All good. Tone online and all.

So I'll see your link and raise you a few ;)

https://www.amazon.com/PLAY-Bang-Olufsen-Headphone-Cancelling/dp/B00R45Z2IE

http://www.minimallyminimal.com/blog/bo-beoplay-h8

https://www.engadget.com/2015/06/24/bo-h8-on-ear-headphones/

http://www.whathifi.com/bo/beoplay-h8/review

Also be aware that the H8's have had a refresh in the past few months, now using the same internals as Sennheiser Momentum Wireless. Bang & Olufsen also updated the firmware a few times to correct the few bluetooth issues some experienced. Download the app and plug your set in, update them. If they're still gving you trouble, take them in or call as they'll replace them. Again, everyone's milage may very. :)
 
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Yeah right, another ridiculous downfall post. Selling 50, 60, 70 , 80 million of a product is by no means a downfall. Can't wait to see Samsung copy the Lightning connector for the earphones. This same nonsense happened when Apple went from 30 pin to lightning. Doom and gloom, end of Apple. There will be an adapter for all the legacy headphones. And a couple phones down the line this will be a dead topic just like the 30 pin connector is a dead topic. At some point the cable connections will be a thing of the past. If it's such a burden for you just don't buy the iPhone. Plenty of other choices out there.


Don't tell me there are other choices because there are not. I like iOS, so my choices are limited. The iPhone 6 series is already too thin to use without a case and the material they chose doesn't make it any better.
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Yeah right, another ridiculous downfall post. Selling 50, 60, 70 , 80 million of a product is by no means a downfall. Can't wait to see Samsung copy the Lightning connector for the earphones. This same nonsense happened when Apple went from 30 pin to lightning. Doom and gloom, end of Apple. There will be an adapter for all the legacy headphones. And a couple phones down the line this will be a dead topic just like the 30 pin connector is a dead topic. At some point the cable connections will be a thing of the past. If it's such a burden for you just don't buy the iPhone. Plenty of other choices out there.


Don't tell me there are other choices because there are not. I like iOS, so my choices are limited. The iPhone 6 series is already too thin to use without a case and the material they chose doesn't make it any better.
 

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Please leave the volumen control on the right cable, so you can put your EarPods without having to read the R/L labels, doh!
 
All good. Tone online and all.

So I'll see your link and raise you a few ;)

https://www.amazon.com/PLAY-Bang-Olufsen-Headphone-Cancelling/dp/B00R45Z2IE

http://www.minimallyminimal.com/blog/bo-beoplay-h8

https://www.engadget.com/2015/06/24/bo-h8-on-ear-headphones/

http://www.whathifi.com/bo/beoplay-h8/review

Also be aware that the H8's have had a refresh in the past few months, now using the same internals as Sennheiser Momentum Wireless. Bang & Olufsen also updated the firmware a few times to correct the few bluetooth issues some experienced. Download the app and plug your set in, update them. If they're still gving you trouble, take them in or call as they'll replace them. Again, everyone's milage may very. :)

I assumed they improved them in later batches.

Mine is generally okay, but I get odd dropouts, I jsut use them wired now, they sound better.

Are you sure you can update firmware via app? Last I used it I could not
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He he he.

Very nice. Mine are probably an earlier batch as stated. Glad you are having no issues, and good to see B&O address the BT issues.
 
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I and many others I know and countless reviews have had no issues with H8's. Additionally, B&O has an OS X app that updates the firmware on their devices. The H8's included.

I'm sorry for your RAV4 having Bluetooth issues. I would confer with your Toyota dealer as there have been issues with the hardware in some of Toyota vehicles (including a few older model Lexus vehicles).

You're back -- LIAR! :p

I'm afraid I have to side with MH01 on this. I have yet to find a pair of BT headphones/speakers that sound half as good as their wired counterparts. Perhaps the technology is not yet affordable enough, but similarly priced products are just world's apart on sound quality. You typically need to spend substantially more on BT offerings just to get comparable performance -- or at least that has been my experience.

The only benefit to BT anything, in my mind, is portability. But that alone is not sufficient to offset the multiple concessions BT requires (e.g., $$, SQ, batteries/charging, etc.).

Car audio systems really highlight some of the issues. I drive a VW Golf, and I literally can't hear passages in songs when it's connected via BT. If I connect it via the wire, BOOM, there's the missing strings.

On a separate note, am I the only person still in love with 10 year old headphones (HD650)? I'd ditch my iPhone long before I'd part with these.
 
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