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Lightning Headphones: Are They Better or Just an Inconvenience?
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Thanks for the video, it really clarifies a lot of the issues with removing the 3.5mm jack. Before I saw this, I was of the opinion that it was foolish to remove it. But when you focus on the DAC, it's a little bit more obvious why Apple would like to externalize that component. If they focus on the improved audio quality aspect of removing the 3.5 mm jack, I think they will get a lot more people behind that decision.
As for compatibility, they can always include an adapter that contains a small DAC, allowing for the use of any pair of headphones.
As for charging, I'm sure you're going to start seeing headphones with batteries built-in that can act as an external power supply for the iPhone.
As for compatibility, they can always include an adapter that contains a small DAC, allowing for the use of any pair of headphones.
As for charging, I'm sure you're going to start seeing headphones with batteries built-in that can act as an external power supply for the iPhone.
It seems that iPhone 6 was top of the hill. From now on we are on declined plane. iPhone 7 the same size, unnecessary changes like headphone jack, etc. You can tell that Apple has run out of ideas. Pretty understandable in current climate.
Being a mac fan for years I have lost ability to distinguish difference between new models/hardware/names. Nothing new anymore just the same under different name.
I think its time for Apple to come up with something new if they want to keep the same status. They really missing someone like SJ, as Cook is just good to keep books looking good for wallstreet.
My 2 c
Being a mac fan for years I have lost ability to distinguish difference between new models/hardware/names. Nothing new anymore just the same under different name.
I think its time for Apple to come up with something new if they want to keep the same status. They really missing someone like SJ, as Cook is just good to keep books looking good for wallstreet.
My 2 c
This move would make more sense if they abandoned lightning and adopted USB-C across everything.
Lightning was a dumb idea from the start. Just use a standard connector and quit screwing around.
Lightning was a dumb idea from the start. Just use a standard connector and quit screwing around.
Quick question. Do the tested headphones have amps built in as well? If so, did you test them with the amps at different settings?
Most new card readers are compatible with Chip-and-PIN (and more recently NFC) and are BTLE only. Chip-and-PIN has been the new standard in most markets for almost ten years. It's about time the US gets with the time and switching to theses technologies will also help against credit card fraud.
No, it did not.
Ethernet is commonly 1 gig speed now, and has been for years. Next step which is upon us very soon is 10 gig.
WiFi can't touch those speeds. Wireless will always lag wired, it's the nature of the beast.
Having said that, the utility of wireless is many times a trump card.
Nope. Ethernet is currently 10gbps or even 100gbps full duplex in higher end installations.
5GHZ (AC) wifi can reach speeds above 1gbps; however there are a large number of caveats involved:
1) It is only half-duplex, unlike ethernet which is full-duplex. (Ethernet can send 1gbps and receive 1gbps simultaneously, wifi can only send or receive)
2) It requires a massive amount of bandwidth - which does not exist on the 2.4GHz spectrum. It can only be done on the 5GHz spectrum. This also means that extremely few networks can actually exist within the same area.
3) It requires the use of 256QAM modulation - which has extremely short range. (Less than a foot)
4) Requires massive amounts of space for the number of antennas needed.
5) Requires massive amounts of power the antennas needed.
6) Requires massive amounts of power for the 256QAM modulation to work.
7) The cited number assumes a collision free network. This does not represent wi-fi at all.
By contrast; 1gbps ethernet is nearly a guaranteed 1gbps transmission - since it is virtually collision free (dedicated send and transmit lanes) and interference free. Additionally, the number of networks that can exist in an area is effectively infinite.
Which of course is not a problem for the thousand, or even millions of people who only have an iPhone...at least for personal music consumption.
Nominally better and absolutely meaningless with streaming music and compressed MP3's.
The idea of moving the dac/amp externally is fine by me. My issue is the lightning port - it is great...but there is no way I will spend a decent amount of money on headphones with a lightning cable attached. If they make a detachable cable version with USB/Lightning then I would consider it...but if it is stuck to lightning - no way.
I call this 'test' BS.
Did you magically A/B test the exact same headphones with and without lightning out?
Did you magically A/B test the exact same headphones with and without lightning out?
true, but IS a problem where people use multiple devices and need to use separate headphone... more money blown - better for companies to get rich
This is just another Apple lock in thing.. that's all.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
Why do I want to use different headphones on my iPhone and my Mac, unless I bring an adapter with me?
He did for one set, the 800$ pair. Did you even watch the video?
Someone with more knowledge than me please confirm, but the assumption that the DAC in the iPhone would be external is wrong. Wouldn't the iPhone still need a DAC to handle the sound on the iPhone?
While I see the benefits, I still use super light earbuds when commuting and cannot be bothered with anything else - big fat headphones (wired or wireless) do offer better sound quality, but they're bulky, more fragile, and (frankly) they tend to make me look like an alien.
Regardless of how good they sound (or not), I've already sunk nearly £600 GBP into my Bose QC25i and QC20i and won't be replacing them to get compatibility (adapter not withstanding). The QC25i at least have a detachable 3.5mm to 2.5mm cable, so could potentially be replaced with a lighting to 2.5mm cable, wiring permitting.
What the F happened to Macrumors?! Is this now a ****** review site with Amazon referral links?
Where can I find 10Gbps wi-fi? Or even wi-fi capable of roughly the same actual throughput as 1Gbps ethernet?
