3.5mm headphone jack going away ?

There will certainly be an  adapter to allow 3.5mm headphones. I am not super plussed about it, I don't really need my iPhone to be thinner, I would rather have a standard headphone jack. Although some of the rumblings say another reason they are getting rid of it is to make the phone water proof - that would actually be very nice.

I doubt this has much impact for those with headphones using better 6.25mm or balanced connectors. And there have been portable devices in the past that had a proprietary small connector with adapter leads. Bearing in mind that other manufacturers could have adopted Apple's data connection also but just went for the larger (but small enough) micro USB instead, I doubt this will have a significant impact on the global use of 3.5mm jacks. 

A move to wireless Bluetooth headphones only is most likely. 

Guy007 posted:

So currently the internet rumour mill is going with stories of Apple's next iPhone dropping the 3.5mm headphone jack, with the implication it will spread to other manufacturers. 

Recently headphone manufacturers have been putting out new devices with lightning connections ( Audeze spring to mind) as they get better 'digital sound' and Sennheiser didn't seem to be phased based on a recent article.

What are people's thoughts here ?  Not worried as it's portable hifi and not my home equipment ?

I have no beef with the 3.5mm jack being replaced by a more effective connector, but the Lightning Socket is not it.. recent personal experiences (nothing to do with audio) show how poor this connector is and susceptible to RFI it can be.

Simon

Pretty sure I have seen an adaptor already typical Apple changing a tried and trusted format probably why I will never own another Apple product.

If they do remove the jack, I have plenty of 'legacy' (just like my old 30 pin apple chargers) headphones, so as long as there is an adapter I won't be too unhappy.  I personally don't want the device too slim as it generally means easier to damage - more sensitive smaller internal components.

If it does go to a lightning connection, unless a dual charger comes in, I wonder if they are also going to move to induction charging of the phone, similar to the watch, which to Depree's point could make it water proof.  With Bluetooth Geofiz, I feel this just another device to worry about charging, but I get the cordless benefits.

Simon I don't know about the RFI of the connector, I do like the simplicity of not worrying of the direction when plugging it in.

Rumours abound.  The one I like the sound of is that the iPhone will be able to output hi res audio, so an offboard and portable DAC (such as the Mojo or Dragonfl) could be used. This also relates to another rumour that Apple would bring out a hires format for streaming and downloads.  

My "iPod" is a Samsung S4 --> Resonessence Labs Herus --> Grado SR-225 with 32GB Micro-SD card.

1/4" jack FTW!!!

Bye.

My ipod is also a Samsung S4 and my iPad is a Samsung Tab S 

Haha, maybe that will be the Android differential, a 3.5mm jack !

Grado's excel with Rock, Pop and electronic.  For me anyway. I have an SR60 and RS1 ( original, no i's or e's )

DUPREE posted:

How do you like your Grado's? I just upgraded from an older 325 to the PS500e and both were amazing.. Also very easy to drive.

Not the best match with the Herus, as the Herus likes to play with the volume bar way up (to minimize the effects of the digital volume control). I'm slowly looking for a high impedance headphone, closed cups preferred, that could beat (or at least match) the Grado's sound quality.

I also have a RS-1 on a Headline in the living room. Perfect combo! And using the same SR-225 on a Hifiman EF2A on the main computer when not on the move (it's a better match than the one with the Herus).

Bye.

Yeah, Grado's are sensitive and easy to drive. I use the built in headphone amp on a NAC-N 272 in my living room with the PS-500e's and it does a perfect job. Can't really turn it up past 45ish or it's too loud... Even directly connected to an iPhone 6 they sound great but still not quite up to where an external amp would bring them.. Have you looked at BeyerDynamic T70's for closed headphones? I like the Beyer sound best for closed headphones, I use their predecessor the DT770 at work and they are awesome, I've owned a number of Beyer's over the years - I think in a quiet home situation nothing beats the Grado's but the Grado's have a lot of inconviences. The Beyer is comfortable and sounds great all the while not leaking sound out all over..

Jude2012 posted:

Rumours abound.  The one I like the sound of is that the iPhone will be able to output hi res audio, so an offboard and portable DAC (such as the Mojo or Dragonfl) could be used. This also relates to another rumour that Apple would bring out a hires format for streaming and downloads.  

ALAC over iTunes was piloted in Japan. Been a couple years since I gave up on iTunes though. Not heard anything about it since. 

My lips are sealed. But no one has spotted the real reasons yet. 

jon honeyball posted:

My lips are sealed. But no one has spotted the real reasons yet. 

Apple going for marketshare into the Bluetooth and/or Lightning-connected headphones business?

Apple seeing an opportunity to sell millions of high-margin Lightning-to-3.5mm adapters?

None of this is new. Apple were known for releasing proprietary standards of connectors and components and peripherals back in the 80s and then changing the standards in the next model requiring new adapters and peripherals with the old ones consigned to land fill. It was one of the main complaints cited by their detractors.

There is actually less of that now than there was back then but of course they have a huge market share now so the constant changes in standards gets more attention. On the other hand the impact is greater now. A new iPod might mean that all the Apple dock station boom boxes or even your car are outdated. Note all the hotel rooms now with utterly useless Apple dock stations by the bed gathering dust or the Apple dock built-in car stereo that now needs an iffy dongle to connect a current iPod. I used Macs for a decade when I finally got fed up with the built-in obsolecence (and the snooty prick working at the Genius bar that said a 2 year old Mac was ancient and kept pushing me to buy a new Mac Book rather than sell me the memory I asked for).

DUPREE posted: Yeah, Grado's are sensitive and easy to drive. I use the built in headphone amp on a NAC-N 272 in my living room with the PS-500e's and it does a perfect job. Can't really turn it up past 45ish or it's too loud... Even directly connected to an iPhone 6 they sound great but still not quite up to where an external amp would bring them.. Have you looked at BeyerDynamic T70's for closed headphones? I like the Beyer sound best for closed headphones, I use their predecessor the DT770 at work and they are awesome, I've owned a number of Beyer's over the years - I think in a quiet home situation nothing beats the Grado's but the Grado's have a lot of inconveniences. The Beyer is comfortable and sounds great all the while not leaking sound out all over..

 

I can't remember the Beyers that I tried at a friend's "Home Headfest" a couple of years ago, but I do remember that I liked them for their politeness and flat response, and doing it without being dull to listen at. You're right, they might turn to be a good match with the Herus. I'll add the T-70 to my "have to listen" list. 

The Grado are little devils... They seems to be easy to get going but they're not. You could crank them at an insane listening level with about anything, but they need a good amp to have a good grip at them, or they'll appear to be shouty, bass light and all forward.

Bye.

I'm a big fan of the T70 (280 ohms) and they worked great with my Headline. Not so great on the SN2's hp-out. It's been suggested here the lower impedance T70p (30 ohms) work well with the SN2 and it makes sense, but I've never heard them.

Something to chew on. The lightening to hdmi plug adapter has an arm processor in there, a bunch of ram, and it's OS is downloaded on the fly when you plug it in apparently. 

Does anyone here listen seriously through an apple 3.5mm jack? As Naimites I thought we knew better for serious listening  Knowing Apple, as I do, (since 1988) I am certain that it will be for the better.

The interesting question... Will the Lightning connector even survive, or will it be replaced by a standard USB-C?

I'm not convinced that Lightning connectors are robust enough for headphone use. I sometimes find it necessary to remove and reinsert the plug a couple of times to get a connection. With headphones they'll have to survive being shoved in and out of pockets on a twice daily commute. 

Maybe Beats are about to launch a new range of Bluetooth headphones and they want to generate lots of demand.