“KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new research note outlining his expectations for Apple’s ‘acoustic accessories’ pipeline, claiming the company is working on both updated AirPods and ‘own-brand, high-end over-ear headphones’ with an ‘all-new design,'” Eric Slivka reports for MacRumors. “The new over-ear headphones are said to debut in the fourth quarter of this year at the earliest.”
Apple to have own-brand, high-end over-ear headphones with all-new design; to be as convenient as AirPods with better sound quality; shipments to begin 4Q18F at earliest; Primax & SZS will be the key suppliers & will benefit from high ASPs. We believe that after AirPods and HomePod, Apple’s next addition will be high-end over-ear headphones, making its acoustic accessory lineup more complete. Existing suppliers Primax and SZS will be Apple’s partners on this new product. — Ming-Chi Kuo
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: With HomePod as evidence, we believe Apple can deliver the headphones that are of higher quality than competitors at their price point. Factor in the seamlessness of the Apple W2 chip-equippend AirPods and these new Apple headphones will be hot sellers.
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Apple plans upgrades to popular AirPods wireless earbuds – February 22, 2018
I am thrilled about the prospect of high-end, over-ear headphones from Apple. Over-ear headphones are far and away my preferred kind of headphone. HomePod’s audio quality is blowing me away. I expect the same for over-ear headphones with all their attendant benefits.
Doh! Big mistake. My favorite kind of headphone is on-ear, not over-ear. I’m thrilled no longer, but will surely have an open mind for Apple over-ear headphones.
And yet over the ear are the best sounding (open back) and most comfortable for long term or critical listening.
On ear are nice for walks, chores, looks….
I hope they will offer the same beam forming microphone tech they have offered on the AirPods. My only complaint with some “high end” headphones is that the mics suck if they have them and part of the attraction of these would be that as a frequent traveler if I could have a better conference calling experience it would be a huge win. I hope they don’t just put it on the cord like a lot of manufacturers.
Because $150 just isn’t enough for a pair of headphones. Devin Prater Assistive Technology Instructor
, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Powerpoint instructor certified by World Services for the Blind
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What’s going to make Bluetooth headphones sound better is Bluetooth 5. The standard is finished. It makes Bluetooth 4 bandwidth look anemic, which it is for audio. Everything Apple should be Bluetooth 5 hereafter. I consider it a great reason to hold off on wireless audio gear.
While true, the cans I wanted I jut bought on sale last year – Sennheiser HD-1 over-ear. Wanted to hold out for BT5, but this Apple thing interests me too.
Will they include WiFi and LTE as they do with Apple Watch and allow these to be stand alone devices? Simply put on the headphones and say, “Hey Siri play…” Now that would be a great pair of headphones.