With so much response from consumers I figured it would be interesting to see what the actual companies making headphones are thinking about the whole ordeal.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/9/12859858/no-headphone-jack-iphone-7-reaction
This week Apple launched a new iPhone without a headphone jack and stirred up an understandable furor of discontent. But you wont hear any headphone companies complaining about the move, even though it takes away their familiar entry point into the Apple ecosystem. Most of them have already been preparing for this change for months, and those who havent dont particularly care about plugging into an iPhone in the first place. I spoke with a few of the major headphone manufacturers in the wake of Apples announcement to gauge their reaction to the news.
Sennheiser
Jaybird
Audio-Technica¨
AudioQuest
Grado
http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/9/12859858/no-headphone-jack-iphone-7-reaction
This week Apple launched a new iPhone without a headphone jack and stirred up an understandable furor of discontent. But you wont hear any headphone companies complaining about the move, even though it takes away their familiar entry point into the Apple ecosystem. Most of them have already been preparing for this change for months, and those who havent dont particularly care about plugging into an iPhone in the first place. I spoke with a few of the major headphone manufacturers in the wake of Apples announcement to gauge their reaction to the news.
Sennheiser
"Sennheiser has seen many different connection standards come and go in the audio world over the years. Audio connections have always been continuously evolving. Digital outputs, such as Apple's Lightning connector, will offer new opportunities to take a step forward and to further enhance the sound experience for the customer. For example, 3D audio technology using digital signals is just one possibility."
Jaybird
"Apple has confirmed what weve all known all along: the world is going wireless. And even though you might not know it now, youll love your digital audio experience without all the wires. Apples new design, coupled with advancements in wireless headphones and Bluetooth technology, will dramatically improve the audio experience for all and lead to a freer listening & interaction experience."
Audio-Technica¨
"The fact that Apple are providing the adapter with new iPhone 7 means that, although people have something else now to lose, no one will miss out and can still enjoy their own choice of quality wired headphones. We will continue to offer some of our headphone range with Bluetooth options such as the new SR5BT with a 38 hour battery life (and a cable in the box).
"Pushing the edge of wireless headphone technology has been and remains an important pillar of our headphone development and you can expect to see exciting developments from Audio-Technica."
AudioQuest
"The Lightning-to-3.5mm adaptor does in fact seem like more of a temporary solution. In a few years time, we can all suppose that the Lightning headphone and DAC categories will be ubiquitous."
Grado
"To be honest, we dont care much one way or another. We really just care that we can keep a sound that were proud of. We just want whatever connection is used to keep the sound that our familys worked 63 years for. There arent any major changes to Grado because of this, and well continue doing whats kept us around for so long."