editor
hiraethified
That's capitalism in a nutshell. Hook you in and keep you coming back for more!
The woes of USB-C audio on mobile phones - and is the jack coming back?
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BigTom
Well-Known Member
I replaced my wired headphones every year or two because one of the wires has broken or is loose. They are in ear & moulded so i can't open or fix them, like you could with more expensive cans, but i expect you could replace batteries on some wireless headphones, especially cans rather than in ear ones.
I don't think there's a big difference in that respect really.
dervish
if you flibble when you wibble, don't wobble
Nope, if you spend £30 on a pair of headphone expect them not to last for more than a year.
If I spent more on them I would expect them to live longer.
editor
hiraethified
But if you wanted a decent set of wireless (and expensive) earphones, you'd still come across the same problem of a battery that eventually fails and there's a load more electronics that go into wireless earphones than a wired pair. Extra waste, extra power and a never ending 'replace' cycle just to maintain what you've already got. Like I said capitalism in a nutshell.
And, of course, £30 wireless earphones are almost certainly going to sound worse than a £30 wired set.
dervish
if you flibble when you wibble, don't wobble
A battery that eventually fails. Plugs that eventually break. All technology has a built in shelf life, whether wired or wireless.
And yes, these don't sound quite as good as my £120 B&O headphones, but there really isn't much in it. In fact the only real difference is a slight hiss in between tracks. I like the sound of them, they are enjoyable to listen to and the convenience is well worth it.
And they are a quarter of the price.
ETA: I would happily put them up against any £30 wired headphones. I would say they would easily beat them, two people who have tried them against airpods have preferred them, the price was a consideration in that TBF but the sound is much better than you would expect.
And yes, these don't sound quite as good as my £120 B&O headphones, but there really isn't much in it. In fact the only real difference is a slight hiss in between tracks. I like the sound of them, they are enjoyable to listen to and the convenience is well worth it.
And they are a quarter of the price.
ETA: I would happily put them up against any £30 wired headphones. I would say they would easily beat them, two people who have tried them against airpods have preferred them, the price was a consideration in that TBF but the sound is much better than you would expect.
editor
hiraethified
If you're truly comparing like with like, how on earth could a pair of wireless earphones - that come with the additional expensive of electronics, Bluetooth receiver, battery and a special little charging case (and potential audio limitations/interference/dropouts) - possibly be superior to the same set of earphones that are wired?
dervish
if you flibble when you wibble, don't wobble
They sound better. Technology has a habit of moving on and getting better.
I'm actually arguing this from a point of having tried both, you seem to have decided that they must be worse because, well, just because and nothing is going to change your mind. Spend the £30, try some and try arguing from a position of experience.
I'm actually arguing this from a point of having tried both, you seem to have decided that they must be worse because, well, just because and nothing is going to change your mind. Spend the £30, try some and try arguing from a position of experience.
editor
hiraethified
I'm arguing from a position of logic.
Favelado
J'adore South Shore
The gap is getting smaller and smaller all the time ed. What Hi-Fi reviews will attest to that.
eta on a lot of 2018 model Bluetooth wireless headphones the gap is now tiny. Both my AKGs (75 quid) and Sony's (320 quid) sound the same to me when plugged in and are as good as similarly priced wired-only alternatives.
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editor
hiraethified
I've tried plenty of wireless earphones as it happens. Some sound good, some sound shit. But as I've argued all along, I'd like the choice of what I use and not be forced into a world of endless recharging and adaptors and that's why phones without a headphone socket are a fucking pain.
Saul Goodman
It's all good, man
You could use the USB-C to 3.5mm stereo converter that comes free with the phone. Just leave it plugged into your headphones, then it's really no different to having a headphone socket.
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hiraethified
That's nice. But how do I charge my phone if I'm on a long journey?
editor
hiraethified
Oh goodie. Another adaptor. And how elegant too!
Saul Goodman
It's all good, man
Is it more ugly than the charger you'd be plugging into the phone?Oh goodie. Another adaptor. And how elegant too!
And you could leave that constantly connected to your charger, and use the discreet one that comes with the phone when you're not charging it.
Sasaferrato
Super Refuser!
I recognise and sympathise with your view here...
Sasaferrato
Super Refuser!
I have a Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Plus 10-Inch Tablet which comes with fast USB C charger (16W). I actually use a standard 10W USB charger, because it is more convenient. It just takes a bit longer to charge. We have a 4 x 2A charger which does our tablets, phones and Kindles.
Sasaferrato
Super Refuser!
I sleep with an MP3 player running, headphone life depends on whether I roll over and trap the cable or not. The current set were £8.00 in ASDA, and for audio books are perfectly fine. I used to use Sennheiser CX 200s, but got through two sets in six months, a bit pricey.
editor
hiraethified
Two real-life anecdotes from a recent tour of the US that made me very grateful for the humble earphone jack.
1. Flying over to the West Coast I realised I'd packed my earphones in the hold luggage. But no problem as the airline had surprisingly REALLY good earbuds for just $5. Problem solved.
As for my friend who had also forgotten his earphones but had an iPhone - nothing but silence (or the opportunity to pay over $100 for Bluetooth earphones and then wait for them to charge).
2. The second tour bus's sound system had no Bluetooth but just a jack input. So I ruled as DJ while adapter-less iPhone users rued their choice of handsets. However, after trying about five stores, we finally found a place that sold the required adapter so at least the driver was able to choose music for his long drive home.
Choice really is king, folks. Unless you like silence.
1. Flying over to the West Coast I realised I'd packed my earphones in the hold luggage. But no problem as the airline had surprisingly REALLY good earbuds for just $5. Problem solved.
As for my friend who had also forgotten his earphones but had an iPhone - nothing but silence (or the opportunity to pay over $100 for Bluetooth earphones and then wait for them to charge).
2. The second tour bus's sound system had no Bluetooth but just a jack input. So I ruled as DJ while adapter-less iPhone users rued their choice of handsets. However, after trying about five stores, we finally found a place that sold the required adapter so at least the driver was able to choose music for his long drive home.
Choice really is king, folks. Unless you like silence.
binka
!!!!!!!!!
I really don't see how this is a better solution than having a headphone jack? In fact I'll stick my neck out here and say having just a USB socket is objectively worse than having a USB and seperate jack
Saul Goodman
It's all good, man
Where did I say it was 'better'? I posted it as a solution for anyone without a headphone socket, not as a better alternative to a headphone socket.
BristolEcho
Well-Known Member
pseudonarcissus
fluttering and dancing
Take good book and you’ll be just fine. I love silence.
I’m woried about humanity when the person in the next seat can sit for hours with no other intellectual stimulation than worD search
emanymton
A cat politely sat on the flaming gardener.
But everyone forgets or losses things sometimes. I left my headphones at home a couple of weeks ago and I just bought a cheap pair for a couple of quid. They are not very good but where ok for a day, and now live in my bag as a spare pair.Or you could just remember to keep your headphones in your hand luggage.
UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
I didn't actually think I'd use the headphone port on my Nokia 8, as I'm a total covert to wireless phones, but switching cars recently and I'm using it as a stop gap, so glad it's there I guess. Can't wait to stop using it though, it's a faff (in car).
editor
hiraethified
You never forget anything, ever? At least the humble headphone jack meant I wasn't sitting in silence for six hours. Mind you, if I'd had bluetooth earphones they would have run out of battery before the journey was out.Or you could just remember to keep your headphones in your hand luggage.
BristolEcho
Well-Known Member
I wasn't being entirely serious.
Jokes on me anyway because guess what I forgot to pack for my coach trip today?
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