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Buying Headphones in 2018 is Going To Be a Fragmented Mess (theverge.com)

Posted by msmash on from the best-interest dept.

Vlad Savov, writing for The Verge: At CES this year, I saw the future of headphones, and it was messy. Where we once had the solid reliability of a 3.5mm analog connector working with any jack shaped to receive it, there's now a divergence of digital alternatives -- Lightning or USB-C, depending on your choice of jack-less phone -- and a bunch of wireless codecs and standards to keep track of. Oh, and Sony's working hard on promoting a new 4.4mm Pentaconn connector as the next wired standard for dedicated audio lovers. It's all with the intent of making things better, but before we get to the better place, we're going to spend an uncomfortable few months (or longer) in a fragmented market where you'll have to do diligent research to make sure your next pair of headphones works with all the devices you already own.

34 of 276 comments (clear)

  1. Don't buy... by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Don't buy hardware that doesn't adhere to established, working standards, like USB, USB-C, or 3.5mm jack.

    The Pentaconn thing seems interesting, as it's still an analog connection.

    1. Re:Don't buy... by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If a phone is thinner than 3.5mm, it's difficult to hold anyway. What's the obsession with making phones paper-thin at the expense of durability and utility anyway? A few mm of thickness isn't a portability issue. OTOH, it being hard to find a screen smaller than 5.5 inches is a real issue -- footprint detracts from portability much more than thickness.

      Errr-merrr-gerd, my phone is 5-6mm thick, but I can replace the battery in 15 seconds, add storage using an SD card, and use any set of headphones made in the last few decades.

    2. Re:Don't buy... by nctritech · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "Don't buy hardware that doesn't adhere to established, working standards, like a 3.5mm jack."

      Fixed that a bit for you. For audio, especially audio on consumer playback devices, USB and Lightning are NOT "established working standards." 1/8-inch jacks have been the only standard for these things for many decades while 1/4-inch has been standard for headphones on hi-fi decks for longer than that. There is no need to reinvent this wheel. Wired headphones for portable use should have a 1/8-inch (3.5mm) jack, end of story. Any wired headphones that don't should be disregarded. Vote with your wallet against this crap.

    3. Re:Don't buy... by swillden · · Score: 5, Informative

      If a phone is thinner than 3.5mm, it's difficult to hold anyway.

      According to hardware designers I've talked to, the thickness of the 3.5mm plug isn't the issue. The problem is its volume and placement. It consumes 240 mm^3 on an outer edge, on one end of the phone, which is incredibly valuable real estate in a modern phone, because that's pretty much where the antennas have to be -- and phones have a lot of antennas, because they have a lot of radios (e.g. LTE requires 8 radios, and most phones support 5+ bands, plus Wifi, bluetooth, GPSr and NFC). It's also where speakers have to be, and they also require some depth, so significant volume. And where the charging/data port has to be.

      So from their perspective, being able to shift audio output functions to the data port and wireless frees up important volume and makes it easier to fit ever more stuff into an ever-smaller space (yes, phone thickness does come into play here).

      What's the obsession with making phones paper-thin at the expense of durability and utility anyway?

      Dunno. But it's undeniably what consumers want. Thick phones don't sell. Maybe it's not what you want, but the market focuses on volume.

      --
      Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
    4. Re:Don't buy... by Shotgun · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I can buy a great sounding pair of headphones for ~$20 with a 3.5mm jack

      Which is why they're being pushed out by the big players. Bose can't charge $1,000 for a decent set of ear buds, so they have no incentive to make them. The market has been sufficiently covered by Chinese manufacturing. The only answer is to make something proprietary that you can charge ridiculous dollars to license.

      --
      Aah, change is good. -- Rafiki
      Yeah, but it ain't easy. -- Simba
    5. Re:Don't buy... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 2

      I have a CAT S60 and it satisfies my needs.

      I use a fleshlight for that, and it only costs a fraction of the CAT S60.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    6. Re:Don't buy... by cyn1c77 · · Score: 2

      If a phone is thinner than 3.5mm, it's difficult to hold anyway.

      According to hardware designers I've talked to, the thickness of the 3.5mm plug isn't the issue. The problem is its volume and placement. It consumes 240 mm^3 on an outer edge, on one end of the phone, which is incredibly valuable real estate in a modern phone, because that's pretty much where the antennas have to be -- and phones have a lot of antennas, because they have a lot of radios (e.g. LTE requires 8 radios, and most phones support 5+ bands, plus Wifi, bluetooth, GPSr and NFC). It's also where speakers have to be, and they also require some depth, so significant volume. And where the charging/data port has to be.

      If any of that were true, how was it a hobbyist (Scotty Allen) was able to retrofit a 3.5mm jack into his iPhone 7?

      No really, tell me.

    7. Re:Don't buy... by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 2

      Errr-merrr-gerd, my phone is 5-6mm thick, but I can replace the battery in 15 seconds, add storage using an SD card, and use any set of headphones made in the last few decades.

      Not without a converter, you can't. It won't take a quarter inch plug, which is still the standard for better than average cans. Nor a dual 3.5mm airplane/theatre plug, I'm sure.

      You you are ruining the party with your geegaws, velocipedes and unvarnished truth.

      Not the truth. Some people still assume that high impedance headphones are better, they are wrong..

      Protip: If a person makes a comment starting with "GeeGaws, velocipedes and unvarnished ttruth", they are almost certainly not being serious, and you missed several other chances along the way to pick that up.

      So dear sir, you win the whoosh of the week

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  2. I need help by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I don't know how to complain about companies ditching the 3.5mm jack without sounding like a Luddite.

    1. Re:I need help by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I don't know how to complain about companies ditching the 3.5mm jack without sounding like a Luddite.

      I'm listening to your comment with my $350 Bose noise cancelling, wireless headphones, using the 3.5mm jack because farting around with Bluetooth audio is not how I like to spend my time.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    2. Re:I need help by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What's wrong with being a Luddite?

      Not that this is really Luddism -- interchangeable parts were a big part of the Industrial Revolution.

  3. 4.4mm? by ArtemaOne · · Score: 2

    I imagine this is true, but why are we getting 4.4mm jack, when so many phones are going super thin and they dropped 3.5mm because it was too big? Only thing I can imagine is if that's 4.4mm wide, and pretty flat. But if that's the case everyone (including Apple) should switch to just using USB-C. Sticking with Bluetooth for now.

    1. Re:4.4mm? by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 3, Insightful

      >they dropped 3.5mm because it was too big?

      No, they dropped the 3.5mm jack because the phone was too thin. Battery life suffers also. Thicker phone -> Thicker battery and 3.5mm jack. It's a win, win.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    2. Re:4.4mm? by HornWumpus · · Score: 2

      Unless they drop CDs entirely, they're just wasting their efforts. Attempting to plug the analog hole, while shipping easily ripped digital media? Makes no sense.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    3. Re:4.4mm? by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 2

      The Sony 4.4mm jack is analog. Besides, it's easy enough to bypass the "analog hole" with a 3.5mm adapter on Apple. This isn't DRM, more like cussedness and a way to nudge consumers to buy your standard, not buy a $10 set of phones at the local drugstore.

  4. Five headphone connectors by swb · · Score: 5, Funny

    Would someone tell me how this happened? We were the fucking vanguard of headphones in this country. We made the headphones to own.

    Then the other guy came out with a three-connector headphone. Were we scared? Hell, no. Because we hit back with a little thing called the Turbo Headphones.. That's three connectors and an aloe strip. For moisture. But you know what happened next? Shut up, I'm telling you what happenedâ"the bastards went to four connectors. Now we're standing around with our cocks in our hands, selling three connectors and a strip. Moisture or no, suddenly we're the chumps. Well, fuck it. We're going to five connectors.

    1. Re:Five headphone connectors by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 5, Funny

      But I bet you didn't see them taking the connectors off completely! Not even an aloe strip to heal your wounds. You need to go to -1 connectors. That's right, people are going to have to plug their headphones into something else, to listen to your music.

    2. Re:Five headphone connectors by DickBreath · · Score: 5, Insightful

      > Would someone tell me how this happened?

      Apple had the courage to remove a decades old, industry standard headphone jack.

      But industry standard is an understatement. This jack was used by much more than smartphones and tablets. It was the standard on PCs. Old stereo equipment back to the early 1980's had this jack. Walkman cassette players. Car entertainment systems use this jack. MP3 players and personal video pod type players. I can just barely describe how widely used this jack was and for how long. This jack was used everywhere on the entire planet. It was way more standard than electrical outlets which vary by country.

      But . . . Apple!

      The king of ever changing non standard connectors that have "premium priced" cables, dongles, etc. Do you see a pattern yet?

      --

      I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
    3. Re:Five headphone connectors by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The public cares more about what advertisers tell them is cool than what's functional. Otherwise, we'd all be driving Volvo 240s :)

    4. Re:Five headphone connectors by Pascal+Sartoretti · · Score: 3

      Old stereo equipment back to the early 1980's had this jack.

      Mmmmh, no. In the 1980's, stereo equipment had a 6.35 mm jack connector, as had my Revox headphones. During the transition to the new 3.5 mm jack, we had to use dongles. Just like an recent iPhone needs a lightning dongle for the audio jack.

      The problem today is not that a new standard is coming, but that I can't figure yet what is the safe choice for the next 5-10 years. Until then, I will stick to the 3.5 mm jack and dongles.

    5. Re:Five headphone connectors by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 2

      But industry standard is an understatement. This jack was used by much more than smartphones and tablets. It was the standard on PCs. Old stereo equipment back to the early 1980's had this jack. Walkman cassette players. Car entertainment systems use this jack. MP3 players and personal video pod type players. I can just barely describe how widely used this jack was and for how long. This jack was used everywhere on the entire planet. It was way more standard than electrical outlets which vary by country.

      So in the 50th century, we will have to use this same shitty little plug and jack? I had 1980's stereo equipment. It had 1/4 inch plugs and jacks. I still have professional radio and audio equipment. Not a 3.5 mm to be found. 1/4 inch and XLR connectors abound. I have cheap stuff with has those 3.5 mm plugs and jacks. My Studio headsets are 1/4 inch. I do have a headset that has 3.5 mm, So if I use it on the good stuff, I use an adapter, and don't suffer apoplexy for using it.

      My iPhone came with an adapter to plug a 3.5 mm headphone into it. Not a problem. I don't use it much though, because when I need headphones, I use Bluetooth.

      But y'all arguing about how wonderful that crappy little 3.5 mm connector is, and wailing and gnashing your teeth over it remind me of people yapping about how awesom VHS recording is.

      By the way, the reason a 1/4 inch jack is a lot better is that it has increased sprein strength of the contacts. The smaller you get in plug size, the less reliable the contacts become, because tehy cannot provide neough pressure, and the mini's contacts aren't very good. The micros are even worse, and to me, are useless.

      Can we get a Trabant vs Yugo discussion going here?

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    6. Re:Five headphone connectors by cyn1c77 · · Score: 2

      That's right, people are going to have to plug their headphones into something else, to listen to your music.

      And I think we all know what they can plug.

  5. Better? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Unless there is a single wireless standard and codec, nothing will be better than the old trusty 3.5mm connector, and even then it will still be questionable. Guess what, the analog, wired connection works, 100% of the time. If for some reason you find it's not working, you simply plug the cable back in and your working again. No wireless standard can state that fact, nor will they ever be able to.

  6. Re:What's wrong with the existing 3.5mm jacks? by Stormwatch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It lacks a very important feature: vendor lock-in.

    --
    Circumcision is child abuse.
  7. Re:Yup. It's already a mess. by vux984 · · Score: 2

    Ah yes, you're right that it does. The reality is a bit more complicated.

    The issue is that she has 2 sets of headphones. A wired 3.5mm pair, and a wireless pair. The wired pair doesn't work with her phone. The wireless pair doesn't work with the switch.

  8. Re:Stand your ground by HornWumpus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You did have a choice, but you made the wrong one.

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  9. only two connectors count by swschrad · · Score: 5, Insightful

    3.5mm stereo and 1/4-inch. everything else is a gimmick that will be crap in several years. stand your ground!

    --
    if this is supposed to be a new economy, how come they still want my old fashioned money?
  10. Re:Yup. It's already a mess. by sexconker · · Score: 3, Informative

    Even the "standard" 3.5 mm jack is fucked now.

    There's TS (mono), TRS (stereo), TRRS (stereo+mic), and now TRRRS (fucking bullshit). TRRS has been abused a lot in the past, with people using one connector for video, moving ground around, etc. The most recent disaster with TRSS was the confusion between the OMTP and CTIA standards. One has left, right, ground, mic, the other has left, right mic, ground. Depending on what your device has and what your headset (or TRS headphones) have, you can have issues ranging from added noise, the mic not being detected or usable, or even the voltage being fucked to the point you can't drive your headphones.

  11. idiocracy in action by hackertourist · · Score: 2

    yet another bloody format war, and this time the established standard is being replaced with something inferior.

    Even the Pentaconn supposedly high-end connector is a single-pin design with 5 contact patches in a row, guaranteeing massive pops and hum when it's inserted. Has the entire industry lost its head?

  12. So buy a phone that *does* have a jack by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 2

    So buy a phone that does have a standard headphone jack. Like a Moto.

    Bonus: it won't be so thin that breathing on it snaps it.

  13. Re:Yup. It's already a mess. by arth1 · · Score: 3, Informative

    The Switch uses a standard headphone jack.

    No, it doesn't. A standard headphone jack takes a 1/4" plug. The Switch has a standard mini jack taking a 3.5mm plug.
    And it's not a standard headphone jack either, because it is TRRS headset jack and not a TRS headphone jack. Depending on where the connectors are, it may not work. It's a "works with most", not "works with all".

  14. grrr. audio snobs ... by swell · · Score: 4, Interesting

    My brother is an audiophile. I can't imagine he'll ever use Bluetooth headphones. But I, OTOH, can accept reasonable sound quality. Bluetooth works with all my devices effortlessly and the quality of sound is better than any of the speakers on those devices.

    Most nights I'll watch a TV show or movie with my headphones, especially if they are from the UK in accents that I struggle to understand- they are much more clear on the 'phones. When I'm on a bus or train or waiting for someone at the county jail, the BT 'phones are a blessing, giving me quality content while filtering external noise. The obvious headphones discourage people from trying to talk to me too. Perhaps the biggest blessing is NO WIRES pulling and getting tangled everywhere. And I'm not an audio snob who has to hear the latest pop music with super high quality electrostatic headphones. So brother- take your ancient 3.5mm jack and shove it!

    --
    ...omphaloskepsis often...
    1. Re:grrr. audio snobs ... by fluffernutter · · Score: 2

      The thing I just don't understand about bluetooth is, why would you want to put a cap on the physical limit of your headphones? No matter how much you spend on them, they will never sound better than bluetooth is able to make them sound. I just don't get it. I am by no means an audiophile, but part of the fun of buying headphones, whether cheap or expensive, is to see what they can do when you first plug them in. With Bluetooth, every headphone is performing the same. It's just boring.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
  15. No it wont. by Qbertino · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The inventor of modern headphones still is quite conservative about their lineup and they still build some of the best in the industy. If you only look for expensive fidgety mainstream junk, you're in for trouble. Don't.

    For best cost/performance ratio I recommend the Custom 1 Pro +. ... Yeah, admitted, that name does suck. Then again they are genuises at headphones and a little low profile on marketing - who cares? And, yes, it's a regular headphone with a nice and neat 3.5mm jack, as it should be. Made in Germany, btw., not some chinese sweatshop. If that should mean something to you.

    You're welcome.

    --
    We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. - Seneca