Time to accept that $550 is a "fair" price

[russell_314]

I picked mine up on Saturday, got lucky as few got dropped to the local Apple Store.

My impressions so far: great build, great sound quality, a bit heavy (not ideal for commuting or - gasp - exercising), excellent ANC, spatial audio a bonus (IF you have a device to use it with), good battery life, switching between devices works generally well (Mac vs iOS still a bit shaky once in a while).

They will not replace my APP (I use them for conf calls and "on the go"), but complement them. I was hoping to use them on longer air travel to replace my aging wired Bose - but that would require an actual case (will probably take too much space).

They are not "all-rounders" for me, but fill a niche when I want great sound or need "all-day" conferencing capability.

I would not use any over the ear headphones for exercising or running because I don't like the closed in feeling. I will use them at home when I'm relaxing. By commuting I hope you don't mean driving because that would be a bit dangerous. On the bus or train in the USA might be more dangerous with obviously expensive headphones on your head ?

 

[russell_314]

Honestly people are just cheap I know folks who say B and O headphones are overpriced and honestly a consumer being cheap is not the manufactures but a consumer problem. People need to realize if you want nice things then you have to spend money.

I can only imagine that if Apple ever released a car people would be uproar about the pricing if they can't deal with 550.00 headphones.

I don't think it's fair to say someone is cheap because they don't want to spend so much. Some people are on a budget so they might not have the extra cash. I agree that if you want nice things you have to spend money. I'm not rich by any means but I buy things that make my life enjoyable. Everyone has the same destination in life but it's the journey that counts.

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

I don't think it's fair to say someone is cheap because they don't want to spend so much. Some people are on a budget so they might not have the extra cash. I agree that if you want nice things you have to spend money. I'm not rich by any means but I buy things that make my life enjoyable. Everyone has the same destination in life but it's the journey that counts.

I also don't think it's fair to get upset that something is priced some kind of way. We know this is Apple and we know they are about that profit so to bemoan them for charging 550.00 for headphones because it may be out of someones budget is not fair either.

I want a Mercedes but I can't get expect for Mercedes to lower the price of entry for me and throw a tantrum when they don't. it is what it is. Live within your means.

If these were Grado, Master and Dynamics, Bose, Bowers and Wilkins headphones no one would be complaining but I guess Apple gets treated as the whipping boy and is expected to have a lower cost for everything for some reason. This happens every time.

There were people complaining about how the HomePod mini was too overpriced at 99 dollars. Should it be 20.00? the lack of logic is a head scratcher.

 

[LongWayHome]

Honestly people are just cheap I know folks who say B and O headphones are overpriced and honestly a consumer being cheap is not the manufactures but a consumer problem. People need to realize if you want nice things then you have to spend money.

I can only imagine that if Apple ever released a car people would be uproar about the pricing if they can't deal with 550.00 headphones.

I don't think people would have as much of an issue with the price of some of Apple's products if they were justifiable. For example, the 3.5 cable that you have to buy directly from Apple that is $35 is a complete joke. Its a laughably bad cable. The case....the case is a flimsy pos that is an embarrassment to the Apple brand. No charging brick...Lightning connector...little things like that.

I personally don't have a problem with the pricing, but its when Apple cheaps out on the little things is where I think people start to draw a line in the sand. If you are going to charge $550 then in my opinion EVERYTHING coming with these headphones should be high quality. The case, the cables, the whole package.

I think Apple has started to lose their way a bit with pricing. They keep taking more and more away each year while still charging the same or even more for their products. I don't know how sustainable that will be for the masses long term as there will come a time when people will just say "alright, enough we are tired of this."

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

I don't think people would have as much of an issue with the price of some of Apple's products if they were justifiable. For example, the 3.5 cable that you have to buy directly from Apple that is $35 is a complete joke. Its a laughably bad cable. The case....the case is a flimsy pos that is an embarrassment to the Apple brand. No charging brick...Lightning connector...little things like that.

I personally don't have a problem with the pricing, but its when Apple cheaps out on the little things is where I think people start to draw a line in the sand. If you are going to charge $550 then in my opinion EVERYTHING coming with these headphones should be high quality. The case, the cables, the whole package.

I think Apple has started to lose their way a bit with pricing. They keep taking more and more away each year while still charging the same or even more for their products. I don't know how sustainable that will be for the masses long term as there will come a time when people will just say "alright, enough we are tired of this."

I disagree about the cables Apple is moving away from that and there seems to be this attitude that Apple should support old tech. Compromises have to be made and as far as the masses I think there is a misconception about Apple and the masses. I don't think their products were made so the masses could have access to them price wise there is a certain type of person who buys into the ecosystem.

Apple products are not for everyone taste wise and price wise and that's fine because its a case of if you can afford it great and if not then go to Samsung. This whole appealing to the masses is kinda funny because I don't think they are trying to pander which is technically the term to folks who want to pay very little and expect more.

TLDR if you can't afford the price of entry then you have to get in where you fit in. This is why people who want a TV have a choice between the Beovision models or Vizio as far as a price range and they do not want to tar and feather BO for the Beovision pricing because they know it's a luxury brand and you have to pay.

Apple on the other hand gets tar and feathered over everything. I'm glad they ignore folks and do their own thing and also what is amusing is this forum is a tiny measure of their user base a vocal minority that thinks it has a huge voice but does not.

 

[doboy]

I disagree about the cables Apple is moving away from that and there seems to be this attitude that Apple should support old tech. Compromises have to be made and as far as the masses I think there is a misconception about Apple and the masses. I don't think their products were made so the masses could have access to them price wise there is a certain type of person who buys into the ecosystem.

Apple products are not for everyone taste wise and price wise and that's fine because its a case of if you can afford it great and if not then go to Samsung. This whole appealing to the masses is kinda funny because I don't think they are trying to pander which is technically the term to folks who want to pay very little and expect more.

TLDR if you can't afford the price of entry then you have to get in where you fit in

This was so much more true back in the day when Apple computers and devices used to cost 2-3x more than comparable PC counterparts. But they were far from being one of the most valuable company in the world, haha.

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

This was so much more true back in the day when Apple computers and devices used to cost 2-3x more than comparable PC counterparts. But they were far from being one of the most valuable company in the world, haha.

True but still if someone cannot afford it that's not an Apple problem. Apple should not have to worry about folks who on a budget or cost worry they will always have enough people to replace those people to purchase products.

 

[doboy]

True but still if someone cannot afford it that's not an Apple problem. Apple should not have to worry about folks who on a budget or cost worry they will always have enough people to replace those people to purchase products.

I definitely agree Apple shouldn't cater to every person, but it's harder now to go back to the olden days where it was more "nichey".

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

I definitely agree Apple shouldn't cater to every person, but it's harder now to go back to the olden days where it was more "nichey".

Who wants to go back to those days though? Only the masses

 

[LongWayHome]

I disagree about the cables Apple is moving away from that and there seems to be this attitude that Apple should support old tech. Compromises have to be made and as far as the masses I think there is a misconception about Apple and the masses. I don't think their products were made so the masses could have access to them price wise there is a certain type of person who buys into the ecosystem.

Apple products are not for everyone taste wise and price wise and that's fine because its a case of if you can afford it great and if not then go to Samsung. This whole appealing to the masses is kinda funny because I don't think they are trying to pander which is technically the term to folks who want to pay very little and expect more.

TLDR if you can't afford the price of entry then you have to get in where you fit in

Yeah I disagree. There is absolutely no defending the case or cable argument. They are cheap, period. I mean I guess you can make the argument that Apple's products are for the masses. Exactly who are the for then? Yeah they make a ridiculous expensive Pro Line of desktop computers which aren't for the general consumer, but even their non pro line of desktop computers are still very expensive compared to other brands.

Again I don't think people care so much about the price as much as they care about Apple stripping things away every year while keeping or raising their prices.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I disagree about the cables Apple is moving away from that and there seems to be this attitude that Apple should support old tech. Compromises have to be made and as far as the masses I think there is a misconception about Apple and the masses. I don't think their products were made so the masses could have access to them price wise there is a certain type of person who buys into the ecosystem.

Apple products are not for everyone taste wise and price wise and that's fine because its a case of if you can afford it great and if not then go to Samsung. This whole appealing to the masses is kinda funny because I don't think they are trying to pander which is technically the term to folks who want to pay very little and expect more.

TLDR if you can't afford the price of entry then you have to get in where you fit in. This is why people who want a TV have a choice between the Beovision models or Vizio as far as a price range and they do not want to tar and feather BO for the Beovision pricing because they know it's a luxury brand and you have to pay.

Apple on the other hand gets tar and feathered over everything. I'm glad they ignore folks and do their own thing and also what is amusing is this forum is a tiny measure of their user base a vocal minority that thinks it has a huge voice but does not.

It’s a good thing the headphone market is absolutely flooded with options across all price points. I don’t agree with your perception that people who can afford certain Apple products will buy them as that is often not the case. Many can fully afford iPhones and headphones Apple offer but find alternatives based on that they offer rather than what they cost. Nothing is black and white. You say Apple is moving away from cables and that you think that is ‘old tech’ but with headphones a cable is as relevant now as it was in 1960.

Headphones are generally used for anything from smartphones, computers to professional applications like sound techs and DJ’s. People also plug them into entertainment systems on aeroplanes. Moving away from the standard just makes these products even more niche and in turn that makes them less appealing, even for those who can afford them. It’s no big deal for me though as there is plenty of choice. People need to remember it’s ok to like Apple products but dislike some of the things they release too. Nobody is going dock you points lol.

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

Yeah I disagree. There is absolutely no defending the case or cable argument. They are cheap, period. I mean I guess you can make the argument that Apple's products are for the masses. Exactly who are the for then? Yeah they make a ridiculous expensive Pro Line of desktop computers which aren't for the general consumer, but even their non pro line of desktop computers are still very expensive compared to other brands.

Again I don't think people care so much about the price as much as they care about Apple stripping things away every year while keeping or raising their prices.

Oh well not everything is for everyone and if the product offering is an issue there are others one can use. Apple nor any company should have to cater to every want and need of every customer that’s just how it is.

 

[rkuo]

I disagree about the cables Apple is moving away from that and there seems to be this attitude that Apple should support old tech. Compromises have to be made and as far as the masses I think there is a misconception about Apple and the masses. I don't think their products were made so the masses could have access to them price wise there is a certain type of person who buys into the ecosystem.

Apple products are not for everyone taste wise and price wise and that's fine because its a case of if you can afford it great and if not then go to Samsung. This whole appealing to the masses is kinda funny because I don't think they are trying to pander which is technically the term to folks who want to pay very little and expect more.

TLDR if you can't afford the price of entry then you have to get in where you fit in. This is why people who want a TV have a choice between the Beovision models or Vizio as far as a price range and they do not want to tar and feather BO for the Beovision pricing because they know it's a luxury brand and you have to pay.

Apple on the other hand gets tar and feathered over everything. I'm glad they ignore folks and do their own thing and also what is amusing is this forum is a tiny measure of their user base a vocal minority that thinks it has a huge voice but does not.

They do deserve some of it. Their designs are more and more seemingly intended to obsolete products. 2015 iMac’s are perfectly good for example, yet still going in vintage. No target display mode to keep using it as a monitor. Batteries that can’t be user serviced. Etc etc. Can’t be “worried” about the environment and keep pushing that design ethos.

 

[LongWayHome]

Oh well not everything is for everyone and if the product offering is an issue there are others one can use. Apple nor any company should have to cater to every want and need of every customer that’s just how it is.

No one is saying they should. And you are right, not everything is for everyone. But if someone sees the value of APM as not being worth $550 then they have the right to voice their opinion on it. There are tons of people who would gladly pay the price for them if they thought the price was justified. As it is, they don't, so they won't.

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

They do deserve some of it. Their designs are more and more seemingly intended to obsolete products. 2015 iMac’s are perfectly good for example, yet still going in vintage. No target display mode to keep using it as a monitor. Batteries that can’t be user serviced. Etc etc. Can’t be “worried” about the environment and keep pushing that design ethos.

There are plenty of devices that do not have removable batteries such a Microsoft Surface, Some dell models so there is that.

Target disk mode is a niche feature. If we are going to pull that out of the vault let’s pull out Sherlock and system 8 and FireWire etc.

Anyway it is what it ?

 

[rkuo]

There are plenty of devices that do not have removable batteries such a Microsoft Surface, Some dell models so there is that.

Target disk mode is a niche feature. If we are going to pull that out of the vault let’s pull out Sherlock and system 8 and FireWire etc.

Anyway it is what it ?

Target display mode. Being able to use the iMac as a monitor. Big difference! Instead of being able to repurpose the iMac as a 5K display, you have to recycle / throw out the whole shebang. Not very eco-friendly.

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

Target display mode. Being able to use the iMac as a monitor. Big difference! Instead of being able to repurpose the iMac as a 5K display, you have to recycle / throw out the whole shebang. Not very eco-friendly.

Why throw it away? Donate it to goodwill. Target disk mode has been dead for years and it seems like you have some emotional wounds about it.

It’s time to move on and this is from someone who has been using macs since I was 7 in 1987.

As a Mac user I have never understood why folks want to hold on with dear life to legacy features. If not Target Disk Mode than FireWire if not that than DVI or VGA etc.

Makes zero sense. Life is about moving to the future not the past.

 

[rkuo]

Why throw it away? Donate it to goodwill. Target disk mode has been dead for years and it seems like you have some emotional wounds about it.

It’s time to move on and this is from someone who has been using macs since I was 7 in 1987.

As a Mac user I have never understood why folks want to hold on with dear life to legacy features. If not Target Disk Mode than FireWire if not that than DVI or VGA etc.

Makes zero sense. Life is about moving to the future not the past.

You have a reading comprehension problem ... and it’s perfectly reasonable to want to use something you already have as opposed to what would otherwise be a 1300 dollar dedicated purchase. Why are you so vehemently opposed to that?

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

You have a reading comprehension problem ... and it’s perfectly reasonable to want to use something you already have as opposed to what would otherwise be a 1300 dollar dedicated purchase. Why are you so vehemently opposed to that?

I’m done arguing with you. I’m blocking you because I don’t like you.Merry Christmas

 

[soaddk]

Sound is also not linear - for double the price, you don't get double the sound. That's not how it works in the audio word. there is a diminish returns once you go higher and higher.

Agree. And same with most other products. Double the price on chef's knives doesn't get you double the sharpness or double the price of the car doesn't give you double the gas milage.

Apple's products are luxury products, meaning that you have to pay extra for materials, easy of use ect. Same with iPhones. You can get same results (ram, storage, screen resolution) with other products which are cheaper, but they often lack in categories, that some values more than others, like materials, design and usability. Some will call me crazy for paying double to get these "features" but for me, they are worth the extra price.

 

[soaddk]

I can get a pair of Bose, glue an aluminum can to them, put them in a bra, tape up the headphone jack, remove the leather and put a grocery store potato bag on the bridge, remove everything for the package, and still pay $350 less. Oh and they'd still weight less

Sure. You can also buy a piece of **** car and glue an AUDI logo on it. Does it make it an AUDI? Your point is laughable and you're obviously just trolling.

 

[soaddk]

Id be extremely embarrassed walking around with this in the case or on my head. Id rather get a pair of Beoplays or other premium headphones that come with USB-c, lighter, better materials, nice presentation with all accessories that you need to use them.

The B&O H95 cost $800 and has ****** ANC. But hey, you get a lot of cables and a hard case. Whatever floats your boat, buddy.

 

[soaddk]

I'm not speculating but you can think whatever you want. Also, the home speaker market is a billion times more popular than the ultra expensive over the ear headphone market. You can't say just the "headphones" market because that's lumping everything from $10 skull candy ear phones all the way to the Airpod Max's. Thats not how it works. Apple entered into the EXTREMELY niche luxury over the ear market and it is astronomically smaller than the home speaker market. That is also a fact.

Not speculating? Unless you have access to Apple's internal documents, you don't know A THING about units produced, availability and sales figures. You're just making stuff up.

 

[soaddk]

Dude I'm done arguing with you on this. You want to think that the APM's are "flying off the shelves" then be my guest. They are flying off the shelves because of extremely low volume. Its basic business principals but you can believe whatever you want to believe.

Source? You're just making stuff up.

 

[C. Robert]

Sure. You can also buy a piece of **** car and glue an AUDI logo on it. Does it make it an AUDI? Your point is laughable and you're obviously just trolling.

Im trolling? With this comment? When someone starts attacking a person and not the product they're the one who is laughable and trolling. Argue your point or just don't say anything.