Corded headphones are making an unexpected return • Hacker News Board

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#301

Post by Wildgoose » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 11:58 AM UTC

ddingus wrote: post #116

bananamerica wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please point me to an opinion that is not subjective.

Lol, I always liked that line. People like what they like. Forcing it just does not go well, unless the reasons are really good. I was, and am seriously put off by the omission of analog audio jacks. Most of the reasons given just do not resonate and sometimes it is stated or strongly implied I am somehow the problem.

Likewise. My son and I both ditched iPhones when Apple took away the headphone jack. How else are we supposed to use our phones to listen to music in our cars? (My car's bluetooth only works for phone functions, not music, and my son's doesn't even have that option).

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#302

Post by yodsanklai » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 11:59 AM UTC

derefr wrote: post #165

makecheck wrote: post #3

I have never really gotten used to wireless buds, and still find myself reaching for wires half the time: - Wireless buds don’t connect 100% reliably; sometimes I get one and not the other, or neither. Sometimes they will randomly disconnect during use. - Sometimes the sound glitches out randomly, which is so irritating that I don’t care how good the sound supposedly is the rest of the time. - Gestures and voice are…

> Sometimes they will randomly disconnect during use. FYI, that's interference. Wi-fi "randomly" disconnects for a few seconds due to interference just as often, but you don't notice, because 1. the OS hides short disconnects, and 2. most protocols you use are TCP-based, and so use retries. (If you were doing something involving UDP streaming, you'd notice.) Bluetooth audio, on the other hand, is a realtime protocol,…

> Put on your wired headphones. Sit down (e.g. on the bus.) Now try taking off your shoulder-strapped bag to hold it in your lap, without first taking out your headphones.

First world problem...

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#303

Post by hmrr » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 12:01 PM UTC

kelnos wrote: post #180

hmrr wrote: post #179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Been using 2nd gen AirPods since they came out. Never had any connection reliability issues at all. They switch between my phone and iPad all the time as well. No glitches at all here other than one time I was walking past a large diesel generator. As for gestures, I don’t use them. I usually use Siri, my watch or phone as a control surface. As for snug that depends on the person at the end of the day. I don’t have p…

Ah yes, the "I've never had a problem so you must just be doing it wrong" defense. Please understand that not everyone has the same experiences as you do.

Ah yes, the “an anecdote is not data”.

Anecdotes (note the emphasis on the “s”) are data. Just adding my piece.

I have more data. I have 4 people here with them with no problems and experience of other wireless headphones that have been a complete shit show.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#304

Post by yodsanklai » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 12:03 PM UTC

I'd be curious about the environmental impact of wireless headphone compared to wired ones.

IMHO it's a question that should be asked for any new tech which provides only a slight improvement (if any) to existing solutions.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#305

Post by hmrr » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 12:04 PM UTC

hparadiz wrote: post #190

hmrr wrote: post #179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Been using 2nd gen AirPods since they came out. Never had any connection reliability issues at all. They switch between my phone and iPad all the time as well. No glitches at all here other than one time I was walking past a large diesel generator. As for gestures, I don’t use them. I usually use Siri, my watch or phone as a control surface. As for snug that depends on the person at the end of the day. I don’t have p…

What about a high traffic place like a NYC subway?

I regularly zip in and out of London UK at rush hour on trains and tubes rammed with people with wireless earbuds, mostly AirPods. No problems.

As stated the only time I had a problem was standing next to an extremely large diesel backup generator which was probably RFI related.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#306

Post by savef » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 12:04 PM UTC

Animats wrote: post #87

glitchc wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here’s a link explaining why the UK Type G plug is so much better: https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-electrical-plugs-and-socke... Photo of a type G plug (this is an adapter): https://www.rcjaz.ca/jazrider-type-british-3pin-electrical-a...

This is a type G outlet strip.[1] It's huge. 6 outlets in a 19 inch unit. [1] http://www.internationalconfig.com/icc6.asp?item=60150

If I'm understanding you correctly, you're saying you don't like how big and bulky it is? It's worth noting what you've linked is more for industrial use. You might see something like that in a server rack for example, but Brits don't have them in their homes.

In British homes/offices you'll see something like this[0], this[1], or this[2].

[0] https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R2ZMJNY

[1] https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R1Q6628

[2] https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082KMY8S8

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#307

Post by rhdunn » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 12:06 PM UTC

The thing that annoys me about bluetooth headphones is the really loud "Battery Low" notifications, especially on headsets that think that it is a good idea to spam the notification every 5 minutes and mute the audio while giving the notification.

Other than that, I like the mobility that you get with bluetooth headsets.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#308

Post by Intermernet » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 12:09 PM UTC

soneca wrote: post #299

ksec wrote: post #298

I am surprised the vast majority of the 280 comments seems to be about bluetooth connection, fitting, sound quality and not a mention about TCO ( Total Cost of Ownership ). May be I am cheap, but I cant get myself to buy another Wireless Earphone again with non -replaceable battery. They are basically consumables. And Apple expect you to buy a new pair every 1-2 years. And even if you dont use it much the battery wil…

I never had a wired in-ear earphone that lasted more than 2 years. My guess is 90% didn’t pass the one year mark. I use it while commuting, going to the supermarket, cleaning the house, etc. Any recommendation of a wired in-ear earphone that could last a decade?

Not new ones, but I have a pair of original Sony Fontopias that came with a high end walkman around 20 years ago. They're built to last and incredibly comfortable with good audio quality. Unfortunately I dont think they made them that well for long. The equivalent headphones from only 5 years later were terrible in comparison.

Edit: I just looked them up. MDR-E484. They seem to be classics that sell for hundreds of dollars used! I never realised they were so sought after!

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#309

Post by darkwater » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 12:09 PM UTC

kevindeasis wrote: post #19

Author's opinion is subjective and falls under selection bias. There's a lot of famous people that don't use wired headphones For the wireless argument, here is mine. I use an airpods pro. I also have multiple high end headphones. I only apple os with wireless. If I was using linux, android, windows then I have to use my other headphones, since my bluetooth always have issues with wireless using other os. The airpods…

> Author's opinion is subjective and falls under selection bias. There's a lot of famous people that don't use wired headphones

That's pretty obvious. The article gave that for granted (actually, it even explicitly acknowledged it) and put the spot on famous or not so famous people going the other way round. They will be always be a minority and guided by fashion/aesthetics rather than comfort, but it was worth (or not) to point it out.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#310

Post by normaler » Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 12:11 PM UTC

I use Beyerdynamic 990 at home and Beyerdynamic 770 in the office. Both with an additional ModMic and FiiO DACs.

At the office I recently got one of the wireless ModMic things with a dongle.

It is nice to safe a cable, but then the battery life time of the mod mic is around 7 hours. So I am glad at home that i simply dont have to think about it.