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Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

wsj.com

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Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#411

Post by aksss »

ddingus wrote: post #392
Wildgoose wrote: post #357

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did try that, but the quality was dreadful and it's just something else needing recharging/eating batteries. The decision to drop a universally supported headphone jack really doesn't make any sense unless you are trying to force people to buy your expensive wireless ear-buds, (which I can't wear because they are uncomfortable and fall out of my ears within seconds).

Same. The quality is just not there. Even a cassette adapter beats BT. When I rent newer cars, which I do frequently, I am amazed at the diversity of general conbobtwinkulating required to connect, looking hard at you Dodge, and quality, latency is never worth the hassle. End up just using earbuds every time.

There is a BT cassette adapter, believe it or not. Tried it an old Audi we had that still had a deck in it. It worked but the charging cable couldn’t stay plugged in while cassette was loaded, and if you left it in car in cold temps of course battery would turn to rubbish pretty quickly. However, it’s awesome that this exist[s/ed]. I thought there must be a way for some bright engineer to get the thing to gen power from the rotation of the tape reels and just dump the need to charge as often or at all.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#412

Post by hmrr »

dukeyukey wrote: post #407
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…

AirPods working with Apple devices is one thing. Third-party over-ear headphones working on my Android phone, Windows gaming computer and work Linux machine is a whole other deal.

That’s basically why I went full Apple. I value my time.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#413

Post by hmrr »

aaaaaaaaaaab wrote: post #224
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…

You’ve probably never used them in a busy airport lounge then, with hundreds of people using their Bluetooth equipment around you.

I have. With no problems. At Heathrow.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#414

Post by browningstreet »

I have some Plantronic connected wireless bluetooth headphones (with the over ear loop) that I wear every day in the gym. I keep my phone in a bag and walk to and fro... zero issues. I'm on my 3rd pair, in about a decade (eventually the batteries die, from charging so regularly).

I also just bought the Nothing Ear, mostly for those occasions where I want to wear wireless with glasses. So far, no issues.

All with my old iPhone XR.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#415

Post by Kirby64 »

jacquesm wrote: post #362
fragmede wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Specifically, Bose QCs can't be charged and used at the same time. If they're charging, then they're off, essentially.

That's a safety precaution, you really don't want charging LiPo batteries on your person, especially not stuck in your ears.

No it's not. It's a design limitation.

Every single phone on the face of the earth can be charged while being used, even if you're talking on the phone. Nobody is worried there, and the risk is much higher since batteries are bigger, charged faster, etc.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#416

Post by akvadrako »

diebeforei485 wrote: post #410

Corded headphones are arguably better if your commute involves a bike ride or crowded subway. They also feel more secure when face masks are involved. Airpods 1 and 2 have long stems, and can fall off when wearing certain accessories like scarves, earmuffs, and face masks (when wearing or removing masks that use ear loops). This is not an issue with Airpods 3 or Airpods Pro which have shorter stems. Tip for people wh…

Corded headphones are pretty annoying to use with masks; I recently switched to wireless for this reason.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#417

Post by akvadrako »

glitchc wrote: post #36
coin wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's so bad about them?

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...

UK plugs are pretty bad for one reason: they are huge.

At least they are compatible with Europlugs if you use a fork to open the ground flap.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#419

Post by Shorel »

havkd wrote: post #195
derefr wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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,…

> Wi-fi "randomly" disconnects for a few seconds due to interference just as often, but you don't notice That’s false. If it happens to you, get better wireless equipment.

And hope your neighbours don't think the same and get better wireless equipment.

Re: Corded headphones are making an unexpected return

#420

Post by Shorel »

_fat_santa wrote: post #386
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…

Eh. Wired headphones in theory should have a longer lifespan and a lower TCO than wired headphones, but that's not the experience I've had. The weakest link in headphones is the cord, back when I was in High School I would buy Skullcandy headphones (those $10 ones from TJMaxx or Marshalls) in bulk, because the average lifespan of a pair was less than a month before the cord broke. Had I just bought wired headphone ev…

I've had only two pairs of wired headphones for the last 8 years. And both still work! I just changed from pale blue pair to dark red ones.

So while I appreciate your anecdote, I also think it doesn't apply to me and should not in any way influence my purchases.

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