Video claims to show revamped Apple in-ear headphones bound for next-gen iPhone
A video out of Asia shows what is allegedly a totally redesigned pair of Apple in-ear headphones, with the new unit reportedly slated for bundling with the company's much-rumored next-generation iPhone when the handset launches this fall.
Vietnamese website Tinhte.vn (via MacRumors) posted the video and accompanying high-quality images of the purported device on Saturday, noting the Apple-branded product will likely be introduced either alongside the sixth-generation iPhone.
The site believes the in-ear headphones came from a Vietnamese Foxconn plant as cable labeling reads "Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in Vietnam." While the validity of the claims can't be verified, Tinhte says the build quality of the part has them convinced it is a legitimate Apple product.
Source: Tinhte
As for the design, the in-ear unit is somewhat a departure from current earphone models from Apple, featuring a truncated teardrop shape that is supposedly more comfortable than the gratis set supplied with the iPhone. It appears the alleged headphones are essentially a combination of Apple's current lineup and use dynamic, or moving coil, technology in a seamless chassis that partially enters the ear canal.
What looks to be two ports can be seen behind the headphone's protective mesh grate, hinting at a dual-driver, balanced armature system akin to the one seen in Apple's higher-end after-market in-ear unit. The use of such tech is unlikely, however, as the slits seen on the back of the earpiece and bottom of the stem are not in line with such a setup, which usually calls for a sealed chassis to perform optimally.
Also of note is the apparent lack of an inline microphone and volume controls, two features necessary for use with an iPhone, however the tell-tale TRRS connector (3.5mm headphone jack with four contacts instead of a stereo headset's three) needed for mic functionality can briefly be seen near the end of the video. It is possible that the mics are embedded within the headphone itself, though it is impossible to make any definitive judgment from images and video alone.
Apple is widely expected to release the next-generation iPhone on Sept. 12, with a U.S. release to follow on Sept. 21.
Vietnamese website Tinhte.vn (via MacRumors) posted the video and accompanying high-quality images of the purported device on Saturday, noting the Apple-branded product will likely be introduced either alongside the sixth-generation iPhone.
The site believes the in-ear headphones came from a Vietnamese Foxconn plant as cable labeling reads "Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in Vietnam." While the validity of the claims can't be verified, Tinhte says the build quality of the part has them convinced it is a legitimate Apple product.
Source: Tinhte
As for the design, the in-ear unit is somewhat a departure from current earphone models from Apple, featuring a truncated teardrop shape that is supposedly more comfortable than the gratis set supplied with the iPhone. It appears the alleged headphones are essentially a combination of Apple's current lineup and use dynamic, or moving coil, technology in a seamless chassis that partially enters the ear canal.
What looks to be two ports can be seen behind the headphone's protective mesh grate, hinting at a dual-driver, balanced armature system akin to the one seen in Apple's higher-end after-market in-ear unit. The use of such tech is unlikely, however, as the slits seen on the back of the earpiece and bottom of the stem are not in line with such a setup, which usually calls for a sealed chassis to perform optimally.
Also of note is the apparent lack of an inline microphone and volume controls, two features necessary for use with an iPhone, however the tell-tale TRRS connector (3.5mm headphone jack with four contacts instead of a stereo headset's three) needed for mic functionality can briefly be seen near the end of the video. It is possible that the mics are embedded within the headphone itself, though it is impossible to make any definitive judgment from images and video alone.
Apple is widely expected to release the next-generation iPhone on Sept. 12, with a U.S. release to follow on Sept. 21.
Comments
The font for "R" and "L" is unlike any Apple has used so far, but Apple is known for completely reinventing things we take for granted.
I'm looking at these things, scratching my head and trying to figure out how they work. Either mine are weirdly shaped or they don't make ears today like they used to.
Originally Posted by Dickprinter
I'm looking at these things, scratching my head and trying to figure out how they work. Either mine are weirdly shaped or they don't make ears today like they used to.
The face of the bud with the letter on it goes into your ear in the same way that the flat, open, speakery face of the current do. The tiny speaker grill there feeds sound in the old way and the front-facing one bounces it through your ear another way.
I'm sure they'll explain how it's better. That is, if these are even real and make any sense at all. I would have assumed the opposite facing way to be true…
I wonder how well the bass is on these compared to the ones shipped today? The ones I got with my iPhone 4s are ok but I wish they were better fit into my ear for exercise. They keep falling out even though I use the little tensioner.
Dr Dre has the best ear buds for an iPhone or iPod.
Those could be any damn brand, from any number of over seas tech manufacturer.
However, if they turn out to be the real deal(Apple earbuds) I ain't buying them.
THEY NEVER STAY IN MY FREAKING EAR!!!
Now, if Apple came out with a behind the ear headphone like the ones Sony for example makes then we can talk.
Take my money!
Quote:
Originally Posted by tylerk36
Dr Dre has the best ear buds for an iPhone or iPod.
Please oh please tell me that's a joke and you forgot to add /s at the end of the sentence.
About the earbud itself, I can only say: congratulations. Before tossing out my earbuds to the trash, I played around with their positioning and figured out what the Apple engineers have with these: the "sound hole" simply isn't positioned to properly direct the sound, and there is little seal between the ear and the earbud. With this, they'll improve bass response, as the sound source will more easily stay as close to the ear tube as possible, making it closer to the seal of a In-Ear. They also look nice.
I am aware that IEMs have been doing this for quite some time: my GR07s are also edge-firing. But this is the first edge-firing earbud I've seen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maccherry
Those could be any damn brand, from any number of over seas tech manufacturer.
However, if they turn out to be the real deal(Apple earbuds) I ain't buying them.
THEY NEVER STAY IN MY FREAKING EAR!!!
Now, if Apple came out with a behind the ear headphone like the ones Sony for example makes then we can talk.
Take my money!
1- These won't fit as snugly as IEMs, but they WILL drop less from your ears.
2- Behind-the-ear headphones are useless. Go earbud, IEM, headphone, or quit.
While we are talking about headphones, Apple, and Dr Dre, it's a damn shame that Apple sells Dre headphones at Apple Stores (or so I've heard). Certainly doesn't help the "ripping off its customers" infamy.
Fail
Take 1 minute to look at your current buds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tylerk36
I wonder how well the bass is on these compared to the ones shipped today? The ones I got with my iPhone 4s are ok but I wish they were better fit into my ear for exercise. They keep falling out even though I use the little tensioner.
Apple's headphones have bass???
Quote:
Originally Posted by tylerk36
Dr Dre has the best ear buds for an iPhone or iPod.
Right, and Samsung is company which invents everything by itself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maccherry
Those could be any damn brand, from any number of over seas tech manufacturer.
However, if they turn out to be the real deal(Apple earbuds) I ain't buying them.
THEY NEVER STAY IN MY FREAKING EAR!!!
Now, if Apple came out with a behind the ear headphone like the ones Sony for example makes then we can talk.
Take my money!
Yeah, you ears are freaky.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichL
Let's hope that they leak less sound than the current ones do. Nothing worse than being stuck on a plane/train next to someone using Apple's bundled earphones and being able to hear all of their music.
How about just using yours at the same time? (regadless of what headphone brands you are using)
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichL
Let's hope that they leak less sound than the current ones do. Nothing worse than being stuck on a plane/train next to someone using Apple's bundled earphones and being able to hear all of their music.
I think the sound leak is by design, more so to let the sound of people's voices in, while still being able to enjoy your audio. With these directed earbuds, we should get the best of both worlds, improved sound without the need to turn the volume way up.
Did anybody else notice the holes on the outside (you have to watch the video to see them)? I wonder if that's for acoustics, or noise cancellation. I remember Apple being granted a patent for noise canceling headphones with multiple points of input, which should be pretty effective.
Lastly, I'm really hoping Apple finally comes out with a wireless version.
"reinventing things we take for granted." agreed, with all the blog battle with Samsung vs Apple, thanks for reminding me why I am a fan of apple products.
We only need a leak showing a switched on iPhone 5 and we'll have seen all.
The slid that is on the flat side is probably used for bass, since those frequencies easily pass through dense materials like the skull. Apple has done some nice research here, that's beautiful design.
BTW the best earbuds I ever had were 100$ in-ear Denon ones. I'm not an audio specialist but I could definitely hear the difference with any other ear bud and it was like a revelation, especially for classical music.