Headphone companies unfazed by Apple dropping the 3.5mm socket

With consumers not shy about voicing their own opinion of Apple dropping the headphone socket from the iPhone 7, The Verge decided to find out what headphone manufacturers had to say about it.

Privately, they probably have mixed views, faced with the hassle of upgrading older models to Lightning or wireless versions, while at the same time seeing the obvious financial benefits of customers wanting to upgrade. In public, though, it was all smiles.

Sennheiser took the opportunity to point to its long heritage.

Sennheiser has seen many different connection standards come and go in the audio world over the years. Audio connections have always been continuously evolving. Digital outputs, such as Apple’s Lightning connector, will offer new opportunities to take a step forward and to further enhance the sound experience for the customer. For example, 3D audio technology using digital signals is just one possibility.

Jaybird saw wires as irrelevant, 3.5mm and Lightning alike.

Apple has confirmed what we’ve all known all along: the world is going wireless. And even though you might not know it now, you’ll love your digital audio experience without all the wires. Apple’s new design, coupled with advancements in wireless headphones and Bluetooth technology, will dramatically improve the audio experience for all and lead to a freer listening & interaction experience.

Audio-Technica said that the included adapter meant customers had a choice.

The fact that Apple are providing the adapter with new iPhone 7 means that, although people have something else now to lose, no one will miss out and can still enjoy their own choice of quality wired headphones. We will continue to offer some of our headphone range with Bluetooth options such as the new SR5BT with a 38 hour battery life (and a cable in the box).

And Grado just didn’t care.

To be honest, we don’t care much one way or another. We really just care that we can keep a sound that we’re proud of. We just want whatever connection is used to keep the sound that our family’s worked 63 years for. There aren’t any major changes to Grado because of this, and we’ll continue doing what’s kept us around for so long.

There are more manufacturer quotes over at The Verge.

If you’re waiting for Apple’s AirPods, those will be available in late October. In the meantime, there are already a whole range of wireless headphones on the market at all price levels, with a smaller range of Lightning-equipped wired models.