Headphone makers quietly prepare for the iPhone 7

Just curious if anyone here has upgraded to the Iphone 7 and, if so, what has been their experience with using it for music given lack of headphone jack. The removal of the jack to me was the height of idiocy and arrogance and offends my sensibilities. That said, I am not one to cut my nose to spite my face, so if it nonetheless makes more sense on balance to get the Iphone 7 than the 6s I would do so. However, I am considering purchasing the Andros for portable use and the idea of having to plug those into a dongle rather than sturdy in-built jack just seems wrong to me. I am currently on verge of trading in my 5s for the 6s and being a generation behind, but am open to hearing other perspectives on this if anyone has one. If I get the 6s it will just kick the issue down the line, but will at least buy me 2 more years while the market adjusts to jack-[removal change.

P.S. Not interested in separate DAP and I have used Android phones and do not do well with them.

 

I'll likely consider upgrading to the 7s, but I'm in no hurry. While I don't rely on the iPhone's output to the degree I once did, there is still value to me in the convenience of the chassis jack.

From what I understand, the iPhone SE is the "best" option in Apple's lineup for dedicated music playback. And it'll probably be around for a few years. May want to check out one of those, if the small screen isn't a turn off.

 

I was gonna dump my little Fiio Q1 portable DAC/amp but this whole issue with the new iPhones makes me think I should keep it. Doesn't sound horrible, very small and it's probably better than whatever DAC is built into that dongle.

 

Fuze is supposedly making a case with an in-built headphone jack, to be released before Christmas. And a battery, because why would you settle on a single thing? (I say supposedly, because it's an indiegogo thing for now, and I trust those even less than kickstarters.)

 

http://www.innerfidelity.com/conten...adapter-analog-or-digital#caUxE6BkFVBv2BXM.97

Iphone 7 adapter has an OI of 0.37ohms. The Andros out of them will be very bassy. Knowing your preferences to an extent, you will not like the combo. The iPhone 6 on the other hand, has an OI of 4.5 which may be on the leaner side. Someone will have to comment on that. In either case, you can use the ifi IEMatch but then you'd be adding another dongle onto your setup.

 

https://m.heise.de/ct/artikel/iPhon...apter-liefert-schlechteren-Sound-3325932.html

Also, I found some measurements for the dongle-dac, but I know neither German nor what those charts and numbers actually mean, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

e: beaten. apparently the "view added replies" button is actually useful sometimes lol.

 

I'm sure there are a lot of companies working on little solutions with built-in DACs but the question for all of them will be, "How does it sound?"

 

I liked the Andros out of my Iphone 5s just fine. I guess I should compare OI for the 5s v 6s but I assumed it would be more or less the same.

 

Get the double adaptor and you can charge and listen at the same time.

Dragonfly Red plugged into the adaptor is quite convenient, TYVM, and a solid value. Plenty of power to drive SINE or PM-3, and a noticeable upgrade over the internals.

 

I have an iPhone 6 and found the Andromeda (auditioned for 2 weeks) to be too lean out of that setup. I like it with near 0OI but that is only because the slightly exaggerated bass helps to cover up the treble peak I don't like. The ideal OI on Andromeda for my idea of "neutral bass" (like UERM) is probably somewhere between 1-3.

I'm keeping my 6 and waiting for iPhone 8 next year. I wanted to buy a 7 but the form factor is the biggest differentiator for me and that will only change next year when Apple (probably) does some sort of wrap around thing with OLED.

 

This is one decision that won't receive a lot of backlash. I'm pulling this statistic out of my ass but I would say 90% of people just used the EarPods that came with the phone. The audiophile types go for a dongle-DAC and the ones that really need the 3.5mm have the adapter available. If your headphones/IEMs are worth anything they should have a removable cable. Audeze already makes lightening cables for their headphones and I expect Campfire Audio and Noble Audio to do the same thing. If not then I don't see why Audioquest wouldn't do it since they make cables as well as a highly regarded DAC/amp dongle.

 

Be aware that not all manufacturers can or want to make a directly MFI-approved cable. That is a very expensive and onerous set of hoops to jump through, to be allowed to play in the Apple lock-in zone. I'm still impressed that RHA have done so for their new DACAmp thingy, actually.

 

That the thing, it doesn't have to be all manufacturers. You just need a few cable manufacturers willing to jump through the hoops. High end IEMs usually have standardized connections so you don't need to cater to every single company, only a few connectors. Two pin and MMCX will cover a lot.

 

Interestingly, I think FiiO is trying more than one approach- they will have a gimped MFI amp, but also are working on a BT to MMCX unit. Their comments about the hell of MFI certification were quite interesting.

 

My impression of owning 7+ for almost 3 months regarding 3.5mm absence:
1. The adapter doesn't clutter. It's small & flexible enough.
2. Few times, I do miss the ability of charging & listening to music at a same time. I won't buy the 3.5mm & Lightning dongle though. Expensive & big.

Few thoughts:
1. Technically I believe Lightning is better. I understand Apple's point that 3.5mm is a 'waste'. It carries analog audio signal & very low power. In contrast, Lightning carries digital signal & higher power.
2. Wireless charging is the answer. It's no brainer that Apple is working on this as they bought wireless charging tech company awhile ago.

 

http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/1/3/14161650/shure-earbuds-lightning-cable-iphone-7

Turns out Shure did quietly prepare for the iPhone 7. By making a cable for the $170 wireless earbuds.

Things and words have no meaning anymore

 

What am I missing here? What are the "$170 wireless earbuds"? I just woke up so prob a dumb question.

 

I did wonder, as that's a lightning to MMCX cable for Shure SE IEMs, not for Earpods or similar.. however, I am badly in need of lunch, so hunger may be clouding my reason...