4 ms·

I’m getting heavily downvoted for that comment and I do understand the appeal of Apple hardware (I happen to be bought into the Apple ecosystem as well) but as

I’m getting heavily downvoted for that comment and I do understand the appeal of Apple hardware (I happen to be bought into the Apple ecosystem as well) but as an audiophile who’s always shopped around for equipment over the last 3 decades I can assure you there are plenty of other companies out there releasing good products. Some, in fact, are even out innovating Apple. But you often have to shop around to find them. For example last week I was playing around with some cans which literally mapped the inside of your ear then created a unique sound profile for the wearer (they also did all the same features as AirPods too).

zuppy 7y ago
people that aren’t as passionate as you are aren’t willing to invest the time to find _the best_ headphones. these are good enough and much better than average, convenience matters a lot. so, yes, you’re right, they’re not the best overall, but they are best for me now with the time i am willing to invest into the purchase decision.
- pushpop 7y ago
  It doesn’t take that much time to look into and if your spending a few hundred bucks on new hardware wouldn’t you rather invest a few minutes before hand rather than impulse buying the first thing that came to your mind? Also I don’t think that’s a good enough argument for downvoting comments that are quite literally factually accurate.
  - saagarjha 7y ago
    You’re an audiophile. Not everyone is.
    - pushpop 7y ago
      Indeed but I’ve got my own theories about what’s happening here and I think it’s less to do with people being open to alternative suggestions and more about protectionism of the Apple brand.
      - toasterlovin 7y ago
        FWIW, the world makes a lot more sense once you accept that most other people have wildly different motivations and preferences.
        deleted 7y ago
        [deleted]
        pushpop 7y ago
        It’s not me who has the issue with preferences though because I’m the one getting downvoted for saying there are plenty of options on the market :) I actually have no issue with AirPods specifically (aside that they don’t come with a selection of silicon gloves for different ear shapes - that’s standard with every other earphone but it’s an extra cost with Airpods). However this is a technical forum and the last time I checked it was considered proper etiquette to discuss similar products when similar products do exist. Which is what I did. As an aside, it’s a real pity the media machine is so obsessed with Apple because there are genuinely some really interesting earphones and headphones out there from independent companies making real innovations in audio tech. But they often get overlooked now that Apple have entered the earphone market.
        toasterlovin 7y ago
        > it’s a real pity the media machine is so obsessed with Apple because there are genuinely some really interesting earphones and headphones out there from independent companies making real innovations in audio tech This is exactly what I’m talking about. Other people aren’t like you. They care more about what Apple is doing with AirPods than about what other companies are doing with their headphones.
        pushpop 7y ago
        Again, I get that. I’m not criticising people for caring about airpods. However I am getting downvoted for suggesting there’s other products out there. Thus it’s not me who needs to be more considerate of other people’s preferences. I think you’re judging comment unfairly. This is a technology and business forum so the entire bloody point is to talk about technology and businesses. Yet for some reason when it’s a topic about Apple hardware people get really defensive if you happen to mention the competition (like one normally would in any other HN conversation). That’s not my issue; I’m not the inconsiderate one here. But like I said, I’m own a lot of Apple hardware myself and do see the appeal of it. I also wouldn’t vote someone down if they offered some input on other hardware out there :)
  - hombre_fatal 7y ago
    Researching isn't necessarily productive nor does it necessarily confer any real insights. I still am not sure how to research the right Lenovo laptop for me if I were willing to buy one. It's a mess. Same with headphones: in just minutes of research, you're stuck basically reading marketing and reading forum recommendations. Both of which will likely steer many people to Airpods anyways. You're taking it for granted that you have some specific needs, know how to evaluate the product space for those needs in mere minutes, and are happier with a cheaper product. Frankly, having owned various bluetooth headphones over the years, what I always love or hate about them isn't something I knew until I owned them. How much I like/hate their button UI, how they fit and stay in my ears, how reliably they pair or handle bad connections, if they can work through my thick kitchen wall so that I can leave my iPhone in the living room, etc. aren't things I can just research ahead of time. Yet they are 99% of what matters to me. Makes sense to me that people just cough up the $160 for the almost unanimously-loved Airpods instead of enduring the trial and error of evaluating buds.
    - pushpop 7y ago
      I do get your point but people are just making the same gamble with airpods as they would with any other device if they buy without researching. For example a great many people have issues with airpods even just staying put in their ears (unfortunately earphones aren’t something you’re allowed to try before you buy - at least not in the U.K.). Though at least with Apple, their brand is more visible and generally more consistent so I can see why people might consider it less of a gamble than buying a comparatively priced audio brand.
- Can_Not 7y ago
  The way one person described how much better apple airpods ($160) are is exactly the way I describe how my $20 non-apple non-white bluetooth airpods are better.

zuppy 7y ago

people that aren’t as passionate as you are aren’t willing to invest the time to find _the best_ headphones. these are good enough and much better than average, convenience matters a lot. so, yes, you’re right, they’re not the best overall, but they are best for me now with the time i am willing to invest into the purchase decision.

pushpop 7y ago
It doesn’t take that much time to look into and if your spending a few hundred bucks on new hardware wouldn’t you rather invest a few minutes before hand rather than impulse buying the first thing that came to your mind? Also I don’t think that’s a good enough argument for downvoting comments that are quite literally factually accurate.
- saagarjha 7y ago
  You’re an audiophile. Not everyone is.
  - pushpop 7y ago
    Indeed but I’ve got my own theories about what’s happening here and I think it’s less to do with people being open to alternative suggestions and more about protectionism of the Apple brand.
    - toasterlovin 7y ago
      FWIW, the world makes a lot more sense once you accept that most other people have wildly different motivations and preferences.
      - deleted 7y ago
        [deleted]
      - pushpop 7y ago
        It’s not me who has the issue with preferences though because I’m the one getting downvoted for saying there are plenty of options on the market :) I actually have no issue with AirPods specifically (aside that they don’t come with a selection of silicon gloves for different ear shapes - that’s standard with every other earphone but it’s an extra cost with Airpods). However this is a technical forum and the last time I checked it was considered proper etiquette to discuss similar products when similar products do exist. Which is what I did. As an aside, it’s a real pity the media machine is so obsessed with Apple because there are genuinely some really interesting earphones and headphones out there from independent companies making real innovations in audio tech. But they often get overlooked now that Apple have entered the earphone market.
        toasterlovin 7y ago
        > it’s a real pity the media machine is so obsessed with Apple because there are genuinely some really interesting earphones and headphones out there from independent companies making real innovations in audio tech This is exactly what I’m talking about. Other people aren’t like you. They care more about what Apple is doing with AirPods than about what other companies are doing with their headphones.
        pushpop 7y ago
        Again, I get that. I’m not criticising people for caring about airpods. However I am getting downvoted for suggesting there’s other products out there. Thus it’s not me who needs to be more considerate of other people’s preferences. I think you’re judging comment unfairly. This is a technology and business forum so the entire bloody point is to talk about technology and businesses. Yet for some reason when it’s a topic about Apple hardware people get really defensive if you happen to mention the competition (like one normally would in any other HN conversation). That’s not my issue; I’m not the inconsiderate one here. But like I said, I’m own a lot of Apple hardware myself and do see the appeal of it. I also wouldn’t vote someone down if they offered some input on other hardware out there :)
- hombre_fatal 7y ago
  Researching isn't necessarily productive nor does it necessarily confer any real insights. I still am not sure how to research the right Lenovo laptop for me if I were willing to buy one. It's a mess. Same with headphones: in just minutes of research, you're stuck basically reading marketing and reading forum recommendations. Both of which will likely steer many people to Airpods anyways. You're taking it for granted that you have some specific needs, know how to evaluate the product space for those needs in mere minutes, and are happier with a cheaper product. Frankly, having owned various bluetooth headphones over the years, what I always love or hate about them isn't something I knew until I owned them. How much I like/hate their button UI, how they fit and stay in my ears, how reliably they pair or handle bad connections, if they can work through my thick kitchen wall so that I can leave my iPhone in the living room, etc. aren't things I can just research ahead of time. Yet they are 99% of what matters to me. Makes sense to me that people just cough up the $160 for the almost unanimously-loved Airpods instead of enduring the trial and error of evaluating buds.
  - pushpop 7y ago
    I do get your point but people are just making the same gamble with airpods as they would with any other device if they buy without researching. For example a great many people have issues with airpods even just staying put in their ears (unfortunately earphones aren’t something you’re allowed to try before you buy - at least not in the U.K.). Though at least with Apple, their brand is more visible and generally more consistent so I can see why people might consider it less of a gamble than buying a comparatively priced audio brand.
Can_Not 7y ago
The way one person described how much better apple airpods ($160) are is exactly the way I describe how my $20 non-apple non-white bluetooth airpods are better.