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Wired headphone sales are exploding

• rwmj 7mo ago
  Dear Sony, please start making the MDR-XB450 again. Lovely wired headphones that for some inexplicable reason Sony discontinued a few years ago.
  • abhikul0 7mo ago
    Aye, add to that the XB50 in-ears too. My current pair is ~8 years old.
• healsdata 7mo ago
  My wired headphones never run out of battery. They also don't drop the connection if my pocket is at the wrong angle from my ears.
  • PaulHoule 7mo ago
    I bought two pairs of premium wireless headphones about 10 years ago. These failed gradually, I patched them up with tape and kept them going. One of them had the Bluetooth electronics fail but still works wired, the electronics are fine on the other one but physically it is a jumbled mess that I can't really tape together anymore but it kinda sits on my head. I went looking for the state of the art in headphones and bought (1) a set of AirPod Pros and (2) a recent Sony headset. My feelings about the AirPods are terribly mixed. 10 years ago I think the best reason to spend $250 instead of $25 on a set of Bluetooth headphones was that the $250 device would pair properly with multiple devices whereas it might take you 15 minutes of screwing around to unpair and repair the $25 headphones every time you need them. But hey they are so cheap maybe you can pack one for each device you have and not worry about it. Today it is the other way around, somehow $25 headphones "just work" with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Steam Deck, whatever. After I disabled the microphone and switched to the microphone on my camera, the AirPods got reliable with Windows. Inside Apple's ecosystem it tries really hard and almost works, yet the $25 headphones "just work" and don't seem to be trying so hard. I don't get messages warning me that somebody else's $25 headphones are following me around but my iPhone tells me that about my AirPods all the time but I think it is a KPI for somebody in Cupertino that I see the word "AirPods" as much as possible. Now the sound quality of the AirPods is just great, I'll grant that, but I'm not going to be one of those annoying youngsters who is as hard as hearing as the oldest oldsters because I have some genetic polymorphism that makes me produce copious amount of earwax that eject the AirPods from my ears if I move too much. My doc says one of these days my ears are going to plug up and I shouldn't get so excited about it.
    • Obscurity4340 7mo ago
      Have you ever tried bluetooth wearables like the Bose SoundWear? Off topic but they are awesome
    • seer 7mo ago
      I got myself a plastic welder - the thing that melts little pieces of metal to strengthen plastic joints - now I can keep old plastic things in shape almost indefinitely. Cost like 10 usd or so and has prolonged the life of all manner of things. If you still want to make the old headphones work these welders are a godsend, and with some small amount of diy work of cleaning, sanding and buffing you can easily hide these welds. I personally like to leave them though since they accent that something that was once broken is whole again, and that it has a long history!
    • rhinoceraptor 7mo ago
      For whatever reason, in my experience, the 1st gen Airpods Pro seem to pair much more easily to non-Apple devices than the 2nd gen. I have a 1st gen pair more or less dedicated to my Linux PC, and they auto-pair 99% of the time within a few seconds.
  • az09mugen 7mo ago
    Same here. And also unlike airpods, you can't easily lose one that you can't replace. Which also renders the one left useless because you can't pair it with another orphan, what a waste.
  • fhdkweig 7mo ago
    All that, plus with wires, I can run the cable under my shirt and up through the neck hole. When someone starts to talk to me, I can just pop them out of my ears and let them dangle across my chest without having to hold them in my hands. I also don't have to worry about dropping them on the floor.
    • globular-toast 7mo ago
      This was common for kids in the 00s. Having just one bud in while talking to someone was common. There was also this type that instead of having two equal length wires, one to each bud, was asymmetrical and you would wrap the longer wire around you neck so you could easily "unbud". Sony invented this, I think. In fact there were some pretty crazy designs before Apple made the simple but conspicuous earbuds popular again.
  • simonmic 7mo ago
    Mine do. The phone's lightning connector socket has become "flaky" (from age, or lint..), and at this point I must hold the phone in hand rather than in pocket while walking, for uninterrupted playback.
    • procaryote 7mo ago
      Headphone jacks. Sony experia, Asus zenphone, Motorola Moto G, and a few others They're rare nowadays, but they're inherently superior when it comes to audio just working
  • bigstrat2003 7mo ago
    All that and they cost a fraction of the price! Wireless headphones are a strictly inferior product to wired, and it astonishes me that Apple convinced anyone to buy them. They're a total rip off.
    • ahhhhnoooo 7mo ago
      I can leave my phone on the charger or propped up with a recipe on the counter while I cook and still get signal. Wired headphones cannot let me walk between rooms without picking up my phone. Wireless headphones take up much less space. I can put them in my pocket trivially. Wireless headphones can tell me where they are and if I've left them behind. Wireless headphones don't have a piece of plastic that dangles on my neck, shoulders, and face. As someone with sensory issues, this is genuinely important. I've never had to spend five minutes untangling the cords for my wireless headphones. I've never accidentally snagged the cable on my wireless headphones, causing them to snap off. I can put my phone in a waterproof case in my backpack and protect it while walking. I don't have to do cable management to route the wire. It's fine to prefer the wired headphones. I fully endorse that for you. Maybe drop the hyperbole about how wired headphones are strictly better?
    • Shank 7mo ago
      For me, all of my wired headphones and earbuds have died the same way: audio cutting out or completely lost due to cable damage due to storage and use cycles. Wireless has completely fixed this for me.
    • kelnos 7mo ago
      It's weird, because I absolutely agree in principle, but 90% of my headphone use is wireless now. And I hate it: latency, glitches, randomly just deciding not to connect anymore, deciding to connect in the lower-quality headset mode when I want to listen to music, and refusing to switch to the high-quality mode, battery running out at inconvenient times, the cat knocking them off my nightstand and under the bed where I cant reach them. So many reasons to be annoyed by them! But I hardly ever take out my wired headphones anymore, and I'm not sure why. Back when I got my first phone without a 3.5mm jack, I just kept a little USB-C adapter in the little pouch/case that held my wired IEMs, and it was fine. But at some point I bought a new phone, and there was a deal on cheap (or free?) wireless earbuds with it, and I really just stopped using wired headphones for the most part since then, even though the wireless ones really annoy me for so many reasons.
• deleted 7mo ago
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• Tarsul 7mo ago
  here's hoping that someday headphones without pressure (e.g. active/passive noise cancelling) will make a comeback, too. But then again I think there still exist cheap wired ones without such "advanced" technology. As one woman in the article said best: "'I don't like how this feels' and we're all kind of returning to the last place we were comfortable."
  • DerArzt 7mo ago
    > here's hoping that someday headphones without pressure (e.g. active/passive noise cancelling) will make a comeback, too What do you mean? There are tons of wired headphones that don't do noise cancelling at multiple price points. I can still pick up a new pair of headphones that I started using 10 years ago (AudioTechnica m50x if you want the recommendation).
  • brudgers 7mo ago
    For wireless headphones I've gone to bone conduction and open-ear. Started with some cheap models from Ali-Express to see how I liked it. I did. Shokz had a black friday deal on Open-Run Pros and those are my goto. Admittedly, they are not as convenient as my Airpods were, but my ears appreciate not being bombarded with noise canceling.
    • orev 7mo ago
      Every headphone that has noise cancelling also gives you the option to turn it off, and also to enable audio pass through.
      • brudgers 7mo ago
        Yep. I prefer other technologies over noise cancelling in my ordinary use anyway. And my ears feel healthier. But that’s me, not you.
      • procaryote 7mo ago
        Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 at least just allows varying levels of passthrough. You can have noise cancelling or noise cancelling + sound from the outside mike. You cannot have noise-cancelling off for better battery life or to cope with windy conditions They're awful in several other ways too, which is sad for what should be their flagship model
• hurricanepootis 7mo ago
  I bought a pair of IEMs. A while back, the cable broke, and I was able to repair by just buying a new cable. Also, I enjoy not having another device to charge. I recently have been wearing a traditional Casio watch more often instead of my smartwatch.
  • lm28469 7mo ago
    Same here, I can't imagine adding 2 to 3 (earphones + case) batteries to my life, batteries that most likely aren't user replaceable, most likely will be cycled at least once a day and will inevitable die and take the whole device with them in a matter of years.
  • jmpman 7mo ago
    I love my IEMs but I actually want a Bluetooth version. Heck a dongle that made them act just like AirPod Pros would be my dream gadget.
    • vladvasiliu 7mo ago
      Shure makes some for their IEMs. I have an older model which has worked great for several years.
      • jmpman 7mo ago
        I may have had the same. Wasn't impressed. But I'm rough on my electronics and it lasted less than 6 months.
        • vladvasiliu 7mo ago
          I'm not rough, but don't handle them with white gloves either. I usually tend to roll them up in a ball in some pocket when not in use. The model I have, BT2, is "semi-wired", meaning that the Bluetooth and battery are common to the two earbuds, linked by a cable. And, outside the big heavy cables some big heavy headphones have, this one is the one that has held up best – I'm pretty sure I got it before Covid. They now have a newer model with no wires, which houses the BT and battery in some over-ear clips [0]. I have no experience with these. In any case, I expect other manufacturers to have similar options. Before this, I would have to change the (old-school) wire on these IEMs seemingly every other year. But at least it was changeable, as opposed to other cheaper IEMs which would require to break out the soldering iron at best, or end up in the trash at worst if they were a glue fest. [0] https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/accessories/rmce-tw2?variant=RMCE-TW2 https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/accessories/rmce-tw2?va...
• worldsavior 7mo ago
  Wired headphones is the style these days.
• bpev 7mo ago
  Please let this mean that they'll start bringing back the headphone jacks to phones. usb-c is too unstable, and I prefer not having to deal with charging more devices and with pairing shenanigans when switching devices.
  • itisit 7mo ago
    > usb-c is too unstable Would you share more? I've never had an issue with a USB-C cable. Helps to buy well constructed ones with legit specs.
    • bpev 7mo ago
      I'm talking about this specific context, rather than in general. I find that for usb-c earphones and small dongles/dacs, they disconnect more when I'm walking around with phone in pocket. They also tend to wear down with use much faster than normal aux cables. Usually, they last a few months for me before I start having issues. And when usb-c phones disconnect just a little, usually the phone will pause the music completely and disconnect, whereas the aux headphones will just keep playing. So if the connection isn't perfect, the usb-c cable becomes unlistenable because I can't walk 20 steps without it pausing. edit: I've tried many cables and dongles, so if you don't have this problem, it might be just that I move around more? Biggest problem for me is commutes and walking around.
      • leptons 7mo ago
        That problem might be considered a software problem, not a hardware or physical problem. The instant pausing of the music is the real problem. Software developers probably don't move around as much as you do, and I'd bet if they did, this problem would be fixed quickly with a simple timeout setting or something.
      • zadikian 7mo ago
        Same issue with the lightning to 3.5 dongle. Plus the phone sometimes takes like 10s to recognize it.
    • 7mo ago
• pathartl 7mo ago
  It's simple, I can buy some IEMs that sound better, cost less than a third of a barely-even-comparable wireless earbud, and roughly conforms to market standards so I can swap out the cable and tips. And I never have to charge them. I have a pair of Airpod Pros that I use solely for audiobooks and podcasts when I'm doing chores or shopping, but the audio quality is so garbage that's all they're really good for.
  • eddyg 7mo ago
    Airpods Pro audio quality "garbage"? That is beyond harsh, and a quick search will find countless reviews extolling their audio quality. e.g. https://www.soundguys.com/apple-airpods-pro-3-review-close-to-perfect-144636/ https://www.soundguys.com/apple-airpods-pro-3-review-close-t...
    • brudgers 7mo ago
      The measure of audio is what comes out of the speakers not what is written on the web. My Airpod Pros are the most convenient personal audio device I have ever used. Sound wise they pale in comparison to my Sony MDR-ZX100 which I bought on sale for $9.99 at Best Buy...unfortunately the new model is about $15 regular price and maybe not as good (but I doubt it). Sure the Airpod Pros sound better than ordinary Airpods or the wired Airbuds, but that's a really low bar for an audio device.
    • ActorNightly 7mo ago
      The problem with earbuds is that to have good quality, you need to create a seal, like IEMs do. Most professionals who use IEMs have them custom molded to their ears. If you are lucky and have a good ear shape, then airpods sound good. Still not as good as IEM because IEMs have more space for better drivers without needing a battery or bluetooth hardware. But if you are a person like me who has very hard time with any earbud staying in, then its gonna sound like garbage because you are never going to get a perfect seal.
    • pembrook 7mo ago
      Yes, objectively Airpods Pro audio quality is not good if you're comparing it to a high-end IEM setup that uses multiple driver types, balanced armatures, electrostatics, etc. Also the tuning on the 3 vs. the 2 is worse. Airpods Pro have great audio quality considering they are wireless bluetooth earbuds. Remove that qualifier, and if you're sitting at a desk all day and wired becomes an option, you can get far better sound quality/longevity for a fraction of the price.
• nitwit005 7mo ago
  Backlash is probably wrong. There was some hype around wireless technology, but that always fades eventually. You can see this in other electronics like "smart" home appliances: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/01/half-of-smart-appliances-remain-disconnected-from-internet-makers-lament/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/01/half-of-smart-applia... It seemed cool, people bought it, and then eventually many realized they didn't care about the fancy feature(s).
• deckplecksetter 7mo ago
  For me, using Bluetooth headphones with my (Samsung) phone is smooth and trouble-free. The experience is miles better than wired headphones, and I would never go back. Meanwhile, connecting to my TV with Bluetooth is an exercise in pure frustration. So it seems to me like the problem isn't Bluetooth, it's shitty implementations of it. And it's not just cheap devices. My TV is a fancy LG OLED. For the price I paid it should handle Bluetooth just fine. It's a real shame. When Bluetooth works, it's awesome, but a lot of people have had their opinions tainted by bad devices.
  • pier25 7mo ago
    It's super inconsistent across devices and implementations. I've had so many issues with it over the years. I've had headphones where a slight change in the environment around me while walking would disconnect audio. Or IEMs not syncing properly the L and R channels. Even in the best of cases using headphones with multiple devices is just terrible. Also syncing audio to picture rarely works as it should.
  • mr_mitm 7mo ago
    Yeah, I'm reading these comments and I would have agreed 10 years ago, but I'm regularly using three different pairs of wireless headphones plus a Bluetooth speaker and have literally zero issues. My Bose headphones are usually even paired with two phones. Yeah, charging is a bit annoying, but the added comfort is worth it to me and I can't tell that the audio quality is any different.
  • ActorNightly 7mo ago
    >So it seems to me like the problem isn't Bluetooth, it's shitty implementations of it. Yep, but this is a problem that is present everywhere. For example, electric cars are supposed to be simpler, because its one moving part. In reality, you get essentially vertical integration of all the components like battery management, motor controllers, infotainment, gauge cluster and the software that connects all of that, and when bugs are present you can't even get into your car.
  • olejorgenb 7mo ago
    > So it seems to me like the problem isn't Bluetooth, it's shitty implementations of it. Perhaps, but it kinda seems to me that there must be some inherent limitation of the standard which make it particular hard to create a high-quality experience? The latency for instance - in my (somewhat limited) experience audio over BT does not sync perfectly with video. The channels/codecs is/was so limited in bandwidth that until recently (few years back IIRC) headsets couldn't even send and receive decent quality audio at the same time. Even recent headsets like the Shokz Openrun Pro 2 has this limitation. (Which you could argue is an instance of "shitty implementation" since it was released after the availability of necessary tech (LE/LC3))
• tintor 7mo ago
  Wired headphones just work, unlike the bluetooth ones.
• ethagnawl 7mo ago
  While using wired headphones, my spouse's car never steals my audio when it starts or pulls into the driveway. Also, I can join a meeting seconds before it starts without spending a few minutes scrambling to verify that my BT headset will allow me to hear/be heard.
  • xnyan 7mo ago
    A good bluetooth experience requires that both the headset and the audio source device implement bluetooth well, which is hard. That said, I have zero problems with my AirPods Pro pairing with my Mac or iPhone ever, it's pretty nice.
    • ortusdux 7mo ago
      A few companies have demoed wireless cases with screens, and I would be very easy to tap connect on the case while I'm putting in the buds. My earbud was loose in my case yesterday, and it kept stealing the audio of a very important call. I almost threw them across the parking lot.
    • maxerickson 7mo ago
      I have some generic Bluetooth dongle and some anker over the ear headphones and can turn the headphones on after initiating a call and not really have problems. Sometimes Windows doesn't find the microphone right away.
    • toast0 7mo ago
      AirPods seem pretty nice; but if you use them primarily with Android and connect them to Find My, they will claim to be lost all the time. Seems like you have to choose between annoyance or not being able to find them if you drop them. I personally prefer wired headphones... they're always charged and ready, even if I only use them with my phone once in a while.
    • nottorp 7mo ago
      Tbh it may be the host that's causing the problems, not the headphones. I'm using pretty cheap JBLs with a mbpro and iphone and also never have any problems. Incidentally the same goes for bluetooth mice.
• peacebeard 7mo ago
  I never got on board with wireless headphones. * Having to charge them is a PITA * Having to pair them is a PITA * Having more points of failure is a PITA * Paying more is a PITA On the other hand: * Wires are fine
  • xnyan 7mo ago
    Counterpoint: wires really suck and are not fine. AirPods Pro are great, I can afford them and they improve my quality of like quite a bit. Different strokes I guess.
    • nkko 7mo ago
      was listening to music while coming with groceries and simultaneously juggling stuff to open the doors and change the track with Siri (the only use for Siri I have)
    • reg_dunlop 7mo ago
      counter counterpoint: A wire sitting on a table does not suck. 2 people can gather around that table and still, the wire does not suck. As soon as 1 person picks up the wire and starts doing something with it....now an interaction with a wire sucks. But that's not the wire's fault.
      • gruez 7mo ago
        >now an interaction with a wire sucks. >But that's not the wire's fault. So... "it's not the fall that kills you, it's the sudden deceleration"?
        • reg_dunlop 7mo ago
          I believe that's a straw man fallacy. My assertion is that an inanimate object becomes a problem when a human interacts with it. Your attempted logical argument is that a law of nature is the same as an inanimate object. I am not contesting that an inanimate object is the same as gravity. I'm saying that humans make bad decisions with simple things and whine about inanimate objects and that's a very real first world problem.
• siva7 7mo ago
  Headphones were a solved problem. I had 20 years ago some high end IEM that i used back in the days on on so called mp3 players - those were pocket sized music players - and since apple released the airpods and bluetooth headphones were the new standard audio quality never recovered to the state we had two decades ago
  • bob1029 7mo ago
    iPod Shuffle + Shure SE215 was the pinnacle of portable audio. The ritual of maintaining a separate playlist that would actually fit made it intentional. Allowing Spotify to slip into an infinite stream of slop is so easy these days.
    • ortusdux 7mo ago
      The trick is to use Google music. The recommendation algorithm is so bad that your brain rejects the slop it thinks you will like.
  • cyberrock 7mo ago
    It wasn't a solved issue because 3.5mm is too anemic to power modern ANC. Remember when headphones like QC15 had a single AAA battery to power that? Maybe it's not an important feature to everyone, but ANC is critical to my experience on long distance transportation. Multipoint is also cool too. I like listening to music, taking a call, going to the toilet, and coming back to music all without doing anything. If there's a silver lining to the last 15 years, it's that replaceable cables became a standard feature and that there are IEMs with direct USB C cables now. If/when Moondrop/KZ/Linsoul release IEMs that can be used like wireless earbuds with ANC, and can also connect and recharge via USB C, they can just take my money.
• jbverschoor 7mo ago
  I like my EarPods, except that the wires keep tangling up. T for that I want to try those zipper hacks They have a good mic and fit properly. AirPods, nope nope nope. I could throw them away after one year and the multi device “dream” s was a nightmare. I still have my HD580, but I don’t want to have the big cups on anymore
• phendrenad2 7mo ago
  There are two tiers of bluetooth devices. There are the Apple and Samsung devices (and Bose and other high-end brands), which just work. Then there are the rest, which are terrible.
  • hedora 7mo ago
    I wouldn't lump the high-end audio brands in with Apple. They often produce models that cost 25% as much and perform much better than the comparable Apple offerings. I think Apple is in a "fashion tier" that's distinct from "high quality" or "high end".
• iainctduncan 7mo ago
  Every blue tooth audio thing I've had sucked... and then stopped working altogether.
• aucisson_masque 7mo ago
  Tldr: that's a fashion trend. Couldn't care less. Personally I use wired headphone at home, either open back or closed back depending on the situation and Bluetooth outside when I don't want to be bothered by a cable. I think it gets the best of both worlds. Couldn't care less if I look 'cheap' because I have Bluetooth headphone.
• stuaxo 7mo ago
  Are Google one of the last holdouts ? I've been on cheap Android phones and just moved from Samsung to Motorola and both have headphones sockets.
  • bigstrat2003 7mo ago
    No, the Pixel dropped the headphone jack ages ago. It's why I don't have a Pixel any more.
    • ahartmetz 7mo ago
      For my recent middle class Android phone, I got a USB-C dongle that I keep in my wallet since phones with headphone jacks have moved to the lowest end of the market and almost disappeared entirely. Doesn't seem worth it anymore. The dongle is tiny and seems to be of good mechanical quality.
• ndrake 7mo ago
  My daily headphones are the Google Pixel USB-C earbuds, but they seem to be no longer made. Anyone have good recommendations for similar style USB-C headphones w/mic?
• IshKebab 7mo ago
  Because it's a freaking pain to connect them, obviously! In my experience they work well enough once you have, but consider the experience of "plugging them into a different device". Barely any devices support being paired with more than one central. So you have to tediously disconnect with the first device in some shitty menu (e.g. on Android the UI is not at all clear), then maybe put it into pairing mode (again usually though some terrible UI because manufacturers think pairing is a rare operation) and then finally pair it on the other device. Absolutely ridiculous. Oh and what's the Bluetooth equivalent of a headphone splitter? Auracast? It's taken decades to get that and basically nothing supports it. I do use Bluetooth things and I think the sound quality and reliability can be very good (if you're lucky), but the connection process is miles worse than plugging in a wire.
• ChimpWithHat 7mo ago
  For me AirPods are one of the greatest products I’ve ever owned. I resisted them for years and recited the usual tropes about wired being better. But after being gifted a pair years ago, I realized how wrong I was. I spend a lot of time at the gym or walking with headphones in and music, podcasts, or audiobooks on. It’s so much better not having any wires when you’re moving. I can’t imagine doing these actives anymore with wired headphones. Battery life, pairing, charging, audio quality, and other complains are all non issues for me, but I’m also no audiophile. They work incredibly seamlessly inside the Apple ecosystem.
  • scuff3d 7mo ago
    I've got a fairly cheap pair of Soundcores and I use an Android phone. Never really had a problem. Pair them once and they reconnect flawlessly, I only have to charge the battery case like once a month, and the earbuds themselves last more then an entire day. Mine get a lot of use, and I've never had an earbud die on me. There are a couple of minor annoyances for sure, like the car grabbing my phone when it turns on, but that's not a huge deal. And the annoyance of having a cord dangle around while I'm walking the dog or doing dishes or whatever the hell I'm doing far outweighs it. All of that said, if I wanted audio quality to sit and actively listen to music, I'd go wired no question. But I don't really care when 95% of my listening is audiobooks and podcasts.
• dbrgn 7mo ago
  An alternative to a wired dongle is a high-quality bluetooth amp, e.g. from Fiio. It's reliable, keeps your phone free from cables, but you can keep using your high quality wired headphones.
  • volemo 7mo ago
    That seems a ~~wired~~ weird compromise to me: you get the downsides of Bluetooth (inherent latency, potential codec quality loss, spectrum congestion — I occasionally experience interference and dropouts in crowded areas) but still have a wire hanging from your head and another battery to keep charged. :/
    • dbrgn 7mo ago
      Latency doesn't matter for music and Fiio supports both LDAC and aptX. Keeping the battery charged is a weak point though, agreed.
• Simulacra 7mo ago
  For me it's cost. I used to be able to get those JVC gummy earbuds wired, for nine dollars. Now I have to spend upwards of $20 for Bluetooth. And of course, when the battery can't be recharged anymore, I'm supposed to throw them away. Much prefer the wired headphones. Sometimes Bluetooth makes sense, But economically wired makes more sense.
• wat10000 7mo ago
  Headline: "sales are exploding" Actual fact: sales were up 3% last year, a whopping $15 million.
• asah 7mo ago
  meh, same as "record sales are back" - it's missing a zero in scale and two zeroes in money.
• leecarraher 7mo ago
  I've considered the move to wired not for quality but for the sad state that Bluetooth pairing headphones has become. Theycan't just be headphones anymore; They require their own app and pairing protocol. They want 19 different touch points and permissions to implement a handful of never used features I get people being frustrated at why they can't just do what copper did for the last century.
• LazyMans 7mo ago
  I do wonder if this is in part to Spotify educating people with their very much in your face notifications when you set your player to lossless quality mode. They inform you bluetooth won't pass the signal with enough fidelity and to go wired. I don't think many people thought their expensive Airpods/Bose/Sony were not capable of handling lossless and may feel left out or missing something.
  • hedora 7mo ago
    Isn't aptx lossless an old and very standard thing? I haven't bought headphones in years, and my current set support it.
    • kenhwang 7mo ago
      Old yes, but hardly standard. For phones, I think it's just the Sony and Asus and Chinese brands that support it. Pixels and Samsungs generally don't since they use Tensor/Exynos instead of Qualcomm/Snapdragon SoCs, and definitely not Apple. Story is even more bleak on the headphones side, Sony prefers their own LDAC codec so they support that instead of AptX Lossless, a pattern shared by many Asian headphones manufactuers. Many western brands only support up to AptX HD and AAC because Apple/Samsung devices have the majority marketshare. Qualcomm's own site only shows 12 headphones that support AptX Lossless. Now my opinion is LDAC is close enough to lossless that it's probably good enough for Sony and most people (the 1411kbps for uncompressed 16/44.1 CD quality generally compresses to under 900kbps which is below the 990kbps max of LDAC). Bose does have a headphone that supports AptX Lossless. It's just the Airpods that are far behind the competition.
• scuff3d 7mo ago
  As soon as they started talking about celebrities and it being a fashion statement they lost me on this being a real resurgence. For about a month we had videos of people getting in fist fights over fucking Stanley tumblers of all things, those stupid Labubus popped off too, and God knows how many other things come and go in like a month. Unless theirs a sustained long term resurgence in the market, it's probably just another tiktok fad.
• hedora 7mo ago
  I wonder what percentage of the people driving this trend have either only had AirPods (they make me dizzy, and I think the sound quality is terrible), Beats (even worse) or no-name $20 bluetooth headsets. I have a nice high-end set of Sennheisers that cost ~ $150, and they're much better than my old wired set (both in-ear, both noise isolating, similar prices). The bluetooth ones win because they eliminate cable noise. I can actually jog with them. In quiet rooms, they're very comparable, except the bluetooth set has a built in EQ, which works around the fact that iOS / Android still inexplicably do not let you adjust treble and bass. The bluetooth headset market has been stuck in this weird spot where fashion mostly dictates. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that fashion now dictates wired headsets.
  • debo_ 7mo ago
    I personally think people who jog with anything more intrusive than earbuds are bonkers.
    • jofzar 7mo ago
      There's a guy who runs around my neighbourhood with airpods max, I don't understand it, it's a literal brick on your head.
  • coreyburnsdev 7mo ago
    totally agree with you, though I have 3 sets of $20 bluetooth sets that I rotate on various devices and have no complaints whatsoever. Also use a DAC and $300 set of can on PC, so I know what good audio sounds like.
• glimshe 7mo ago
  I'm the trendsetter. I've never stopped using wired headphones and, after being made fun of for years despite much better audio quality, cost, simplicity and reliability, the rich finally decided to imitate me. Never let go of your convictions!
  • soramimo 7mo ago
    Yep, same boat. That's why I had kept my pixel 4a for years until is finally kicked the bucket 2 years ago.
    • yallpendantools 7mo ago
      > That's why I had kept my pixel 4a for years until is finally kicked the bucket 2 years ago. RIP I'm sure it was a noble device. My Pixel 3a is currently my wireless router for very German reasons. I worry this will kill off the still-decent battery life, as has happened with my OG Pixel. I have since allied myself with what I personally consider the devil of consumer electronics just to stay on this boat.
      • chias 7mo ago
        I recently upgraded my 4a to a 10 two months ago. Besides getting security updates again, it feels like a downgrade in every way that matters to me. Can't lie flat due to camera bulge. No headphone jack. Fingerprint sensor on the front that screen protectors interfere with. No sim slot. Ai bullshit triggers if i keep my thumb to close to where you touch to switch apps. Ai bullshit also replaces the old power menu, which now requires a combo button press. Such a let down.
  • solomonb 7mo ago
    Same. I've been using the same apple earbuds since like 2005(?). I still have the original plastic case for them and use it to store them in my backpack.
  • debo_ 7mo ago
    Same, but I made the switch to usb-c headphones as needed for my phone without complaining about it. I still use 3.5mm headphones on desktop.
• tptacek 7mo ago
  I've never had a pair of headphones with a cable connection that survived more than 2 years. Can't say that about the Airpods Max. Like, I have opinions about high-end headphones based on how easy the cords are to replace. That shouldn't be the case. I was a discrete headphone amp guy, just to situate myself in this market. I didn't expect to get good wireless headphones and think "I'm never going back", but that's precisely what happened.
  • bigstrat2003 7mo ago
    Wired headphones are also 1/10 of the price of airpods. So they still come out ahead on the cost of ownership front.
    • kasey_junk 7mo ago
      What high quality wired headphones (that you’d drive with a dedicated amp and have a replaceable cable) cost $55?
      • tptacek 7mo ago
        For context, I was generally using H6's, HD-280s, and HD-550s (when open-ear "ear-mounted speakers" are OK). The price point here is $100-$300. All of them have replaceable cables, but none of them are standard cables, so you have to stockpile extra cables for them. The audio quality difference between that class of headphone and Airpods Max is within the threshold of "speaker cable differences". All 4 of them put you in territory where source quality and delivery is the primary issue.
  • autoexec 7mo ago
    I'm sure that there can be situations where it's better to sacrifice sound quality and reliability for the convenience of wireless but I think the ability to replace cables is a huge advantage and not a pain point at all. The only problem I've ever had was with an old pair from Sony where by the time I needed a new cable they'd stopped selling a replacement cable but I knew I was rolling the dice when I got that pair because the cable wasn't standard. Even in the extreme case where you're replacing them every other year you could buy a handful of spares right away so you have them on hand when you need them and your headphones will outlast the batteries in your airpods
• Aeolun 7mo ago
  I went back all the way to tape. It’s surprising how well it still works 30 years after it became obsolete. Obviously with wired headphones, because tape players don’t do bluetooth.
• prodigycorp 7mo ago
  Lots of good theories here, but none saying "TikTok", which I think is the answer. TikTok is a big reason wired headphones are popular. AirPod microphone quality is spotty and improving the quality is non-deterministic. With wired earpods, people put the mic next to their mouth and get above-average audio quality. Like the article says, wired headphones have also become a fashion statement akin to vinyl culture.
  • procaryote 7mo ago
    This is why I use wired for longer calls or video conferences. I've tried so many wireless in-ear things and all of them are more sensitive to surrounding noise and I have to repeat myself more due to dropouts or spotty quality. It's just much harder to get good sound quality when the mikes are by your ear rather than on a wire near your mouth Not to mention that it completely removes the risk of running low on headphone battery mid-call
  • mft_ 7mo ago
    I dunno; IME many people who could barely be called a ‘creator’ seem to invest in a standalone microphone already, and many of these (the portable ones anyway) aren’t wired.
  • pimlottc 7mo ago
    Agree with the fashion. Big clunky headphones can be part of a signature style. No doubt anime and video game characters have had an influence here. They also project a clear message of “don’t bother me” when worn in public.
• beloch 7mo ago
  This isn't a Vinyl vs CD thing where a clearly inferior technology lives on due mainly to sentimental reasons. There are a number of concrete advantages to wired headphones over bluetooth headphones. - They don't need charging. Charging may seem like a minor inconvenience, and we're used to charging a lot of devices. However, even a minor inconvenience is still an inconvenience. - They're harder to lose. When Apple almost immediately started selling accessories to connect their airpods together (i.e. Cables), it was pretty obvious that going completely cordless was not entirely superior. - For an equivalent price point, wired headphones produce higher quality audio, and the top-end is a lot deeper. - Wired cans don't need to pair, don't glitch out, don't become laggy, pair with the wrong device, etc.. Bluetooth was never really meant for use as an audio connection, and it's never really become 100% foolproof. With Apple's proclivity for proprietary standards, I'm amazed they (or others) haven't rolled their own wireless audio standard by now. Too many android phones copied Apple and ditched the venerable audio jack, but a few kept it, and I've always insisted on it when buying phones. It's old but far from obsolete.
  • adzm 7mo ago
    And latency!! Anything that needs to be real time is impossible without wired headphones. Even the lowest latency wireless is noticeable.
    • fixxation92 7mo ago
      This is the big one for me, I hate all that lag with bluetooth, signal interference, and constantly wondering which device my headphones have connected to. So much easier for so many reasons, with a wire!
    • maccard 7mo ago
      Real time covers a lot of different things, and have a lot of different solutions. Do you mean real time like games? “Wireless” headsets are perfectly fine and usable. Real time audio? Wireless transmitters and receivers exist and are used (granted with wireless in-ears but IMO that’s mostly so the don’t fall out) at the absolute highest level of audio production and live events. You definitely can’t just say wireless isn’t used for real time.
• chihuahua 7mo ago
  I got a pair of AirPods Pro, paid for by a past employer, and it's the only Apple product I like. I'd even give some of my own money to Apple if I had to buy another pair. When I'm wearing wired earbuds, the feeling of getting the cord caught on something and having the earbuds violently yanked from my ears is one of the most annoying things, like a slap in the face. Plus I like being able to put my phone wherever I want, when I'm listening to podcasts while doing yard work. The phone stays in the house, or on a patio table, not in my pocket where pruning shears or dirt will get to it. There are various other situations where having wires going to my ears is annoying or impossible.
• Nursie 7mo ago
  It's fashionable. Some famous people have been seen with visible wires, therefore everyone needs wires. All these arguments here about technological superiority are quaint but miss the point. People in the wider world don't have the same concerns the people of HN have here, they're following icons.
• yallpendantools 7mo ago
  Actually, a week ahead of the BBC, my sister informed me wired headphones are making a comeback. With a smug grin I told her, "Comeback? It never left my side." I've had to ally myself with a brand I've once sworn off just to get a flagship model Android with a headphone jack. Killing Reader is a greedy betrayal (they were pushing us onto Plus, the whole social web thing) but removing headphone jacks from Pixels is a cowardly betrayal! Eyeing you too there, Samsung. You and Google both have made it extremely difficult to maintain a modicum of principle in today's consumer landscape! You made me justify my purchase with a utilitarian "Better the jacked devil than the blue-toothed one". (And before you ask, I only generally buy flagships because I upgrade my phone like, every five years, and in my experience flagships are just more bang for buck. YMMV tho.) Anyway, honestly, wired is not perfect. Wired and wireless each have their inconveniences it's just that I'm more willing to put up with the inconveniences of wired. Wired connections have known failure modes, something which I really value in tech. I have a Sony WH-1000XM3 which can work both as wired and wireless and I love it for that. Long live wired connections! Here's to a future with cheaper flagship models with a headphone jack!
• recursivecaveat 7mo ago
  The drivers or whatever can influence the wireless experience a lot. Apple has the best bluetooth reliability of any manufacturer I've experienced. I can be out in a field next to my house and somehow the half-asleep laptop finds my headphones instantly unless I remember to switch its bluetooth off. On my windows machine sometimes, for seemingly no reason, you will be left standing around waiting and waiting for it to find the device right next to it. The convenience of being able to get up and walk around the house, or got out with the phone without wires getting caught makes it worthwhile though. On the other hand for stationary peripherals like mice I would never go wireless. I hate that feeling of complete helplessness to the pairing/connection lottery and the time waste of it.
• al123xiaaaa 7mo ago
  Every phone has a Type-C port, so why aren't headphone manufacturers following the trend?
  • procaryote 7mo ago
    every headphone and phone had a 3.5mm connection, why did phone manufacturers fuck it up?
• unsungNovelty 7mo ago
  I have two wireless sony headphones for handling the battery issue. So yesterday before 5mins to my meeting, I plugged in one and it was out of juice. I plugged in the second one and it was also out of juice. Mind you, I was travelling and hence didn't follow the usual charging cadence I follow. I charged my wireless headphone for 5 mins and took the call and it went out of juice mid way through the call. I had to run to find a free conference room in the office which was present since it was friday. I also often connect my wireless headphone through the weekend and not know that it is still connected since friday with my work mac. Wired solves all of this. Thanks to this article, I just ordered a Apple Earpods USB-C 5 mins ago in Blinkit. It is going to be delivered in another 5-10mins. Good bye wireless. I will use it for work with my Mac and my personal Samsung phone. Edit after 4 mins: Earpods Delivered!
• Schnitz 7mo ago
  Except on the go, I don’t see the point for Bluetooth headphones. Due to the built in batteries that are uneconomical to replace they are essentially consumables, even high end ones like AirPods Max. Pairing and (re) connecting is a never ending pain. For less than $200 you can get a set of wired open back headphones that sound so good that unless you are in the audiophile niche they are your forever headphones. Models like Beyer Dynamic DT990 are built to last and very repairable, it just makes sense.
  • MrScruff 7mo ago
    I think on the go is the point. I love my AirPod Pros but I wouldn’t listen to them sat at my desk.
• adrithmetiqa 7mo ago
  Many pro wired comments here about quality which can be classed under the category “most people cannot tell the difference”. You simply cannot compare the considerably greater convenience of wireless to wired when on the go. Also, any decent wireless over the ear headset allows for wired use when out of battery. That’s hardly a game changer
  • PowerElectronix 7mo ago
    You can have low quality, low cost and very portable wired headphones, as well. You can also go for moderately priced cans and just feel your ears tingling the first time you listen to something through them.
  • zarzavat 7mo ago
    Not everybody is using their headphones on the go. 99% of my headphone use is at my desk while I work. Wired is more convenient than wireless since it's one less lithium battery to charge. It's true that humans are not particularly sensitive to audio quality, but they are very sensitive to audio latency. If all you do is listen to buffered audio sources then latency is not important but the moment you need to use your headphones in an input loop then wired is the superior technology as it offers close to zero variance in latency.
  • nottorp 7mo ago
    Wireless is convenience on the go and when you don't give a shit, like work calls. Wired is for when you want to listen to music you really like and it's too late to use the speakers.
• volemo 7mo ago
  Can someone recommend USBC earbuds with good ANC? Sometimes I’d love to avoid battery and interference concerns of Bluetooth, but noise cancellation became a must-have for me.
  • luag 7mo ago
    Is in-ear ok? With IEMs, you'll get passive noise canceling that I've found more than enough for most situations. I have a pair of IEM with the usb-c converter attached most of the time for use with phones. Give Truthear Hexa a try.
    • duskdozer 7mo ago
      For me, it isn't, I need ANC also. This is the thing sticking me with wireless because as far as I can tell, the best ANC are all wireless.
      • userbinator 7mo ago
        Try different tips --- IEMs are supposed to seal to your ears like earplugs.
        • duskdozer 7mo ago
          I'll put it this way: I also often use earplugs that are rated about as high as they go, and it's still not enough. So adding ANC on top is also helpful for me
          • ajolly 7mo ago
            What's the best in-ear ANC you found? I usually stick with over the ear and bose still has the best that I've tried compared to Apple or Sony
            • duskdozer 7mo ago
              So far, sony wf1000-xm5, but they're also the most expensive I've tried. (OTOH, not a fan of the bose qc ultra over-ear despite the cost). Earfun airpro 4 were probably second after the sony.
• userbinator 7mo ago
  The elephant in the room is "chi-fi". There's been a huge growth in small Chinese companies with unusual names making amazingly cheap, yet great-sounding over-ear headphones, IEMs, and earbuds within the past few years, and the vast majority of these are wired.
  • adamfarhadi 7mo ago
    I’m by no means an audiophile and it had been years since I owned a pair of wired headphones, but I picked up a pair of Linsoul 7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 (yes that is actually the name) IEMs after seeing some glowing reviews online and I was absolutely blown away by how they sounded despite costing only 240 SEK (around 25 USD). Back in the early 2010s when I was more interested in hi-fi audio you definitely couldn’t get as great sounding IEMs around this price.
    • al123xiaaaa 7mo ago
      How long does it take from placing your order to receiving the headphones?
      • adamfarhadi 7mo ago
        It took about two weeks to ship to me in Sweden from China.
  • shrx 7mo ago
    Can you recommend some brands with good quality over-ear headphones?
  • bwv848 7mo ago
    I still find it hard to justify buying Chi-Fi. My HD650 still has no competitor in terms of style and cost efficiency, I wish I could afford HD800 but they sound very different. My IE80 from 2012 is very outdated, but IEMs are technologically inferior, and even the Chinese ones are not cheap. So I just put a USB-C cable on it and use it occasionally.
• jhbadger 7mo ago
  Maybe I am just old, but I have absolutely no idea what this passage is about -- why would people be fiddling with Bluetooth on a date and why would it cause them to forget their network? >"Bluetooth does not work," Kravitz said in a recent interview, and it's not just headphones, but Bluetooth connections in general. "It's ruining important moments. Imagine the amount of times that you're with someone on a date, you're trying to set a vibe, and then you have to forget the network. On a date!"
  • qilo 7mo ago
    I found this confusing as well. She probably meant to "Forget" the device when the Bluetooth pairing with the headphones is lost.
  • antonkochubey 7mo ago
    Picnic date with a Bluetooth speaker for some background music, perhaps? I often see that in parks/beaches/etc, and as long as volume is reasonable I don’t think anyone minds.
  • booleandilemma 7mo ago
    I've just been putting wired headphones on my date's ears. It makes it harder for her to run away too.
  • OJFord 7mo ago
    I followed the link through to the video interview; it's not a lot clearer, except that she's definitely talking about trying to play a song (and it not working, ruining/frustrating the moment). Follows with the example 'or you're in a car, you have to pull the car over. To play a song?! On a date!'
  • bongripper 7mo ago
    The idea is that you're at home with the other person and want to listen to some music from a bluetooth speaker.
• deleted 7mo ago
  [deleted]
• omnimus 7mo ago
  One segment I wish came back are bluetooth inear headphones wired together (untrue wireless, i guess). There are some models but none really explore their possible advantages (battery, ux, single signal source). I lost single wireless earpiece multiple times making the rest useless. This won't happen with wire. With wire its also so much easier and quicker to take them off they will just hang around your neck. There is reason why many workers in loud environments prefer earplugs wired together. My impression is that apple hyped the airpods so well that people forgot about other possibilities. And when Google included cool headphones with cables people thought they have to cut them… that was when industry decided its dead segment.
  • elcapitan 7mo ago
    This is very true. Especially for sport, they are just great. I always found wired headphones annoying when running, because I need to take care of the wire somehow. Wired-together bluetooth in-ears like the Bose SoundSport kind of fill that niche, as I don't need to worry about one of them falling out. Looks like they don't make them anymore.
    • omnimus 7mo ago
      Yeah sport is main reason companies are making them. I also have to say i haven't checked this for two years but there seem to be some new models now (under banner of neckband earbuds). So maybe there is something nicer now.
• gtsop 7mo ago
  [dead]
• camgunz 7mo ago
  I've had a set of Etymotic SR4s for years, I just replace the cable every 1-2 years. I love them to death, they're extremely flat though, so they make a version with bumped bass if that's your thing. If someone made a cable with a mic on it for them I'd probably buy 10--it's pretty annoying to switch to Apple earbuds for calls, but whatever.
• globular-toast 7mo ago
  There's a much simpler explanation. I regularly see boomers with wireless "earpod" type earphones out and about. They're not cool any more. Fashion is fickle and it's best to not pay any attention to it. Choose the right tool for the job. Sometimes wireless is better, like when running, sometimes wired is better, like doing serious listening in a quiet environment.
• snvzz 7mo ago
  If they want to take them away, they'll have to rip my Sennheiser HD600 from my skull. Legendary for their neutral, correct and pleasant sound, comfort, effectively forever durability, and being affordable to boot. I can plug them to current or 40 year old hardware, and they do work. I use them with Topping DX3 Pro+[0] today. It is no wonder they want us to instead adopt something active, crippled with bluetooth latency and dependent on lossy codecs, with a non-serviceable battery built-in. 0. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-dx3-pro-review-dac-headphone-amp.27148/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/t...
• acd 7mo ago
  Will wired speakers make a come back? Stereo separation vs mono pods?
• rock_artist 7mo ago
  Audio engineer originally and a current audio software. In the pro audio, wireless was never a thing with an exception of live shows where you’d might want to be free on stage but avoid stage monitors. Notice that while Apple made everyone ditch the lovely 3.5”, on the MacBook Pros they’ve actually kept it and *improved* it. As this is HN, I’ll focus on technical aspects I didn’t notice in the article. - Active Noise reduction While the article suggested the battery free magic of analog headsets. Flights are where the active noise reduction headsets shines. Active cancellation isn’t needed for studio environment but on the go it can certainly make your listening more pleasant. - Hybrid devices There are several manufacturers with classical headset designs that also includes wired support with all modern features. This is a good balance in my opinion for benefiting from both worlds. - Latency Especially Bluetooth, our current consumer wireless is buffered and this latency is too much for creating music. Products such as GarageBand, Logic or FL Studio won’t be that useful for tracking with Bluetooth. - Quality Indeed, analog 3.5” audio is uncompressed vs Bluetooth. But it doesn’t mean the audio is superior for listening just because of that transition. Our modern devices are still mostly digital those days so there is DAC that takes those bits and converts them to analog (most of it today is done well as those chips are common) and the other step is the analog amplification. Audiophiles usually invest a lot in the headphones amplifier. Most android devices in the past were mediocre in that sense. So while wired is a trend, the “dongle” of USB-C to convert the audio is still a major part of the quality we end with. - Sharing is caring (my personal take) The biggest frustration I feel with Bluetooth is that it’s now nearly impossible to use multiple headphones for listening. In the old days, you had a simple splitter and as long as both headsets were the same impedance, you can even have 4 people listening to the same content easily. With Bluetooth, only Apple addresses this in a very limited manner with a lock in to specific models and up to 2 devices and no video calls or live audio support.
  • OJFord 7mo ago
    Active noise reduction isn't unique to wired models any more though - in fact I find it better on the wireless earphones I use now than my old similar wired model (same brand) because the microphones are right there in the ear, not bashed around or muffled by clothing halfway down the cable.
  • 7mo ago
• thehours 7mo ago
  Sony WH1000XM5 headphones are my daily driver, mainly Zoom calls and music. I'm generally pretty happy with them, but one big gripe I have is when I'm on a call and briefly take off my headphones to e.g. chat with someone in the room, there is like a 90% chance they stop working and I have to reconnect them. It happens so often I even wrote a script to switch to the MacBook internal speakers then back to the headphones. I've used wired headphones before (and the Sony even has a wired option), but I didn't like how the cord was constantly getting the the way of my arms. edit: Another big gripe is with the Bluetooth codec itself, and how the quality changes depending on if the mic is active.
  • pxtail 7mo ago
    Thank you, this brings me a feeling of relief because after constantly dealing with various wireless bt headphone issues when using linux it frequented my mind that surely on the other side of the fence people don't have this kind of problems.
  • Kwpolska 7mo ago
    You can use the Sound Connect app to disable auto pause and auto power off.
    • rcMgD2BwE72F 7mo ago
      You don't need the proprietary and data-collecting app. I'm using GadgetBridge to configure the 1000XM5 (along with my Garmin Forerunner) and it works great!
• Flow 7mo ago
  Perhaps not related to the article but I find it puzzling that Bluetooth in 2026 still sounds like a fax machine when you use the mic too. That and a much too high latency in general.
  • alpaca128 7mo ago
    Using the mic requires the device to drop to a much older protocol for headsets designed for an old, obsolete Bluetooth generation. Afaik that's one big reason why BT is such a mess. Many different use-cases are dictated by different protocols, many of which are outdated, and two paired devices can only use a protocol supported by both. So the headphone can't just reuse the same nice connection and add a mic, it has to start pretending like it's some Bluetooth 2.0 device from 2005 or something.
• 4dregress 7mo ago
  They can focus on being pure transducers rather than being DACs and power amps as well.
• downsplat 7mo ago
  It's amazing how people will jump to something new just because it's there and it's being promoted. When wireless headphones came out, I looked at my wired ones and asked the simple question: is a tangling cable worse than bluetoth pairing and having to keep yet another thing charged? My answer was no, so I kept using cheap wired ones. A few years later, now that makes me look rich. Or something.
  • raw_anon_1111 7mo ago
    Bluetooth pairing hasn’t been an issue with the iPhone in a decade. As far as charging, at night is it really a pain for me to stick my AirPods on the same charging pad my iPhone and watch are on anyway
• Aardwolf 7mo ago
  "The dangling cables of wired headphones are a must-have fashion accessory in 2026" Gee, is that the kind of stuff that makes people want this, rather than actual usefulness related reasons? I want it because I don't want yet another thing to have to charge, and because I'd want to be able to throw some cheap headphones in my backpack that I can use the one time in a month that I actually need them in combination with a phone (which of course isn't possible anymore today) Also, why are ANC headphones today worse for gaming than in the year 2018 when they supported aptx that had less lag? Technology is going backwards?
• calin2k 7mo ago
  so many replies here on HN, this post also have the vibe of AI generate comments. medium-long format, try to cover too much of the pectrum, miss a punch line or a main idea. just my 2c
• mvrckhckr 7mo ago
  My Bluetooth headphones are great and very rarely have any glitches. I use wired headphones only when listening to high-resolution lossless music (using the right hardware). I would guess the fact that some streaming platforms have these now is also a contributing factor to the rise in popularity of wired headphones.
• sourcecodeplz 7mo ago
  Fashion no fashion, I think it's great that they are making a comeback. Wouldn't hold my breath for the headphone jack to make a comeback though
• thendrill 7mo ago
  This article makes an elephant out of a fly. The explonation is much simpler... The microphone and communication protocols on Bluetooth is shit. Everyone that talks alot on the phone knows that the microphone one a wired headset is sooo much better than Bluetooth, simple as that. You hear better and they hear you better. That is it
• Springtime 7mo ago
  Article explains it's being partially driven from people following celebrities who believe they're using it as countersignaling, demonstrating economic class via things that could be perceived as the opposite. "Wearing wireless 24/7 tells me you don't own any land." I wonder how much is being driven by such lead following.
• faizan199 7mo ago
  Yes, it is getting more popular in 2026. The main reason is because its affordable and easy to use.
• kumarvvr 7mo ago
  I used Sony ear buds. Never once have I had any issues with it. Charging is a minor inconvenience, but the freedom of not having tangled mess on my hands when I work while I speak is much more worth it. I suspect the vat majority of these wired ones are for use during online video calls on office computers and laptops.
• seydor 7mo ago
  This one can easily be blamed on apple. I wonder how many awful design decisions we suffered because of their trendsetting
• alpineman 7mo ago
  Love my JBL in-ear wired headphones but I can only use them when sitting still. When I walk with them they 'rustle' like crazy (don't know how else to describe the sound)
  • twic 7mo ago
    I think you're talking about microphonics: https://zikman.audio/blog/cable-microphonics-what-it-is-and-how-to-minimize-it/ https://zikman.audio/blog/cable-microphonics-what-it-is-and-... Also sometimes called the stethoscope effect. I think strictly speaking, this isn't actually microphonics, because that means that mechanical noise causes electrical noise, which then results in audible noise, whereas what is happening is just transmission of vibrations up the cable into the ear. Anyway, it can be fixed with better cables. They don't have to be fancy (they don't have to be the 349 euro cables that site is selling!) - i have a pair of KZ ZS10 Pro X earphones, and using the stock cables, i don't get rustling through those. (more generally, i have an embarrassing number of Chi-Fi earphones, and don't get rustling with any of them)
    • alpineman 7mo ago
      Thanks! I'm probably just being cheap with my 20 euro headphones and need to upgrade to at least mid-range
      • twic 7mo ago
        Well, those KZ ZS10 Pro X are still fairly cheap (40 euros), and i really like them. But there is a huge range of amazing value for money earphones out there. You just have to wade through dozens of pages of forum posts and Reddit threads to find them.
• ryeguy_24 7mo ago
  I still use AirPods for listening but if I’m ever taking a call, I always use EarPods (USB-C). The microphone quality is multiple times better and that’s important to me. Especially for work. It only took me a few times to hear other people will AirPods to be tainted. It just seems unprofessional now because of how bad it sounds.
• merelysounds 7mo ago
  Anecdote, I like wired headphones for important online calls. I use earpods[1], I started using them back when they came with a phone, I'm happy that it's still possible to buy replacements. I like having a reliable wired connection that works and disconnects predictably. I guess a lot of that is nostalgia. My laptop model no longer has a webcam cover or a physical network switch; connecting and disconnecting the trrs[2] cable reminds me of these. But some of that is still practical needs. I have AirPods and Bose wireless headphones, both praised for reliable connections. Every now and then they take a bit longer to connect or the volume changes unpredictably, or they need to be charged, etc - when wired headphones just work. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_headphones#EarPods https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_headphones#EarPods [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_(audio)#TRRS_standards https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_(audio)#TRRS_s...
  • blep-arsh 7mo ago
    I very much appreciate it when people use wired headphones with a decent mic for calls. Speech clarity is just so much better even with Earpods compared to tws earplugs.
• dutchCourage 7mo ago
  I'm also team USB-C wired earbuds (the Apple ones are cheap and solid, mic is also nice for calls) for podcasts and commute. I never stopped using wired headphones at home but also had BT ones on the go. When they started showing signs of age I got a cheap BT receiver instead of replacing them. It's not quite as practical but for many people it's something to consider, they work surprisingly well!
  • zeta0134 7mo ago
    I'm firmly on team "dual USB port" for this problem. We do this on computers, which can then perfectly well charge and play audio at the same time. Why not phones? It seems like there's plenty of space for a second port.
    • catlikesshrimp 7mo ago
      the usb port is much more complicated than a 3.5mm port. It is more expensive, it takes more space. Do you add another real port or a built in hub? (they would go with the latter, probably) The advantage is you have a backup port.
• superultra 7mo ago
  I have three teenage kids and they’ve all switched to wired. Many of their friends have as well. It has nothing to do with fashion or retro vibes, as far as I can tell. They’ve all lost too many AirPods through the years. AirPods just too easy to lose, and at their school, too easy to be stolen by someone else. And they’re expensive. Yes you can buy cheaper Bluetooth headsets but those often don’t sound as good and get lost just as easily. So you’re either on a subscription basis relationship wih Bluetooth headsets, or you use wired headphones, which are actually harder to lose and less desirable to steal.
  • somewhereoutth 7mo ago
    and there is that whole thing of sharing one of your wires with your mate/partner that is super cute and great for bonding I should think.
    • stogot 7mo ago
      I also been seeing many “protect your brain” shorts on youtube saying that athletes are switching to wired
      • pimlottc 7mo ago
        I don’t get it, what’s safer about wired headphones?
        • gzread 7mo ago
          I read the implication of AI slop content, so I'm guessing RF emissions.
        • phil21 7mo ago
          It's a growing trend in the "alternative" health scene. I have a few friends who should absolutely know better do silly stuff like use wired headphones due to RF, and even as much as turning Wifi off at night for health reasons. Nevermind they just switch to 5G in bed on their phones.
• UltraSane 7mo ago
  I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks using Sony and Bose bluetooth ear buds. But when I'm sitting at a computer I use wired headphones so I don't have to worry about charging and latency. The bluetooth latency is noticeable during video calls
• rhinoceraptor 7mo ago
  I have good wired earbuds and over ear headphones, but I still almost always go back to bluetooth. If I'm vacuuming, mowing the lawn, etc. I use my Airpods Pro. If I'm practicing drums or working with loud tools, I use my bluetooth 3M Worktunes. Being able to get my phone out of my pocket and not have to worry about the cable is worth all the tradeoffs. At my desk, I have studio monitors, which I prefer over any headphones. For video calls, I use just the right Airpod to prevent echos, and so I can still hear myself.
• Lio 7mo ago
  I refurbished a pair of old Sennheiser HD-25s I’ve had since 1998ish recently. They work just like new and there is something really satisfying about bringing old tech back to a useful life. I’m using them for monitoring things that don’t have Bluetooth. I still use AirPods day to day though because it’s so useful to always have something in your pocket that can block unpleasant noise. Bluetooth works fine for me.
• icar 7mo ago
  One can only hope this trend is big enough to make phone manufacturers bring the 3.5mm jack connector back.
• bandrami 7mo ago
  The DACs in most bluethooth earbuds are absolute garbage, but I think the bigger issue is people are tired of both having to charge them and having to keep track of where they are.
• sbinnee 7mo ago
  I started seeing this trend nearly a year go in Seoul. I think it is just a sort of fashion trend. I like wired experience when I am alone in a silent place listening to classical or instrumental music. But it’s hard to beat convenience of Bluetooth elsewhere.
  • bandrami 7mo ago
    I find them the opposite of convenient ("where are they? are they charged? are they paired? did they lose pairing? did I just pair to my downstairs neighbor's TV? did he just pair to mine?")
• sinkasapa 7mo ago
  You can get cheap wired earphone splitters and share what you're listening to on long bus rides or flights. I miss that. Maybe one wants something between needing to be on and conversing and the isolation of separate bluetooth listening.
• interestpiqued 7mo ago
  A bit off topic, but I sometimes wonder if OpenOffice would have become as prevalent without wireless ANC headsets be coming the default for focus.
• wehrend 7mo ago
  A few years ago I was looking for my favorite Headphones for my synth (some AKG ones, I dont remember the concrete model name by heart) - prices went to the roof... I prefer Bluetooth for mobile applications, as my sockets respectively wire got defected after a few months...
• markus_zhang 7mo ago
  Bluetooth headphone has one disadvantage —- if it “sleeps” then I have to put them back to the charger container to wake them up. I don’t need to charge it, just need to put it in and take them out. But this is a hassle as I need to bring the container around with me. Other than that, it’s better than wired headphones.
• saalweachter 7mo ago
  So what are some recommendations for good wired headphones? The Sony MDR-J10s I used to buy stopped being manufactured, and old stock is showing up online less often for more money. They were also never the most durable model, which wasn't a problem when they were easier to replace. So what are some good, durable wired headphones? Suitable for active use, cords not going to snap with a light tug, don't fall off when running, plug/wire connection doesn't wear out and need to be held just so?
• nickjj 7mo ago
  I have 2 wired headphones. My main ones are Sony MDR-V6s which I've had for 10 years. They are the best headphones I've ever owned and they sound just as good today as they did a decade ago. They were originally made in 1985 and the wire never tangles. The other are crappy $8 earbuds / mic combo that are maybe 7 years old and work just fine. I have wireless earbuds that I occasionally use since the Pixel 9a has no 3.5mm jack. They are worse in every way that I care about. I have to babysit them to make sure they are charged. Sure the wired earbuds get tangled sometimes but it's not a big deal to address that. I also think wired is an advantage for portable usage. For example, for running or doing any activity the wire ensures if they fall out of your ear you won't lose them. They also don't need a case so you can stuff them anywhere without a bulge.
• rapnie 7mo ago
  I also went back to a wired mouse and never having a sudden lo-bat that interrupts my computer work.
  • randerson 7mo ago
    You are lucky to get lo-bat. I get no-bat. Working perfectly one moment, not responding the next. Not so much as a popup telling me why my PC just got unresponsive.
• grumpoholic 7mo ago
  The removal of the 3.5mm port is literally satanic behaviour.
• ZekeSulastin 7mo ago
  This is a more Reddit comment section than I’ve seen on r/headphones in ages. It’s almost nostalgic! I use my wired Sundara (which have dropped in price greatly since I got them years ago!) at my desk with DAC/AMP all the time, of course, and have a very nice set of Etymotic IEMs with a USB-C dongle permanently attached (once I stopped using it for my PC*). For use with my phone I haven’t actually reached for those Etys over my AirPods Pro 2 in years as the latter are significantly more convenient. They also work fine with Windows 11 (which supports AAC over Bluetooth, as can Linux IIRC) if I want to use them there for whatever reason. Maybe I’m blessed in that I don’t require my phone to be a critical listening device? * If you have hissing/interference/etc when plugging headphones into your PC, the Apple USB-C dongle is very good and only 9 USD.
• ramgine 7mo ago
  I use wireless almost exclusively. ANC in the office is a must. I also know that a good pair of wired headphones will have way more fidelity than AirPods. But I do have some nice wired headphones and I pair them to my iPhone with the Fiio BTR5. It’s been a good mix of the two. I’m of the mindset to go back to an mp3 player and use the fiio to connect to my car Bluetooth
  • JensKnipper 7mo ago
    FiiO is great to get the best of both worlds. Using IEMs with FiiO UTWS5.
• hdivider 7mo ago
  Here's a standard-structure, VC-funded, exit-oriented startup to consider: make video calls reliable. As in, you provide a guarantee and pay the customer if the call didn't work. Wired headphones could be one part of the solution. They're just far more reliable (if they don't break, which they will). But if the reliability of video calls can be improved so that it's literally as reliable as talking to someone next to you in a quiet room, I bet lots of people would pay for it. There is so much latent frustration about unreliable calls, even with the best setup, even in NASA, in DoD, corporations, zoom and other platforms fail to perform reliably in so many cases.
  • moooo99 7mo ago
    > make video calls reliable. As in, you provide a guarantee and pay the customer if the call didn't work. Microsoft would be ruined, haha. Over the past week, I had about a 30% chance of the call not working and a a 80% chance of the screenshare not working
  • user_7832 7mo ago
    Funny you mention it; I actually have been thinking of this as a startup/solution for ages (especially since covid). I realized that it's likely a fair bit more difficult (you'd need significant control of both software as well as hardware stacks.) If you or anyone's seriously interested in pursuing it, feel free to reach out to the email address in my profile page.
• computator 7mo ago
  This trend story about wired headphones is possibly a "submarine" story as Paul Graham calls it[1], like a headline that "Suits make a corporate comeback": "The suit is back," it begins. Trend articles like this are almost always the work of PR firms. Once you know how to read them, it's straightforward to figure out who the client is. With trend stories, PR firms usually line up one or more "experts" to talk about the industry generally. In this case we get three: the NPD Group, the creative director of GQ, and a research director at Smith Barney. When you get to the end of the experts, look for the client. And bingo, there it is: The Men's Wearhouse. [1] https://paulgraham.com/submarine.html https://paulgraham.com/submarine.html
  • kevin_thibedeau 7mo ago
    I saw one yesterday pointing out how phone cases are passé and "unnecessary" because of replacement plans.
  • nvarsj 7mo ago
    Possibly it's a paid for ad. But the trend is real, at least among Gen Z/Alphas. I recently modded an iPod Mini 2nd gen for my daughter and put Rockbox on it. The thing is amazing, and I am thinking about buying an iPod classic myself. The touch wheel interface is one of my favourite interfaces ever.
    • SubmarineClub 7mo ago
      I’ve been thinking about doing this too! Would love to get back to maintaining a personal music collection on a dedicated mp3 player.
    • graypegg 7mo ago
      First off, you're a kickass parent, that's an awesome thing to do for your daughter. How easy is it to sync with music she wants to listen to? I haven't touched Rockbox in quite a while, but I imagine it's still expecting DRM-free audio files of some sort right? Other than bandcamp I can't think of any good source for finding some beyond ripping audio streams and organizing it yourself.
• some_random 7mo ago
  [flagged]
  • moooo99 7mo ago
    It absolutely isn‘t
    • some_random 7mo ago
      Look up "performative male starter pack".
      • moooo99 7mo ago
        Yes, i know the memes. But these are the reasons why people around me go back to wired: - lost many airpods - wired tends to be cheaper than wireless equivalents It can be very simple
        • some_random 7mo ago
          Just because there are defensible reasons around a fashion trend doesn't mean it's not a fashion trend.
• mlitwiniuk 7mo ago
  So the fact, that I recently bought used iPod, replaced the battery and storage and use it now with pair of IEMs make me some sort of a... trendsetter?
• Zigurd 7mo ago
  I wonder how much of this has to do with the popularity of the MacBook Air and now, potentially, the Neo. My current desktop setup is a MacBook Air and a big 4K monitor. I considered getting an outboard DAC/amp for headphones but the headphone jack on the MacBook Air sounds pretty great to me through my mid-price Hifiman cans.
• neya 7mo ago
  I picked up a Sony MDR-Z7 and Z1 and an iFi headphone amp and threw out my wireless Apple headphones. Of course comparing them to the expensive Sony's isn't fair but once you experience the soundstage in the wired headphones you will never look back. You don't need to even buy the expensive headphones, you can even get something like a V6 or a 7506. The difference is the battery dies in the wireless models in 2-3 years irrespective of the brand but these wired headphones live on for ever.
• evrenesat 7mo ago
  It's funny how this coincides with a time when BT headphones have finally become cheap, reliable and capable enough. I recently bought two different sets from Lidl: one for €8 and the other for around €12. Both have ANC and a battery life of around 5 hours, and the sound quality is quite respectable. I've been using headphones all the time since I was 11, so that's 37 years with many different kinds of headphones. Even now, I have more than ten headphones that work. IMHO, Bluetooth headphones have never been closer to becoming a natural counterpart to mobile phones for everyone.
• happyopossum 7mo ago
  Setting aside debates about which is “better”, this article appears to be based on crap. The link to the supporting analysis uses the words “through the roof”, but here’s what it says: “ wired headphones rebounded in 2025, growing 3% (about $15M).” So now a 3% growth in sales is “exploding” and “through the roof”? No, I don’t think so…
  • zadikian 7mo ago
    And a 30% increase in sales across a cherrypicked 6wk time window. This is one of those articles that's more wishful thinking than real news, even though I have the same wish.
  • y-c-o-m-b 7mo ago
    This is the BBC. I've been reading their site every day for many years now. They're mostly good, but at times they have a way of steering their audience towards an agenda through bunk articles like this. It was especially evident with the remote work hit-pieces they published regularly during the RTO movement a couple of years ago. It was clear someone was pulling strings at the BBC to generate negative headlines about remote work, but when you dug into their sources, you'd see data to suggest the complete opposite. I'm not sure what the agenda would be in this case and maybe there is no agenda, but it's something to be aware of. It could be simply one of their contributors has a bone to pick with manufacturers over the lack of reliability in Bluetooth audio technology.
    • themafia 7mo ago
      > They're mostly good, but at times they have a way of steering their audience towards an agenda through bunk articles like this. Real-time Gell-Mann amnesia.
  • ghusto 7mo ago
    I wouldn't choose those words, but a 3% increase of something that's been steadily in decline is significant enough to warrant hyperbole of some kind.
• aunty_helen 7mo ago
  [flagged]
  • shlant 7mo ago
    > AirPods became popular because they were fashionable and now they’re unfashionable. You don't think a significant number of people use Airpods because they are good value and convenient? I know that's why I got them. The noise cancelling alone is worth it
    • otherme123 7mo ago
      Airpods didn't invent noise cancelling, Bose has been selling them since 2000. Price/quality has been always on the side of the wired devices. Unless you need wireless, get something wired. Airpod, and similar, are almost always less than 1 meter away from the phone.
      • shlant 7mo ago
        > Airpods didn't invent noise cancelling, Bose has been selling them since 2000 I didn't say they did but the Airpods are essentially best in class for this > Unless you need wireless, get something wired Them being wireless is a huge part of the "convenience" side of the equation
        • otherme123 7mo ago
          >I didn't say they did but the Airpods are essentially best in class for this Best in class are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, (wireless is optional for the overears, as is should be in such a product). Sennheiser Momentum 4 (wire also optional for the overears) are also a very good alternative, maybe not as blocking as the Airpods, but the sound is probably better, more "natural", but that is a personal taste after all. Comparing only the ear buds, Airpods are the less forgiving with the ear fit of the three models, they clearly prioritized aestetics before ergonomics. The point is that there were excellent NC options before the Airpods, and almost nobody gave a fuck about the technology. Suddenly Apple "invented" the tech for the masses, and now nobody can't live without it, to the point that you are a cavemen if you are not using them. They never were the best, they are just another ones. Kudos to Apple for good marketing and brand positioning. Incidentally, I can't use regular ear buds for long without them moving around and losing a lot of sound quality. I have in-ear monitors custom made, and they still move and pop out sometimes. I tested the Airpods my sister has (the ones without silicone tip), and they simply don't do the work because they don't seal enough unless you push them with your fingers.
• Zufriedenheit 7mo ago
  I am still waiting for a wired AirPod 4 ANC equivalent. Wired, earbud but not silicon in-ear style. Still using my normal wired headphones never switched to wireless so far but longing for an ANC version.
• 1a527dd5 7mo ago
  I'm waiting for a wired bone conducting headset (mic included), so far only Chinese producers for that market.
  • Ylpertnodi 7mo ago
    You're not buying the ones available...because they're chinese?
• DiskoHexyl 7mo ago
  Apart from all the other things everyone mentioned, wired headphones never really become technically obsolete. I can still connect my 15-year-old pair of headphones to a laptop, and they work just fine. Sure, I swapped cushions a couple of times, and the headband is all new leather, but the sound is great. A pair of BT headphones from 15 years ago, even if they worked (which in my experience, they don't), would use an outdated audio codec- no one in their right mind want to listen to an SBC now
• the_arun 7mo ago
  Another underrated simplicity with wired headphones is - you don’t need to charge it. It just works. Sound quality for sure is one of the biggest advantages of wired phones.
• andrewmg 7mo ago
  This seems backwards to me, mostly. A decade ago, quality sound on the go meant a pocket headphone amp wired to deep-seated inner-ear earphones or clunky over-the-ear cans. Today? Airpods Pro do the trick: the second- and third-generation models rival or exceed most wired options. And that makes sense: Apple's R&D spending and engineering capabilities for a product like Airpods dwarf the resources of traditional audio companies--the built-in DSP alone is a staggering achievement. So they ought to sound great, and they really do. And that's before you even consider all the other capabilities, like taking calls, etc. My pocket amps and wired 'phones (Etymotic, Shure, B&O, a few others I'm forgetting) have been gathering dust since the Airpods Pro came to market. I do not miss de-tangling the cables. Of course, it is possible to do better, but not easy or inexpensive. On my desks at home and at the office are dedicated headphone rigs: DACs, amps, and wired open-backed cans (Focal, HifiMan). Those set-ups sound great--although not nearly so great as my two-channel speaker systems. But that's what it takes to get appreciably better sound than Apple's Bluetooth sets, and forget about portability.
  • lazide 7mo ago
    It’s money. Wired headphones are dirt cheap.
  • tcfhgj 7mo ago
    do Airpods even work on most of the available phone models?
• lacoolj 7mo ago
  Good luck finding a phone with a headphone jack anymore though :( I love my wired headphones though. They support BT but I've used that maybe twice. Ever. Obviously was only because I was using my phone with them, which again don't have a port for the cord.
• freehorse 7mo ago
  It is not an either-or. Many bluetooth headphones (not earbuds) also have an audio jack to be used wired. I use my bluetooth headphones (sony wh-1000xm3) through bluetooth when I am on the go, and wired when I am at home, especially if I want low latency. If anything, I would rather be able to replace a simple jack cable if it breaks, as it would consistently happen back when I was using wired earphones. I find using all these cables when I am on the go inconvenient, and I cannot imagine going back there. Especially with earbuds, I have probably changed over 10 or sth over the years due to cables failing (but I hate earbuds now anyway regardless). On the other hand, eg when gaming I definitely notice latency issues, especially if I compare them with wired, so I prefer to use them wired.
• youknownothing 7mo ago
  I wonder how much of the "it sounds better" argument is just a fashionable make-believe, like the gold-plated HDMI cables that, for the most part, don't really make a difference but somehow people believed it does. Or like people who think that brown-shell eggs are better quality than white-shell eggs.
  • slicktux 7mo ago
    CD audio quality is the best…specially with wired headphones https://youtu.be/cIQ9IXSUzuM https://youtu.be/cIQ9IXSUzuM
• rimbo789 7mo ago
  Both wired and wireless headphones of all types fail for me between 10-13 months. Something breaks no matter the price or brand. The only wireless headphones worth the hassle of using Bluetooth (which never connects on the first try, disconnects randomly all the time, and is generally far too unreliable for daily use) are shockz bone conducting. If shockz made a wired version I’d only buy those
  • glitchcrab 7mo ago
    This is a you thing. I had the same pair of Sony wireless headphones for years and I only replaced them because the ear cups started disintegrating. Their replacements (also Sony) have already lasted me a couple of years with no issues. I also have absolutely no problems with Bluetooth either, the headphones are paired with maybe 6 devices across iOS and Linux and they never fail to connect.
• osigurdson 7mo ago
  I never understood the appeal of AirPods. To me, it just seemed like an inferior product at a much higher price. You now have to worry about charging them (not to mention charging the case), you have three things that are easy to lose vs one that is hard to lose, and finally, to my taste, they are somehow gross to look at - like hearing aids from the 1950s. The product just seems like a manifestation of complexity for the sake of complexity.
  • amelius 7mo ago
    Their size is nice. You can easily take them wherever you go without questioning if you need them. It's not all bad.
  • Aurornis 7mo ago
    I prefer wired headphones at my desk but my AirPods are incredible for being on the go. The noise cancellation is also great. I’ll use them if it gets noisier than my closed headphones can block. > and finally, to my taste, they are somehow gross to look at - like hearing aids from the 1950s. I do not care in the slightest how they look. They’re small and work well. > The product just seems like a manifestation of complexity for the sake of complexity. As someone who actually uses them, I disagree on every level.
    • otherme123 7mo ago
      > The noise cancellation is also great. I’ll use them if it gets noisier than my closed headphones can block. You can get the Seinhensser Momentum 4, wireless optional, but closed over-ear and still work without battery, for less than 200. Way better sound quality than the in-ears.
  • elicash 7mo ago
    I hate untangling wires. The noise cancellation (including passive for the pros) is great. Easier to switch between devices. I can use them with the Apple TV when my wife goes to sleep (she's an early riser). The downsides you list don't apply to me personally. I don't have to "worry" about charging them; I just charge them. I have never lost them, I keep them in the same spot. I also personally think they look better than wired, but that's a fashion thing. I think it's fine to have a different preference, but I find it odd people can't even understand the appeal of them. I don't like wired, but I can understand why people have different preferences.
• testforge 7mo ago
  Wireless audio traded a trivial inconvenience (a cable) for multiple new inconveniences.
• mrkramer 7mo ago
  I use to have wired headphones for years but wires always get damaged over time and then headphones stop working. Now I got wireless headphones.
• Dwedit 7mo ago
  Audio delay for most Bluetooth headphones is downright atrocious. Yes, there are some out there which support low delay modes (under 40ms), but the vast majority of them do not.
• muddi900 7mo ago
  How much of this is due to school phone bans? I know kids are switching to mp3 players because of that.
• epx 7mo ago
  Have had two Airpods. Great devices, but broke down after a year or so and I don't want to spend their price every single year.
• plagiarist 7mo ago
  I have never bought a wireless headphones and I never will. I bought a bluetooth adapter for wired headphones instead, for when I need that. The only thing I feel like I am missing is noise cancellation.
• w4rh4wk5 7mo ago
  Are there recommendations on USB-C to 3.5mm adapters, preferably ones with input and output? My biggest complain with Bluetooth headphones is the astonishingly bad quality when doing voice calls.
  • as367 7mo ago
    See if Apple's USB-C to 3.5mm adapter works for you.
    • w4rh4wk5 7mo ago
      Thanks for pointing this one out. I am hesitant to buy Apple accessories like these as I am having quality concerns. Specifically the macbook chargers I've encountered are far less rigid than Lenovo Thinkpad chargers (at least before they switched to USB-C). I never felt Apple did a particularly good job with cables and connectors when it comes to longevity.
    • ysleepy 7mo ago
      The samsung one is usually easier. On non-apple devices the volume is very limited, especially in the EU version.
  • jhoho 7mo ago
    As usual, the Apple design is a great baseline: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-apple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/r... It doesn't provide full volume output under Android, though. Otherwise, the CS43131 DAC powers some great designs. I can't comment on their durability, though. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jcally-jm20-max-headphone-dongle-review.62260/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/j...
• dev_l1x_be 7mo ago
  One of the reasons is software quality. Incredible shitty experiences are pretty common.
• richard_chase 7mo ago
  My new bottom-of-the-line phone does not have a headphone jack. Did not realize that when I got it and now I'm bummed.
• xantronix 7mo ago
  Yes, this is a trend, but it doesn't seem like just a fad; a lot of people are choosing to return to "outmoded" things to embrace ritual and intentionality. As others have commented, it doesn't have to make sense to you; having options hurts nobody.
• letmetweakit 7mo ago
  "Bluetooth does not work," Kravitz said in a recent interview, and it's not just headphones, but Bluetooth connections in general. "It's ruining important moments. Imagine the amount of times that you're with someone on a date, you're trying to set a vibe, and then you have to forget the network. On a date!" The quote above makes absolutely zero sense to me, it's like ChatGPT 0.3a decided to write something about Bluetooth.
  • ReptileMan 7mo ago
    On a date the only acceptable bluetooth usage is for teledildonics.
    • nine_k 7mo ago
      That's when you especially badly don't want a sudden disconnect, or the battery dying.
      • jrflowers 7mo ago
        Or pairing with the wrong person’s device.
    • polishdude20 7mo ago
      I use my wired sex toys usually. Ethernet works really well.
      • prepend 7mo ago
        10G Ethernet has improved their performance so greatly.
  • bradford 7mo ago
    The quote resonates with me, even though I haven't experienced the exact "set a vibe on a date" scenario. I have multiple bluetooth headsets that I use with multiple devices. I have collected a series of tricks that I use when I can't get bluetooth to operate the way I want it to: turning bluetooth on/off, restarting the bluetooth device. "Forget the network" is not one of those tricks, but I wouldn't be surprised if others have learned to use it.
• egorelik 7mo ago
  Back when I still thought all headphones were basically the same, I was writing some music and I could not understand why the cello lines sounded so much louder than the violin lines at the same dynamic. It was only years later that I found out that mainstream headphones are tuned to boost the bass, which is supposedly the mainstream taste. If your tastes in music are not mainstream (and mine definitely is not), mainstream headphones will ruin your music more than you realize - for years I just thought that was how recorded music is supposed to sound, and it wasn't very good. Trying a neutrally-tuned headphone can change your (musical) life. Unfortunately, very few wireless headphones are tuned that way. Edit: Part of why I never looked into it sooner, I had heard so much about "audiophile snake oil" over the years, I thought that was all there was. That exists, but there plenty of headphones marketed to "audiophiles" that are legitimate.
• swed420 7mo ago
  Next up: "traditional speakers are replacing headphones"
  • nephihaha 7mo ago
    A lot of people on public transport don't use headphones so true dat.
• agreezy 7mo ago
  for audiophile, wired is still king
• smetannik 7mo ago
  Back in the day when I was in school, I wanted to learn how to solder, so I started fixing my classmates headphones. This "service" ended up to be quite popular - broken headphone wires were a very common problem. I think the average lifespan of wireless headphones is definitely longer than that of wired ones.
• elophanto_agent 7mo ago
  [dead]
• _DeadFred_ 7mo ago
  If you are on Windows don't forget to setup Equalizer APO matched to your headphones. On Android check out Wavelet. It can really bring music alive.
• heraldgeezer 7mo ago
  The article ofc focuses on girls instagram and not us gamers who have been using wired for decades. We are opressed. Unironically I am so annoyed. It was an "ick" before and now its cool again. Okay whatever.
• mock-possum 7mo ago
  I mean yeah - generally wired devices are better in every way… except for the inconvenience of needing to be tethered to your device during use. My default is always to buy wired devices, and only consider wireless in situations where the convenience specifically outweighs the downsides - wireless earbuds while exercising or working outside, or while traveling light to listen to a podcast or work at a cafe. The rest of the time? Wired keyboard, wired mouse, wired headphones, wired controller, wire microphone, etc etc etc.
  • nephihaha 7mo ago
    The other inconvenience is tangled wires.
• oohaba 7mo ago
  I'm not seeing anyone mention that there is a recent social media trend of people touting that AirPods emits "harmful" radiation. I only mention this because otherwise intelligent health-nut friends were trying to convince me of the same.
• skyberrys 7mo ago
  I never gave up on my wired headphones. I'm so bad I have to use a stretchy cord (ahla old phone cord) to tie my phone to my body just so I don't drop it. There is no way I can go wireless headphones just so I can lose half my sound. When my Pixel finally abandoned the headphone jack I was forced to get USBC headphones and I just don't like them as much, probably because of the ear shape more than the port but I feel like USBC port plug doesn't stay as secure as the old headphone jack.
• blackhaj7 7mo ago
  I used wired headphones not only because Bluetooth can be a pain but because I hate noise cancellation and all bluetooth headphones seem to have it (even when it is turned off, it does “something” that messes with my ears) I am convinced noise cancellation is causing me tinitus and I don’t seem to get it when I use normal headphones
• p0w3n3d 7mo ago
  I use Bluetooth every day however, playing games on Bluetooth is some mistake. Quality is noticeably worse, stuttering happen, and cable is the fallback when my BT headphones' battery die. So I really do not understand why the jack has been removed from major brands of phones
• NoLinkToMe 7mo ago
  This hyperbole is not really necessary on hackernews. Apple alone makes 20 billion on a single product: airpods. This article notes 2025 saw a 3% increase of 15m. That means total sales are 0.5b, or 2.5% of Apple's airpods product. In other words: tiny market with a growth in line with inflation after years of decline? Let's call that 'exploding sales' and farm some clicks. Yes perhaps there is some newfound interest, but since bluetooth headsets took off they keep getting cheaper to buy, easier to pair and connect, longer lasting batteries, easier to find, smaller to pocket, more varied, more comfortable to wear, and with better noise-cancelling. Plus every year fewer devices carry the headphone jack. It's on the way out, though it'll be a slow death. I have a pair of wired headphones, I prefer them on corporate laptops for meetings because corporate laptops suck with pairing. But that's about it.
  • GlacierFox 7mo ago
    When I'm watching movies or playing games, I find the lag jarring so plug in my wired ones every time.
  • guelo 7mo ago
    Wired were deliberately killed by Apple in order for them to make that $20 billion. We should not celebrate billionaires making the world worse so they can make more money.
  • ghusto 7mo ago
    > It's on the way out, though it'll be a slow death At the very most, it's on its way out in the same way normal computers are on their way out for non-IT professionals. There are situations where wired is a must, not a preference (studios being the most obvious). Aside from that, wired offers the highest sound quality possible, plug-and-play, and all at a lower price. Wireless headphones don't appear to even be trying to catch up.
  • uyzstvqs 7mo ago
    Wired and wireless will always co-exist. Your casual consumer prefers wireless. Professional audio equipment for mixing and critical listening will never favor wireless over wired. For pros, $20-50 wired IEMs beat $250 Airpods every time. The same applies to pro gamers. Latency and empty batteries are a big no-no.
• jwilliams 7mo ago
  I like to do walking meetings or meetings where I'm cleaning/emptying dishwasher/etc. It sounds strange, but I'm a lot more present than when I'm at my computer. Anyway. Somewhat ironically, I use a wired set of headphones for this. It's not just the speakers that are better. I often get people remarking how much better the audio is on their end too... i.e. the cheap inline microphone.
  • manmal 7mo ago
    That has probably more to do with the microphone(s) rather than that it's wired. Voice is not a problem at Bluetooth bitrates.
    • jwilliams 7mo ago
      I suspect it’s mostly microphone position rather than anything else (the headphones I have are the basic Apple ones).
• wartywhoa23 7mo ago
  For me, wired multi-driver armature IEMs (in-ear monitors) are the best thing to happen in the audio field since the arrival of neodymium magnets. For a fraction of price of professional monitor speakers, you get the closest thing to direct hardware-to-brain audio transmission. It's precise and fast transient-wise. No reflections, no phase problems, nada. You can choose exactly the type of frequency response you need: flat, V-shaped, U-shaped, bassy, bright, whatever. There are even models with switchable curves. No need to invest much more money than your speakers cost in your listening room, installing wool/foam pads/draping/soft furniture/bass traps/carpets etc to reduce the amount of reflections and bring frequency responce to anything resembling flat. That said, there is a huge number of IEMs produced these days and they range from absolute trash to stellar. And to navigate this vast ocean, I find Crinnacle's resourses utterly useful: https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/ https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/ https://list.hangout.audio/iem https://list.hangout.audio/iem (disclosure: I'm not affiliated in any way, I just adore this guy's dedication!)
  • userbinator 7mo ago
    Looking at the prices on that list, the ones near the top are several k$, but so are many in the middle and bottom, and amongst them are ones costing many times less, leading one to think that there really is no correlation between price and performance.
    • wartywhoa23 7mo ago
      Yes, the main metric to use when choosing an IEM is performance/price, not performance alone, as in everything else generally. Sometimes a Matrix glitch occurs and someone produces a total outlier, like Philips SHE3580, a $10 little wonder I used for many years to write music, and the mixes produced with those translated literally everywhere without any surprises (in audio engineering, translation is the ability of an audio track to sound as close as possible to the sound engineer's intent on as wide range of audio equipment as possible). They had a single diaphragm drive, which is usually regarded as slow and less precise than other types of drivers, but they sounded very linear and only slightly less precise than many much more expensive models with multiple balanced armature drivers. I believe, their performance/price ratio was closer to infinity than anything out there on the market. But alas, built with biodergadation or planned obsolescence in mind, they finally deteriorated mechanically to the point of falling apart completely.
• highpost 7mo ago
  Apple Earbuds cost $19 while AirPods Pro 3 cost $250. If one of the pods flies out of your ear on the Fremont Bridge, it's a pretty bad day. I should get over it. You can also load your hearing test results (from either an audiologist or a hearing test app like https://mimi.io/products/mimi-hearing-test-app https://mimi.io/products/mimi-hearing-test-app) into Apple Health and then use them with your Earbuds.
• arjie 7mo ago
  > After 5 years of sales declines, which culminated in a $42M drop in 2024, wired headphones rebounded in 2025, growing 3% (about $15M). The trend really gained momentum in the second half of 2025, with sales surging 10% between July and December. Multiple brands and price points are seeing sales growth, a signal the trend is widespread. In the first six weeks of 2026, wired headphones revenue is up a whopping 20%! This is a Circana Retail Tracking Service content-marketing piece. Like the x% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck is a LendingClub content-marketing piece. 3% being $15m indicates this is a $500m market. Airpods themselves are a $25 b revenue product.
• gosub100 7mo ago
  I would love to hear the Bluetooth engineers battle it out. I know BT isn't the only reason people want wired, but it's got to be one of the aggravating factors. Is it the specs fault? Hard to believe if they have gone through at least 5 major revisions. Is it those stupid engineers that didn't implement the spec? Is it the chipsets? I want to see a "who made Bluetooth suck?" Showdown
• matricaria 7mo ago
  There is no way I’m going back to wired headphones. I always hated them. Cables lasted a few years at best leaving the headphones unrepairable. And when using them while moving I could only here my own steps. Plain awful.
• everdrive 7mo ago
  Wireless headphones have always been stupid. - Disposable - Small-but-not-zero fire risk inside your backpack or your ear - Pairing woes - Expensive - No user-replaceable batteries Someone's going to come and say how much they like them, but you need to remember that "needing to deal with a cable sometimes" does not actually qualify as inconvenience. When the washing machine was invented, 10s of hours of labor were freed up from people so they could either get more work done or pursue leisure and enjoy life. What did wireless headphones do for people? Prevent them from needing to exercise the tiny amount of impulse control necessary to to run your cable?
• phil21 7mo ago
  I used to think Bluetooth was nearly unusable both in audio quality and annoyingness. Then I moved to the Apple ecosystem including iPhone, Airpods, and MacOS. It Just Works(tm) 99% of the time. The last 1% is a little annoying, and almost always has to do with device switching. I also haven't had a problem with third party devices for many years now. My car does wireless Carplay just fine, and before that worked nearly as well with Android Auto. Rental cars the past few years even work - although pairing them the first time is roughly as annoying as digging through my bag for USB cable I suppose. I've lost more pairs of wired earbuds than I have Airpods so far. I thought for sure I'd lose Airpods once every few months due to how often I forget things, but for whatever reason I find them to be easier to keep track of - the case fits perfectly in the "key pocket" in jeans, and it's become third nature to pat that pocket whenever I leave just like I do for keys/phone/wallet. Not dealing with the annoying cable is great. I get a phone call, and I just grab the earbuds out of the case from my pocket within 10 seconds and I'm good to go. For at-home PC use it's a different story, although I don't really find myself using my wired high-end cans much anymore. It's either airpods for day to day Zoom calls, or full on high-end speaker setups if I actually want to listen to something or game. Even high end cans cannot hold a candle against moderately decent speakers. The difference is night and day.
• butterNaN 7mo ago
  I can attest to this. I gave away my Sony WH-1000MX and my €80 Soundcore earbuds stopped charging. Headphone emergency! I got myself €30 AKG USB-c IEMs off a local shop. The sound quality is far, far superior to even the €350 wireless Sony headphones. I'm not even an audiophile, it's just noticably better. I had forgotten all the little details from the music I regularly listned to. With your popular wireless headphones, you're really paying for the computer with ANC (and branding, packaging, depending on which version of the series the latest model is on). The wired IEMs don't have an ANC but I realised I don't need it as often as I thought. I'm certainly going to look for Wired over-the-ear ANC cans next, but honestly I'm not sure if I need them.
• Hadriel 7mo ago
  Bluetooth headphones with mics are absolutely trash at connecting to a pc.
• macleginn 7mo ago
  With a 0$ Bluetooth-3.5mm jack dongle from AliExpress one can have best of both worlds, or at least continue using wired cans with a phone where the charging port stopped working.
• deleted 7mo ago
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• hetspookjee 7mo ago
  I bought a bunch of wired cables as switching devices and making sure Teams is able to work with the device never worked smoothly with Bluetooth. I only miss wireless when i get snagged or the wires are entangled but both are easy to prevent and all the benefits of wired far outweigh the wireless setbacks
• prepend 7mo ago
  $20 iPhone white headphones are great. They last forever. The battery never dies. Sustainability is good.
• alpaca128 7mo ago
  One thing I don't see mentioned about wired & wireless is volume limitations. With wired headphones the number of steps in volume - or if there even are discrete steps - is only dictated by the device driving the headphones. With wireless I can usually only choose between "a little too quiet" and "a little too loud". To this day I am puzzled why devices are arbitrarily limited in that way. Not to mention some wireless headphones are simply too quiet even on max volume and there is no way to change that. The manufacturer decided you can't have loud headphones and so they never will be, too bad.
• nephihaha 7mo ago
  I use them because they don't need to be charged constantly
• antfarm 7mo ago
  I love both my Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO and my Apple AirPods. They complement each other perfectly.
• TightFibre 7mo ago
  Dreadful piece. I have my partner's broken Bluetooth overheads. They need fresh pairing every time, and as they are closed back they are a bit exhausting. The pairing is a pain point. I have a decent open back pair of two, one the head band died (plastic fatigue). I have gotten through so many wired ear buds as I like wearing them in bed and drifting off to music or podcasts. So the wire is an enemy and it often tries to strangle you. Surprisingly you may have a better DAC in your headphones than your laptop or phone accessible over wireless. And conversely one phone I have has a better soundstage than all my computer gear. Different tasks and combos require disperate gear. I am going to buy some more wired buds. One plus about a wire and amp combo is that you can at least crank up the volume. The EU apple USBC to 3.5 is capped at 50 percent.
• willrshansen 7mo ago
  Yeah, cause more batteries to manage is not fun. Switch to USBC from the old audio jacks though? Negotiable
• kylehotchkiss 7mo ago
  $20 apple EarPods letttsss goooo. I use mine daily. If I lose them or break them, who cares??
• GeoSys 7mo ago
  A few reasons I can think of: - Many wired headsets don't have batteries. You can't forget to charge it ... - They don't auto-connect, when you don't expect. It's clear if it's connected to the phone or the laptop.
• jayshah5696 7mo ago
  One thing people are missing about audio jack is. It's only analog system in the digital smart phone. I hope we find better solutions.
• lopespm 7mo ago
  One thing that always worried me about bluetooth headphones was their proximity with the brain, for prolonged periods of time. As such, for several years, I've already replaced my legacy Bose wired headphones 3 times, since I can only get them on eBay whenever the ones I own start failing for some reason. I am almost sure they are clones, but there is nothing that comes close to them on the market in terms of wired headphones with noise cancellation. I even wrote an article on this: https://lopespm.com/notes/2025/02/22/wireless-headphones.html https://lopespm.com/notes/2025/02/22/wireless-headphones.htm... I've very thankful that we are coming back to wired headphones.
• iammattmurphy 7mo ago
  I use wireless headphones most of every day. I used to buy IEMs with detachable cables so I could replace them when they inevitably broke. I don’t feel I was being careless at all. I don’t break anything else in my life. But my cables broke every 6 months or so. I absolutely don’t miss wired headphones. The idea that wireless headphones aren’t superior is insane to me. I think the one thing is battery degradation, but honestly, buying a new pair every 5 years is well worth the convenience of no cables in my mind. Especially headphones that switch well between devices are a big QoL upgrade. I do wish all wireless headphones had a little jack for wired playback though, for one reason: instrument playback. Latency is absolutely unacceptable there; and it’s a shame I can’t plug my AirPods in. But I’m not surprised or angry at their omission; but on over-ear phones, it’s inexcusable.
• eudamoniac 7mo ago
  Kind of unrelated to this article, but maybe someone can help me: I have a room wherein I want no computer device, but I do want digital music. Is there a digital equivalent of a record player, or large ipod, that is basically just an amp/receiver plus music selection interface? I'd rather not use my phone nor a laptop for this purpose, as the room is meant to be a retreat from such things.