Apple today introduced a new pair of headphones onto its online storefront that support an iPhone's Lightning connector in lieu of a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack (via The Verge). The "Audeze EL-8 Titanium Closed-Back Headphones" will run users $799.95 and are being touted by Audeze as the "world’s first headphones with a fully integrated Apple Lightning cable."
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The included Lightning cable streams a complete 24-bit digital signal from the iOS device to the speakers in the headset through a high quality DSP and 28-bit DAC, giving the headphones "superior performance" for not only music but voice calls as well. The company has also created a companion app that allows users to customize specific sound presets for the device, and the built-in microphone used for making phone calls also supports Siri.
The EL-8 model gives you a lifelike listening experience with an extended frequency response that opens up a new breadth of sound. Its driver is four times larger than most other headphones and gives excellent bass response along with extremely low distortion. To match the EL-8's impressive audio, its industrial design is by BMW’s DesignWorks. And durable aluminum construction ensures that you'll have lasting enjoyment.
The EL-8's "Cypher Cable," which maximizes and enhances the sound quality of the iPhone's playback, is one of the added costs of the headphone's top-tier pricing, as pointed out by The Verge, resulting in a $100 premium over the standard EL-8 headphones. Still, in comparison to Audeze's LCD collection of headphones, its Apple MFi certified EL-8 lineup debuting today is somewhat of a bargain. Most LCD models range between $900 and $1,500, but the most expensive reaches nearly $4,000.
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Those interested can purchase the Audeze EL-8 Titanium Closed-Back Headphones for $799.95 on the Apple online store beginning today. Shipping sits at about 2-3 business days at the time of writing, but anyone close to an Apple store could opt-in for personal pick-up instead.
Top Rated Comments
EL-8s are good at what they do, and yes they're expensive, but 'overpriced' is difficult to argue when they do the job they're meant to. Most consumers wouldn't think about sinking 10K on a computer, though you wouldn't see many recording studios running through a $200 Toshiba Satellite Pro! So 'niche' is a far better word I think. :)
* Because you desire keeping up with separate adapters to be able to use the same $800 headphones with non-Apple audio equipment (with the adapter probably priced at a typical premium for an Apple proprietary jack to standard jack adapter), and/or
* Because you believe existing iDevices are too thick and thus the headphone jack must go in support of even "thinner" case designs (ignoring that the thinner iPod has a 3.5mm jack proving there is still plenty of room for "thinner" without having to go to an Apple-only proprietary jack)?
If yes to any of those, I'm guessing you are answering as a shareholder instead of as a consumer.
I cannot for the life of me understand why people are OK with spending money on a HDTV or 4K TV but won't spend money for higher quality sound. If you actively listen to music (not just put it on as background noise) you owe it to yourself to invest in some good headphones. The buds that come with your phone are absolutely awful. You seriously don't know what you have been missing.
Audeze EL-8 Titanium Closed-Back Headphones
Lightning cable with headphone amp and DAC
Standard audio cable for use with non-Apple devices
3.5mm to 0.25 in. plug adapter