Ever since the Lightning Connector was first announced two years ago, we’ve known it could do more than just sync-and-charge: it could also play music. So when Apple bought Beats earlier this year, many assumed that it would be Apple’s new in-house headphone brand who would release the first Lightning-connected cans to market.
But nope. As it turns out, the first headphones to connect via a Lightning port to an iPhone, iPod, or iPad won’t come from Beats. It’ll come from Philips, who have just introduced their Fidelio M2L headphones featuring the funtionality.
What’s the benefit of connecting with Lightning over a standard 3.5mm audio jack? Mostly, it has to do wit fidelity. In theory, Lightning provides higher quality 24-bit digital-to-analog audio conversion and amplification, while also eliminating interference and other issues.
Using two 40mm high magnetic intensity neodymium speaker drivers and a closed-back acoustic architecture, they should deliver wide ranging, noise isolated audio with dynamic bass. In plain English? Your music should sound even better… at least if you’re audiophile enough to hear it.
In addition to Lightning connectivity, the M2L’s feature breathable lether memory foam ear pads for a comfortable, overear fit. But these are premium headphones. By the time they are released in North America and Euripe in December, they will retail for around $322.
What do you think? Would you gladly switch over to Lightning headphones instead of continuing to use a standard 3.5mm jack? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Pocket-Lint
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
9 responses to “Philips, not Beats, releases the first Lightning-connected headphones”
Beats already has blush headsets…going to another corded headset, regardless of what type of connection, is going BACKWARDS
blutooth…love the autocorrect
*bluetooth
Is Philips going to provide some sort of Lightning to 3.5mm adapter in case you want to use them on a non-apple device?
I just tried a pair of Beats headphones at the Apple Store today and was shocked at how good they sounded. I wish I had asked which specific model they were. They were a little bass heavy but still sounded fantastic. I’m really shocked!
you need to try more headphones
I have a pair of Sennheiser HDR 220 wireless headphones, list about $600. Superb sound. I was just shocked by the Beats because I always heard they were absolute crap and never had the chance to try a pair. Very warm sound, but a little too heavy on the bass.
It is hard to try headphones, particularly of high quality. I don’t have any place local that offers such opportunity and I don’t like buying on specs. I like what I like.
Lightning only sounds unnecessary. $300+ headphones only good for apple potable devices unless you have an adaptor (assuming that it even includes one)? Whats the point? I can’t imagine there are significant audiophile sound improvements when we’re only talking about most people listening to 192-320kbps tracks through itunes.
I just don’t think headphones (any headphones) are worth that much period.