[rkw]

The audio out of the iPhone actually is as good as with a separate audiophile DAC. I've compared the output of my iMac and iPhone to the Oppo HA-1 and I can't hear any difference at all.

Using which headphones?

 

[bigshot]

line out. headphones may need amping depending on the impedance. The iPhone is fine up to 32 ohms for sure. http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/iphone-6s-plus-audio-quality.htm

 

[MICHAELSD]

I think in the next ten years we’ll be streaming lossless files on very high quality wireless headphones.

 

[RockStar2005]

I think in the next ten years we’ll be streaming lossless files on very high quality wireless headphones.

Can't WAIT!! lol

 

[ev13wt]

They assume the audio quality on their phone is fine, when it could be so much better.

Define "better". 1%? 2%? If its worth it to you, go for it. Most DACs these day are totally transparent, its not 1998 anymore. Well, for 99.999% of people, I'll leave the superhuman audiophile out of it, of course they can hear it.

 

[ev13wt]

Can't WAIT!! lol

Totally, An active Beyer? I'll take it if it doesn't cost ... lol ... 500+

I mean really, compare the frequency charts of a DT-880 and the new $599 DT-1990. If you call that "innovation" then I don't know what happened in the last 30 years. The 880 is smoother aka more EQable. Detachable cables and some marketing about ... tesla? ok then.

 

[RockStar2005]

Define "better". 1%? 2%? If its worth it to you, go for it. Most DACs these day are totally transparent, its not 1998 anymore. Well, for 99.999% of people, I'll leave the superhuman audiophile out of it, of course they can hear it.

It's not just about the DAC though. The limitations of wireless connections are still apparent to much more than 99.999% of people, and that's not including those with Golden Ears.

 

[ev13wt]

It's not just about the DAC though. The limitations of wireless connections are still apparent to much more than 99.999% of people, and that's not including those with Golden Ears.

Agreed. BT audio is not very good. Still good enough for its application, ie small bt speakers, easy background listening, phone comm, all that. The APT-X is pretty transparent though, really. Audio over IP is the way to go though.
Maybe I didn't read enough, I do mean DAC -> (amp) -> wire -> driver.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Agreed. BT audio is not very good. Still good enough for its application, ie small bt speakers, easy background listening, phone comm, all that. The APT-X is pretty transparent though, really. Audio over IP is the way to go though.
Maybe I didn't read enough, I do mean DAC -> (amp) -> wire -> driver.

If you’re using Apple Music or iTunes anyway any Bluetooth headphones that support the AAC Bluetooth codec will sound as good as they do wired with those files.

 

[RockStar2005]

If you’re using Apple Music or iTunes anyway any Bluetooth headphones that support the AAC Bluetooth codec will sound as good as they do wired with those files.

I dunno if I agree. I downsample ALL my CD-Quality & Hi-Res purchases to 512 kbps AAC because I can't tell the difference vs. lossless FLAC/ALAC files. Nether can anyone statistically-speaking. Having said that, I tried comparing a wired connection using a FLAC Hi-Res file to a Wi-Fi connection (yes Wi-Fi, not BT lol), which has has like 11 times the bandwidth of regular BT, and I did notice a slight difference still. So I'm very hesitant to believe that it sounds as good as wired.

 

[ev13wt]

I dunno if I agree. I downsample ALL my CD-Quality & Hi-Res purchases to 512 kbps AAC because I can't tell the difference vs. lossless FLAC/ALAC files. Nether can anyone statistically-speaking. Having said that, I tried comparing a wired connection using a FLAC Hi-Res file to a Wi-Fi connection (yes Wi-Fi, not BT lol), which has has like 11 times the bandwidth of regular BT, and I did notice a slight difference still. So I'm very hesitant to believe that it sounds as good as wired.

Did you run it in native "resolution" or did you upsample to something?

 

[MICHAELSD]

I dunno if I agree. I downsample ALL my CD-Quality & Hi-Res purchases to 512 kbps AAC because I can't tell the difference vs. lossless FLAC/ALAC files. Nether can anyone statistically-speaking. Having said that, I tried comparing a wired connection using a FLAC Hi-Res file to a Wi-Fi connection (yes Wi-Fi, not BT lol), which has has like 11 times the bandwidth of regular BT, and I did notice a slight difference still. So I'm very hesitant to believe that it sounds as good as wired.

AAC via Bluetooth is transmitted at 264kbps on an iPhone, which may be why you're able to hear the difference since you're using 512kbps files.

 

[Strangelove424]

I dunno if I agree. I downsample ALL my CD-Quality & Hi-Res purchases to 512 kbps AAC because I can't tell the difference vs. lossless FLAC/ALAC files. Nether can anyone statistically-speaking. Having said that, I tried comparing a wired connection using a FLAC Hi-Res file to a Wi-Fi connection (yes Wi-Fi, not BT lol), which has has like 11 times the bandwidth of regular BT, and I did notice a slight difference still. So I'm very hesitant to believe that it sounds as good as wired.

Which headphones have both a Wifi and wire connection?

 

[RockStar2005]

AAC via Bluetooth is transmitted at 264kbps on an iPhone, which may be why you're able to hear the difference since you're using 512kbps files.

I guess that's possible too. For the near future, I have no plans to go wireless though. I would have to read like SEVERAL reputable reviews before I'd even consider giving it another chance again.

 

[RockStar2005]

Which headphones have both a Wifi and wire connection?

It wasn't the headphones, it was the amp/DAC device I had used which offered a Wi-Fi connection. That device was the Celsus Sound Companion One, which 2 years ago was like $595, but now is much cheaper (if you can find it; I ended up returning mine for the $299 Oppo HA-2). My setup was I used a wired connection in b/t the headphones and the CO, and then used Wi-Fi to connect the CO to my phone. On the Hi-Res version of the Led Zeppelin track entitled "Tea For One", I noticed that during the intro, on the wired connection, I could hear a distinct low Earth-shattering "rumble" on the bass drum during the first 20 seconds of the song that the drummer repeatedly plays, but on the Wi-Fi connection, I could NOT hear that rumble. And again, Wi-Fi has like 11 times more bandwidth than regular BT, so that was it for me. Wired it is for as long as it takes! lol