What if you just dont like stuff in your ears?
AirPods are a sensation.
But theyre not for everyone.
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Is there a place in Apples lineup for some lower-priced on-ear AirPods?
“Ive used both over-the-ear headphones and ear-bud style headphones and think that each style has its place.
The AirPod Advantage
AirPods offer some significant advantages over all other headphones, wireless or wired.
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First, pairing is simpler.
And it gets better from then on.
And they also sound better.
Bigger headphones mean bigger speaker drivers, which means more air moved and more bass.
“Over-the-ear headphones are better for more authentic audio replication.
They also do a far better job of noise-canceling over earbud-style phones,” says Zhang.
Capitulation
The good news is that there is precedent for Apple giving up and going cheaper.
The even better news is that these precedents are audio products.
Exhibit A is the HomePod.
Technically incredible, it looked and sounded great.
But it cost way too much.
People are used to getting their smart speakers for under $100.
Was the HomePod popular?
It launched in 2018 and Apple discontinued it this past March.
Even then, stock was still available for three months.
And it wasnt new stock, either.
That too cost $349 at launch in February 2008 and wasdiscontinued in September 2007.
