Apple Can Do One
The company with delusions of audio grandeur
IT’S TIME I WADED INTO the debate. What am I talking about? The removal of the headphone jack from the latest iPhone. I’m passionate about good quality audio. I could probably write a PhD thesis on the subject.
So, let’s get things straight regarding this latest “innovation.” It’s a polarizing topic— some people are behind it, others less so. Myself? I fall into the latter camp. The idea is total nonsense. Apple has apparently always been ahead of the curve when it comes to ditching archaic or aging connection standards. It threw away the floppy drive, Ethernet, and the USB port to pursue thinner and more stylish devices, while championing newer standards (usually its own). The thing is, unlike changing from VGA to HDMI, or USB to Lightning, the concept of shifting from the 3.5mm analog jack to Bluetooth for better audio quality is nothing short of ridiculous. Bluetooth, although greatly improved since conception, is simply not capable of providing pure lossless audio compression, or better quality audio, with the standard being limited to 48kHz, resulting in a maximum bitrate of 345kb/s. Spotify audio quality, to be frank.
On top of that, you have to consider how audio is reproduced via the 3.5mm jack. It’s a modulating signal that vibrates a magnet with a diaphragm on the other side, creating sound waves. No matter what you change or use, you’ll always end up with an alternating current vibrating a diaphragm, whether it’s via Bluetooth, USB, or 3.5mm analog. Take a look at any premium pair of headphones today, and you’ll notice one thing: None of them are Bluetooth. Hell, none of them are even USB. And that’s the point. It’s a move that’s as necessary as Intel adding an extra pin with each generation of processor—and, by God, for the sake of good, straightforward audio, I hope this doesn’t become a trend.