Fancy the comfort that comes from not having to untangle headphone wires? You most likely belong to the league of audiophiles with an undying preference for wireless headphones. But does the high-priced cost of getting one dampen your mood?
Manufacturers of wireless headphones combine several factors to arrive at the market price most wireless headphones are pegged at. Wireless headphones require a mix of hand and machine strategies for production. Due to this complexity, extra materials, and time put into the production, a harmony between input cost and the price is often struck.
Nonetheless, the persistent question may always crop up – Are wireless headphones worth the price? The answer to this lies in the bias of wireless and wired headphone fans. Regardless of which seems true, this post shows you why most wireless headphones are expensive and more.
Why are Wireless Headphones are Expensive?
Whether you’re gradually bowing to the pressure of transitioning from wired to wireless headphones or choosing to stick to wired, one thing you can’t deny is the convenience of wireless headphones.
Its simplicity is also another factor that makes it an excellent choice for many audiophiles. Here are the top 3 reasons why wireless phones are costly:
1. Increase in demand
With more users joining the race for the latest wireless headphones, the industry is witnessing overwhelming demand. Products like Apple, Sony, Beats by Dre currently have a field time in their books. The global wireless headphone market will reach $45.7 billion by 2026.
Guess what this means – It simply means the demand for wireless headphones isn’t surging any time soon. And you know what they say about demand, right? Okay, if you skipped economics classes in high school, let’s help you here.
The higher the demand for wireless headphones over wired ones, the pricier it’ll become or remain, compared to wired ones. Hence, while many audiophiles are shifting their gaze to the latest and fancier wireless headphones models, we shouldn’t be expecting an abrupt price drop soon.
Also, taking into consideration the diversity of the industry, a lot of competition is currently going on, with Apple AirPods witnessing a surge in demand due to increased competition. So the reigning king is anyone who can offer cutting-edge technology with features that serves convenience. This, of course, doesn’t come without an increase in production tools, with the possibility of affecting price.
2. Quite Interesting Features
When it comes to advancements in headphone technology, the future is quite beautiful. Headphones are simply moving away from being just gadgets for music and becoming an integral part of our lives. Wireless headphones are on the frontline of this advancement.
Getting more complex with virtual assistants, active noise canceling, and of course, its wireless connectivity, you wouldn’t be wrong to call them the gadget of the future. Most wireless headphones are beginning to integrate interesting tech wonders like voice assistant access, multi-point connectivity, Atmos or 3D support, and so on.
3. Simplicity in design
Many people prefer not to deal with the cumbersome task of always having to untangle twirled headphone wires. Not only can it be frustrating, but the possibility of breaking the wire inside also makes it even scarier. Like most other gadgets, an improvement in design raises the stakes in price.
Depending on the kind of wireless headphones you’re rocking, some can be so minuscule that they’re hardly noticeable. Some users prefer this to the conspicuity of wired headphones.
4. Materials for design
While some wireless headphones may not require overly costly input to produce, magnificent ones may cost more than average. Among other materials used in the production of wireless headphones, the electronic materials seem to gulp more bucks.
Depending on how much you’re willing to pay for a hypnotic listening time, you may find wireless headphone prices dangling between mild-expensive to excruciating costs. However, the specs of each wireless headphone are almost perfectly reflected in the extra tools and the grand design incorporated into making it.
5. Depends on the “wireless.”
Many users make the mistake of lumping every wireless headphone into one. There are 4 types of wireless headphones – Bluetooth, infrared, radiofrequency, and Kleer. These four types can be further tucked into two broader kinds – True wireless and wireless in-ear headphones.
This is where distinction reflected in price may count. True wireless headphones are mostly Bluetooth earbuds or IEMs without cords or wires between them or to an audio source. On the other hand, wireless in-ear headphones have cables connecting both driver housing.
See the difference now? True wireless headphones like air pods often drop at the market with high prices. Because of the grander design, more convenience is derived from their minuscule size and often clearer sound production.
6. They are durable: The most frustrating thing about wired headphones is the tendency of their cords to break. Regardless of how tough it’s made to withstand a pull or drag, most users admit it’s usually the first part of the headphone to go bad. A wireless headphone design is counter-active, raising the durability standard by a few percentages.
This is compensated for in price. Moreover, due to the non-bulky nature and compact size of most wireless headphones, they don’t experience a strong impact on collision with the floor when they fall.
6. Requires more research and testing to produce
Compared to their wired counterparts, wireless headphones are subjected to thinner scrutiny due to their compact size. Hence, more money is spent researching how to improve features like battery life, extended Bluetooth bandwidth, and so on.
Issues like this take a toll on manufacturers and could also consume time. The common market price behavior is that prices are valued by factors like input cost, production equipment, and cost. This isn’t any different in the case of wireless headphones.
Why Should I Go Wireless?
Wondering if you should ditch your wired headphone for a wireless one? To assist you in making that decision, maybe all you need to know are some perks that come with using wireless headphones. Below are the key benefits of using wireless headphones.
Convenience
Having a cord dangling in your way as you move around can be quite a hassle. Whether at work, working out, or cooking, truly wireless headphones help eliminate this nuisance. With ever-increasing Bluetooth range and wireless headphone models, you can freely move about, untethered from your phone.
Easily accessible
You most likely, as a wired headphone user, have had to untangle your headphone cord after it’s been in your bag or pocket. Often, even tangle-free or fabric-covered wired headphones are stressful to untangle. Fortunately, this isn’t an issue for wireless headphones.
Quick pairing
No need for plugging in when you want to use your Bluetooth earbuds. Pairing is quite easy. For most wireless headphones, once your true wireless headphones are set up and paired successfully to your device, they will sync automatically when you turn them on for use.
Things to Consider Before Buying Wireless Headphones?
Every buyer must know or have a guide on shopping for quality wireless headphones. With fake versions of almost every headphone model circulating the market, knowing what you should expect from an original one keeps you from rip-offs.
Sound quality
Sound quality is a major factor to consider when buying true wireless headphones. This is majorly due to how audio is transmitted wirelessly from an audio source to a headphone. Unlike wired headphones, the digital audio signal is compressed at the source and then transmitted to your headphones through embedded wireless technology like Bluetooth or infrared.
The headphones will then receive the transmission and unpack the digital signal back to the analog. The dramatic thing is, along the way, the compression and wireless transmission can reduce the quality of the audio. You should be aware that sound quality can be affected by;
- The proximity between the headphone and source
- The number of obstructions (e.g., walls) between the headphone and the source
- Your headphones and source support Bluetooth audio codecs.
Battery life
Want to enjoy your wireless headphone for pretty long hours? Be mindful of the battery life of the headphone you’re shopping for. It is, in fact, the soul of a wireless headphone.
Most manufacturers find it challenging to incorporate bigger rechargeable batteries due to the small driver housing. Due to this, they improvise solutions by building their carry case.
So, how long do wireless headphones last? Most true wireless headphones last about 3 hours before they’re completely drained. Charging cases have undeniable utility here.
A great charging case can prolong the listening time of your headphones to up to 5 or 6 extra hours. However, some other models can go farther than that. For example, the Jabra Elite Active 65t promises 25 hours of recharge.
It would help if you didn’t let all battery life specifications deceive you. There are a lot of dynamics to consider gauging the battery life of wireless headphones gets drained. A good one is volume, which impacts battery life consumption.
Comfort and design
The Absence of cables proved extra convenient. For that reason, wireless headphones have gained traction for some years now. When choosing a wireless headphones, you should consider the level of comfort and functionality they give you.
Otherwise, you’ll miss the inherent purpose of getting cable-free headphone, which provides you freedom of movement and comfort.
In an attempt to get more out of a wireless headphone’s battery life, some manufacturers fix bigger batteries into the housing. This can make it bulky and heavier.
Warranty
True wireless headphones have their hiccups and downsides like most gadgets, which is why it is crucial to take warranty and return policy into consideration before ordering for one.
If you’re buying from a physical sales outlet, you can try them on first. This is one way of gauging build quality. On the other hand, if you’re buying online, make sure to find out the manufacturer’s return policy.
Price
True wireless headphones tend to be more expensive than others. For example, Beoplay E8 make take out $300 from your pocket. Setting luxury aside, it costs a reasonable amount of money to make true wireless headphones.
The major challenge lies in producing high-quality music in a small case with limited power. Manufacturers have to invest in R&D to circumvent this.
However, if you’re looking at not splurging but still want a pair of decent true wireless headphones, there are cheaper models.
How Do I Know Wireless Headphones That are Rip-offs?
The truth is, with the abundance of several models of wireless headphones in retail, picking out fake ones could be challenging. Another thing a user should look out for is the valuation of the headphone based on the features it has. Some manufacturers could overprice their products, even with limited perks.
To avoid picking products that may turn out as rip-offs, you should always refer to the ideal features a wireless headphone should have in this article. Reviews can be a pain to derive purchasing decisions from. You also would not want to subject your spending to trial and error.
A good procedure would be stringing up a few things together to help you arrive at the perfect product. This would include a combination of reviews, features, reputation, and warranty policy. Some headphone users often ask, “why should I spend so much on getting a headphone when it’ll break eventually?”
The validity of this inquiry may be overturned if you know how to tell fake headphones from original ones. Also, as an audiophile eager to purchase your first wireless headphone, you should be aware of adulterated versions of common brands. Apple tops the list of brands with duplicate products from fraudulent manufacturers.
Other popular brands like Sony and Beats by Dre are common targets for fraudulent manufacturers. They are almost indiscernible from genuine ones. This is why young people should buy directly from brands or trusted retailers.
Conclusion
Expecting a price drop may be a daydream, with the demand for wireless headphones shooting up by the day. Several manufacturers’ integration of novel technology and features has made wireless headphones one of the most sought-after audio gadgets.
As an audiophile, what is your place in this situation? A perfect guess would be making product-based decisions before purchasing one. With several kinds of wireless headphones selling in stores, you may want to find out what exactly you’re buying.
Nonetheless, most wireless headphones live up to their price pegs by providing an immersive experience embedded in the cutting-edge technology they feature.