Apple closing in on a deal to buy Beats Headphones

Sherardp

A heck of a deal I would never pass up. 3.2 Billion to Dr. Dre for the purchase of Beats. I'm sure Apple will improve upon the headphones from what they are now.

Danny Tse

Sherardp wrote: »

A heck of a deal I would never pass up. 3.2 Billion to Dr. Dre for the purchase of Beats. I'm sure Apple will improve upon the headphones from what they are now.

Can Beats headphones get any worse? It's really nowhere but up (in terms of sound quality). But then, who actually buy Beats headphones for sound quality?

$3.2 billion?? Really?? Sounds like a really bad deal. Tim Cook is an idiot.

ambiophonics

Maybe apple will resurrect MOG!

Upstatemax

Danny Tse wrote: »

Can Beats headphones get any worse? It's really nowhere but up (in terms of sound quality). But then, who actually buy Beats headphones for sound quality?

$3.2 billion?? Really?? Sounds like a really bad deal. Tim Cook is an idiot.

In reality you're 100% correct...

But people are somehow drawn to those crappy headphones. Sounds like it's a GREAT deal for Dre and a reasonable deal for Apple.

Polkie2009

I haven't bought a set of headphones in over 15 years, last couple of sets were Sony MDR-7506 or V-600 models? We used to use them in a small home recording studio setting. Are these new Beats headphones better compared to the old Sonys??

cnh

Polkie2009 wrote: »

I haven't bought a set of headphones in over 15 years, last couple of sets were Sony MDR-7506 or V-600 models? We used to use them in a small home recording studio setting. Are these new Beats headphones better compared to the old Sonys??

Not really. These are not really a "mixing" phone. Sound quality has improved some since the break with Monster. But only the most expensive Beats at $399-499 or so are more or less OK. The lower end not so much. And if you're going to spend $400+ for some Beats Pros you could get a set of HiFiMan or Sennheisers and be a lot happier!

I don't know what Apple is thinking. You'd think that they'd pair with a better known Hi-Q manufacturer and then come out with an APPLE iLITE phone that Steve Jobs (if he were still with us) would tout as the NeXT big thing in HPs. A COMPLETE HP "revolution", rather than Beats i-cans?

cnh

AsSiMiLaTeD

The purchase makes perfect sense to me. If you're going to purchase a headphone company and get into that market, why not purchase the most successful company? In the headphone market, that would be Beats. Apple also wants in on the streaming business, and with the acquisition of MOG Beats has arguably the best platform there as well.

I'm not saying Beats are audiophile quality, and I'd never own a pair, but obviously they have the market. Now imagine if someone actually took Beats and made them a quality headphone? Maybe that's what Apple has in mind.

The stock market today doesn't like this decision, but only time will tell if it's a good idea. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this will ultimately work out for Apple. Anyone who says Tim Cook as an idiot needs to take a better look at Apple stock prices.

sucks2beme

It's apple. They could buy any headphone company and make things work.
Beats- they are paying too much. But, hey, it's their $$$$.

Danny Tse

Polkie2009 wrote: »

I haven't bought a set of headphones in over 15 years, last couple of sets were Sony MDR-7506 or V-600 models? We used to use them in a small home recording studio setting. Are these new Beats headphones better compared to the old Sonys??

I would imagine the Sony MDR-V6/MDR-7506 would still be the de-facto standard for studio work.

http://www.cnet.com/products/sony-mdr7506/

oldmodman

So that should make Dre the first Compton billionaire.

mrbigbluelight

So I'll be able to download MP3's off of Itunes and listen to them on my Beats ?!?!

Somebody pinch me !!!

AsSiMiLaTeD

Here's another thing to consider...

The record labels have been urging Apple to get into the music subscription business for some time now. I imagine the cost of getting such a service up and running is high, so you may as well go ahead and buy one of the more successful services out there. Oh, and while you're at it may as well go ahead and buy the most successful headphone maker as well.

Dennis Gardner

Polkie2009 wrote: »

I haven't bought a set of headphones in over 15 years, last couple of sets were Sony MDR-7506 or V-600 models? We used to use them in a small home recording studio setting. Are these new Beats headphones better compared to the old Sonys??

Beats is the Cerwin Vega of the headphone world......those that don't know truly good sound love the "idea" of wearing a pair.

toucanet

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

Beats is the Cerwin Vega of the headphone world......those that don't know truly good sound love the "idea" of wearing a pair.

Based on your aforementioned quote, what brand & model headphones would you purchase (not to exceed $5K)? I'm in the market for headphones and am open to suggestions.

Dennis Gardner

Headphones are the most personal of choices, way more so than speakers or any other type of gear. I like the Sennheiser HD650-800 models and Grado GS1000 or PS1000 if you are serious about getting a quality set of cans. Any of their lines are decent above the $300 level. For headphones I personally believe that comfort is more important than sound quality, because anything that irritates my ears/head doesn't allow me to enjoy it for very long. You have to decide whether over ear, on ear, or in ear types are your preference. I don't wear caps or hats, so that is a sensitivity that is personal to me. I have had both brands over the last 30 years with any number of different models and they both perform well.

jflail2

Well, can't blame them really. They bought a high visibility brand with what is apparently a hold on an outsized portion of the headphones market:

As Beats' share of the US headphone market stands at around 65 per cent, it represents a huge opportunity for Apple to make an inroad into a well-established market, while presumably making a tidy profit for a man whose net worth already stands at around $550 million.

Are Senn's/Beyers/Grados better? In my mind, hell yes. But when's the last time you've seen an athlete or other famous person sporting a pair of Senns in pregame warm ups or whatever. Seems like a smart move on Apple's part to me.

toucanet

@Dennis Gardner,

Thanks for the advice!

Toolfan66

I just purchased a set of $400 beats for my daughter for her birthday last month, I personally think they sound pretty badass for head phones, but I have nothing to compare them to as I have never owned a nice set of head phones nor listen to a set.

I wouldn't mind owning a set of my own for the gym..

I can see where Apple and Beats go hand n hand..

PolkieMan

Wow... Apple, Beats and maybe Bose?

cnh

Toolfan66 wrote: »

I just purchased a set of $400 beats for my daughter for her birthday last month, I personally think they sound pretty badass for head phones, but I have nothing to compare them to as I have never owned a nice set of head phones nor listen to a set.

I wouldn't mind owning a set of my own for the gym..

I can see where Apple and Beats go hand n hand..

Probably Beats Pros, really the best of the Beats. Good metal construction, decent sound, the only problem? They're overpriced. Not really much better than a set of Audio Technica ATH-M50s, which come in under $150 (and you can get the old, non-detachable cable version for a LOT less than that). But in that sense, yeah, they're perfect for Apple since almost ALL of its products sell above what they're actually worth. lol

I-Beats? And an I phone for $1000? How does that sound? Sounds like a healthy profit margin to me!

cnh

zane77

Unfortunately ( unless your a stockholder) they are in business to make money, not necessarily great sound

tonyb

zane77 wrote: »

Unfortunately ( unless your a stockholder) they are in business to make money, not necessarily great sound

Cha-ching....then again that's been the complaint about Apple/Itunes all along.

Lets face some facts here. We audiophile geezers are misers. We search out quality, bang for the buck to blow our wad on. Youngsters are into "cool" not quality...and Apple plays to that very successfully.

Have a relative in his early 30's....one kid, 5 yr old girl. Bought her an Ipad mini and a cell phone already. She's frickin' 5, can't read or write, still in kindergarten. People are just nuts.

rooftop59

tonyb wrote: »

Have a relative in his early 30's....one kid, 5 yr old girl. Bought her an Ipad mini and a cell phone already. She's frickin' 5, can't read or write, still in kindergarten. People are just nuts.

WOW! just wow. Unbelievable. I have a 6 year old and 2 year old twins, no ipad minis or cell phones for them for a LONG time. Their use of mine, and even their tv time, is VERY limited. There is actually very recent brain research indicating that the old adage about the tv being bad for your eyes is actually somewhat true...if you spend too much time indoors staring at screens (especially at a young age) your brain adjusts (damn neuroplasticity) it will adversely affect your eyesight.

As for beats, never heard a pair, probably never will. But apple makes great gadgets, and of course they are in it for the $$$, so like most have said it makes a lot of sense from that perspective.

Sherardp

I don't own a pair of Beats, but had the chance to listen to them on a few occasions. To me they were very bass heavy, just a tad bit muddy. As mentioned though, it's trendy and heck with so many kids and young adults using them with Iphones and such. 3.2 Billion worthy, maybe not but dang Dre. is on the come up with this deal.

Strong Bad

Have you ever seen how many people at the gym are wearing Beats headphones while working out? Just in general, I see them being worn EVERYWHERE!!! With the upcoming iWatch and Apple's move to integrate a lot of fitness related features into that, I think this is a good move. Tim Cook just didn't wake up one morning and decide to buy them. He's got his circle of longtime people around him at Apple who made this decision after a VERY thorough and lengthy look at Beats.

I can see people at the gym using their iPhone to stream Beats Music Service via bluetooth to the headphones, all the while their iWatch is connected as well to the headphones via bluetooth giving them updates on whatever fitness related info it's being used for. Look for runners, bikers, you name it...to be using these features.

They may not not measure up to audiophile standards, but i'm willing to bet that if you ask anyone that owns a pair or anyone that doesn't care about audiophile gear, who listens to them for the first time..Beats headphones sound great!

cfrizz

Strong Bad wrote: »

Have you ever seen how many people at the gym are wearing Beats headphones while working out? Just in general, I see them being worn EVERYWHERE!!! With the upcoming iWatch and Apple's move to integrate a lot of fitness related features into that, I think this is a good move. Tim Cook just didn't wake up one morning and decide to buy them. He's got his circle of longtime people around him at Apple who made this decision after a VERY thorough and lengthy look at Beats.

I can see people at the gym using their iPhone to stream Beats Music Service via bluetooth to the headphones, all the while their iWatch is connected as well to the headphones via bluetooth giving them updates on whatever fitness related info it's being used for. Look for runners, bikers, you name it...to be using these features.

They may not not measure up to audiophile standards, but i'm willing to bet that if you ask anyone that owns a pair or anyone that doesn't care about audiophile gear, who listens to them for the first time..Beats headphones sound great!

Knocked right out of the park!!!!

You obsessive, compulsive, audiophiles keep forgetting that you are the exception NOT the rule when it comes to enjoying music. All most people including me want is to have some tunes wherever and whenever we want them, and so long as we can hear and enjoy whatever we are listening to we are happy.

PolkieMan

Well I just don't see following trends or fashions and these are what sells to the young people of today. This video explains a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guMFKBXp544

Dennis Gardner

PolkieMan wrote: »

This video explains a lot.

Gives a whole new twist to the term "Apple Fanboy" doesn't it?

Toolfan66

cfrizz wrote: »

Knocked right out of the park!!!!

You obsessive, compulsive, audiophiles keep forgetting that you are the exception NOT the rule when it comes to enjoying music. All most people including me want is to have some tunes wherever and whenever we want them, and so long as we can hear and enjoy whatever we are listening to we are happy.

Agreed, I got tired of of chasing gear, I finally settled on the gear I wanted, the nice thing is my wife worked with me on my choice, we made a plan and purchased everything set it up and I'm more happy with just enjoying the tunes. I even put a TV in my rig and glad I did.. All the threads I remember you posting, I completely agree with your thoughts today. I don't even really look at gear like I used to.

Well I am in the process of getting my computer set-up with a few small pieces but my 2 channel and HT rigs will be just the way they are for awhile, unless something goes down of course..

cfrizz

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Agreed, I got tired of of chasing gear, I finally settled on the gear I wanted, the nice thing is my wife worked with me on my choice, we made a plan and purchased everything set it up and I'm more happy with just enjoying the tunes. I even put a TV in my rig and glad I did.. All the threads I remember you posting, I completely agree with your thoughts today. I don't even really look at gear like I used to.

Well I am in the process of getting my computer set-up with a few small pieces but my 2 channel and HT rigs will be just the way they are for awhile, unless something goes down of course..

Congrats on getting OFF the gear merry-go-round I'm sure your wallet and wife are very happy that you have settled down. I hope you both enjoy the tunes & video.

Toolfan66

cfrizz wrote: »

Congrats on getting OFF the gear merry-go-round I'm sure your wallet and wife are very happy that you have settled down. I hope you both enjoy the tunes & video.

It's defiantly more relaxing. :-)