Sure, headphone cables are a mess. So use wireless ones instead. For me; not having to ever charge my headphones far outweigh that hassle. As well as any issues with pairing and sound quality.

> I'm looking forwards to when wireless headphones are more ubiquitous and cheaper.

So wait for that before you remove the port. Otherwise we're just trading 3.5mm cable hassles for Lightning adapter/cable hassles.

>>> I'm looking forwards to when wireless headphones are more ubiquitous and cheaper.

> So wait for that before you remove the port.

Err, I was stating my personal opinion on wireless headphones. I'm not Apple.

Obviously people have different preferences on removing the port. I'm glad that it will help push the availability of wireless headphones, and speed up their marketplace penetration.

> Otherwise we're just trading 3.5mm cable hassles for Lightning adapter/cable hassles.

Again, for my own situation, I wouldn't have any Lightning adapter/cable hassles.

Personally, I don't want another thing to charge. The robustness and simplicity of the analog port still win in my book.

Wireless will never have as good of a sound quality as wired does, however. It's a trade-off.

I don't have any specific knowledge about this stuff, but how could that possibly be true?

If quality is just a matter of sending enough information through then why could wireless never be enough?

It's just that you will always have a better connection and be able to send more over a wire. cat5/6/7 vs. wifi, wired vs. wireless power, etc.

Surely you've seen a speed difference with a wired internet connection compared to wireless?

The issue is really: how much do you need to be able to send before you reach the limits of human hearing (our ability to distinguish any differences), and will wireless be able to cater to that or a reasonable approximation to that?

> Surely you've seen a speed difference with a wired internet connection compared to wireless?

yeah, but note also that what I was responding to was you saying wireless would never have as good of a sound quality. "Never" is a long time.

That's a good point. If we are talking about the quality being indistinguishable to humans, it is probably possible at some point. Although I will probably stick with wired for a long time, as I have a nice wired headset, and I don't like the thought of my headphones not being charged!