Interesting rumor about Apple and sound

[rblnr]

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...d_system_hired_to_run_apple_audio_report.html

If true, looks like Apple might be taking the playback side of things more seriously. Wonder what products might come.

 

[ted_b]

I met Mr Holman many years ago, just as THX was getting under way. I knew a little about surround and had a decent collection/system, and he was either impressed or a good actor. I owned one of his first products many years ago, too, the APT-Holman preamp, a piece my brother-in-law still has from me.

Mr Holman is a kind of an audio hero of mine, in that I am a big surround fan.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...d_system_hired_to_run_apple_audio_report.html

If true, looks like Apple might be taking the playback side of things more seriously. Wonder what products might come.

Well, they're probably not hiring Holman to offer hi-res to audiophiles. No need to hire anyone to do that. And given their record, they'll just do it when it makes sense, just like they upgraded to a 256kbps standard for iTunes a couple of years ago, not because they had a big audiophile audience, but simply because it became practical (bandwidth, cost of storage). I certainly wouldn't look to Apple for the development of premium audiophile digital players like Amarra and Pure Audio. Not their market.

Tim

 

[rblnr]

There aren't enough audiophiles to support the number of audiophile companies we already have. And yeah, higher res is an afterthought for apple. My guess would be some kind of integrated (and perhaps separate box) surround bar/processing for their long-rumored integrated TV. And/or maybe a multibox surround system to go with the tv.

 

[JackD201]

Well, they're probably not hiring Holman to offer hi-res to audiophiles. No need to hire anyone to do that. And given their record, they'll just do it when it makes sense, just like they upgraded to a 256kbps standard for iTunes a couple of years ago, not because they had a big audiophile audience, but simply because it became practical (bandwidth, cost of storage). I certainly wouldn't look to Apple for the development of premium audiophile digital players like Amarra and Pure Audio. Not their market.

Tim

I disagree. The pattern for Apple is that if there is a criticall mass for applications by a 3rd party (Protools, Photoshop, Avid) Apple comes up with their own native applications (Logic Studio, Aperture, Final Cut).

As far as pro audio goes, Apple has had a strong presence since the beginning. That's a lot of machines and that makes quality sound their market. I would dare say that a huge chunk of their G5s go towards audio and video editing suites around the world. Our company has over 60 of these workstations running post for news and entertainment programs daily.

Hiring TH would be a good move for Apple on the pro side. If that trickles down to the CE market, good for us