CRI听力:iPhone encourages customers to go wireless

The headphone cord. A common sight in New York and something Apple believes will soon become a thing of the past.

Michael Toto: "This is a higher end product"

And audio consultant Michael Toto at the New York store Stereo Exchange says it's music to the ears of the headphone industry.

Michael Toto, Audio Consultant, Stereo Exchange:

"They're wonderful companions for walking around, doing work, listening to music. That wireless category is going up in quality and definitely is going to increase in popularity now that the lightning cable is the norm people are just going to say, 'I want wireless.'"

Audio experts say Bluetooth technology commonly used in wireless headphones is reliable but has its drawbacks.

Beyond issues of battery life, the sound can be compressed, affecting quality.

And For those looking to make a switch to wireless headphones there's also a cost factor to be considered. Industry analysts say you'll likely to be paying a bit more for the wireless option.

Using an adapter, wired headphones can still be used on the new iPhone 7. But many here in New York aren't happy Apple made the switch.

"One more thing you gotta get, I just prefer to have it all built in. It's probably a bit more clunky with an adapter on it."

"I don't like things in my ear wireless like Bluetooth, I don't like that."

"It's just another way to make money I think."

For the last two years Master and Dynamic has been making headphones in New York City.

Despite the move from Apple the company's CEO and founder Jonathan Levine says there's still room in the market for wired headphones.

Jonathan Levine, Founder & CEO, Master & Dynamic:

"I think there's still a customer base and a clientele that wants it and you see it if you look at what's gone on with vinyl and turntables that resurgence of analog so it may be gone but it's not forgotten."

Tim Cook: "It's the best iPhone that we've ever created"

Apple's CEO Tim Cook believes wireless is the way of the future, but for now, that message appears to be falling on some deaf ears.

For CRI, I'm William Denselow in New York