For a company which keeps its future plans on the down-low, Apple sure is serious about getting us to believe the rumors that it’s ditching the 3.5mm headphone jack for future generations of iPhone.

At least, that’s going by the fact that Apple has just started selling $800 Audeze EL-8 Titanium headphones — at both its online Apple Store and select brick-and-mortar retail outlets in the U.S. and Canada.

The closed-back headphones launched at CES at the start of this year. The first to offer a fully integrated Lightning connector for the iPhone, they boast a headphone amplifier and 28-bit DAC built into the Lightning cable. Apple explains that:

“The EL-8 model gives you a lifelike listening experience with an extended frequency response that opens up a new breadth of sound. Its driver is four times larger than most other headphones and gives excellent bass response along with extremely low distortion. To match the EL-8’s impressive audio, its industrial design is by BMW’s DesignWorks. And durable aluminum construction ensures that you’ll have lasting enjoyment.

The company also notes that, “the EL-8 offers exceptional transient response and extended bass — virtually flat to 25Hz — along with the lowest Total Harmonic Distortion.”

The decision to bring the new high-end headphones to Apple Stores follows closely on from the arrival of French-made wireless speaker, the Phantom, which carries a similarly exclusive price tag starting at $1,990.

This is part of Apple retail guru Angela Ahrendts’ goal of pushing Apple Stores down the “luxury retailer” path.

Via: The Verge