NOW WIRED IS IN FASHION

This is revealed in a longer article published by CNN.com on January 28, and as you can read further down in the article, the phenomenon is partly confirmed by the Norwegian retail sector, including Elkjøp, Elon, Eplehuset, and Power.

But first, the CNN article, which states that a wire in the ear is the same as a film camera, a VHS, or a DVD; the usage is due to a longing for the tangible. For our part, we add vinyl records, digital compact cameras, analogue disposable cameras, instant cameras, and music cassettes as examples of retro products that have become popular among younger generations.

– When LeBron James appeared at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 with a pair of Beats by Dre around his neck, the popularity of the then-newly launched brand skyrocketed overnight. Fast forward almost twenty years, and another type of headphones now hangs from the ears of both new rising stars and established veterans, writes CNN in the article.

We also add that several of the Norwegian national football team players have been observed with the white wires from their ears.

Humble with a wire

CNN also points out that artists and celebrities like Drake, Lily‑Rose Depp, Harry Styles, Zendaya, Dua Lipa, and Ariana Grande often use wired headphones. The big stars can afford to buy whatever they want, but they use headphones of the same type that used to come in the box when you bought a new mobile phone. If we are to believe the CNN article, this elevates the wire from a mere necessity to a conscious choice, with a clear touch of retro and culture.

Shelby Hull is behind the Instagram account "Wired It Girls", and has focused on wired headphones since 2021.

– Hull, who is based in Los Angeles, started the account after reading an article by the then Vogue writer Liana Satenstein, who praised model Bella Hadid's choice to use "the humble" wired headphones, writes CNN.

No need for charging

In the CNN.com article it further states that accessibility is part of the explanation. Hull points out that wired earbuds from Apple in the USA cost a little over 25 dollars, while wireless models start much higher and can be costly at the top end.

At the same time, it is noted that wires from the ears are consciously used as part of the style, basketball player Marcus Smart (Los Angeles Lakers) is referenced regarding the purely practical. According to the article, he believes that Bluetooth can be unstable, fall out, disconnect or run out of power, and that charging can be forgotten. Wire enthusiasts also highlight easy connectivity and increased security, as cables cannot be hacked.

But, what do the retailers in the Norwegian market say? We sent them an email, and received responses from these:

Elkjøp

– We clearly see increased attention around wired headphones, especially driven by trends in social media and a retro aesthetic that appeals to younger target groups. However, in Norway, this still accounts for a small part of the total sales. The large volume still lies with wireless headphones, and we actually see a shift towards models in the upper tier. Customers are increasingly choosing premium products with better comfort, battery life, and sound quality. So, even though wired headphones are gaining more cultural visibility, it is in practice the wireless models that dominate, often in the upper segments, says Ardian Gashi, sales manager for sound and image at Elkjøp.

Elon

– Generally, we see that more and more suppliers are launching new products within wired headphones. A contributing factor is information suggesting that it is perceived as more 'harmless' to talk on the phone with a cable, compared to wireless headphones or earbuds. There are also other important aspects, such as operational reliability, avoiding pairing and the like, and a wired connection is perceived as more stable and simple. In addition, one avoids the need to keep yet another device charged, says Martin Winblad, international sales manager for consumer electronics at Elon.

Eplehuset

- The sales of EarPods have really increased in the past six months. Many want a product that works without the need for charging, and this is a very good alternative. At the same time, USB-C has become more widespread in a number of products, and the earbuds can easily be connected to school and work equipment, where many have restrictions on which Bluetooth devices are allowed. When this is combined with the fact that EarPods are significantly cheaper than wireless headphones, we see a clear increase in demand, says Marthe Colella, marketing manager at Eplehuset.

Power

- Many use wired headphones because they find it simpler. When the device is to be used in the same place and not moved around, a wire can work well. Many have also discovered that the microphone on wired headphones is very good, measured against price. This is because the microphone comes very close to the mouth, and not by the ear as with wireless buds. Therefore, many on social media have taken notice of Feel Line and Apple EarPods, says sales manager Snorre Berg-Domaas at Power.