AirPods 3 a big step up over 2’s?

[Tommyinnit]

Hi guys,

I was planning on buying a pair or 3rd Generation AirPods. I would like to know if they are a big step up over the 2nd Gen in terms of sound quality or should I just buy another pair of Gen 2’s? Also how much value does dynamic head tracking and Spatial audio add - do people even use it or are they gimmicky?

As for the fit, do people still have pain with these or do they subside after getting used to them? For reference, the Gen 2’s fit me fine and never fall off and never hurt.

Thanks guys!

P.S - Not going for the Pro’s cause I don’t like the plugged in feeling.

 

[Herrpod]

Sound yes. Fit, no. Also the 2s are much better for phone calls. The 3s are terrible.

 

[Toutou]

Sound is a bit better, but still decidedly worse than Pros (inherent limitations of the design). Spatial audio is, IMO, a gimmick for music, but it's a fun, novel experience for movies, YouTube and other kinds of content where there's no obvious goal of high fidelity or reference sound to strive for.

The fit is different, but not necessarily worse -- 2 and 3 are both comfortable for both my girlfriend and I, although she did complain about some pain for the first two days or so, now she swears by them. 3s feel a bit larger and rounder, but I'd only worry if 2s were a really tight fit for you.

 

[mattjurd]

Just bought the 3rd gen after the gen 2 battery became unusable. 3rd gen feels much bigger and not as comfortable to wear. Design of how it fits into the case has changed and I find it harder to get out now. Would buy the 2nd gen if I did it again.

 

[perezr10]

Sound quality is big step up. On par with AirPods Pro v1s.

 

[scrane]

Thr AP2s sound mediocre. The AP3s sound great! For fit I had no problem with either, but this will depend entirely on your ears.

 

[Feek]

I think the AP3s sound better than the 1 or 2. I also had problems with the fit on the first and second gen AirPods, the only way I could wear them was to put them in earskinz. The design change of the AirPods 3 has fixed that for me and now they fit my ears perfectly.

 

[Mactagonist]

3 sounds better

2 has a better fit (imho) and much better controls. (Tap is way better then finding the stem and giving it a delicate little pinch without dislodging them. Especially when moving)

 

[Aves]

I've read somewhere else that bass quits after a few weeks on the 3rd, any experience?

 

[engbren]

As others have said, fit is different in the AP3. AP1 and AP2 fit my ear perfectly and rarely fell out or needed adjusting. AP3 fall out of my ears very often, the fit is just not that great. Sound quality is much better in AP3 for music although I've found calls are horrible as I can barely hear what people are saying even though the volume is quite good for music. I have them paired with an iPhone 13, Macbook Air (m1) and iPad Pro (2018) and have found that generally switching between different devices works better than AP2.

 

[Soondae]

Have not tried the AP3 however the design is very similar to the AP Pro and those would not stay in my ears no matter what ear tips I tried. Got frustrated and sold them at a loss. My AP2 are still working though I have occasional charging issues with them I find them very comfortable but sound quality is just so-so. Have you considered the Beats Fit or Fit Pro? I went with the BFP and love the comfortable fit and the sound quality is much better than the AP2. I suggest you give them a try as I think you will be impressed. Also they support spatial audio.

 

[Tapper]

I wanted to upgrade to the AP3 but was skeptical that they woudn't fit my ears like the APpro would not. So yesterday in the Apple Store I tried the AP3 and they didn't fit! I couldn't get them in my ears. Oh well. I'll stick with my AP2 and keep cleaning them with putty from this good AirPod cleaning kit.