AirPods 3 v PowerBeats Pro for sound quality/music?

[TJ82]

Looking for a small upgrade to the music quality on my PowerBeats Pro which I've had since they came out. Would you expect AirPods 3 to be better sounding?

I can keep my PowerBeats Pro as backup and for cycling etc. Also prefer the look of the AirPods range for video calls and general use. My only reasoning here is that AirPods 3 are 2021 tech and PBP are 2019. I don't actually have any idea about headphones or audio tech in general and how fast it improves..

 

[Taco1933]

Looking for a small upgrade to the music quality on my PowerBeats Pro which I've had since they came out. Would you expect AirPods 3 to be better sounding?

I can keep my PowerBeats Pro as backup and for cycling etc. Also prefer the look of the AirPods range for video calls and general use. My only reasoning here is that AirPods 3 are 2021 tech and PBP are 2019. I don't actually have any idea about headphones or audio tech in general and how fast it improves..

It’s slow, really slow. They can do some stuff like spatial audio or ANC that requires additional processing power. But big breakthroughs in sound quality are rare. The airpods and Powerbeats still have the same basic design difference. If you preferred the silicone tips before, you probably still will.

 

[TJ82]

It’s slow, really slow. They can do some stuff like spatial audio or ANC that requires additional processing power. But big breakthroughs in sound quality are rare. The airpods and Powerbeats still have the same basic design difference. If you preferred the silicone tips before, you probably still will.

Are silicone tip types generally considered better or worse than non tip types for sound quality?

 

[Taco1933]

Are silicone tip types generally considered better or worse than non tip types for sound quality?

They give some passive noise cancellation and added bass. It’s probably preference more than anything. If you’ve got a set of earbuds that came with an iPhone that you stuck in a drawer and forgot about, you could give them a try. You should be able to tell pretty quickly whether that design is for you.