AirPods: OMG.

[mavis]

I just received a pair of Beats X as well as AirPods ... was really looking forward to the Beats X (I like isolation - living in Tokyo means lots of noise) but I have to say it's the AirPods that have really blown me away. Not so much the sound quality (although it's good, the lack of isolation is annoying) but it feels like I'm in the future when I wear them. Sounds dumb, but wow - being completely wireless is AWESOME.

Sorry for the pointless rant, just thought I'd share. These things are awesome. If you're on the fence, go ahead and take the plunge. They're amazing.

 

[mikef07]

I would love the airpods if they weren't a) so uncomfortable (hard plastic), b) isolated sound even a small amount, c) were able to be used for travel (sound isolation), d) sounded 50% as good as the Beats X. If you think the Airpods sound as good as the Beats you simply don't have the Beats fit properly. Get a tight seal on the Beats (I recommend comply 400s or 500s) and it isn't close.

 

[AppleRobert]

I just received a pair of Beats X as well as AirPods ... was really looking forward to the Beats X (I like isolation - living in Tokyo means lots of noise) but I have to say it's the AirPods that have really blown me away. Not so much the sound quality (although it's good, the lack of isolation is annoying) but it feels like I'm in the future when I wear them. Sounds dumb, but wow - being completely wireless is AWESOME.

Sorry for the pointless rant, just thought I'd share. These things are awesome. If you're on the fence, go ahead and take the plunge. They're amazing.

Given your parameters what is not an annoyance now will be later, trust me. You have the new toy syndrome.

 

[eclipse01]

I would love the airpods if they weren't a) so uncomfortable (hard plastic), b) isolated sound even a small amount, c) were able to be used for travel (sound isolation), d) sounded 50% as good as the Beats X. If you think the Airpods sound as good as the Beats you simply don't have the Beats fit properly. Get a tight seal on the Beats (I recommend comply 400s or 500s) and it isn't close.

Completely agree, oh one more thing, if they didn't look so ridiculous.

 

[chillip]

The beats look ridiculous. I'm swung between the AirPods and BeatsX for last few weeks and decided on the pods. The wires on the beats are far to long and look odd with the wires going everywhere.

 

[eclipse01]

The beats look ridiculous. I'm swung between the AirPods and BeatsX for last few weeks and decided on the pods. The wires on the beats are far to long and look odd with the wires going everywhere.

to each his own i guess when it come to looks

 

[shenfrey]

Only problem with them is the mic picks up everything. People don't like talking to me on them and I have to switch to the phone.

 

[nburwell]

I couldn't agree more with the OP. I was originally considering the both the BeatsX and AirPods, but I wasn't a fan of the wire that goes behind your neck (silly, I know). But I absolutely love my AirPods. Granted, I just picked them up yesterday, I have been using them almost nonstop since.

Although I still want to get the Bose QuietComfort for air travel, the AirPods definitely will be what I use on a daily basis.

 

[Domen151]

Got them on Monday, and I don't have any complaints, not even with looks. I think it depends on the ears, because my AirPods don't look anything like they did on that guy who did a review on the cnet (they don’t stick out).

 

[1rottenapple]

The beats look ridiculous. I'm swung between the AirPods and BeatsX for last few weeks and decided on the pods. The wires on the beats are far to long and look odd with the wires going everywhere.

Ok I admit I was self conscious at the gym, and I bought black skins on them (totally worth it). But I agree I love the AirPods. Its really cool to not have a wire between the "pods". And I had beats Powerbeats 2, but I like how with the AirPods you just open the case and put them on, and charge every 4 days give or take. Its the simple things with the AirPods that make it cool.

 

[jaybagley]

I love the AirPods! As a runner I don't like isolation. They are completely wireless and so light I don't even notice them in my ears. They aren't for everyone, but they fit my needs more than any other wireless headphones on the market.

 

[QuietFun]

Mine will arrive tomorrow and I am super excited about them. With my anxiety, looks might be an issue for a little, but convienence overshadows that. I think they will obviously evolve with time. To be honest, I'm a little surprised about how early Apple got into this totally wireless thing. They will improve (I believe) with time. They have room to add options for the double tap. I was originally down for the Beats but I have been using Jabras and am looking forward to the AirPods.

 

[Fattytail]

I couldn't agree more with the OP. I was originally considering the both the BeatsX and AirPods, but I wasn't a fan of the wire that goes behind your neck (silly, I know). But I absolutely love my AirPods. Granted, I just picked them up yesterday, I have been using them almost nonstop since.

Although I still want to get the Bose QuietComfort for air travel, the AirPods definitely will be what I use on a daily basis.

In the same boat. Cables on the BeatsX were a deal breaker for me. Took me all of 10 minutes and back in the box they went. AirPods are great. For travel, it's Powerbeats or QuietComforts for me.

 

[nburwell]

In the same boat. Cables on the BeatsX were a deal breaker for me. Took me all of 10 minutes and back in the box they went. AirPods are great. For travel, it's Powerbeats or QuietComforts for me.

I was tempted on Monday while visiting my local Apple Store since they had the BeatsX in stock, but I told myself to just hold out. Fortunately, two days later the same Apple Store got the AirPods in stock.

 

[danpass]

I tested them out yesterday at the Apple store and was impressed. They fit my ears great and sound pretty good.

But April 14? C'mmmmmmmmmmmmon mannnnnnnnnnnnn.

 

[Volusia]

I, like some of the others, don't want total noise isolation. I am no longer required to fly for work, generally wear earbuds when walking within a neighborhood or working outdoors.
While I am still waiting for my AirPods, I suspect, based on my experience with Ear Pods, I think they will suit my needs more than BeatsX, which I also reviewed extensively.
As for the appearance, I really don't care. I am old enough to not care what others think. If I am happy and satisfied, that's what counts to me!

 

[thelookingglass]

I, like some of the others, don't want total noise isolation. I am no longer required to fly for work, generally wear earbuds when walking within a neighborhood or working outdoors.
While I am still waiting for my AirPods, I suspect, based on my experience with Ear Pods, I think they will suit my needs more than BeatsX, which I also reviewed extensively.
As for the appearance, I really don't care. I am old enough to not care what others think. If I am happy and satisfied, that's what counts to me!

Just out of curiosity, how old is old enough to not care what others think? I know a few people in their 70s who still care a great deal about what others think. Seems like you have a special skill!

 

[Volusia]

Just out of curiosity, how old is old enough to not care what others think? I know a few people in their 70s who still care a great deal about what others think. Seems like you have a special skill!

Old enough to know better, but not to care!

 

[AppleRobert]

I, like some of the others, don't want total noise isolation. I am no longer required to fly for work, generally wear earbuds when walking within a neighborhood or working outdoors.
While I am still waiting for my AirPods, I suspect, based on my experience with Ear Pods, I think they will suit my needs more than BeatsX, which I also reviewed extensively.
As for the appearance, I really don't care. I am old enough to not care what others think. If I am happy and satisfied, that's what counts to me!

Neither give total isolation, at least the BeatsX gives some.

 

[mavis]

I would love the airpods if they weren't a) so uncomfortable (hard plastic), b) isolated sound even a small amount, c) were able to be used for travel (sound isolation), d) sounded 50% as good as the Beats X. If you think the Airpods sound as good as the Beats you simply don't have the Beats fit properly. Get a tight seal on the Beats (I recommend comply 400s or 500s) and it isn't close.

I guess I'm among the 90% of the population the AirPods were designed to fit, as I don't find them uncomfortable at all. I never liked or used the EarPods, btw - I've been using IEMs since before the iPhone was introduced (everything from Sennheiser IE80s to custom-molded Sensaphonics 2X-S) so comfort has always been important to me, but I guess the fact that the AirPods don't have cords tugging on them all the time helps to make them more comfortable, in fact I almost forget I'm wearing them sometimes.

As for the BeatsX, I happened to have some Comply tips in my desk and they helped greatly with the seal. They sound great, but after using the AirPods, I just hate having wires dangling about. lol Still, the isolation is great in some situations. I just used them on my commute, but as soon as I got out of the train, it's back to the AirPods.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

I would love the airpods if they weren't a) so uncomfortable (hard plastic), b) isolated sound even a small amount, c) were able to be used for travel (sound isolation), d) sounded 50% as good as the Beats X.

A: my ears love earpods, and airpods. They feel great to wear, and they fit rather well too. They're the most comfortable and best-fitting rigid (Sony fontopia or similar type) earbud I personally have ever used.

B: I rather prefer they leak when I'm out and about amongst people and traffic - I tend to get very bubblified and distracted by headphones that isolate well. Once I was rather close to getting run over by a tram because the music distracted me when the tight-fitting silicone tip buds I wore cut off basically all surrounding sound.

C: yeah well, travelling is a bit hit and miss. Airpods do function well enough on some public transport lines in the city where I live, especially the hybrid buses where even the diesel engine is soundproofed very well. I don't travel very often by airplane (flied twice in 11 years), so that's not much of an issue to me. If airpods had active noise cancellation they would likely chew battery like no tomorrow. One active noise cancelling wireless earbuds model (I forget which one) runs for a whopping two hours per charge...

If you think the Airpods sound as good as the Beats you simply don't have the Beats fit properly. Get a tight seal on the Beats (I recommend comply 400s or 500s) and it isn't close.

Ear/airpods also sound rather good if your ears conform to their shape. While there is no genuine seal, you can just pop them in easily and effortlessly. I've yet to find a set of silicone-tipped buds where I could do that without tugging on my ear with one hand and wiggling and mashing the bud into place with the other. Also, silicone-tip buds get very grimy very quickly...

Everything has pros and cons. For convenience I find airpods scoring very high, and for sound quality they're more than acceptable. But that's not going to be true for everyone of course. YMMV.

 

[mikef07]

Airpods fit my ears perfectly. Anything rigid is simply not going to be as comfortable as anything malleable. If you don't prefer noise isolation then they fit the bill. I definitely understand why one would like them when out and about. Personally I only wear headphones by the pool, in the ocean swimming, or traveling by train or airplane.

 

[steve217]

Just out of curiosity, how old is old enough to not care what others think? I know a few people in their 70s who still care a great deal about what others think. Seems like you have a special skill!

When you're twenty, you care what everyone thinks.
When you're thirty, you decide you don't care what other people think.
When you're forty, you realize no one was thinking about you.

 

[Hitrate]

Completely agree, oh one more thing, if they didn't look so ridiculous.

ya cause this **** sure doesnt look more ridiculous?

People will say the darnedest things..tsk tsk tsk

 

[eclipse01]

ya cause this **** sure doesnt look more ridiculous?

People will say the darnedest things..tsk tsk tsk

pretty sure there are a lot more people that think Airpods look more ridiculous than BeatsX.

then again, you won't see this reply cause I see you got suspend :-/ tsk tsk tsk...