Airpods or Beats X or PowerBeats 3?

[MrXiro]

First off I have something like 15 pairs of bluetooth headphones of different sizes and varieties, from Sony XB950BTs to 3 pairs of knock off powerbeats I found on Amazon for $10-$25, etc. But I'm really curious about the new Apple W1 chipped headphones and I'm wondering what everyone is planning on getting.

Airpods - essentially wireless Earpods... which includes the "OK" sound quality and probably slightly loose fit in my ears but they are the cheapest and have no cables at all. This is my favorite of the 3. They have 5 hours charge per use and a 24 hour recharging case.

Beats X - Essentially wireless versions urBeats which I've never tested before. Anyone know if they are any good? 8 hours battery life seems a bit sparse IMO.

PowerBeats 3 - Essentially PowerBeats 2 with a W1. I tested these out for a week about a year or so ago. They were really good and loud but not sure if they were worth the asking price of $200 and I sort of feel the same about the 3s.

I would use these headphones at my desk at work AND at the gym since they work seamlessly with all my iOS devices. I'm not considering the Solo3 because I've come to realize I hate using full sized headphones at the gym. My head just gets way too hot.

What are you guys considering?

 

[randy.massoglia]

The Beats X or Powerbeats 3.

 

[jbachandouris]

Powerbeats 3. They will most likely stay in the ear the best.

 

[Verks7]

What are you using them for? Do you want light weight or sound?

I'm a big fan of the LG Tones series. Im currently using the Platinum model. They do rest on the neck but are stable, can sit there until you need them and have fantastic battery life. I stream music or radio for 6-10 hours a day and very need a charge. As for sound they have great quality with rich but not overwhelming bass for a Bluetooth headset. The run about $200.

I'm looking forward to the Airpods. Most of the time I use one ear to listen so these will last all day if I switch after one dies then vise versa. Plus I won't have something on my neck. I don't mind it as they hide under a collared shirt but not having them would be nice.

 

[AustinIllini]

I have Powerbeats2. I love them. They get most of their usage on dog walks. I like that it's just one piece, so it's better than air pods as I'm certain I'll lose one. I guess I can't decide between Beatsx and Powerbeats3 simply because I haven't tried both.

That being said, the airpods are going to be a no no for me as I'm afraid I'll lose them.

 

[imaginex20]

I currently use Powerbeats 2 for gym/running and love the fit and sound of them. But for work/home use I am debating between the AirPods and the Beats X. I like how the airpods come with a charging case so I can easily charge them on the go.

 

[npolly0212]

Looking into the Beats X myself. any idea when they will be available (or what the additional colors will be)?

 

[MrXiro]

What are you using them for? Do you want light weight or sound?

I'm a big fan of the LG Tones series. Im currently using the Platinum model. They do rest on the neck but are stable, can sit there until you need them and have fantastic battery life. I stream music or radio for 6-10 hours a day and very need a charge. As for sound they have great quality with rich but not overwhelming bass for a Bluetooth headset. The run about $200.

I'm looking forward to the Airpods. Most of the time I use one ear to listen so these will last all day if I switch after one dies then vise versa. Plus I won't have something on my neck. I don't mind it as they hide under a collared shirt but not having them would be nice.

I actually hate neck buds. I don't like things resting on my neck at all actually. Including the powerbeat clones I own. I let them hang in front rather behind my neck. I feel like the Beats X might be wired neck buds from the way they look.

On that note. I think you need both Airpods in your ears to get music to play. If one gets taken out they stop.
[doublepost=1474860084][/doublepost]

Looking into the Beats X myself. any idea when they will be available (or what the additional colors will be)?

Best Buy only listed them in Black and White. No release date yet though.

 

[CashmereEsquire]

Might get the AirPods to use at work, but def will be getting the Powerbeats 3 for the gym.

 

[npolly0212]

I actually hate neck buds. I don't like things resting on my neck at all actually. Including the powerbeat clones I own. I let them hang in front rather behind my neck. I feel like the Beats X might be wired neck buds from they way they look.

On that note. I think you need both Airpods in your ears to get music to play. If one gets taken out they stop.
[doublepost=1474860084][/doublepost]

Best Buy only listed them in Black and White. No release date yet though.

Thats what beatsbydre website has. but it says additional colors in the fall

 

[Verks7]

On that note. I think you need both Airpods in your ears to get music to play. If one gets taken out they stop.
[doublepost=1474860084][/doublepost]

.

Actually you can use one at a time. It will automatically switch to mono when you have it in one ear and back to stereo when both are in.

 

[Fried_Gold]

I'm trying to decide between BeatsX and Jaybird X2 so out of your choices I would say BeatsX.

 

[bandrews]

Was keen for the Powerbeats 3 but just noticed on the Beats site that BestsX are the only ones that charge via lightning - all the others (wireless Beats that is) are micro USB.

 

[caelius]

Well, first of all, neither of them will give you more than "decent" sound quality. They're Beats, after all.

That being said, I'm gonna go for the PowerBeats3, hands down. I own the 2 and they're incredibly comfortable, secure-fitting and splash-resistant, which is nice for those days when they get sweaty and wet. Nice pair of headphones overall!

(P.S.: As mentioned above, they have to be charged via MicroUSB, which is a bummer.)

 

[boston04and07]

Was keen for the Powerbeats 3 but just noticed on the Beats site that BestsX are the only ones that charge via lightning - all the others (wireless Beats that is) are micro USB.

Yeah, I noticed that too and it's pretty annoying. The Solo 3's still use micro USB too. I guess they didn't want to alter any preexisting exterior designs but a switch to Lightning wouldn't have changed things that much and would have been so much more convenient.

 

[bigjnyc]

I currently have a pair of Jaybird X2 which I live very much, however I am curious to check out the Beats X when they become available and when youtube reviews start rolling in. Definitely can't do the airpods, I have really small ear canals and the design of the Apple wired headphones that come with the device never stay in my ear, it looks like the airpods are the exact same. I need headphones that come with small flexible tips to go in your ears.

 

[boston04and07]

I currently have a pair of Jaybird X2 which I live very much, however I am curious to check out the Beats X when they become available and when youtube reviews start rolling in. Definitely can't do the airpods, I have really small ear canals and the design of the Apple wired headphones that come with the device never stay in my ear, it looks like the airpods are the exact same. I need headphones that come with small flexible tips to go in your ears.

Yeah, I'm the exact same way. Stock earbuds make my ears ache after a few minutes but the in-ear kind usually don't. I used Apple's in ear headphones for a while until I got into on-ear headphones, but I'm kind of intrigued by the idea of going back to having a more compact set to carry for my daily commute. If I get any of the new in-ear options it'd be the Beats X.

 

[MrXiro]

Actually you can use one at a time. It will automatically switch to mono when you have it in one ear and back to stereo when both are in.

Oh I thought single ear was for using it as a phone only. Maybe I misunderstood the part where they said if you take one out the music stops as in at all times. But it would make more sense if you kept one in the case and one in your ear for the music/audio to play just Mono.
[doublepost=1474903719][/doublepost]

Yeah, I'm the exact same way. Stock earbuds make my ears ache after a few minutes but the in-ear kind usually don't. I used Apple's in ear headphones for a while until I got into on-ear headphones, but I'm kind of intrigued by the idea of going back to having a more compact set to carry for my daily commute. If I get any of the new in-ear options it'd be the Beats X.

I do get an inner ear itch when I wear IEM headphones too long.
[doublepost=1474903948][/doublepost]

I currently have a pair of Jaybird X2 which I live very much, however I am curious to check out the Beats X when they become available and when youtube reviews start rolling in. Definitely can't do the airpods, I have really small ear canals and the design of the Apple wired headphones that come with the device never stay in my ear, it looks like the airpods are the exact same. I need headphones that come with small flexible tips to go in your ears.

They sell these great Earpod skins called EarSkinz That I recently picked up for $11. They're kind of pricey but they are tiny silicon skins but they make the Earpods fit way better and I feel like there is better bass and mids after installing them. Not sure if they'll make any for the Airpods or if the Airpods will fit the charging case with them installed. But for the wired Earpods they work really really well.
[doublepost=1474904139][/doublepost]

Well, first of all, neither of them will give you more than "decent" sound quality. They're Beats, after all.

That being said, I'm gonna go for the PowerBeats3, hands down. I own the 2 and they're incredibly comfortable, secure-fitting and splash-resistant, which is nice for those days when they get sweaty and wet. Nice pair of headphones overall!

(P.S.: As mentioned above, they have to be charged via MicroUSB, which is a bummer.)

I'm not expecting Shure or Etymotics levels of sound quality. I have good earbuds (I picked up those Zero Audio Tenors that they love over at Headfi.org) but this is more for the tech. I don't mind the SQ of the Earpods actually, they're a good all uses headphone and I listen to talk radio/podcasts on my iPhone and watch TV shows on my iPad more than anything else.

 

[Traverse]

AirPods for me. Apple's EarPods are the most comfortable earbuds I have ever used, but I know this is open to personal opinion. I also do not want wireless earbuds that are actually still connected via wire. It would bother me to have that cable hanging down on the back of my neck. The AirPods are truly wireless.

 

[MrXiro]

AirPods for me. Apple's EarPods are the most comfortable earbuds I have ever used, but I know this is open to personal opinion. I also do not want wireless earbuds that are actually still connected via wire. It would bother me to have that cable hanging down on the back of my neck. The AirPods are truly wireless.

I agree with this. Earpods are pretty comfortable and sometimes I just don't want that IEM suction feeling in my ears.

 

[Traverse]

I agree with this. Earpods are pretty comfortable and sometimes I just don't want that IEM suction feeling in my ears.

Sorry for the long post.

I've never used in-ear earbuds. They're very awkward and uncomfortable in my opinion. I liked wither buds that sit on your ears (like Apple's old earbuds) or headphones. When Apple announced the EarPods I thought they had ruined the "good enough for most uses" headphones I'd been using. Luckily, they were far more comfortable and didn't have that in-ear feeling.

So I'm limited to actual over-head headphones or earbuds, and I don't want to carry full headphones everywhere. The AirPods are a relatively discreet truly wireless solution. I've never seen a pair of earbuds fit so many of my must-have categories.

• Good battery life
• No awkward wire connecting the "wireless" buds
• Comfort
• Good enough sound quality - BT compresses audio anyway so I don't need HiFi bluetooth headphones.

People say they're ugly. Well, they're not gorgeous, but not hideous. They're white EarPods with no cable. With so many people all over using the free wired EarPods, I doubt anyone will ever look at you and think "what is THAT in your ears?" TO me, they just blend in with everyone else.

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Side Note: What put the AirPods at the top of my list was their battery life implementation. First of all, the 5 hours standalone was impressive for this product category, but not enough for me to buy them. I'm away from home for more than 5 hours at a time and I'm not bring a charger for my headphones around with me. However, when they announced that the necessary carrying case was also a charger I knew there were the ones (if I could get over the price). With I product like this I was already thinking about how you'd need some form of case because they'd be too easy to lose just putting them loose in your pocket. When they discussed the case/charger I was like "NAILED IT!"

 

[randy.massoglia]

Are the airpods sweat resistant as I am a runner?

 

[MrXiro]

Are the airpods sweat resistant as I am a runner?

Probably not made for sweat resistance but if you use Earpods they'll probably be similar in that aspect. I've never broken any earpods. Still rocking the one from my 5s actually, which looks like hell but still work just fine.

 

[randy.massoglia]

Probably not made for sweat resistance but if you use Earpods they'll probably be similar in that aspect. I've never broken any earpods. Still rocking the one from my 5s actually, which looks like hell but still work just fine.

Thank you. If I were to get these, that would almost have to be a requirement. Also interested on the Beats X and powerbeats 3

 

[MrXiro]

Thank you. If I were to get these, that would almost have to be a requirement. Also interested on the Beats X and powerbeats 3

I think I'm going to get mine from Best Buy and get their warranty on them just in case... or if Apple has Applecare for them. Then you can use them abuse them and just get a new pair when they no longer work.