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Airpods or Beats X or PowerBeats 3?
- Thread starter MrXiro
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This is disheartening. I've seen this issue with a lot of PB2's and I believe it's due to salts etc from sweat getting in there and corroding the internals. If they're primarily used for working out, you may try wiping them down with a small amount of rubbing alcohol afterward and letting them dry before storing them.
I was hoping this issue would be fixed with the 3's, or that the overall quality would improve after Apple took over. As it stands now, there are too many issues like that with nearly every Beats product for me to ever buy one, even though I like the design and the sound.
The Solos aren't any better for $100 more. I've seen so many with leather peeling off the cups, etc.
Glad I stuck with the AirPods, personally.
Yup, she uses the PB3s as her primary workout headphones. To be realistic there is no way I'm going to be able to get my wife to wipe them down. I can't even get her to put gas in the car.
It's pretty ridiculous as Beats markets these as workout headphones knowing they will never last (and at a $200 price point)! Oh well, Apple gave me a new pair and receipt so the warranty has reset. I also used my Amex to purchase them and that offers extended warranty. We'll just keep exchanging them and never buy a Beats product again. My Jaybird X3s were less expensive and the SQ blows the beats away anyway.
Powerbeats are the best for the gym, not even a competition. AirPods are best for everyday use however, again, not even a competition.
With that being the conundrum, I'd say the BeatsX are the best middle ground; W1, decent sound, secure fit (they come with wingtips) and charged by lightning cable meaning no extra cables lying around.
I hear this all the time and I just don't get it. Why can't people just use Powerbeats3 for both working out and everyday use?
I own both AirPods and Powerbeats, and the main reason is that the hooks require more effort to put on and take off. Fine if you're hitting the gym, but if you want to use them casually while at home, or want to quickly slip them in as you're getting off the train and get a phone call, its far easier to slip AirPods in and go. Those few extras seconds add up to unnecessary inconvenience. First world problems I suppose!
The lack of water resistance on the Beats X turned me to the PowerBeats3. Seamless connectivity with iPhone 7 and damn, they stay put and have some serious reserve volume.
Being water resistant AND have the open Micro USB port for charging? BIG plus!
Being water resistant AND have the open Micro USB port for charging? BIG plus!
I know this is a Airpod / Beats X / PB3 thread but I wanted to give my two cents. Purchased Bose SoundSport wireless this weekend and worked out with them this morning. For me, these are way better than the PB3 in terms of fit & sound. Sure, they may look a bit bulky but I don't mind too much about the looks. Fit & sound quality is more important to me. If anyone here is looking for another workout earbuds, I recommend the Bose SoundSport wireless.
I still recommend these totally wireless PB3 knock offs for the gym. Only get about 3.5 hours over 3 days of use but they sound great and are tough as nails... and only cost $40. You could buy 3 pais of these for less than the Beats or the Bose and still have money left over for a nice dinner.
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I just returned by AirPods. Just not quite there yet for me. Yes there completely wireless but that's all they have over the beatsX which are far superior in terms of sound quality and noise reduction. However the cord is a bit to long but not a big deal. So it's Beats for me.
You gotta get whatever works for you man! I personally hate anything on my neck so I prefer the Airpods.
Have you tried the PowerBeats? Same sound qualities as the Beats X, but the cord is much more manageable.
Funnily enough the BeatsX may be more waterproof than the PowerBeats3 despite the fact that it's not advertised as being so.
I'd like to believe under Apple's design they made the BeatsX sweat and water-resistant so that it'd cut down on the amount of returns/warranty claims. I think they just don't market them as sweatproof to encourage people to continue use the more expensive PB3 for the gym.
I find myself using the AirPods much more than the Beats X. Probably gonna end up keeping th AirPods. I won a pair of PB2s so just gonna use those when the AirPods don't do the trick
Actually beats sound quailty is worse than Powerbeats
Not impressed by xbeats at all..
My needs are a little different. First, I don't run with scissors .... and those last two words are not necessary. I use my earbuds for listening to music while doing chores around the house, working in the yard, walking or just as a convenience item while making a phone call. I started doing my research and was leaning toward the BeatsX, but was not sure about the wire collar. I currently use a cheap wireless earbud and the wire is constantly tugging at my ears while I am bending over or doing work that requires lateral movement.
Yesterday I tried something that I read here or on one of the other sites; I used the stock Apple earpods while working. Other than the cord getting in my way all the time they stayed in my ear with no real problem. That has caused me to change my focus more toward the Air Pods. Another bonus with the Air Pods is your ability to carry them and their short term charger easily in your pocket.
Problem is, neither is available right now anyway!?!?!?!?
Yesterday I tried something that I read here or on one of the other sites; I used the stock Apple earpods while working. Other than the cord getting in my way all the time they stayed in my ear with no real problem. That has caused me to change my focus more toward the Air Pods. Another bonus with the Air Pods is your ability to carry them and their short term charger easily in your pocket.
Problem is, neither is available right now anyway!?!?!?!?
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Been following this thread as my cheap amazon working out headphones bit the dust last week. I love the AirPods, just can find any.
Bought a pair of Powerbeats3 from Costco today. They sound good to me. They are really hurting my ear though. I also can't walk 20 feet away from my iPhone 6 without them cutting out. Kinda disappointed by the range. They also never did the whole Notification Center pop up window to pair which was kinda odd.
I like the looks of the beats x and the lightning port, but I sweat a lot when I run in the summer so I need something that will hold up.
Still undecided but thanks to costco I can always return them.
Bought a pair of Powerbeats3 from Costco today. They sound good to me. They are really hurting my ear though. I also can't walk 20 feet away from my iPhone 6 without them cutting out. Kinda disappointed by the range. They also never did the whole Notification Center pop up window to pair which was kinda odd.
I like the looks of the beats x and the lightning port, but I sweat a lot when I run in the summer so I need something that will hold up.
Still undecided but thanks to costco I can always return them.
It took my ears time to adjust to them, but now I wouldn't part with them.
The battery life on them is awesome, I think I've charged them once in the last month. I don't use the a ton, maybe a couple of times a week, but they hold a charge great.
The earhooks allow me to let them dangle a bit if I want more outside noise or push them in more for isolation. I did purchase some comply foam tips for them which also made a big difference in comfort and sound quality.
Overall I think the PB3's are a home run for exercising.
Really? Your PB3 loses connectivity with your iPhone 6 after walking 20 feet away? When I had the PB3, I was able to leave my iPhone 6+ at one side of the gym, grab a drink and still have connectivity. My SoundSport Wireless has the same range as the PB3 when I had 'em. Although one time, they did lose connectivity for a bit.
I've had the PB3 for a couple of weeks and really like them. The common wisdom is that you can get a better fit, with less or no pain, and much improved sound with foam tips. It's really worth ~$14-15 to try them. Apple should include these with the product and ditch the ill-fitting gels.
Distance is not a problem for me. I can leave my iP6 or MacBook in the living room, go up to the second level and all the way to the rear of the house, about 70', with no loss of connectivity. Doors are another issue. At that same distance with 2 closed doors (especially exterior metal) between the transmitter and the PB3 I get some stuttering sound unless I remain standing with a straight line between the left ear piece (receiver side) and the transmitting unit. Turn to the right or left and I get sporadic sound cut-outs.
I've had no issues pairing the PB3 with my phone (with iOS 10.2.1), and the connection notification never fails to pop up on the screen. Occasionally I have to hold down the pairing button for up to 4 seconds, but other than that it works every time.
As advertised, battery life is awesome, especially if you remember to power down the PB3 when you're not using them. I also got the Mophie Power Capsule, about $40, which has so far given 4 full charges to the PB3 and the reserve power is only down to 50%.
Good luck with yours and have Costco replace them if they're not performing to spec.
Based on my experience, buds like the PB3 with ear hooks are problematic if you wear glasses, and the frame is not a loose fit. It's not fun to have two different stripes of plastic or metal pushing against your head.
That's just one common scenario though; I can't say for other general cases.