Airpods or Beats X or PowerBeats 3?

[recoil80]

From a practical standpoint, the isolation makes even less sense, unless one is a lumberjack, construction worker or demolition expert. Why else would I want industrial grade sound isolation while listening to music? So that I'll be guaranteed to miss the doorbell and the phone, or kids screaming "dad the cat is on fire"? So that I'll jump 3 feet in the air when someone sneaks up behind me? So that I'll miss public announcements, car horns, sirens, bike bells or just people trying to alert me to the falling grand piano above my head?

If you're talking about complete isolation I agree. With BeatsX I can get that feeling if I press them on my ears and they seal my ear canals. It is the same feeling I get with solo2 and my wife if often upset because she calls me and I don't hear. In fact I use the solo2 when I work from home to concentrate but yes, if the cat is on fire I'm not able to find it out until I smell smoke. And that's the reason why I never put them on if I'm home alone with my little baby, even if she's close.
What I like about BeatsX when they are not pressed to my ears is that I get a decent isolation so I can make a call and don't miss a single word, but I can still hear loud sounds like a siren or a car horn. In the subway I can of course hear the incoming train but I'm not bothered by other people talking on the phone and I can enjoy my podcasts. With EarPods I couldn't get that isolation, it was impossible to use it on the train unless I kept the volume really high (but it is annoying to me and to the bystanders) and I really had an hard time making calls outdoors.

Many reviews agree with you on the fact that AirPods are better for music and of course they're completely wire free.
That's why I'm advocating for an in ear version of AirPods, you'd get the benefit of isolation plus the freedom from wires.

edit:
I forgot iPhone at my desk while I was making a call and was able to walk about 50 feet away. Apple Watch usually disconnects from the iPhone in that area, so BeatsX have prove stronger in this scenario. Of course I don't have AirPods so as far as I know they could perform even better

 

[Anuba]

If you're talking about complete isolation I agree. With BeatsX I can get that feeling if I press them on my ears and they seal my ear canals. It is the same feeling I get with solo2 and my wife if often upset because she calls me and I don't hear. In fact I use the solo2 when I work from home to concentrate but yes, if the cat is on fire I'm not able to find it out until I smell smoke. And that's the reason why I never put them on if I'm home alone with my little baby, even if she's close.
What I like about BeatsX when they are not pressed to my ears is that I get a decent isolation so I can make a call and don't miss a single word, but I can still hear loud sounds like a siren or a car horn. In the subway I can of course hear the incoming train but I'm not bothered by other people talking on the phone and I can enjoy my podcasts. With EarPods I couldn't get that isolation, it was impossible to use it on the train unless I kept the volume really high (but it is annoying to me and to the bystanders) and I really had an hard time making calls outdoors.

Many reviews agree with you on the fact that AirPods are better for music and of course they're completely wire free.
That's why I'm advocating for an in ear version of AirPods, you'd get the benefit of isolation plus the freedom from wires.

edit:
I forgot iPhone at my desk while I was making a call and was able to walk about 50 feet away. Apple Watch usually disconnects from the iPhone in that area, so BeatsX have prove stronger in this scenario. Of course I don't have AirPods so as far as I know they could perform even better

Yeah, in-ear AirPods would be nice. I own the wired in-ear offering by Apple and they're quite good. I think Apple has done a great job of reducing contact noise by making the cable thin and soft with a glossy surface. I've tried some alternatives such as the aJays Five – they have a stiff, flat cable with a matte surface, and they're so noisy that the music becomes a footnote. It sounds like mic without windscreen in a storm, or nudging your eardrums with Q-Tips.

BeatsX has some of this. It's not noticeable indoors when you wear them outside any clothes, but it's still winter where I live so when I go outside I always wear a jacket. With the Beats X underneath the jacket and the cables rubbing against the collar you get lots of contact noise. I've found that the wingtips do a decent job of absorbing some of the contact noise by holding the buds securely in place.

 

[recoil80]

BeatsX has some of this. It's not noticeable indoors when you wear them outside any clothes, but it's still winter where I live so when I go outside I always wear a jacket. With the Beats X underneath the jacket and the cables rubbing against the collar you get lots of contact noise. I've found that the wingtips do a decent job of absorbing some of the contact noise by holding the buds securely in place.

I'm still wearing a jacket in the early morning and I only seldom notice the cable noise, but it is definitely an issue if you listen to music and I guess it get worse during workout. Not a big deal for me (no music, no workout) but I'm going to give the wingtips a try

 

[Fusion79]

Just picked up a pair of Powerbeats 3 wireless buds online from Walmart for $134. Seems like a good price. I have Beats x and I just really don't like them. Hopefully these are better.

 

[prhat317]

Just picked up a pair of Powerbeats 3 wireless buds online from Walmart for $134. Seems like a good price. I have Beats x and I just really don't like them. Hopefully these are better.

Tried them. Unless you only workout indoors they are miserable for wind noise (I do a lot of biking). Even just walking. I really wanted a W1 chipped pair but none worked for me. Went with jaybird x3. Perfect when the fit is right.

 

[Fusion79]

Tried them. Unless you only workout indoors they are miserable for wind noise (I do a lot of biking). Even just walking. I really wanted a W1 chipped pair but none worked for me. Went with jaybird x3. Perfect when the fit is right.

Thanks for the feedback. They will mostly be used indoors. I thought at this price I could give them a try. I am pretty good about figuring out if I like something or now before the return date is up. I had wired powerbeats in the past and I like them. The beats x don't sound very good and the cord is way too long. Hopefully these will work for me.

 

[Fried_Gold]

Thanks for the feedback. They will mostly be used indoors. I thought at this price I could give them a try. I am pretty good about figuring out if I like something or now before the return date is up. I had wired powerbeats in the past and I like them. The beats x don't sound very good and the cord is way too long. Hopefully these will work for me.

My GF has white Beats X and I agree the cable is very long.

 

[Ma2k5]

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!

I wish it had the lightning port so I didn't need different charger, but other than that, having 12 hour battery life (that is full-volume battery life by the way, at least its advertised as that), can't go wrong with PB3, unless the clips are really uncomfortable.

They are quite malleable though so hopefully you can get it to be comfortable.

 

[Fusion79]

Bestbuy now has powerbeats 3 wireless for $119.99 online

 

[Lebherz27]

I will say that I have tried two different pairs of the powerbeats3's and they are inferior compared to the older version of the earbuds. They do not get near as loud. The only positives I can see are that they have greater range, and battery life.

I've read that they don't last very Lin and are affected by sweat.

When I returned them to Best Buy the manager working said that they get a lot of them back and do not have good reviews.

The Beats Solo 3 headset is a pretty great sounding headset.

 

[Fusion79]

Took the powerbeats 3 back. I just didn't like the way they fit my ears and the sound was just not that great. I really wanted a pair of W1 chip enabled buds, but I really don't care for anything out there right now. I might give the Bose Sound Sport's a try as they seem well received by most, and I have always liked the way my Bose noise cancelling buds have fit.

 

[nanogirl21]

I like my Powerbeats 3. I was interesed in the Beats X but didn't like the stuff wire that goes around the neck.

 

[addictive]

I have found the PowerBeats 3 temperamental. The W1 chip is fantastic at syncing automatically but the on/off button is not a good design. I just purchased some AirPods as other peoples reviews seem really strong.

I'll try and get the PowerBeats 3 replaced but otherwise might sell them.

I'm really surprised Apple has done so little with the Beats brand after paying so much for it. I know they must have used the team behind Beats for the design and sound in the upcoming HomePod but I thought with Apples marketing, design and Jonny Ive magic dust that Apple would have done far more since acquiring Beats.

 

[Neo1975]

AirPods for me are by far the best.

1. Completely wire free
2. You can wear / listen to just one
3. Charging case
4. Easy to check battery life

If you want charge Beats you need, either a USB plug or portable battery and a charging cable. AirPods you just need the tiny case you keep them in.

 

[Anuba]

At long last I managed to get hold of the AirPods. So now I can compare them to BeatsX, Solo3 and PowerBeats2.

The AirPods became my favorite immediately, but Solo and PowerBeats still have their place. BeatsX don't, since they do everything worse than the other three; They're nowhere near as nifty and clever as the AirPods, they're poorly suited for exercising since they're not sweat resistant like powerbeats, the cable tugging noise is deal-breakingly grating (never heard even wired earphones make such racket – it literally sounds like shoving your pinkie deep into your ear canal and keeping it jammed in there while doing a rotating motion like you were stirring a cup). Sound quality wise, they offer nothing special. It's on par with powerbeats and marginally fuller and louder than AirPods, but this doesn't even begin to make up for the shortcomings.

 

[ascender]

I'd love to see an exercise-specific set of Airpods next - in-ear bud fitment; totally waterproof buds and case.

 

[AppleRobert]

None of those, Pioneer Rayz also available at an Apple Store.

Latest software gives Hey Siri functionality.

Sound is better than all of those and they are noise cancelling.

The Rayz app adds sound tweaking and further functionality to these earbuds.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

None of those, Pioneer Rayz also available at an Apple Store.
Latest software gives Hey Siri functionality.
Sound is better than all of those and they are noise cancelling.
The Rayz app adds sound tweaking and further functionality to these earbuds.

They are not wireless so not in the same category.

 

[AppleRobert]

They are not wireless so not in the same category.

BeatsX has wires though so throw those neck stranglers and hard to reach controls out of the mix and I do not care for those wires on the Powerbeats either.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

BeatsX has wires though so throw those neck stranglers and hard to reach controls out of the mix and I do not care for those wires on the Powerbeats either.

Uh wireless means no connection to device with a wire. Rayz connect via lightning cable therefore they are not wireless.

 

[Fusion79]

Picked up some Bose soundsport wireless over the weekend and so far I am really liking them compared to the powerbeats3. One thing I will say about Bose, the make the most comfortable tips I have used. Paring obviously not as convenient as W1 chip buds, but took all of 10 seconds to do. Sound is good, sweatproof and waterproof. The only big downside is they are only rated for 6 hours on a charge. I am going to hold on to them though as I really enjoy using them.

 

[SactoGuy18]

None of those, Pioneer Rayz also available at an Apple Store.

Latest software gives Hey Siri functionality.

Sound is better than all of those and they are noise cancelling.

The Rayz app adds sound tweaking and further functionality to these earbuds.

That's what I ended up getting, too. With the Rayz, I don't have to deal with charging another device, I can still charge my iPhone 6 even when the headphone plugged into the Lightning port, and it has built-in noise cancelling and now full Siri functionality with the latest app update.

I would consider the Beats X, but having to charge another device and potential interference issues through the Bluetooth connection does concern me.

 

[vine-boating]

I have all three. I posted in the other thread the following:

I just got the beats X, and knowing that I didn't like in ear headphones I wanted to give them a shot anyways. My immediate impression is that the AirPods are way better and more convenient. The long wire is annoying and they don't feel comfortable at all.

Powerbeats 3 sound the best but I like the AirPods the best. I am returning the Beats X asap.

Edit: Beats X looks more ridiculous than AirPods too

I am debating AirPods vs PB3
Listen to mainly r&b/rap etc...

I heard the PB3 sound better but the build quality is atrocious. So many people have had to return them because of them falling apart within a couple of months...so the AirPods are a better choice?

 

[vine-boating]

Bumping this thread


Is it true for any Powerbeats 3 owners that the build quality is terrible and you basically will most likely have them breakdown within a month lol?
The AirPods a better choice due to durability?

 

[Tibits]

Is it true for any Powerbeats 3 owners that the build quality is terrible and you basically will most likely have them breakdown within a month lol?
The AirPods a better choice due to durability?

Yes, the Powerbeats build quality is a joke. If you use them to workout and sweat at all, they will break very quickly. My wife has had hers replaced so many times it is laughable. I can't speak to the durability of the AirPods as I don't own then. I will probably pick up a pair of gen 2 AirPods when they are released this year.