AirPods Pro - Larger tip hurts less

[redman042]

After several days with the Pros using medium tips (small did not seal well), and having some ear pain after extended use, I just tried the large tips. I had a suspicion that they might be more comfortable than the medium tips, and I was right!

The reason is that I don’t have to push the pods in as far to get a good seal with the large tips. I can push them in very gently and that’s good enough, as long as I pay attention to the rotation of the buds (remember the tips are oblong). You want the stems pointing straight down or maybe slightly forward, not back.

With the medium tips, I had to push them in farther. The pain was coming from the hard plastic, not the tips. The harder center part of the tips are all the same diameter, and while the outer parts are different sizes, they are very soft. So it had to be the hard plastic of the AirPods themselves that were causing the pain. Using the bigger tips and not pushing them in as far made a big difference for me.

 

[Shadowbech]

I find this same to me as well. Apparently I passed all test on all 3 of the sizes. But i find that the small tips tend to hurt my ears. However, medium is very comfortable but today I also tried the large size and apparently that fits me well.

 

[zhenya]

So far I’m having difficulty telling a whole lot of difference between the sizes. Fit is similar for all of them and all pass the test. That said, I’ve been between medium and large because these sound best and are most comfortable to me when they are placed lightly in my ear. No need to force the fit.

 

[Otflyer]

Large give me best seal and sound.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Perfect seal every time with the large tips

 

[bluegt]

What do you guys mean by 'seal'? How can I tell?

 

[Pug72]

Another here that find the large comfiest and better sounding.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

Funny how people here are just now discovering the wonders of in-ear buds

 

[zhenya]

Funny how people here are just now discovering the wonders of in-ear buds

I've been using in-ear monitors for I don't know, close to 20 years?

The Airpod Pro's are an entirely new category of headphone, IMO, because they mix the advantages of a whole bunch of previously incompatible form factors and technologies. I don't really think of these as in-ear as they don't rely on the kind of physical seal an IEM requires to get any kind of sound isolation and to sound decent. I find these are most comfortable and sound best with them loosely in my ear. I don't get any improvement in isolation by forcing them in, and in fact I think the sound is a bit worse like that.

For the first time I can get active noise canceling in a wireless form factor with the comfort of regular earbuds. That's totally new.

 

[Otflyer]

I've been using in-ear monitors for I don't know, close to 20 years?

The Airpod Pro's are an entirely new category of headphone, IMO, because they mix the advantages of a whole bunch of previously incompatible form factors and technologies. I don't really think of these as in-ear as they don't rely on the kind of physical seal an IEM requires to get any kind of sound isolation and to sound decent. I find these are most comfortable and sound best with them loosely in my ear. I don't get any improvement in isolation by forcing them in, and in fact I think the sound is a bit worse like that.

For the first time I can get active noise canceling in a wireless form factor with the comfort of regular earbuds. That's totally new.

Long time ear bud user here. Well said. It’s a new experience.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I've been using in-ear monitors for I don't know, close to 20 years?

The Airpod Pro's are an entirely new category of headphone, IMO, because they mix the advantages of a whole bunch of previously incompatible form factors and technologies. I don't really think of these as in-ear as they don't rely on the kind of physical seal an IEM requires to get any kind of sound isolation and to sound decent. I find these are most comfortable and sound best with them loosely in my ear. I don't get any improvement in isolation by forcing them in, and in fact I think the sound is a bit worse like that.

For the first time I can get active noise canceling in a wireless form factor with the comfort of regular earbuds. That's totally new.

AirPods sell convenience, not sound. Sony sells noise cancelling, true wireless earbuds, which sound a lot better, and have much longer battery life. What they don't do is integrate so seamlessly with iOS.

So it's definitely not the first time - but it's wireless in-ear sound for the masses, if you can call it that. It's amazing what Apple has done - AirPods users previously used the included EarPods. Now they're paying $250 for the same sound.

 

[zhenya]

AirPods sell convenience, not sound. Sony sells noise cancelling, true wireless earbuds, which sound a lot better, and have much longer battery life. What they don't do is integrate so seamlessly with iOS.

So it's definitely not the first time - but it's wireless in-ear sound for the masses, if you can call it that. It's amazing what Apple has done - AirPods users previously used the included EarPods. Now they're paying $250 for the same sound.

First, I wasn’t claiming the Airpods were the only options with this combination of technology. Simply that they are the first headphones I’ve personally owned like this. You created that straw man.

Second, the data doesn’t agree with you. The Sony’s sound different, not better, and have essentially the same battery life - within an hour of each other - but the AirPods charge faster and can recharge more times from the included case. Battery life is simply not an issue with the AirPods. I can listen for a full work day with a 15 minute charge somewhere in there which happens automatically.

The AirPods sounds nothing like the wired earbuds previously included. Your opinion on anything audio related loses all credibility with that statement.

 

[crouchingtiger]

I had the exact same experience with the larger tips, at least as a better and slightly easier fit. Used the default medium for a week, happily, but noticed a little occasional fiddliness in the seal (while eating, etc.). Large tips have solved all that.

Used on the plane for the first time yesterday and very happy. Accomplish the same objective as my wonderful Bose QC20i earbuds, being able to listen to high dynamic range classical music without cranking up the volume to an unhealthy level. Way more convenient than the ungainly cord/battery. I am keeping the Bose for use with in flight entertainment though! (Unless there is a good product that will redirect that to my AirPods? Hmmmm)

 

[oneMadRssn]

I think the reason large tips are more comfortable, for me, is because I don't have to push them in as deep to get a good fit/seal. The mediums are fine, but I have to push them in deeper.

... that's what she said...

 

[Pug72]

Funny how people here are just now discovering the wonders of in-ear buds

I don't get on with in-ear buds feeling, glad I gave the vented APP a try as they don't give me the pressure felt and underwater feeling I get with regular in-ear buds.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

Large and medium do not make my ears uncomfortable but i can notice the airpods are in my ear in the large more than in the medium.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I have no choice as i can only get a seal with the large tips but they seal every time and are very comfortable

 

[Otflyer]

I have no choice as i can only get a seal with the large tips but they seal every time and are very comfortable

My experience as well. They work great and are comfortable for hours with the large tips.

 

[mjodotcom]

I find this same to me as well. Apparently I passed all test on all 3 of the sizes. But i find that the small tips tend to hurt my ears. However, medium is very comfortable but today I also tried the large size and apparently that fits me well.

Similar experience here. I can get a claimed good seal with all the sizes, but on small more of the larger AirPod body rests on my ears which causes irritation. I found with the large tips I can have the AirPods more feel like they are floating on my ear and the seal is maintained. With the medium tips I had push them in further to still get a seal , but then that was even more uncomfortable as they still had to sit more in my ear (not large enough to “float” and keep a seal). So funny enough I went from small to large, I switch tips out too often lol.

It remains to be seen how secure the floaty AirPods will be though, but they are a lot more comfy that way - for me anyways.

 

[44267547]

The tips are something that Apple should have included with the first Gen AirPods, even though the majority of consumers probably have no issue with the AirPods fitting somewhat normal, it would’ve been a nice integration from the beginning. The fact Apple is including them now, I think pushes the consumer to purchase the AirPod Pros strictly for the customization. It’s partially a sales tactic, but I gather the Pros are really an entirely different product here.

 

[oldmantick]

WOW am I glad I found this thread, I just googled with the string "AirPods pro small tip too big".
The smalls gave a me a good seal but wanted to fall out of my ears, the mediums didn't seem to fit.
I even cut off all the flap of the mediums to have just a cone.

I would never have tried the larges without seeing this thread and they seem much better, even passed the chew test for falling out.

Thanks!!