That's not true at all. What people refer to as a break-in period is merely adjusting your ears to the sound signature of the headphones to the point where they sound normal and everything else sounds different.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
AirPods Pro - Pictures and first impressions
- Thread starter Boardiesboi
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well I hope that works too. The highs are too piercing sharp on high volumes, it’s hard to listen the volume up.
I ran into a similar issue tonight. Both buds were in the case, case fully charged, and when I put them on tonight, the left one only had 9% battery while the right one was full.
Picking up from here a day later:
1. After getting slightly more used to the in-ear feel, I've been testing the different silicone tip sizes and trying to get used to a tighter fit. All sizes provide a good seal based on the iOS test, but there are situations where I can tell the seal on the small tips isn't working for me (yawning, for instance). It's worth trying all sizes even if the test shows green on the default tips
2. Constantly swapping the tips caused the surface layer on the paper frame holding the extra tips to separate - I didn't notice this until I put the earphones on and wondered why one was quieter that the other. Took me a while to realize there was a thin paper layer wedged in one of the tips. If this happens to you be careful not to puncture the white nylon mesh inside the tip while removing the white piece of paper
3. Transparency took a while to get used to. At first I wasn't sure if I was speaking too loud or if it was the headphones causing my voice to sound louder (it was the latter). I like the feature a lot, though it's just a little bit slow to switch to when someone comes up to talk to me suddenly - it would be faster to yank the earphone out. If you want to both switch to Transparency and pause playback it's faster to do them in that order (long hold, then quick press) than the other way around
4. If you're like me and enjoy listening to music at low volumes (such as 20%) don't expect to be wowed by the bass - it only becomes apparent at higher volumes (and only with a solid seal)
5. The APPs worked fine at the office; they're very unobtrusive and with ANC they cut down many distracting sounds (though ironically some keyboards are more distracting because the low frequencies get filtered out and only the high clickety-clicks remain). Using them for most of the day (with a lunchtime charge in the middle) was fine with the small tips (but this is highly personal). Let's see how I fair with the larger ones
If you have a proper seal the APPs, when off, passively muffle the sounds around you and make it harder to participate in a conversation (if they don't, you don't have a solid seal - try different tips). With ANC on outside sounds are further reduced. With Transparency on the APPs use external microphones to allow you to hear "through" the earphones, combating their passive muffling effect.
Last edited:
My first impressions are really rather good. Im using them with an iPhone X and watch series 5. I also own both the Sony WF-1000XM3, Bose QC30 and Powerbeats 3 which ive been comparing them too.
In terms of sound quality, id say they have the best soundstage of all three and they have really great tuning. I slightly prefer the Sonys with their warmer sound but that could just be because im used to having a bit more bass. The powerbeats now sound incredibly muddy after listening to the airpods pro for a day. Dont get me wrong, theyre great to listen to in the gym and have huge bass, but i can really tell how recessed the mids are now.
The noise cancelling on the airpods has honestly blown me away. It may be a tiny bit less strong than the other two but it is incredibly well done. I think the effect is so incredible because the pods are so light and unobtrusive (and also have the ability to neutralise pressure). It feels like nothing is there and suddenly everything is wonderful and quiet. And transparency mode is good too.
The size and fit are brilliant. They really are incredibly small and light and make the Sonys look huge. I also love the shorter stem which gives them a more streamlines profile.
One thing i really love about these compared to my other headphones is how well they handle wind noise. Obviously it still comes through a bit but compared to the Sony’s and QC30 its extremely well handled. I also did some call testing (indoors and outdoors) and people had no problem with the audio.
However, despite all these positives, i have been having quite a few issues. Hopefully most are software/firmware bugs and will get fixed soon. If not, i might be inclined to exchange them.
In terms of sound quality, id say they have the best soundstage of all three and they have really great tuning. I slightly prefer the Sonys with their warmer sound but that could just be because im used to having a bit more bass. The powerbeats now sound incredibly muddy after listening to the airpods pro for a day. Dont get me wrong, theyre great to listen to in the gym and have huge bass, but i can really tell how recessed the mids are now.
The noise cancelling on the airpods has honestly blown me away. It may be a tiny bit less strong than the other two but it is incredibly well done. I think the effect is so incredible because the pods are so light and unobtrusive (and also have the ability to neutralise pressure). It feels like nothing is there and suddenly everything is wonderful and quiet. And transparency mode is good too.
The size and fit are brilliant. They really are incredibly small and light and make the Sonys look huge. I also love the shorter stem which gives them a more streamlines profile.
One thing i really love about these compared to my other headphones is how well they handle wind noise. Obviously it still comes through a bit but compared to the Sony’s and QC30 its extremely well handled. I also did some call testing (indoors and outdoors) and people had no problem with the audio.
However, despite all these positives, i have been having quite a few issues. Hopefully most are software/firmware bugs and will get fixed soon. If not, i might be inclined to exchange them.
- Like many, the popup on my iPhone shows red exclamation marks (sometimes the left, sometimes the right). Often the animation will dance as though the error is switching on and off.
- Quite often when switching between audio on my watch and iphone, ill lose sound in one ear or the volume level will be dramatically reduced. I have to take both buds out (and sometimes put them in their case), before putting them back in, in order to fix.
- Often if im listening to audio on my watch and then go out of range or my phone (or back in range), there seems to be a bug whereby removing an airpod wont pause the music. Its as though the airpods try to pause music on the phone instead of the watch. Ive also had this happen randomly as well. On other occasions, there have been times where ive manually paused music and when i go to remove an earbud, the audio will resume and start playing in one ear.
Have to agree. I will keep the SH momentums wireless. They will not be sold anytime soon.
We must differ in this regard - when I commit to buying something, no delay will stop me from cancelling. I can only assume you weren't convinced by the Airpods Pro.
At least you're happy with your decision in the end.
Comfort will be THE overwhelming factor over all others!
I like issuing QTips until the tickle gets numb so in earphones never bothered me.
I swear, like before when AirPods were released and iOS was updated, now with the same, Bluetooth connectivity with my Sonys is buggin out now! I take same travel rout to and from work some mode of travel even for same playlist this is happening since 3 days now after 13.2. If Apple is doing what I suspect then I find it pathetic of them.
[automerge]1572603110[/automerge]
mirrors by Justin timberlake.
I feel the opposite. I didn't care for the sound of the PowerBeats Pro and much prefer the sound of the AirPods Pro. I also vastly prefer the style of the airpods pro as the PB Pro at least for me were really only appropriate for workouts and I wouldn't wear them for anything else.
I normally dislike in-ear headphones, but am surprised I can wear these for hours and not get discomfort as much. I feel that I am getting used to them more every day. I can see myself forgetting about the slight pressure from the tips in a few weeks completely. I also do not get the noise cancellation pressure on the ears from them like from the Sony over ear M3. Sound is great and I hope it improves further upon more usage. I am also digging the look of them with the shorter stem very much. Putting on a t-shirt or pullover is now also possible without ripping them from your ears accidentally due to the shorter stems. When the first generation AirPods were released, I was like: ‚Holy **** we really live in the future now. The only thing they need to fix in an update is the size of the stems and they will be perfect!‘ Now that future is here and they did this and much more... I am very satisfied with them, even more than generation 1 and 2.
Sold my Sony over-ear (great sound, great noise cancellation, but hot ears and discomfort from NC pressure) and AirPods2 and they replace both! Cannot wait to see what the second generation of the AirPods Pro will look like... noise cancellation for high frequencies could be even better, but otherwise no complaints at all here!
Sold my Sony over-ear (great sound, great noise cancellation, but hot ears and discomfort from NC pressure) and AirPods2 and they replace both! Cannot wait to see what the second generation of the AirPods Pro will look like... noise cancellation for high frequencies could be even better, but otherwise no complaints at all here!
Attachments
Last edited:
I've been waiting for in-ear NC AirPods since they've announced the first gen. I've tried Airpods gen 2 for a month but: they hurt my ears, the plastic was too hard for me; often had to adjust them as they were falling out; the sound quality was really good if I was at home, but in any other scenario I hated having no kind of isolation from ambient noise, and they were practically unusable on the tube (which is when I listen to music most). Sold them after a month.
With AirPods Pro I'm really pleased. Finally I can listen to music without having other irritating noises distracting me. I honestly don't understand how so many people can listen to music without any kind of isolation. They fit very well in my ears with the medium tips (small doesn't isolate properly, large fits but annoyed my ears after an hour or so), sound quality is very good (wouldn't say groundbreaking, but more than satisfying), and I think ANC is great considering how tiny these things are. It's not THE BEST ANC you'll find on the market, but it's really really good. Some people here seem to think ANC should totally cancel every noise around you, but that's just not how it works (especially if taking in consideration the size of the AirPods). Still hasn't tried calls, but don't call much anyway.
I'm sure next AirPods Pro gen will improve on sound quality and ANC, but for now we get an overall great product
With AirPods Pro I'm really pleased. Finally I can listen to music without having other irritating noises distracting me. I honestly don't understand how so many people can listen to music without any kind of isolation. They fit very well in my ears with the medium tips (small doesn't isolate properly, large fits but annoyed my ears after an hour or so), sound quality is very good (wouldn't say groundbreaking, but more than satisfying), and I think ANC is great considering how tiny these things are. It's not THE BEST ANC you'll find on the market, but it's really really good. Some people here seem to think ANC should totally cancel every noise around you, but that's just not how it works (especially if taking in consideration the size of the AirPods). Still hasn't tried calls, but don't call much anyway.
I'm sure next AirPods Pro gen will improve on sound quality and ANC, but for now we get an overall great product
Sound is such an individual experience, saying a blanket statement like this doesn't really do anybody any good. You can say they don't sound good to you, but you aren't me and I"m not anybody else so you really can't say "they don't sound good at all..."
Really, all these individual threads talking about the APPro fit and sound and this and that don't help much IMO, each individual person needs to try them and see if they work or not for themselves.
Me personally, I will not be spending $250 on any wireless earbuds, ever. At least not until somebody decides to make it include a replacement or something to justify the price.
I own AirPods 2, PowerBeats Pro, Studio 3's, and AirPod Pro's (also had gen1 AirPods).
As long as your seal is good, the AirPod Pro's sound great with nice mids, highs, and bass. Same with PowerBeats Pro, you have to find the right tip to make them sound really good. My Studio 3's probably sound the best, but the drivers are much larger, and of course it seals the entire ear. But, I HATE wearing them cause they get heavy after awhile, and in the gym, sweat builds up in them.
I have never had an AirPod fall out while working out or running, unless I hit it while wiping sweat off. My Powerbeat Pro's have been solid since launch day (after replacing my original faulty set). However, after 3 hours in the gym they do tend to hurt the backs of my ears.
Purchased the AirPod Pros and couldn't be happier with them. Lighter then the PBP's, I place them in my ears and forget about them. Love the new controls, as the tap's were hit or miss at times. Sound is great. I tried the smaller tips and they sounded puny. Went back to the mediums and bass, highs and lows were immediately returned. They don't fatigue my ears after my 3 hour gym sessions, or run's, and they never feel like they are going to fall out.
To each there own, but for me they are a win...
As long as your seal is good, the AirPod Pro's sound great with nice mids, highs, and bass. Same with PowerBeats Pro, you have to find the right tip to make them sound really good. My Studio 3's probably sound the best, but the drivers are much larger, and of course it seals the entire ear. But, I HATE wearing them cause they get heavy after awhile, and in the gym, sweat builds up in them.
I have never had an AirPod fall out while working out or running, unless I hit it while wiping sweat off. My Powerbeat Pro's have been solid since launch day (after replacing my original faulty set). However, after 3 hours in the gym they do tend to hurt the backs of my ears.
Purchased the AirPod Pros and couldn't be happier with them. Lighter then the PBP's, I place them in my ears and forget about them. Love the new controls, as the tap's were hit or miss at times. Sound is great. I tried the smaller tips and they sounded puny. Went back to the mediums and bass, highs and lows were immediately returned. They don't fatigue my ears after my 3 hour gym sessions, or run's, and they never feel like they are going to fall out.
To each there own, but for me they are a win...
I am having the same issue. No matter which tip I am using. I get an almost ok seal with the largest tip but no matter how I tweak, most of the time the App says there is no seal and also they can be removed very easily.
also there is still a gap and not really a good fit as you can see. Open for suggestions.
Attachments
I picked my APP up yesterday and took them out for a run after setting them up. I was really hesitant about buying them since NONE of apples earbuds have stayed in my ears in the past. Did a three mile run with somewhat high humidity. Even with the sweat, they didn't fall out or need to be readjusted like others. I had NC and Transparency turned off and was able to hear the music really well despite road noise.
My only complaint, the pinches to advance the music are a little awkward while running. I'll probably get used to it, but it was a bit of a hassle for the first time. Overall, I'm extremely happy with them. I may get my wife a pair for running, but she would freak out over the price.
My only complaint, the pinches to advance the music are a little awkward while running. I'll probably get used to it, but it was a bit of a hassle for the first time. Overall, I'm extremely happy with them. I may get my wife a pair for running, but she would freak out over the price.
Have Airpods 1& 2, Powerbeats Pro and now Airpod Pro. The first two were always annoying cause they barely fit in my ears and more or less just dangled in there. And could never hear anything when walking down the street. Powerbeats things... those were painful. Definitely sealed everything up but the pain, especially whenever I decided to wear my glasses instead of contacts just made for not a nice experience with that clip. Eventually the dogs got to them and it would've costed me $150+ to replace one. I opted to spend a slight bit extra and just get the Airpod 2.
Airpod Pro. So far, they're nice and do keep a lot of external noise out. I am having issues trying to do the double tap to change track, pause, accept calls... it's like those functions no longer exist even though I swear I saw it did. Must research a bit more.
Airpod Pro. So far, they're nice and do keep a lot of external noise out. I am having issues trying to do the double tap to change track, pause, accept calls... it's like those functions no longer exist even though I swear I saw it did. Must research a bit more.
Thinking of getting these, need something better than my first generation Airpods to use at the gym, using the original airpods I have to turn the volume WAY up to drown out the incessant 'boom boom boom' of the gym's sound system. Even my on-ear JBL headphones (non NC) can't block out the background music. Has anyone used these new APP at the gym and does the NC get rid of the background music ?
Got mine yesterday. Freaking love them. Had the 1st gen and 2nd gen AirPods and now the Pro's. ANC is great en they fit perfect with the Medium tips.
Returning mine today unfortunately. I love everything about these headphones but..... they fit loose in my left ear. They don't fall out but after a minute or two they start feeling loose and I get the sensation like they are about to fall out and I have to constantly push them back in. And yes I tried every size tip for an extended period of time... Same result with each one..... I wanted to see if I can live with that since I really like the headphones but alas it's to annoying. Going to stick with my Jabra elite 65t's which fit nice and snug and remain tight in both ears no matter what I'm doing.
I'm really really bummed out beause I thought I was finally going to get to use airpods
I'm really really bummed out beause I thought I was finally going to get to use airpods
Sharp highs unfortunately never go away. Your ears can get used to a sound signature, but repetition won't make certain frequencies any less painful. Sharp highs will constantly fatigue you.
Well, there are six pages of overwhelmingly positive reviews on head-fi, probably the hardest to please bunch of insane audiophiles on the net. Go figure.