AirPods Pro - Pictures and first impressions

[crouch]

How does the mic compare for making phone calls?

This is what I want to know too. When I walk around the city with my Bose QC35's on a call, the person on the other end can hear everything so loudly in my environment it's off-putting: the street noise, busses stopping, cars whizzing by, other people talking, etc. They're a no-go if I'm on a professional call. I'm curious if the new AirPod Pros improve on this, as the original AirPods didn't.

 

[Broken Hope]

Can you use one at a time like you can the original airpods? I realize it would defeat the purpose of noise cancelling, but sometimes using one at a time to extend talk time is helpful.

They have all the features of the previous AirPods, just with stem squeezes vs taps.

 

[sunapple]

I am very very happy.

With the original AirPods (bought two years ago, sold yesterday) I was so amazed, having never used or even held AirPods before. Pleasantly surprised by fit, sound quality, size and feel.

AirPods Pro exceed those first-time impressions despite having used AirPods for two years.

Put them in and everything goes (mostly) quiet. Yes, I’ve had ANC over-ear headphones before (Beats, Bose, B&W), but you sort of expect noose cancelling from those big cans. But with AirPods, you barely feel them in your ears and that makes it so cool. Voices become distant chatter that sounds like it’s coming from a small fuzzy sounding speaker.

Comfort was great with standard (I suppose M size) buds, test went OK and didn’t try other sizes.

Sound is great. I’ve only just been listening to them, but it sounds like expected with bass exceeding what I’m used to in a good way. Makes sense for this design maybe, but I’ve had some underwhelming experiences with Shure SE2-something Bluetooth in-ears, or even with some over-ear headphones. Not the case this time.

I like the shorter stems of the AirPods Pro. They do seem to be positioned further away from my head if that makes sense, but it’s fine. The case is of largely the same size as my old AirPods, it’s just a tad longer.

 

[Keniutek]

Anyone with ears that weren't "compatibile" with previous AirPods rocking these? How's the fit?

 

[rmoliv]

I couldn't care less about gimmicks such as ANC. I want to hear about the SOUND QUALITY, specifically the bass. Anyone please? Apparently it's as crappy as the "non-pros", right?

 

[jamdex]

Anyone with ears that weren't "compatibile" with previous AirPods rocking these? How's the fit?

Yes, they fit perfect with the pre-installed buds. Slight resistance taking them out which is perfect/reassuring.

Airpods were always falling out and working out with them was out of the question.

 

[Tgrey]

Sound quality is subjective, and it’s not selling point of AirPods, I heard people said those wired pods came with iPhones sounded very good

 

[Wingzfan61]

Since the part that holds the tips isn't a typical stem like other earbuds, can these be worn without the tips on and be similar to the gen 1 and 2 AirPods?

 

[sunapple]

I couldn't care less about gimmicks such as ANC. I want to hear about the SOUND QUALITY. Anyone please? Apparently it's as crappy as the "non-pros", right?

ANC is a gimmick if you don’t need it I guess, otherwise it’s the main point of getting these. Sound quality is too subjective and it’s too early for me to comment on really, I’d say it at least exceeds that of regular AirPods.

 

[bigjnyc]

Since the part that holds the tips isn't a typical stem like other earbuds, can these be worn without the tips on and be similar to the gen 1 and 2 AirPods?

View attachment 873608

hmmmm that's an interesting observation. It kind of looks like they can.... This would have been a perfect way for Apple to appease those who like the original style and those who need tips to keep them in. Perhaps the next gen Airpods will be hybrid.... Not sure how they would pull off the ANC though without ear sealing tips.

 

[Gonza211]

Since the part that holds the tips isn't a typical stem like other earbuds, can these be worn without the tips on and be similar to the gen 1 and 2 AirPods?

Can you report on sound quality between Powerbeats Pro and Airpods Pro? Thinking on selling my Powerbeats and getting these.

Cheers

 

[bigjnyc]

I couldn't care less about gimmicks such as ANC. I want to hear about the SOUND QUALITY, specifically the bass. Anyone please? Apparently it's as crappy as the "non-pros", right?

ANC is a gimmick? You've clearly never used headphones in NYC subway or on the streets of a major city, or on an airplane.

 

[Wingzfan61]

Thats exactly what Im hoping for here. I don't care for most sealed earbuds but would like to have the best of both worlds. It looks possible based on the pic but Id like to know for sure before buying them.

 

[Keniutek]

I couldn't care less about gimmicks such as ANC. I want to hear about the SOUND QUALITY, specifically the bass. Anyone please? Apparently it's as crappy as the "non-pros", right?

I don't think these will be much better than the regular AirPods (if at all). Try the beoplay E8 2.0 (they killed my Jabra's... and Jabra's smoked the previous AirPods)
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Yes, they fit perfect with the pre-installed buds. Slight resistance taking them out which is perfect/reassuring.

Airpods were always falling out and working out with them was out of the question.

That's reassuring, thank You.

 

[Dave245]

Mine arrived earlier, I have been using them for the past half hour. Here are my impressions so far:

They fit really well, better than the normal AirPods. I feel like I could go for a run with these and they won't fall out.

The noise cancelation works REALY well, for example I was listening to a song and I couldn't hear the noise inside my house or even outside (general noises, cars driving past, people talking and so on).

The sound quality seems better than my 2nd gen AirPods, I can hear instruments better in the background.

So far I'm really happy compared to my 2nd gen AirPods.

 

[Wingzfan61]

Can you report on sound quality between Powerbeats Pro and Airpods Pro? Thinking on selling my Powerbeats and getting these.

Cheers

I don't own either. That was a video review from someone else.

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Mine arrived earlier, I have been using them for the past half hour. Here are my impressions so far:

They fit really well, better than the normal AirPods. I feel like I could go for a run with these and they won't fall out.

The noise cancelation works REALY well, for example I was listening to a song and I couldn't hear the noise inside my house or even outside (general noises, cars driving past, people talking and so on).

The sound quality seems better than my 2nd gen AirPods, I can hear instruments better in the background.

So far I'm really happy compared to my 2nd gen AirPods.

Could you possibly try them without the silicone tip and comment on the possibility of using them without?

 

[MacDevil7334]

Since the part that holds the tips isn't a typical stem like other earbuds, can these be worn without the tips on and be similar to the gen 1 and 2 AirPods?

View attachment 873608

Sorry, but what would be the point of that? The tips are there to facilitate the active noice cancellation. If you're not going to use that feature, why not just get regular AirPods and save the money? It's sounding like the sound quality is roughly equal between the regular AirPods and the Pros...

 

[Wingzfan61]

Sorry, but what would be the point of that? The tips are there to facilitate the active noice cancellation. If you're not going to use that feature, why not just get regular AirPods and save the money? It's sounding like the sound quality is roughly equal between the regular AirPods and the Pros...

Because people like me prefer the fit of the original airpods and would occasionally (on the plane) like the noise cancellation the tips provide. Right now I carry Beats Studios and Airpods for this reason.

 

[scotio200]

Does anyone know if its possible to control the ANC in Catalina 10.15.1? The update specifically mentioned Air Pod Pro compatibility, cant imagine they wouldn't work if you hadn't upgraded. Cant find it in bluetooth or sound settings. Also cant see anything in the Music app.

Obviously you can just press the stem but wondering if its possible at all.

 

[cambookpro]

Got mine an hour ago (UK).

Noise cancelling is nearly as good as my Beats Studio 3 Wireless (seriously, cant hear a thing driving).
Transparency like magic lets the outside noise in so you can hear pretty much everything.
Music without ANC similar, but slightly better than APs2
Music with ANC awesome, not quote as good as my Beats but good enough to as a non audiophile probably retire my Beats.
10 minute call to the wife, both sound and microphone quality fine
Taking them out requires slight force which is very reassuring.

If you have current AirPods and they don't quite fit, these are the holy grail. Really impressed with them.

I currently have some gen 2 AirPods and Beats Studio 3 Wireless. Potentially looking to replace them both with just one pair of AP Pro, do you think you'd miss anything from either?

I mainly use AirPods when walking and out and about, and the Studio 3s when on public transport (especially on the Tube and planes as it is just too noisy to use headphones without ANC).

I'm not an audiphile - especially when it comes to headphones, as I prefer to listen on speakers at home - but would only change if the AP Pro ANC was on par with the Studio 3. I also have slight reservations about comfort - I can keep my normal AirPods in for hours without any discomfort at all, which isn't usually the case for in-ear headphones.

 

[Broken Hope]

AirPods Pro definitely sound better than Powerbeats Pro.

A feature I only just found out about from the CNET video is, if you're wireless charging, if you tap the case it will show the charge light so you can see if it's fully charged or not.

 

[DennisdeWit]

So. I have Menieres Disease and have been waiting first, to see my ear doctor. I needed to be there anyway today, so I asked him and showed him the AirPods Pro.

I have had surgery on both ear canals and have tubes in both ear drums. After he saw the pictures and said he approves them. “They won’t be in you ear canal too deep. As with any headphones, just don’t turn the sound too loud and don’t listen too long. Yes, you can use them.”

So, ordered.

 

[btkadams]

Can you flip between transparency or ANC with an Apple Watch? I hate touching my AirPods for control and just use my watch for everything.

Is there a toggle in the Now Playing app or something?

 

[jonnyb098]

Just got mine here in Tokyo.

The first thing I did was load up my "Bass Test" playlist in Apple Music. A big caveat here - I'm coming from Sony WF-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM3, with the Clear Bass turned up to 8 - I like bass, particularly in the 20-80Hz range. I've found quite a few songs over the years with beats or bass lines in that range, and I always test new headphones by listening to those tracks. For example, Bambro Koyo Ganda by Bonobo - that's an Apple Music link, btw - at about 1:41 this wicked sub-bass line kicks in, and on good headphones it's amazing. Cheap headphones/speakers? You can't even hear it. Another sort of asterisk - I have a cold ATM, which is probably affecting my hearing a little.

The good news is, the AirPods Pro can handle the bass, BUT it's far more 'polite' than I'm used to. The bass is there, but it's a lot more subdued, compared to the Sonys. Again, the Sony WF-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM3 can be adjusted to be very bass-heavy - still clean, and not overpowering, but yeah - they can be tailored to fit the sound you're looking for. Their bass, when EQ'd, is definitely much stronger than the AirPod Pro. The soundstage on these AirPods is fairly wide, for earbuds, and the highs are clear and smooth. The mids are a bit more forward than I'm used to, but that might just be because I'm running on flat EQ whereas my WF-1000XM3s are on a custom EQ.

ANC is good, not quite as effective as Sony's implementation but still pretty good. Traffic noise is basically non-existent with ANC enabled and music playing, and train noise is gone, too. I can still hear the occasional outside sound (the woman sitting next to me on the train just turned the pages of a magazine and I heard it, a bit, but then I didn't hear it at all when she put the magazine in her bag before getting off the train) but it's FAR better than the original AirPods - I stopped using the AirPods (still have the 2nd gens in my bag) because I was so tired of all the ambient noise coming through. The AirPods Pro definitely take care of that.

If anyone has any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

edit: here's a link to my bass test playlist on Apple Music, if anyone wants to give it a spin. All different genres, but most of the songs have a solid <100Hz bass line or occasional beat, that makes them good for testing headphones and speakers. Even Triste by Elis Regina - that one's Bossa Nova and just has an acoustic bass, but it thumps.

edit2: I've managed to get a bit more bass out of the AirPods Pro by changing the EQ from Off to Latin. That preset seems to boost the low end, drop the mids a bit (takes care of them being a little too forward) and leaves the high end intact, or slightly increased. Sort of a shallow "V" shaped EQ, to my ears. I then reduced my Sony WF-1000XM3 bass boost from 8 to 3, to compensate, and both headphones sound good now. The AirPods Pro still lack the punch of the Sonys in the <100Hz range, but it's better than before. ?

Thanks for some REAL sound analysis. My question is how are they in relation to the original/2nd gen airpods. I too like bass but I like it tight, controlled and above average but not insane. The airpods, while not bass heavy, still provide a fairly balanced full sound.

Also curious about mic quality. Some early reviews ay its a bit muddy/muffled and thats not cool especially since the regular airpods are very very good on mic quality.

Could you offer any insight?

 

[Itsedstech]

Can you flip between transparency or ANC with an Apple Watch? I hate touching my AirPods for control and just use my watch for everything.

Is there a toggle in the Now Playing app or something?

yes you can. With the watchOS 6.1 update you can do it through the airplay button