AirPods Pro - Pictures and first impressions

[Pug72]

Using mine and got to say, I'm chuffed with them.

I don't normally get on with in ear headphones with the buds but the fact they are vented makes all the difference.
Transparency with music off makes you feel you aren't wearing anything at all. Outside sound and your own voice sound like you haven't anything in your ears at all.
The noise cancelling is ok, not a patch on my over ear Sony MX2s though. For instance I can still hear the telly with the AirPods Pro, but with the MX2s you can barely hear it at all.
Haven't tested out and about but I'm sure they will work great with outside noise.

The sound quality is very much as good as I hoped.
I put on some tracks that I know are mixed with deep pounding bass and they handle it very well and give satisfactory bass thumps. Again not a patch on the MX2s but I didn't expect them to be. They are very well rounded with all low and high frequencies very clear. Impressed.

The click controls are definitely better than the sometimes hit & miss of the tapping on the standard AirPods. It just takes a gentle squeeze to click.

Worth £249? That's an individual decision I feel. I'm very happy with them and feel I'm getting a £250 bit of kit.

Oh, they leak sound so others will hear them at loud volumes. I know that's a factor for some.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Oh, they leak sound so others will hear them at loud volumes. I know that's a factor for some.

They do?
That's surprising (bit disappointing also for an in-ear design)
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The noise cancelling is ok, not a patch on my over ear Sony MX2s though

Yeah - as expected. For straight NC dominance, nothing will beat over the ear cans and their isolation.

 

[dan9700]

Just got mine today here in Melbourne, Aus.

After waiting way too long for the 13.2 update to install, I finally powered them on.
As usual, the pairing process was fantastic.
The products themselves and the quality of everything inside seems to be top notch.

I first went into settings and did the "Tip Fit Test" and it confirmed that everything was good.

But then I played my first song. I started without noise cancelling to try it out.
Hmm. Something must be wrong there's absolutely no depth to the sound.

Okay let's try a different song. Nope, same thing.

Maybe noise cancelling on will make a difference? Nope.

Then I compared them back to back with the OG AirPods. Wowee!! I just burst out laughing. THERE's my audio!

The sound quality difference is insane. Very, very disappointed in these for a $400 product.

It's a shame because, throughout my other testing I was thoroughly impressed.
The noise cancelling is incredible. Like, really really good. They fit better in my ears, are much more comfortable, much more discreet looking, less awkward, finally has a better control scheme, integrates better etc.
But in cramming all those awesome developments it seems Apple forgot about the whole point of headphones. The audio.

Real shame.

Happy to answer any questions people have or if you'd like any photos.

exactly the same, they are no were near as loud and clear as AirPods 2 im so disspointend

 

[turbineseaplane]

But in cramming all those awesome developments it seems Apple forgot about the whole point of headphones. The audio.

Total bummer...
Thx for report

 

[dan9700]

I'm seeing reports that they are not as loud as the airpod 2s. Is this true?

they are noticeable lower than AirPods 2
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Total bummer...
Thx for report

its a huge shame, the NC and fit is great but the sound isn't as good, these are headphones that should be the first thing apple focus on

 

[kofman13]

I've got a set of Studio 3's and ANC for me with the new Pro's are similar enough to make my Beats redundant.

thank you! if you have your airpod pros turned on and ANC turned on but no music playing, do you hear any background hiss/white noise? that was one annoying thing with studio 3 beats, i would hear bakground white noise a little when ANC turned on

 

[oli]

thank you! if you have your airpod pros turned on and ANC turned on but no music playing, do you hear any background hiss/white noise? that was one annoying thing with studio 3 beats, i would hear bakground white noise a little when ANC turned on

yes - with my sensible ears – yes…

 

[Dingo Dave 69]

Is there a difference in sound quality between the AirPods gen 1 and 2?

 

[Laowai184]

Interesting...mine arrived with 97% for left and 51% for right; wonder if anyone else had full charges when first opening up, or if this an indication of a faulty R AirPods

Mine did arrive with completely different charge levels, but I charged the case and both AirPods to 100% before heading out the door - not sure why there was such a difference in charge level after an hour of listening...

 

[bwoodruff]

Is there a difference in sound quality between the AirPods gen 1 and 2?

It seems to be fairly subjective, but the majority says yes: audio quality is better with the Pros than previous generations.

 

[marmiteturkey]

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

Or you can squeeze the force buttons on the stems.
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It seems to be fairly subjective, but the majority says yes: audio quality is better with the Pros than previous generations.

To me there’s no doubt that the pros sound better - bass is fuller and rounder, separation and sound stage is better, and they let in less ambient noise. I would suggest if people are not hearing a big improvement, the fit may not be quite right on the pros.
I’ve had two pairs of the original; these are a big step forwards for me.
Call quality is about the same, which is to say, really good and on par with the wired EarPods - these are a great tool for conference calls, webinars etc, I wouldn’t be without them.
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Is there a difference in sound quality between the AirPods gen 1 and 2?

No.
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they are noticeable lower than AirPods 2
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its a huge shame, the NC and fit is great but the sound isn't as good, these are headphones that should be the first thing apple focus on

you might want to check the fit - these are such a step forwards for me, quality-wise. I found the original AirPods acceptably good; but these are far better, on a par with some of the audiophile-type buds (high-end Shure, Etymotic etc) I’ve used in the past.

My ears are shot from standing too close to speakers at metal gigs for 30 years though...

 

[yegon]

I’m impressed by the noise cancellation given how small they are. Makes them a lot more useable in noisy environments, was on the train for a while and they successfully take out a lot of hum and ambient noise. Not up to the standard of my Sony XM3 over ears obviously, but I can envisage a few scenarios where they’ll stay in the bag and I’ll use these.

A good indication of how effective they are at noise cancelling is if you’re surprised at how noisy your surroundings are when you pull them out. I have been surprised! Not like the Sony’s obviously - sometimes I’m horrified when I take them off - but a big increase in noise is immediately apparent.

I’m no audiophile, mostly use them for podcasts, but simply by virtue of the noise isolation & cancellation, music does sound better to my ears. Given the convenience of them, I love them.

 

[dan9700]

Or you can squeeze the force buttons on the stems.
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To me there’s no doubt that the pros sound better - bass is fuller and rounder, separation and sound stage is better, and they let in less ambient noise. I would suggest if people are not hearing a big improvement, the fit may not be quite right on the pros.
I’ve had two pairs of the original; these are a big step forwards for me.
Call quality is about the same, which is to say, really good and on par with the wired EarPods - these are a great tool for conference calls, webinars etc, I wouldn’t be without them.
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No.
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you might want to check the fit - these are such a step forwards for me, quality-wise. I found the original AirPods acceptably good; but these are far better, on a par with some of the audiophile-type buds (high-end Shure, Etymotic etc) I’ve used in the past.

My ears are shot from standing too close to speakers at metal gigs for 30 years though...

But the new AirPods are no where near as loud I’ve had side by side my AirPods 2 and they sound louder and punchy

 

[Venderious]

So far the ANC seems to work quite well. Audio quality seems to be similar to AirPods Gen 2. The fit is also more comfortable than the older generations.

 

[richard371]

Not sure what you guys are doing. Just got mine and they are louder, cleaner, more base etc

exactly the same, they are no were near as loud and clear as AirPods 2 im so disspointend

 

[stillcrazyman]

I've been looking for an alternative to the 1st gen AirPods I've been using for the last two years.
I like the sound and the operation of them, they just won't stay in my head.

I've been reading up on the Sony XM3, Sennheiser, and the Master & Dynamic MW07.

It seems Apple have delivered something to put in the mix. I'm looking forward to more honest reviews.

 

[Kendo]

The large earbuds are a 100% perfect fit for my left ear but a 95% fit for my right ear. I guess I need an XL version for the right, hopefully Apple will come out with them. Left feels comfortably tight, right (slightly) feels like they will fall out but even if I shake my head violently, they stay put.

This is coming from someone where my wife's AirPods will fall out if I just walk at a normal pace.

 

[unobtainium]

But the new AirPods are no where near as loud I’ve had side by side my AirPods 2 and they sound louder and punchy

Why do you want "louder" headphones? Do you listen to them at max volume or something? If so, you're destroying your hearing (for real).

 

[dan9700]

Why do you want "louder" headphones? Do you listen to them at max volume or something? If so, you're destroying your hearing (for real).

Yeah on the AirPods 2 I always use max, but the new ones I need an extra step to get the same loudness

 

[jonnyb098]

The large earbuds are a 100% perfect fit for my left ear but a 95% fit for my right ear. I guess I need an XL version for the right, hopefully Apple will come out with them. Left feels comfortably tight, right (slightly) feels like they will fall out but even if I shake my head violently, they stay put.

This is coming from someone where my wife's AirPods will fall out if I just walk at a normal pace.

Sounds like you have ginormous ears.

 

[Kendo]

Sounds like you have ginormous ears.

Haha, not the actual lobe or outer ear, I guess just the inner tunnel.

 

[yegon]

Yeah on the AirPods 2 I always use max, but the new ones I need an extra step to get the same loudness

Unless you’re already hearing impaired, thus the need for max volume, prepare to be hearing impaired.

 

[marmiteturkey]

But the new AirPods are no where near as loud I’ve had side by side my AirPods 2 and they sound louder and punchy

That’s my point about fit. I’m running the new ones at about 60-70% volume and the old ones would be up around 90% (and struggling with background noise still).

I find the bass is much fuller on the pros too - perhaps because of fit and seal, I’m not sure. But they are definitely a higher quality listen for me. If you’ve not used in-ears before it might be worth playing around with the tip sizes and position?

 

[Dave245]

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

You can’t use them without the silicone buds, they would just fall out of the ears. There are 3 different silicone buds that they come with (small, medium, large) so they should fit every type of ear, they cert fit more ears than the original AirPods which are one size and one shape.

 

[DennisdeWit]

Why do you want "louder" headphones? Do you listen to them at max volume or something? If so, you're destroying your hearing (for real).

This indeed is a stupid thing to do. Never max out volume on ANY headphones. Especially with in-ears, don’t do it! With in-ears the sound is closer to the eardrum, so keep it at a moderate level.

My doctor always tells me: don’t listen too loud, and don’t listen too long. You can for example listen three hours without a break on a moderate volume, but it still will do harm to your ears.