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Wilson1313

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 29, 2008
130
330
I just picked up a pair of Airpods Pro (my first Airpods), having previously used wired apple headphones with lightening. Unfortunately the left one was defective so I'm going to exchange the pair, but while I was listening to the right airpod, I was pretty disappointed in the sound quality. Compared to the wired headphones, there is not only a lack of bass, but even general lack of clarity/definition (sounds muddled) for vocals and fullness of sound. Is this just a general limitation of airpods and wireless headphones in general, not having as big/powerful drivers as wired ones? They are still nice to have for phone calls and am impressed with the noise cancellation, but just curious other's opinions comparing the airpods with their wired brethren strictly on sound quality.
 

Schranke

macrumors 6502a
Apr 3, 2010
974
1,072
Copenhagen, Denmark
Don’t compare a 1/2 image picture to a full one.
Try again when you have a working set.
For me I have a better sound with my AirPods Pro compared to the EarPods and can not recognize what you are experiencing.
 

GoSUV

macrumors regular
Nov 5, 2008
100
8
Hong Kong
A lack of bass means that you don’t have a good seal and you should try different sized tips, look for alternative 3rd party tips, or use a different technique when inserting the pods into your ears. A helpful advice is, use a twist-and-insert motion like you would turn a screw, also by lifting your ear up by using your other free hand, will help straighten your ear canal for easier and deeper insertion.
 
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Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
AirPods 1 sounded better than the wired buds (I could tell straight away), & the Pro’s improve on the 1’s, so something’s not right with yours. Get both working before making judgment though.
 
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SkiHound2

macrumors 6502
Jul 15, 2018
458
377
I think they sound vastly better than any of the wired Apple buds I've used. I do think you need both and a good seal. They almost certainly won't match a high quality pair of over the ear headphones, or open air audiophile headphones, but I find them much less fatiguing than any earbud/headphone I've ever used and I they certainly sound satisfying. Again, not trying to equate them to audiophile headphones.
 
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Wilson1313

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 29, 2008
130
330
Thanks for the tips and thoughts. Will report back when I get a new pair and if I hear improvements (long story short, may take about a month until I can get a new pair because of corona).
 
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Datalinks

macrumors 6502
Sep 17, 2011
263
188
Apple doesn't do serious Bass. I am disappointed too...
Their approach to music is so mediocre they can't even provide us with a sound equaliser. I miss Sony in that respect.
 

Nhwhazup

macrumors 68040
Sep 2, 2010
3,474
1,718
New Hampshire
I’m happy with mine. I’m not a big audiophile but I do like some bass with crisp high and mid tones. Prior to the Pros, I was using Shure IEM’s and Jabra wireless ear buds.
 

Broken Hope

macrumors 68000
Jan 15, 2015
1,823
1,880
A single AirPod pro will default to transparency mode which won’t give you the proper sound quality anyway.
 
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