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Drago94

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 17, 2018
25
0
Hi to everyone, I would like to buy the Airpods. How about sound quality? Average quality or above average?
 

Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
I'd say slightly above average.

But keep in mind, the source of the material has a bearing on the quality. If the source is decent quality, then most people should be happy with the Airpods, & coupled with the convenience of them & how they compliment an iPhone, you'll find most people love them.

So long as they fit your ears...
 

Drago94

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 17, 2018
25
0
I'd say slightly above average.

But keep in mind, the source of the material has a bearing on the quality. If the source is decent quality, then most people should be happy with the Airpods, & coupled with the convenience of them & how they compliment an iPhone, you'll find most people love them.

So long as they fit your ears...

What source of the material do you think?
 

S.B.G

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 8, 2010
26,673
10,457
Detroit
For their size and being wireless, I'd say the quality is above average. I was skeptical when I bought them and was expecting the dismal sound like the wired EarBuds have. but I was pleasantly surprised in finding that they were very good both in sound quality and comfort.
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
Hi to everyone, I would like to buy the Airpods. How about sound quality? Average quality or above average?

The AirPods are definitely better sounding than the wired EarPods that Apple includes with the iPhone. After the first software update, it actually was rumored that there were improvements to the treble and bass, which I found to be true. I also think that they adequately loud, which seems to be underrated. As far as Bluetooth sound quality is concerned, they are decent.
 
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dangeng

macrumors member
Nov 25, 2015
82
52
For their size and being wireless, I'd say the quality is above average. I was skeptical when I bought them and was expecting the dismal sound like the wired EarBuds have. but I was pleasantly surprised in finding that they were very good both in sound quality and comfort.

Exactly my opinion. Especially for their size they sound incredible.
[doublepost=1528570595][/doublepost]I got mine a few days after release and unfortunately the batteries are
not that great anymore, but I still really enjoy the AirPods almost everyday.
 

S.B.G

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 8, 2010
26,673
10,457
Detroit
I've used Spotify, Google Play Music and Apple Music and they all worked fine for me.
 

Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
What source of the material do you think?
I was more referring to the actual recording of the source. Older tracks may lack detail, which you can tell when wearing earbuds, but if it's remastered, then it should sound better...

As for audio codecs - I've found Apple Music sounds slightly better than what Spotify uses....as in more clarity.

But overall, most music should sound fine.

Give them a good workout in the first 14 days to give yourself as best a trial as possible before the return policy expires.
 
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CharlesShaw

macrumors 68000
May 8, 2015
1,729
2,863
I think they sound above average and I’m very happy with them. I alternate between AirPods, Shure SE215 and Audio Technica ATH M50.

However, some classical music I have gets distorted and crackly if wireless (BT or Airplay).

Examples of music that sounds distorted:

Orphic Hymn, track #15 on the album, Orphée, by Jóhann Jóhannsson.
Salve Regina, track #2 on the album, Da pacem, by Arvo Pärt
 
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karnsculpture

macrumors regular
Feb 19, 2006
141
47
London, UK
They are the best wireless earbuds I've heard, I used to have PowerBeats 3 and also have a pair of over ear AKG Y50's which sound fantastic (but are not earbuds). They sound a lot better than the PowerBeats which had too much bass for me and not as much detail/accuracy.
Have been listening to portable music since the early 80s so I have tried a lot of headphones and for what they are they are the best I have experienced. The crucial thing with the Airpods is the fit - if they are sitting right (and mine do most of the time) they sound fantastic. Be aware that they are not noise-isolating in any way - this works for me as I don't feel comfortable being totally cut-off from real world sounds.
 
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dangeng

macrumors member
Nov 25, 2015
82
52
Examples of music that sounds distorted:

Orphic Hymn, track #15 on the album, Orphée, by Jóhann Jóhannsson.
Salve Regina, track #2 on the album, Da pacem, by Arvo Pärt

Just listened to those two tracks through Apple Music from iPad to AirPods and it sounds great to me. No distortion. Equalizer setting is "Rock". Volume at max...

Good music btw. love the organ in the background.
[doublepost=1528642799][/doublepost]@Drago94 You can try Apple Music for three months for free.
[doublepost=1528643156][/doublepost]Here's btw. the WWDC18 playlist:
https://itunes.apple.com/de/playlist/wwdc-2018
 
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OriginalAppleGuy

Suspended
Sep 25, 2016
968
1,137
Virginia
I personally find the sound to be somewhat superior in a quiet environment. Which is key. What kind of environment will you be listening to them in? They don't block outside noise very well. Almost impossible using them on a plane in the coach seats. I will say, though, they are one of the best purchases I've made. Carry them everywhere unlike any other headphones I've purchased.
 

karnsculpture

macrumors regular
Feb 19, 2006
141
47
London, UK
I personally find the sound to be somewhat superior in a quiet environment. Which is key. What kind of environment will you be listening to them in? They don't block outside noise very well. Almost impossible using them on a plane in the coach seats. I will say, though, they are one of the best purchases I've made. Carry them everywhere unlike any other headphones I've purchased.

I suppose it depends on your preferences, I don't like to block outside noise too much as I like to stay aware in any environment.
 
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OriginalAppleGuy

Suspended
Sep 25, 2016
968
1,137
Virginia
I suppose it depends on your preferences, I don't like to block outside noise too much as I like to stay aware in any environment.

I wasn't saying it was a bad thing to allow outside noises in. But that does impact the quality of sound, which is what he was asking about. You miss out on the subtle sounds that may be heard in an over the ear type headphone.
 
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Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
I wasn't saying it was a bad thing to allow outside noises in. But that does impact the quality of sound, which is what he was asking about. You miss out on the subtle sounds that may be heard in an over the ear type headphone.
Yeah this is where the fit of the Airpods is important - because they're already letting environmental sounds in, if you don't have a snug fit then they're going to sound worse.

Your ears really need to 'grip' the Buds to block out as much external noise as possible.
 
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BriceApp

macrumors 6502
Jun 11, 2018
408
386
Winston-Salem, NC
I think they have very good clear crisp sound, but prefer the sound of my BeatsX when listening to music. The BeatsX obviously seal the sound in better.
 
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irod87

macrumors regular
Jan 25, 2012
206
65
I just got them today and was concerned at how the sound quality would be. They sound great paired with Spotify.
 

Reytiros

macrumors member
Jun 10, 2015
34
40
Germany
i had both, the e8 sounds much better, clearer and has more bass. however, the airpods are so convenient when using multiple devices. unfortunately, i returned my airpods, because they don't fit very well. otherwise i would still use them.

so, if sound quality is your priority, then go get the e8, otherwise get the airpods
 

robertpetry

macrumors 6502
Feb 12, 2009
480
140
St Augustine, FL
I think they have very good clear crisp sound, but prefer the sound of my BeatsX when listening to music. The BeatsX obviously seal the sound in better.

I really didn't care much for the Beatsx sound. They are not bad, but I found the mids and highs to be indistinct and lacking clarity. The bass sounded like it was creating an atmosphere of its own - like it was filling a small room and overflowing.

I much prefer the sound from the Bose Soundsport Free and even the Jabra 65T that I tried. Unfortunately the microphone was complete crap on the Bose (and I need something that allows me to make calls) and I felt too plugged up with the in-ear 65T.

The AirPods just have the best combination of above average, good enough, sound quality and convenience. I keep going back to them.

If my goal is to sit and critically listen to music, then the AirPods are not the best choice. Wired Klipsch or UE's or others sound much better to me. In ear is better for me when not moving around and not trying to do other tasks. Working out, shopping, doing chores - I am not focused on the music anyway and the AirPods are plenty good, plus I can take them in and out easily, and hear what is going on around me better.

The B8 might be good as well, but I am afraid I would not like the in ear experience of them either.
 

Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
i had both, the e8 sounds much better, clearer and has more bass. however, the airpods are so convenient when using multiple devices. unfortunately, i returned my airpods, because they don't fit very well. otherwise i would still use them.

so, if sound quality is your priority, then go get the e8, otherwise get the airpods
It's harder to tell how the Airpods sound at their best when they don't fit in your ears properly.

With a snug fit, & decent standard source material, they're very good.
 
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