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Airpods vs Beats Solo 3

MICHAELSD said:
Right, the AirPods have their uses but you'd have to be pretty easygoing on sound quality to use them for more than background music.

Shame. It's a wasted opportunity to take the unique EarPod design and put premium audio components in it.
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I used my normal EarPods today (I never use them due to having other wirelesss earphones). Sound wasn't that bad at all, in that even if it isn't as good as others, I don't think I'll be craving better sound quality when I'm listening to them. It was loud enough, clarity was very decent and it wasn't bassless so I can't complain. I'm not a super audiophile though so YMMV.

(Have used Bose Soundsport/iSport Slim/Backbeat Pro/Beats Solo 2 as wireless options previously and ATH M50/Sony MDR-1A as wired options).
 
Received and tested. These things are tiny as is their case, the sense of freedom you get is amazing.

No pause or volume controls is a pain but Apple Watch saves the day.

Mics are excellent, some of the best earbud / headphone mics I have experienced. Siri picks up every word, much better than the solo 3s

But sound is tinny and inferior to solo 3's, volume is better than the standard EarPods
These things also drop out a little too often and I guess that was the issue apple was having. The beats are more solid and don't suffer from such dropouts

Right now I'm leaning toward keeping the beats
 
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i picked up solo 3 last night as i'm also on the fence. I feel like the AirPods would be better for longterm listening but I love the battery life of the solo 3 and the more deeper sound. Would just get both but thats too much money!
 
MICHAELSD said:
Yes, they will.
[doublepost=1482050867][/doublepost]The Apple Solo3 are going to have significantly better sound unless the early reviews are inaccurate regarding AirPod sound quality. The Solo3 provide a far superior listening experience over the EarPods, so I imagine it being the same with the EarPods.

AirPods for background music and phone calls over long periods, Solo3 for enjoying music. Two completely different uses.

I've come to find that the AirPods are really just wireless EarPods; no less, no more. I was hoping for more but it's just a wireless version of what's already included free with every iPhone.
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Come to find? Did you test them? Unless you've used them you don't know... you can only guess.
 
Solo 3's will always have better sound, because they're near-£300 Beats headphones. HOWEVER, I own a pair of Solo 2's (the wired ones) and they weren't very comfortable for long sessions. They caused my ears to sweat a lot, and actually suffered from the dreaded one-ear-stops-working fault after 10 months. They're also the exact opposite of convenient to carry compared to AirPods.

Bottom line, Solo 3 will have better sound, but AirPods will have better everything else. If you want sound above everything, then get beats. If not, then get AirPods. I would've once considered myself an audiophile, but these days I'm happy to trade the best sound for the best convenience.
 
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The Game 161 said:
solo3 range must be incredible then.
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Class 1 Bluetooth is rated to over 300 feet...
"Class 1 Bluetooth devices can transmit up to 100 meters -- which works out to about 328 feet"

I've gotten my Solo 3s pretty damn far from my phone at my work.
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daijholt said:
Solo 3's will always have better sound, because they're near-£300 Beats headphones. HOWEVER, I own a pair of Solo 2's (the wired ones) and they weren't very comfortable for long sessions. They caused my ears to sweat a lot, and actually suffered from the dreaded one-ear-stops-working fault after 10 months. They're also the exact opposite of convenient to carry compared to AirPods.

Bottom line, Solo 3 will have better sound, but AirPods will have better everything else. If you want sound above everything, then get beats. If not, then get AirPods. I would've once considered myself an audiophile, but these days I'm happy to trade the best sound for the best convenience.
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I picked up Solo 3 for $209 with no tax from an Amazon reseller (yes they are real). At $177 after Tax for the AirPods the difference is only $32 between the two for me. Makes the decision much more difficult.
 
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daijholt said:
Solo 3's will always have better sound, because they're near-£300 Beats headphones. HOWEVER, I own a pair of Solo 2's (the wired ones) and they weren't very comfortable for long sessions. They caused my ears to sweat a lot, and actually suffered from the dreaded one-ear-stops-working fault after 10 months. They're also the exact opposite of convenient to carry compared to AirPods.

Bottom line, Solo 3 will have better sound, but AirPods will have better everything else. If you want sound above everything, then get beats. If not, then get AirPods. I would've once considered myself an audiophile, but these days I'm happy to trade the best sound for the best convenience.
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Not true at all.
The beats have a better battery and much better range. My usual trip around the office fell apart with the airpods but remained solid with the beats. In fact when I went to a busy mall the airpods fell apart and completely dropped connection.
But you are right - airpods are a more convenient size.
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jfreak623 said:
i picked up solo 3 last night as i'm also on the fence. I feel like the AirPods would be better for longterm listening but I love the battery life of the solo 3 and the more deeper sound. Would just get both but thats too much money!
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Beats. Think that's my final decision.
I'm going to play around with the airpods some more though. I'm finding I have to recharge those things a little more that I would like because I have been spoiled by the superb battery life of the Beats.
 
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iPhone cannot drive the Airpods efficiently enough. More slam from the Beats and also better detail at low volumes than the Airpods.

My android smartphones drive the Airpods much better than the iPhone 7.
 
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will be opening the solo3 today so plan on giving them a good tryout comparing them with my air pods
 
Depends what you use them for. Based on listening to EarPods, AirPods, Solo 3s and Powerbeats 3, if you're buying headphones mainly to listen to music, the Apple ones don't come close to the sound quality of any of the Beats. But the AirPods are obviously the latest tech and show where the future of wireless headphones are headed.
 
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First impressions very good

Love how they don't feel too bulky
 
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ascender said:
Depends what you use them for. Based on listening to EarPods, AirPods, Solo 3s and Powerbeats 3, if you're buying headphones mainly to listen to music, the Apple ones don't come close to the sound quality of any of the Beats. But the AirPods are obviously the latest tech and show where the future of wireless headphones are headed.
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Tended to agree BUT when I started using android smartphones, the airpods really do shine. It is like I unlocked their potential for listening to music with excellent sound quality and more efficiently at lower volumes.

Are they the absolute best BT earbuds for sound quality? Damn close from what I have experienced in the past and I'm not kidding.
 
Going with studio wireless that i had for over a year at home and airpods elsewhere. People just keep asking me if i got my ears pierced cause the chrome part of airpods is showing even when wearing my beanie :D
 
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So far on my testings there's has been no difference connection wise from air pods to solo3. Both has very good distance connection but certainly solo 3 don't have more distance.
 
I ended up ordering the Solo 3 as I got a fantastic deal on them. Regular price for them in Canada is $329, I managed to get them for $160.

I am still tempted by the Airpods though as the size and ability to use one at a time is enticing but the AirPods cost $219 here and I'm not sure if I would be able to get a discount on them at all.

Do you think it would be best to keep the Solo 3's for the price I paid or return them and grab AirPods for basically regular price?
 
msavic said:
I ended up ordering the Solo 3 as I got a fantastic deal on them. Regular price for them in Canada is $329, I managed to get them for $160.

I am still tempted by the Airpods though as the size and ability to use one at a time is enticing but the AirPods cost $219 here and I'm not sure if I would be able to get a discount on them at all.

Do you think it would be best to keep the Solo 3's for the price I paid or return them and grab AirPods for basically regular price?
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IMO, if you are debating between the Solo3 and AirPods, then you don't really have a use case for the AirPods. The AirPods are for people who want a super-compact listening device. If the bulk of the Solo3 doesn't bother you, then you don't need/want AirPods.
 
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Night Spring said:
IMO, if you are debating between the Solo3 and AirPods, then you don't really have a use case for the AirPods. The AirPods are for people who want a super-compact listening device. If the bulk of the Solo3 doesn't bother you, then you don't need/want AirPods.
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I think he's asking in the case of bang for buck. Which if you get the Solo 3 for 1/2 off it is way better of a deal.
 
msavic said:
I ended up ordering the Solo 3 as I got a fantastic deal on them. Regular price for them in Canada is $329, I managed to get them for $160.

I am still tempted by the Airpods though as the size and ability to use one at a time is enticing but the AirPods cost $219 here and I'm not sure if I would be able to get a discount on them at all.

Do you think it would be best to keep the Solo 3's for the price I paid or return them and grab AirPods for basically regular price?
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After such a good price I say keep the Solo 3. I'm getting the vibe that they will update the Airpods with vol buttons or more features. At very least wait to see if you can find the Airpods at some sort of discount... gift cards/tax free sites/rewards etc.

I got the Solo 3 for $209 shipped and I'm 90% sure the Airpods are going back despite that I had $50 off.
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Night Spring said:
Better bang for buck means nothing if the product doesn't fit your use case.
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Eh... I have both. I can definitely use both in my life but it would be foolish of me to keep both at full price. But if I were to Airpods works better for using at work and listening to podcasts while the Solo 3 is better for long outdoor walks, listening to at home, on planes and for when I want to focus on the music more... and movies.

Bang for buck wise I say Solo 3 is the better buy.
 
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