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MjWoNeR

macrumors 6502
Feb 16, 2010
325
215
Sweden
+1 on the video lag, it’s driving me nuts and I don’t know what’s causing it. I’m thinking it’s because all of the headphones I’ve tried have older Bluetooth 4.1 version. Currently using the Jabra Elite Sport and love them except for this darn sound lag when watching video. I wish the AirPods would fit my ears ugh!

One of the reasons I chose the AirPods were to avoid audio/video lag, since I watch a ton of TV shows on the iPhone.

I suspect Bose Bluetooth earphones will have no audio/video lag either. When I wanted a Bluetooth speaker a year or two ago, I wanted one with no lag so I can use it for video with the iPad in the kitchen. Many brands had lag. Bose didn’t, so I got their Soundlink Mini II.
I wouldn’t be surprised if their Bluetooth headphones had no lag either. Bose has focus on quality.
 

DoubleFlyaway

macrumors 68000
Nov 16, 2017
1,620
2,526
Are you able to take all the devices into an Apple store? I'm sure they'll help you out by testing another pair to determine where the issue is.

I’ve really got to find time to take mine in. Today, the AirPods even took over in the middle of a video conference while they were in their case and I was using wired EarPods. I had the EarPods in, and they were working normally for like 20 to 40 minutes, and then suddenly I couldn’t hear my student and realized the sound had switched over to my AirPods in their charging case. The AirPods are driving me insane with their need to be connected to my iPad every minute of every day, even when I just want to charge them.
 

darknyt

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2009
604
98
Hmm. Your description indicates they're not fitting as best they should. I can't turn the Airpods up full volume as it's way too loud. The only situation I do this is when mowing the lawn where they can be heard clearly enough.

I'm usually at 88% volume max at gym, to drown out the music on speakers there.
That’s probably true. I’m also old and likely half deaf from cranking headphones since I was a teenager. Dying mouse my dad would call the sound.

That’s said, they are just hard plastic. They either fit or they don’t - not much you can do about it short of attachments that won’t fit in the case.
[doublepost=1513914834][/doublepost]
One of the reasons I chose the AirPods were to avoid audio/video lag, since I watch a ton of TV shows on the iPhone.

I suspect Bose Bluetooth earphones will have no audio/video lag either. When I wanted a Bluetooth speaker a year or two ago, I wanted one with no lag so I can use it for video with the iPad in the kitchen. Many brands had lag. Bose didn’t, so I got their Soundlink Mini II.
I wouldn’t be surprised if their Bluetooth headphones had no lag either. Bose has focus on quality.

Bose lag. Tried them in store. They also admit as much:

“We know truly wireless headphones are subject to some latency between audio and video.
[doublepost=1513915101][/doublepost]
I’ve tried the AirPods on two occassions at the Apple Store. They didn’t fit securely enough in my ears, and they let too much outside noise in making it less enjoyable to listen to music or make calls. Rubber winged ear tips would have solved these issues. Sound quality is decent if not outstanding, and I did like the ease of pairing to devices.

Ended up with the Bose SoundSport, which is currently on sale and undercut the AirPods’ regular price.

Interesting - I tried the Bose and besides how awkwardly they stuck out, it really took a lot of volume to drown out noise. Just standing there in the quiet store with a salesperson talking to someone close to me, I had to crank them above 80% to get the conversation covered up.

Seemed weird to me.
[doublepost=1513915327][/doublepost]
I did not get the AirPods for their audio quality. We all know they just weren’t made with that in mind.

I use them for my 2 hour walk to work and back. With the city noise any audio quality would be lost, unless I used something like Bose’s QC35 with active noise cancelling. Though being able to hear traffic is very helpful.
I mostly listen to online radio and podcasts during that time too. Not much of quality material tbh. ..

Agree on AirPod audio quality. Imagine what apple could do if they tried.

Honestly, I didn’t need any ANC to quiet the outside. Any of the well sealed in-ear headphones did the job fine. Jabra and Jaybird both muted city noise including walking next to the train locomotive on my morning commute.
 

Mikeeee

macrumors 6502a
Sep 27, 2017
552
534
While i have some bluetooth JBL's headphones and some Plugfones (which are primarily ear plugs 1st, then ear buds 2nd) i find that i want something that's easy, doesn't completely block out sound and quick in, quick out and just work ! To use while i cycle and work out, and when i'm in the office.

I guess i'm starting to lean towards Apple's own AirPods, except i really really do not like the look of them. I thought Apple got it right when the iPod originally came out, with the white earbuds, everyone loved the look of them. But not many people seem to be taking to the look of the AirPods. Myself included. I wish they were more popular so that they didn't standout so much and attract so much attention. (in a bad way) am i the only one feeling like this ?

I know you can get them pre-painted by a third party, but at what they already cost, i'm not really willing to pay any more.. Maybe not being white may help.

I dunno, is there anything as good and easy as the air pods that just work ? and don't look so goofy ?

I have high end Bose Soundlink 2, Backbeat Fit for training and since a few months ago, AirPods. I've been using the AirPods almost exclusively since I got them. Love all that they offer.
 

Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
I’ve really got to find time to take mine in. Today, the AirPods even took over in the middle of a video conference while they were in their case and I was using wired EarPods. I had the EarPods in, and they were working normally for like 20 to 40 minutes, and then suddenly I couldn’t hear my student and realized the sound had switched over to my AirPods in their charging case. The AirPods are driving me insane with their need to be connected to my iPad every minute of every day, even when I just want to charge them.

Sorry if you've already been asked, but is there any visible wear signs on the silver tips (charge contact points)? Maybe they're not making contact & so the iPad then thinks they're in your ear whilst they're in the case.

Wait, that idea wouldn't make sense anyway, because they're already paired & working with your iPhone. What a conundrum!

I guess the only thing you can do is disable Bluetooth on the iPad for when you're on conference calls & don't want this bug disrupting things.
 

DoubleFlyaway

macrumors 68000
Nov 16, 2017
1,620
2,526
Sorry if you've already been asked, but is there any visible wear signs on the silver tips (charge contact points)? Maybe they're not making contact & so the iPad then thinks they're in your ear whilst they're in the case.

Wait, that idea wouldn't make sense anyway, because they're already paired & working with your iPhone. What a conundrum!

I guess the only thing you can do is disable Bluetooth on the iPad for when you're on conference calls & don't want this bug disrupting things.

Yeah, disabling Bluetooth seems to be the only thing that does it. And then they do start actually charging... so I know contact is being made.

At least the Apple Pencil still works when Bluetooth is turned off in Control Center. This would be even more annoying if I had to choose between my AirPods driving me crazy and use of my pencil. Particularly because my primary use of the pencil is during conference calls on my iPad (drawing on a shared whiteboard).
 

caelius

macrumors 6502
Dec 31, 2015
368
384
Innsbruck, Austria
I absolutely love my AirPods. They may not be suitable for critical listening at home or for sports, but when it comes to practicability and usability, they're second to none. They're ridiculously easy to carry and to use.
 
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Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
I agree.

I think many who haven't owned them are undervaluing this feature of AirPods. The case is so pocketable!
Yeah, whilst I look forward to other brands trying to match/beat Apple's effort, whenever I see their bulky case in reviews, I always think of that as a deal breaker.

These things need to be ultra portable in their case, especially since, without wires, they'd be easily lost/clogged with dust (dirt or grime)/damaged if you were forced to carry each individual Bud in your hands/pockets.
 

darknyt

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2009
604
98
I agree.

I think many who haven't owned them are undervaluing this feature of AirPods. The case is so pocketable!
I can’t disagree. The next smallest case between Jabra, Jaybird, and Sony is at least twice the size.

Of the other three Jabra is the most pocketable, and were it not for video lag it would be an acceptable trade off. They are really well done and case is high quality. A month of usage shows virtually no wear on it.

Jaybird is a stupid pill shape so while it’s a smidge smaller than Jabra it’s less pocketable due to shape.
 
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millerj123

macrumors 68030
Mar 6, 2008
2,606
2,719
Big yay here. I use them until the batteries run out, then switch to my Backbeat Fits, then the wired EarPods.
 

MjWoNeR

macrumors 6502
Feb 16, 2010
325
215
Sweden
Bose lag. Tried them in store. They also admit as much:

“We know truly wireless headphones are subject to some latency between audio and video.
That’s disappointing. Considering they got it right with their Bluetooth speakers. No lag at all with the Soundlink mini II.

Which ones did you try?
 

ducatiti

macrumors 6502a
May 18, 2011
932
153
Got to open my gift a day or two earlier. Who needs a wireless charging case? It’s just as convenient having a $9 aluminum charging dock :)

EB935CA1-4689-46F4-8448-148025DC54A1.jpeg
 

Jimbo Asprilla

macrumors regular
Sep 21, 2009
210
42
I love my AirPods, my only gripe is sometimes they don’t always connect to my phone, and occasionally only one ear, but it’s rare, but enough to be annoying, I switched from an LG Bluetooth collar headset which connected to my iPhone every time and even showed the battery level on my main screen, I miss that with my AirPods, but that aside I adore my AirPods, so convenient.
 

danielowenuk

macrumors 6502
Mar 18, 2011
275
37
Santa brought me some, yay!

So obviously limited time to review, but so far, love them.

Sound quality is good enough, I would say on par with the earpods (although I think louder).

The convenience is what's it's all about, easy to charge, easy to put in pocket, easy to put in, comfortable, easy to play music, pause music etc.

Probably a little overpriced (although mine were a gift so meh!).
 
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bobob

macrumors 68040
Jan 11, 2008
3,437
2,520
I went to a movie the other day and got through the trailers before I noticed I was still wearing my AirPods - - they are definitely the first headphones I have ever forgotten I was wearing.
 

democracyrules

Suspended
Nov 18, 2016
997
609
While i have some bluetooth JBL's headphones and some Plugfones (which are primarily ear plugs 1st, then ear buds 2nd) i find that i want something that's easy, doesn't completely block out sound and quick in, quick out and just work ! To use while i cycle and work out, and when i'm in the office.

I guess i'm starting to lean towards Apple's own AirPods, except i really really do not like the look of them. I thought Apple got it right when the iPod originally came out, with the white earbuds, everyone loved the look of them. But not many people seem to be taking to the look of the AirPods. Myself included. I wish they were more popular so that they didn't standout so much and attract so much attention. (in a bad way) am i the only one feeling like this ?

I know you can get them pre-painted by a third party, but at what they already cost, i'm not really willing to pay any more.. Maybe not being white may help.

I dunno, is there anything as good and easy as the air pods that just work ? and don't look so goofy ?
AirPods is the best available blue tooth earpiece in the earpiece market. It is very convenient for use during work out and any exercises. Strongly recommended. Kudos to Apple. It is Apple best invention after iPhone and iPad.
 
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thedoc46

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 22, 2015
81
28
OP here again, after a couple of weeks using, still really glad with my purchase. One thing i disagree on is comments about sound quality not being great. I disagree. I think the sound quality is excellent, as good as the wired Apple earpods, which to me was an excellent if not the best sounding earphone on the market, under a few hundred bucks. I've got Shures, AKG's JBL's, Sony, Yamaha, Plugfones among others on a quest to find decent headphones and these do the job.. Perhaps the way its sitting in your ear is what's making the sound not so good. I can only speak for myself, and they fit perfect and sound amazing. So just wanted to put that out there, as just about every other bluetooth headphones i've used sounded crap in comparision.
 

Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
OP here again, after a couple of weeks using, still really glad with my purchase. One thing i disagree on is comments about sound quality not being great. I disagree. I think the sound quality is excellent, as good as the wired Apple earpods, which to me was an excellent if not the best sounding earphone on the market, under a few hundred bucks. I've got Shures, AKG's JBL's, Sony, Yamaha, Plugfones among others on a quest to find decent headphones and these do the job.. Perhaps the way its sitting in your ear is what's making the sound not so good. I can only speak for myself, and they fit perfect and sound amazing. So just wanted to put that out there, as just about every other bluetooth headphones i've used sounded crap in comparision.
As soon as I bought them home, I compared them to the Earpods. The difference was significant to my ears - fuller, more detailed sound with better base.

They fit perfectly in my ears & my hearing's still good; Perhaps those who don't notice the difference don't have one or both of these factors.
 
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dmaxdmax

macrumors 6502a
Oct 26, 2006
768
174
Yay! But...

FWIW I just came from the gym where my Bose Free buds had no lag with Netflix on my iPhone. The sound is amazing - much better than AirPods.

However, using AirPods, D called DW from the noisy Prius and DW didn’t realize we were in the car! I haven’t done a bose car trial yet. I really prefer the way AirPods look. And pair. And fit in their case.

Keep the Bose or get AirPods? Talk about your first world problems!!
 

OriginalAppleGuy

Suspended
Sep 25, 2016
968
1,137
Virginia
Bose?? That's an easy one for me - I always advise people to shy away from Bose at all costs. They are deceptive and have gone after speaker reviewers who have published issues with their products. Avoid at all costs.
 

dmaxdmax

macrumors 6502a
Oct 26, 2006
768
174
Bose?? That's an easy one for me - I always advise people to shy away from Bose at all costs. They are deceptive and have gone after speaker reviewers who have published issues with their products. Avoid at all costs.

That’s my policy too but these were a gift and to my chagrin they are wonderful. Bose spends far more on marketing than R&D - I do not admire them.

But the earbuds sound great.
 
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darknyt

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2009
604
98
OP here again, after a couple of weeks using, still really glad with my purchase. One thing i disagree on is comments about sound quality not being great. I disagree. I think the sound quality is excellent, as good as the wired Apple earpods, which to me was an excellent if not the best sounding earphone on the market, under a few hundred bucks. I've got Shures, AKG's JBL's, Sony, Yamaha, Plugfones among others on a quest to find decent headphones and these do the job.. Perhaps the way its sitting in your ear is what's making the sound not so good. I can only speak for myself, and they fit perfect and sound amazing. So just wanted to put that out there, as just about every other bluetooth headphones i've used sounded crap in comparision.

I must be confused - are you talking about the wired earbuds that come in the box with the iPhone?
 

IconIc215

macrumors 65816
Oct 11, 2013
1,427
1,255
I want to like these but keep getting pairs that are not smooth at the seam which are irritating my ears. I have returned 2 pairs within the last month and this 3rd pair is going back as well. I never thought there would be an "airpod lottery" similar to the phones but appears the build quality is hit or miss with these. The current pair looks like it has black stuff already stuck in the seam right out of the box whatever that is. I think at this point I may just wait it out until the next version is released later this year.
 
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