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city_17

macrumors regular
Oct 25, 2021
157
324
Waiting on reviews of the ANC version, I'm happy with my APP2 but other half says they're really uncomfortable, so this would be an upgrade for her AP3 if the noise cancellation is actually able to do anything.
Reviews are out now on Youtube, embargo lifted an hour ago. The Digital Trends review seemed most balanced and in-depth.
 
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ManUtd08

macrumors regular
Jun 16, 2008
103
130
^^Agreed on the Digital Trends review. It was the one I would pay the most attention to after his Hands-On impressions last week. Honestly, I'm impressed with the degree that ANC works w/o a seal. I'm happy I placed my pre-order and can't wait to see how they work for me.
 

city_17

macrumors regular
Oct 25, 2021
157
324
Only slight worry I have is that a few reviewers mentioned a much stronger pressure on the ears (the kind of motion pressure / cabin pressure feeling quite a few people get when using ANC) when not listening to music with ANC on. Hope that's not too bad.
 

Benz63amg

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 17, 2010
4,376
912
Only slight worry I have is that a few reviewers mentioned a much stronger pressure on the ears (the kind of motion pressure / cabin pressure feeling quite a few people get when using ANC) when not listening to music with ANC on. Hope that's not too bad.
It can’t be worse than the ACTUAL pressure that comes with plugging your ears shut with the AirPods Pro though. Worst case I’ll just disable ANC I guess. I wear my AirPods all day at work so comfort is at the very top of the list for me and I hope the new AirPods 4’s are as comfortable as the AirPods 2 or perhaps even more comfortable as Apple seems to have gone through great lengths to focus on the comfort aspect of these new 4th gen AirPods
 
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zakarhino

Contributor
Sep 13, 2014
2,611
6,963
With ANC for the simple fact that they have transparency mode. I don't care about ANC on AirPods 4 at all, if I need noise cancellation I will just use my Pro 2s. Reviews seem to indicate ANC on AirPods 4 is better than expected so that's a bonus if I need to reduce ambient city noise slightly for example.

The biggest thing I wanted from AirPods 4 is the best transparency experience possible in an AirPods product and it sounds like they deliver on just that. Glad I ordered them.
 

LorneMalvo

macrumors newbie
Oct 21, 2021
18
8
Spain Alicante
After seeing some reviews and reserved the airpods 4 with ANC, they will arrive between September 24 and 26 since I made an engraving on them
 

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TAwoniyi

macrumors newbie
Sep 17, 2024
11
9
Only slight worry I have is that a few reviewers mentioned a much stronger pressure on the ears (the kind of motion pressure / cabin pressure feeling quite a few people get when using ANC) when not listening to music with ANC on. Hope that's not too bad.
Interesting, thanks for sharing. My fear is stronger pressure = stronger sickness/dizziness that ANC can bring. Though would only ever use the ANC with music/podcasts so maybe would be okay?

Really want to order but it'd be good to see how the ANC vibes with those of us who sickness from usual ANC head/earphones
 

Benz63amg

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 17, 2010
4,376
912
Interesting, thanks for sharing. My fear is stronger pressure = stronger sickness/dizziness that ANC can bring. Though would only ever use the ANC with music/podcasts so maybe would be okay?

Really want to order but it'd be good to see how the ANC vibes with those of us who sickness from usual ANC head/earphones
I mean if you order from Apple you could return it within 14 days so it’s not a big deal whatsoever
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,124
17,041
I might get either model on sale eventually, but otherwise I think I'm good with my AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2.

Airpods3 have a great sound signature boost from 1 and 2. Slightly curious how these 4's sound.

I also think I'll miss them omitting MagSafe from the wireless charge capable ANC AirPods 4 (WTF?!?)
 

TheKDub

macrumors regular
Oct 30, 2008
178
159
I might get either model on sale eventually, but otherwise I think I'm good with my AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2.

Airpods3 have a great sound signature boost from 1 and 2. Slightly curious how these 4's sound.

I also think I'll miss them omitting MagSafe from the wireless charge capable ANC AirPods 4 (WTF?!?)
Watching the reviews, the Airpod 4 case still attaches magnetically and recharges with the smaller Apple Watch pucks. If you see how small the case is for the Airpod 4s (with or without ANC), you'll understand why MagSafe doesn't work - the case is literally too small to attach to the larger MagSafe magnetic ring. I'd rather have smaller case than a larger one that works with MagSafe so I ain't too mad about that one - the cases still can be charged wirelessly.
 
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Wieslawo

macrumors member
May 21, 2024
43
38
I ordered AP4 with ANC, but only for conversation awareness. At home, I use open DT990, and at work, I use APP1. However, with earplugs, I heard weird buzzing after a while, so maybe AP4 will be the solution.
 

LorneMalvo

macrumors newbie
Oct 21, 2021
18
8
Spain Alicante
They will arrive to me next week, I made an engraving on the box.
 

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one more

macrumors 603
Aug 6, 2015
5,153
6,572
Earth
If I decide to upgrade my AirPods 3, this is what I would consider, as I never use them outdoors and barely use trains or planes when I travel. So I basically need them in the house not to disturb other occupants or take an occasional phone/video call.

Think of it this way - in life we never hear any sounds in isolation, it is always a mix to a degree.

Meantime my AirPods 3 batteries (case and the left pod) are getting weak after there years of a very moderate use, this is why I am still wondering if I would be better off getting a proper on or over the ears wired set to really enjoy that lossless Apple Music.

So I am now waiting for more in-depth tests of how AP4 actually sound.
 

TAwoniyi

macrumors newbie
Sep 17, 2024
11
9
If I decide to upgrade my AirPods 3, this is what I would consider, as I never use them outdoors and barely use trains or planes when I travel. So I basically need them in the house not to disturb other occupants or take an occasional phone/video call.

Think of it this way - in life we never hear any sounds in isolation, it is always a mix to a degree.

Meantime my AirPods 3 batteries (case and the left pod) are getting weak after there years of a very moderate use, this is why I am still wondering if I would be better off getting a proper on or over the ears wired set to really enjoy that lossless Apple Music.

So I am now waiting for more in-depth tests of how AP4 actually sound.
Call me old-fashioned but I wish they did wired versions. Can't help but feel the AirPods are bordering on disposable with their batteries inevitably dying and not replaceable!
 

one more

macrumors 603
Aug 6, 2015
5,153
6,572
Earth
Call me old-fashioned but I wish they did wired versions. Can't help but feel the AirPods are bordering on disposable with their batteries inevitably dying and not replaceable!

They are indeed disposable, just with a much longer lifespan than toothbrushes. 😉

Their batteries can be replaced, but the cost is quite high:


For me the main factor is the sound quality, though, so I will be waiting for the in-depth reviews. 🖐️
 

TAwoniyi

macrumors newbie
Sep 17, 2024
11
9
They are indeed disposable, just with a much longer lifespan than toothbrushes. 😉

Their batteries can be replaced, but the cost is quite high:


For me the main factor is the sound quality, though, so I will be waiting for the in-depth reviews. 🖐️
Haha very true! Wonder how many people opt to pay for the battery replacement (which I think is actually just getting a new pair) vs buying a new pair themselves!

Hopefully the review confirm these are a step up in quality :)
 

J.C

macrumors 6502
Nov 12, 2008
465
61
I got the AirPods 4 ANC version with no intention of using the ANC. I just wanted the wireless charging case. I have AirPods Pro 2 for ANC and have a different use case for the non-Pros.

I'm disliking the AirPods 4 so far. I tried the noise cancelation and found it surprisingly strong. The air pressure sensation that some people have issues with, feels even stronger than on the Pro 2 (which didn't bother me). I assume there's a lot of ANC to overcome the lack of seal.

My issue, is that even when with ANC off (Off, not Transparency) they still give a sensation of ANC being on. That mild nausea air pressure sensation. It's an odd artificial feeling similar to Transparency mode.

Maybe it's a bug, maybe I'm crazy, maybe the ANC never turns off 100%.
 
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bookcase

macrumors 6502
Sep 11, 2014
457
746
Boston, MA
I got rid of my APP 1 because of fit and went with AP 3, which I loved, but I had so many issues with them (one bud or the other wouldn’t charge all the time). When the APP2 released with the XS tip, they finally fit and I do love them. But for buds, I sort of like the open design and not mashing tips into my ears, so I’m considering trying the AP4 with NC. I’ll wait to see if they’re discounted at Christmastime and pick up a pair.
 
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