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Are you getting the AirPods 4 with ANC or without ANC and if so, Why?
- Thread starter Benz63amg
- Start date
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Hopefully the review confirm these are a step up in quality
I expect some evolutionary improvements in their sound and fit, but don’t believe much will change for their battery, as they will be still degrading no matter what, just as they do with iPhones, EVs, etc. We must face it, depending on the usage pattern all small AirPods have a useful lifespan of 2-4 years.
Early remarks:
I'm coming from AirPods 3 (AP3) and been using AirPods 4 with ANC for an hour or so.
FIT:
The fit is great. I was ok with AP3 fit but these are clearly more comfortable for me. They seem less likely to fall off as well. I tried shaking my head in all directions but the pods didn't move at all.
ANC
The ANC isn't particularly mindblowing but the effect is of course clearly noticeable and for me it is "good enough". Road traffic sounds from the street few stories below disappear entirely. I turned on the TV at normal volume and can still clearly hear the TV with the ANC on albeit it sounds now more like whispering.
SOUND QUALITY:
Sound quality is a clear step up from AP3. AP3 in comparison now sounds flat, dull and borderline cheap. Base is now much better and I'm hearing instruments that aren't audible with AP3 at all. Apple audio quality is just top-notch nowadays.*
*I leave more technical analysis of sound quality to the "audiophiles".
I'm coming from AirPods 3 (AP3) and been using AirPods 4 with ANC for an hour or so.
FIT:
The fit is great. I was ok with AP3 fit but these are clearly more comfortable for me. They seem less likely to fall off as well. I tried shaking my head in all directions but the pods didn't move at all.
ANC
The ANC isn't particularly mindblowing but the effect is of course clearly noticeable and for me it is "good enough". Road traffic sounds from the street few stories below disappear entirely. I turned on the TV at normal volume and can still clearly hear the TV with the ANC on albeit it sounds now more like whispering.
SOUND QUALITY:
Sound quality is a clear step up from AP3. AP3 in comparison now sounds flat, dull and borderline cheap. Base is now much better and I'm hearing instruments that aren't audible with AP3 at all. Apple audio quality is just top-notch nowadays.*
*I leave more technical analysis of sound quality to the "audiophiles".
I hate hearing now that these still aren’t as comfortable as gen 2…
is this the PWM of audio noise cancelling? Some can handle it some can't?
If that’s the case then I’m definitely getting the NON-ANC version as I don’t need any pressurized feeling in my ears that’s for sure
with ANC. The original Airpods were sweet and got a ton of play from me. No tips made them easier and more comfortable for casual wear. The Pro 2 were fantastic but the case was bigger and the tips made them a little less casual. They were fantastic for blocking noise though on Airplanes, and everywhere else. So I'm excited for the 4 ANC to split the difference between these two experiences.
The main functional reason for getting the 4 ANC over the Pro 2 is for case size and eartip preference. If Apple had dropped a Pro 3 at the event, truthfully I probably would have ordered that instead of the 4 ANC. But I'm excited to try the 4 ANC.
Got mine. I have an iPhone 15 pro max on iOS 18.1 beta 3. It told me I need to install newer software but I skipped it because it was asking me to install newer iOS software not AirPods firmware. Noise cancellation is great but audio sucks but maybe that’s cuz of the software update that needs to happen. Will check again when I finish updating to beta 4
got mine in.
so far so good. my currents are the AirPods (2nd gen). the ANC is great. coming from Airpods with no noise cancelling, it's a good feeling and works great.
so far no issues with the fit. i've tried the Pro 2 along with Beats Studio Buds. they're both great but are uncomfortable after a little while. I'll have to check how these hold up when i cut the grass.
so far so good. my currents are the AirPods (2nd gen). the ANC is great. coming from Airpods with no noise cancelling, it's a good feeling and works great.
so far no issues with the fit. i've tried the Pro 2 along with Beats Studio Buds. they're both great but are uncomfortable after a little while. I'll have to check how these hold up when i cut the grass.
Yeah, I'm considering returning these for the cheaper ones. I'll try them more today and see what I think.
Updated the beta and firmware update and it works much better now. Audio isn’t crystal clear but the noise cancellation is pretty crazy. I was blasting music and you couldn’t hear it.
Got mine, having a weird thing. I open the case, and the pop up shows up on my iPhone‘s (15 Pro), but it’s blank. when I try pairing my wife’s Pro 2s the pop up is normal with the syncing setps and all.
It’s not just you. There’s another thread about it. Having the same problem. It’s a 18.1 bug I believe
I received mine. The sound is improved compared to AirPods 3, which is what I was hoping. Reminds me of the Sennheisers I used to have. They don’t fit as snugly but the AirPods 3 always felt too bulky so happy there.
The noise cancellation does remove a good amount of background noise but you can’t expect miracles. It doesn’t have much effect on surrounding voices.
The noise cancellation does remove a good amount of background noise but you can’t expect miracles. It doesn’t have much effect on surrounding voices.
These of you that got the AirPods 4 with ANC. How’s the sound with TRANPERANCY Mode enabled vs with both AND and Transparency turned OFF? Is the feeling of pressure in the ears better with transparency enabled? Does having transparency enabled sound “artificial” in any way or does it sound more like you have nothing in your ears?