Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Are you returning your AirPods?
- Thread starter Sirious
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Got my pair just before Xmas - Use them at night to listen to music while I drop off to sleep. I have airplane mode turned on (i.e. wi-fi and phone signal off) with just the bluetooth switched on to minimise radiation from wifi and cell phone signals.
As I rest on my side, I use one at a time, and swap them over when I turn over. They would often refuse to re-connect when I swapped them over. I tried ensuring both were briefly connected at the same time before I removed the unwanted earpiece - but this didn't seem to help. They seemed to work OK during the day when wifi was on - have others had problems swapping a single earpiece when wifi is off? Could only recover AirPods by re-setting the phone, not so good when I am trying to get to sleep.
I also notice that although articles about bluetooth radiation levels keep reinforcing how bluetooth levels are generally only a tiny fraction (a few percent) of the radiation level of wifi/phone signals, the SAR rating (standard measure of radiation used to compare mobile devices) of my iPhone SE is 1.17W/kg and for the AirPods are 0.466W/kg or over a third of the radiation of of my phone. This seems worryingly high to me, especially as I often have them in my ears for long periods of time, as I often fall asleep with them in.
I have returned them and have gone back to wired earphones which work consistently reliably. If Apple don't re-instate the headphone socket (and I don't imagine they will!) I am not sure I will stay with Apple when I next change my phone - shame.
Hell and No. I had zero intentions of buying them but the reviews got me curious. These is is the first "all new" TC-era Apple product that I'm really impressed with. They are not perfect, but pretty spectacular for a first gen product. The sound great <for BT>, love the true wireless freedom and instant connect with my iPhone and iPad.
Unlike others here I've had zero battery issues. My wishlist for 2.0 or even an interim firmware update: auto connect with the Mac the same way as iDevices, add more gesture controls so it's not so dependent on Siri, better physical design for running or motion and also long term comfort. Comfort tips would be great. Also would like to see them come in colors: black, red, blue for starters -- and not the girly pastel shades Apple likes to push, esp w/ blue, but more gender neutral ones. BT 5 is a given I think.
[doublepost=1483286722][/doublepost]
If you are THAT obsessed about sound quality why did you buy BT buds in the first place? Also the other W1 BT buds out there right now are Powerbeats 3 and Solo 3s. Solo 3s are not buds and comparing to AirPods is like comparing a Ford F100 to a Mustang. The Powerbeats 3 IMHO don't sound any better than the AirPods and are not wireless. The selling point for those is that they have a physical remote, certified sweat proof, and hook onto your ears which better for athletics. Sound is not the differentiator between the two products.
Unlike others here I've had zero battery issues. My wishlist for 2.0 or even an interim firmware update: auto connect with the Mac the same way as iDevices, add more gesture controls so it's not so dependent on Siri, better physical design for running or motion and also long term comfort. Comfort tips would be great. Also would like to see them come in colors: black, red, blue for starters -- and not the girly pastel shades Apple likes to push, esp w/ blue, but more gender neutral ones. BT 5 is a given I think.
[doublepost=1483286722][/doublepost]
If you are THAT obsessed about sound quality why did you buy BT buds in the first place? Also the other W1 BT buds out there right now are Powerbeats 3 and Solo 3s. Solo 3s are not buds and comparing to AirPods is like comparing a Ford F100 to a Mustang. The Powerbeats 3 IMHO don't sound any better than the AirPods and are not wireless. The selling point for those is that they have a physical remote, certified sweat proof, and hook onto your ears which better for athletics. Sound is not the differentiator between the two products.
Last edited:
Is the lack of a headphone jack that inconvenient to you that you would change phone manufacturers? I think the lightning port works perfectly fine.
Had them three days. Not returning them. Probably buying them as gifts to family members in 2017. Might buy a backup set for myself.
[doublepost=1483295601][/doublepost]
They don't fall out of my ear, but they also don't feel secure. I'm sure that countless attachments and such will be produced for them. There is going to be an entire industry around accessorizing these things.
[doublepost=1483295601][/doublepost]
They don't fall out of my ear, but they also don't feel secure. I'm sure that countless attachments and such will be produced for them. There is going to be an entire industry around accessorizing these things.
I'm not returning mine because I believe they do serve a decent purpose... when at home it's nice to be able to just wear one and use as a bluetooth mic. Since it's quiet the sound is decent.
However as I've posted previously, I find them next to useless for air travel due to their low volume and complete lack of noise isolation (read: NO, I don't mean noise cancellation so if you don't know the difference google it).
I picked up a pair of the Powerbeats 3 and Jaybird X3's the other day and ran them through the ringer. The Jaybird X3 were EXACTLY what I was looking for. The Powerbeats 3 were nice sound\pairing, but don't like over the ear.
I'll stick with the X3 for 90% use (planes, trains, when sound quality matters) until the Beats X come out. Their sound quality is nothing short of AMAZING. However, the Airpods still have a place, albeit a small one, in when I use them.
However as I've posted previously, I find them next to useless for air travel due to their low volume and complete lack of noise isolation (read: NO, I don't mean noise cancellation so if you don't know the difference google it).
I picked up a pair of the Powerbeats 3 and Jaybird X3's the other day and ran them through the ringer. The Jaybird X3 were EXACTLY what I was looking for. The Powerbeats 3 were nice sound\pairing, but don't like over the ear.
I'll stick with the X3 for 90% use (planes, trains, when sound quality matters) until the Beats X come out. Their sound quality is nothing short of AMAZING. However, the Airpods still have a place, albeit a small one, in when I use them.
What are your thoughts on the PB3 vs the AirPods? Where I am located I cannot return once open, so pretty much gotta make up my mind!
The sound quality is great, the in-ear fit is pretty good (they have the noise-isolating seal to make for good bass and significant reduction in ambient noise). However, I really didn't like the over-ear loops. In fairness, I've never really liked this design but many like it. Also the pods that sit just out of your ear feel kind of big. I felt a bit constrained wearing them. That's why I went X3s instead.
Nope i'm surprised as to how much i like mine!!
But i agree that if they can add skipping songs control that would make it perfect.
But i agree that if they can add skipping songs control that would make it perfect.
Not obsessed with it - just notice there is a clear difference in quality. Like I say most people are lauding the airpods due to the benefits of the W1 which two other (and soon three) sets of ear phones / earphones use.
Also I can confirm having both that the airpods do not have the range and stability of connection as the solo 3s, that's not to say they aren't good - they are fantastic for both these things, just not as good. E.g. The things I got away with with the solo 3s I cannot get away with in the airpods.
Also yeah comparing the two is t like comparing apples and oranges as such, as both are compact (solo 3s fold up), light and designed for casually use / commuting. The solo 3s hardly have the heft of the beats studios for example.
Retuned mine today. I was sad to see them go. Loved the apple simplicity and not having any wires. I really missed having a remote and wanted more bass. I got the Bose soundsport wireless instead. Love the sound quality and remote. I do miss having the cool charging case from the AirPods. If apple adds more gestures and fixes the battery standby issue with the charging case I'll get them again.
Had mine a day. I'm gonna keep them.
I was 50/50 to even bother buying given how incompatible my ears seem to be with Apple earbuds (read: they always stay unused in iPhone boxes).
I listen to podcasts daily and music from Watch when running 3-4 times a week. So sound quality isn't my main determinant.
After plonking them on to listen to a podcast this morning, I was hooked. No wires, not even behind the neck, is kinda cool. They didn't drop connection moving around the house and had no trouble two floors up.
Most of all: they don't fall out. Heck, they barely move at all unless I violently shake my head. This is a big plus and it's simply because there are no cables.
On a 10k run I did manage to feel them loosening - mostly due to sweat and vibration/impact. This is nothing every other earphone hasn't done prior - I've either used tape to keep earbuds in or just given up and gone music-less entirely. I'm gonna try some covers just for insurance and set-it-forget-it peace of mind. Again, my ears historically have 0% success so I'll take this approach when running.
Oh, and pairing setup across two iPhones, an iPad, iMac, and Watch in one step is classic Apple. Going the extra mile in software where others ignore that aspect.
I was 50/50 to even bother buying given how incompatible my ears seem to be with Apple earbuds (read: they always stay unused in iPhone boxes).
I listen to podcasts daily and music from Watch when running 3-4 times a week. So sound quality isn't my main determinant.
After plonking them on to listen to a podcast this morning, I was hooked. No wires, not even behind the neck, is kinda cool. They didn't drop connection moving around the house and had no trouble two floors up.
Most of all: they don't fall out. Heck, they barely move at all unless I violently shake my head. This is a big plus and it's simply because there are no cables.
On a 10k run I did manage to feel them loosening - mostly due to sweat and vibration/impact. This is nothing every other earphone hasn't done prior - I've either used tape to keep earbuds in or just given up and gone music-less entirely. I'm gonna try some covers just for insurance and set-it-forget-it peace of mind. Again, my ears historically have 0% success so I'll take this approach when running.
Oh, and pairing setup across two iPhones, an iPad, iMac, and Watch in one step is classic Apple. Going the extra mile in software where others ignore that aspect.
I love mine - its just that my ears are a tad big - but they will do. I just picked up the Powerbeats 3 to compare. I'll keep what I like and eBay the loser.
These AirPods sound so freaking clear though. I just wish they were a little more snug in my ear. I hate having to push them in every 5 minutes or so. Earhoox are nice - you just can't charge the AirPods with them on.
These AirPods sound so freaking clear though. I just wish they were a little more snug in my ear. I hate having to push them in every 5 minutes or so. Earhoox are nice - you just can't charge the AirPods with them on.
if they make a version of the earhoox that fit in the charging case then I would consider re-buying the airpods
Returned mine as they didn't stay in my ear as soon as I moved about, I didn't think they would as Apple's earpods never did. Back to Bose (QC 30), did think the sound was pretty good on the Airpods but did fall a little short of the Bose but then the Airpods are truly wireless.
