Could the new AirPods Pro 2 compete with the APMs purely in terms of sound quality?

[NewBench]

Obviously the battery life is much better on the APMs, but as someone looking to buy another set of APMs (and who was disappointed that there was no APM2 announcement), how will the AirPods Pro 2 compare to the APMs just in terms of sound quality?

A few new features and spec upgrades on the AirPods Pro 2, including improved Spatial Audio and ANC.

Still a $300-ish difference between the two, trying to see where the justification is for the big difference in cost.

 

[mfram]

One big factor is how well the APP2 will fit in your ear. I know in my case I don't get a very good fit in my ear from my APP so the sound quality is nowhere near the APM for music. I mostly use my APP for Podcasts, so sound quality isn't a huge deal. It's nice to have something light like the APP. But if you want to listen to music, it's not even close to me. APM all the way. You also get much better sound isolation from the APM just because of the fit over the whole ear.

 

[arw]

In addition to this ^^ , the APMs are often available for $449.99 so this only leaves a $150-ish difference.

 

[haralds]

I would consider them a different use case.
My suspicion is that the AirPod Pro 2s will be just marginally better than the original, but I hope I am wrong.

 

[bbfc]

One big factor is how well the APP2 will fit in your ear. I know in my case I don't get a very good fit in my ear from my APP so the sound quality is nowhere near the APM for music. I mostly use my APP for Podcasts, so sound quality isn't a huge deal. It's nice to have something light like the APP. But if you want to listen to music, it's not even close to me. APM all the way. You also get much better sound isolation from the APM just because of the fit over the whole ear.

I think the fit will be exactly the same.

 

[trevpimp]

I will give an expectation that the AirPods Pro 2 will sound twice as better than the original APP

I also hear that you get better noise cancelling than the original pros and I think my APP's noise cancelling feature is already enough impressing lol

 

[perezr10]

Apple’s AirPods Pro video is now up on YouTube and the one thing that they DON’T mention is enhanced sound quality. They mention everything else like the new adaptive transparency, better noise cancellation, touch control volume, and more size tips, etc.

But they never say anything about increased frequency response or better speakers.

Now, I think the AirPods Pro sound great, so I won’t be disappointed. But I wouldn’t get your hopes up that the music will sound better.

 

[chabig]

Better fit and enhanced noise cancellation might improve the sound for some.

 

[zerolight]

No - over ear headphones will always sound much much better. The drivers are way bigger for a start. Sure, if you are willing to pay a lot of money for some high end multi-driver in-ears you can get a great experience, but the APPs are not that. I had a pair of Noble Kaiser 10 in ears a few years ago that sounded amazing, with a whopping 10 drivers per ear. They got close to equivalently priced over-ears. But honestly, the APP much cheaper than high or even mid-tier in-ears, and is much more convenient and comfortable, so I use those all the time now. Will upgrade to the APP2 for the repositioned vents as mine always end up blocked after a few months on the original APP. I do want the Max though - holding off for a Max 2 which I assume is in the works.

 

[AppleUser2]

Apple’s AirPods Pro video is now up on YouTube and the one thing that they DON’T mention is enhanced sound quality. They mention everything else like the new adaptive transparency, better noise cancellation, touch control volume, and more size tips, etc.

But they never say anything about increased frequency response or better speakers.

Now, I think the AirPods Pro sound great, so I won’t be disappointed. But I wouldn’t get your hopes up that the music will sound better.

They mentioned improved SQ at least twice in the event though I think?

 

[jabbr]

They mentioned improved SQ at least twice in the event though I think?

yeah, they mentioned that the new driver has been frequency response

 

[perezr10]

They mentioned improved SQ at least twice in the event though I think?

Oh nice. I went back and checked and you are correct. They didn’t mention it in their commercial but the keynote pointed out a new amp and drivers.

I have a set pre-ordered so I hope the sound quality really is improved. Not that the current ones are bad.

 

[AppleUser2]

Oh nice. I went back and checked and you are correct. They didn’t mention it in their commercial but the keynote pointed out a new amp and drivers.

I have a set pre-ordered so I hope the sound quality really is improved. Not that the current ones are bad.

I hope so to. I’ve ordered and whilst better ANC and battery life would be great really need a jump on sound quality - I’ve heard some of the come competition!