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I can't decide between AirPods, Beats X and Beats Solo 3
- Thread starter BrodieApple
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Better yet, use the Lightning EarPods and pretend they're wireless to get an idea of sound/fit. Then go to the Apple Store and pair your phone with a Solo3 demo. They have AirPod demos too if you ask 
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Better yet, use the Lightning EarPods and pretend they're wireless to get an idea of sound/fit. Then go to the Apple Store and pair your phone with a Solo3 demo. They have AirPod demos too if you ask
This is a very sensible suggestion. It's also what I did before I ordered my AirPods. While I'd worn EarPods in the past for short lengths of time I'd certainly never worn them for more than a half hour or so. So in the run-up to my decision I started using them and I'm glad I did.
For one I found that after a little while they became uncomfortable, even though they fit my ears really well. But I persisted and after a week or so my ears became accustomed to them and they ended up being rather comfortable (it wasn't fun getting there, it bloody hurt but I was determined to give them my best shot.)
Something else I discovered during that time is that they sounded far better than I'd ever believed them to be capable of. This I found was, to steal an overused phrase, I was wearing them wrong
It's astonishing just how much of a difference the tiniest of adjustment with those (and the AirPods) makes. I know that probably seems obvious but where before I'd just plonk them in my ears, exercise and be done with them, this time I was listening for pleasure.
Just turning the headphones ever so slightly in my ears (I assume therefore getting the speakers better aligned with my lug holes) changed the sound from thin and weedy to a rich, well rounded sound with a good deal more bottom end.
So it's definitely worth experimenting with the EarPods. At the end of the day if you don't like them, you likely won't like AirPods (though the AirPods I find sit better thanks to the lack of wires and the wireless nature of them is very liberating)
They are never going to replace a good set of cans for those of us who like the best from our audio but they are nowhere near as bad as a lot of folk make out.
I'm generally a bit fussy about my audio quality but I'm not an audio snob. I'll make compromises for instance to have the freedom of Bluetooth headphones and I'm very, very happy to compromise a little to enjoy the benefits of truly wireless audio. Be that AirPods or otherwise, having a wire, even one that goes around the back of your neck all of a sudden feels so last century
Ahhhh, my first rambling waffle over coffee of the day
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If the AirPods fit your ears well then go with them. The whole concept is pretty great down to the charging case, convenience of no wire and the seamless pairing. I had to return mine because they become loose in my ear after having them in for a couple of minutes. But I'm jealous of the people that are using them with no issues. I had to go back to my jaybirds but I would have stuck to the AirPods in a heartbeat had they fit
I agree that you should try AirPods first. If they fit and sound good to you, the sense of freedom is like traveling with a small carry-on bag.
If Apple (Beats) makes an in-ear version of AirPods, I will switch to them in a heartbeat, as I miss the total isolation I grew accustomed to over 9 years of IEM's. (I was waiting for BeatsX, but tried AirPods first.) In the meantime, I'm delighted enough by AirPods (freedom of movement and W1 ) to experiment with foam or silicone covers for times when I need a more snug fit and more isolation.
If Apple (Beats) makes an in-ear version of AirPods, I will switch to them in a heartbeat, as I miss the total isolation I grew accustomed to over 9 years of IEM's. (I was waiting for BeatsX, but tried AirPods first.) In the meantime, I'm delighted enough by AirPods (freedom of movement and W1 ) to experiment with foam or silicone covers for times when I need a more snug fit and more isolation.
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Beats sound better, have better range and battery. Airpods only work if you have Apple Watch for controls, mic is better on airpods. Size more convenient and charging case very smart
I tried the Airpods, but couldn't get them to stay in my ear. My preference is to find something that simultaneously connects to two devices at once so that if you pause on device and start playing the other, the sound immediately comes from the second device without any further action. Many headphones do this (Bose, Jaybird X3, Sol Republic Shadow). Are the Beats able to do this?
It's very personal. The normal EarPods hurt in my ears and I hate the lack of sound isolation (both ways). The Solo has a headband which is uncomfortable for me as well as the pressure on my ears. The BeatsX seem to have none of these issues, but do have a wire with little weights (the batteries) that would bounce up and down in your neck while running.
All of these problems wouldn't be such a big deal if the product wasn't so very expensive and had such a short life span. If the battery fails you can pretty much throw them away. My 40€ Sennheiser MM30i have lasted me 4.5 years and still show no signs of wear.
I'm actually getting interested in buying high(ish)-end wired earbuds for that 150-200€ price tag. Look at Shure, they offer amazing sound and noise isolation too. They even offer the Lightning cable now, which is the great thing about replaceable cables. Or even the older Sennheiser IE 80 buds with amazing bass.
Sigh.
All of these problems wouldn't be such a big deal if the product wasn't so very expensive and had such a short life span. If the battery fails you can pretty much throw them away. My 40€ Sennheiser MM30i have lasted me 4.5 years and still show no signs of wear.
I'm actually getting interested in buying high(ish)-end wired earbuds for that 150-200€ price tag. Look at Shure, they offer amazing sound and noise isolation too. They even offer the Lightning cable now, which is the great thing about replaceable cables. Or even the older Sennheiser IE 80 buds with amazing bass.
Sigh.
I love my Shure headphones, so I'm not picking on you when I point out the following.
The OP is deciding between three headphones that all use the W1 chip.
Shure headphones are sold with a professional grade cable that has no controls (everyone who doesn't own an Apple Watch on this forum is screaming about the lack of controls on AirPods) and the Shure iPhone cable for 3.5mm jack costs $50 and is unreliable. I replaced mine twice under warranty and gave up on it.
The Lightning version of the Shure iPhone cable is going to cost $100 !
Just for grins, I bought one of those under $15 bluetooth adapter neck cables from China for my Shure headphones. It works sorta okay, but the steps of the volume adjustments are way too large, and worst of all... it's bluetooth with all the hassles and irritations that make us Apple users so excited about W1.
Maybe we'll see little bluetooth adapters trying to copy the AirPods appeal soon, but they won't have the W1 either.
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Those cables Shure are expensive and the fact that (at least the cheaper one) breaks easily is disappointing.
I was mainly describing my own thoughts on this subject because I've been trying Bluetooth headphones for years and was also looking at the BeatsX and AirPods.
The W1 chip is the way to go with Bluetooth, haven't tried it yet but I can already see the big difference it'll make.
What I want is amazing sound (but I'm no audiophile by any means) and some kind of noise isolation for public transport. The wire irritates me a lot but if it's good quality or/and replaceable, it does have its benefits (price, no charging, no extra weight, possibly 2-3x life span or more).
I might try BeatsX or at least look closely at reviews because they are quite appealing. Otherwise I'm sticking with my old in-ears and I'll be looking for something else.
I have the air pods and beats solo3. Both are great and solo3 are perfect if you want just loud sound with no background noise or anything like that. However for me air pods is what I use a lot more due to using air pods in the gym and out and about.
And now I may go back to the beats again because after using the airpods today , they sound flat. I have to turn the volume to near 95% just to get satisfactory volume.
Can't beat the convenience of the size though.
Aggh shameful first world problems
I have narrowed down the volume issue to iPhones, played the exact same music from YT and with some of my android smartphones and viola.
I have the AirPods, I love them! I bought my wife the Beats X the day they came out ... I think the AirPods sound better, but I went ahead an ordered myself a pair of the Beats X too because there is a use case for both these devices, especially since I travel a ton .... as for the beats Solo 3 ... I have a pair of Bose QC 35's that nothing can beat their sound ... and while the W1 chip is cool, Bose connect to 2 devices at one time, so there is no additional pairing, when I use my Mac, it just plays sound from my Mac, when I switch to my iPad or iPhone, it plays on it, without have to connect again ... plus Noise Cancellation etc ... perfect travel headphones ... but walking around a big city, going from here to there, conference calls etc. AirPods win hands down ... Beats X will be perfect for the short travel trips, working out, or in general when things need to be more active ... again, use case for all these ...
I'm like christophermdia above - I bought AirPods on release day and love them for convenience, calls, case charging, auto-pause, etc. The only limitation I discovered is use on a plane. I travel a fair amount for work and AirPods can't overcome engine noise particularly when watching video...
...so I bought Beats Studio last month. The noise cancellation isn't as good as QC35s but I got them for $200 with discounts from BestBuy so couldn't pass up. They sound good and remove any noise distractions. Apple needs to replace micro usb charging with lightning.
...and then I bought BeatsX on launch day for noise isolation, working out, and short trips.
What did I do before Dec 19 besides walk around with a lot more money in my pocket? I sure never think about the lack of headphone jack on my iphone 7+.
If I had to choose one, it would be AirPods.
...so I bought Beats Studio last month. The noise cancellation isn't as good as QC35s but I got them for $200 with discounts from BestBuy so couldn't pass up. They sound good and remove any noise distractions. Apple needs to replace micro usb charging with lightning.
...and then I bought BeatsX on launch day for noise isolation, working out, and short trips.
What did I do before Dec 19 besides walk around with a lot more money in my pocket? I sure never think about the lack of headphone jack on my iphone 7+.
If I had to choose one, it would be AirPods.
Funnily enough the AirPods are probably better for working out if you have a good fit.