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macrumors 6502a
Jul 13, 2008
770
53
Quite a few articles out there on sites such as MacWorld match my own experience after upgrading to the 3rd Generation. A very welcome improvement.

"The AirPods’ new look will be the first thing you notice, but the improved sound quality will make the most lasting impression. Apple uses a new driver in its new design, which makes a big difference to clarity and the “punch” of bass-heavy tracks. Listening to my playlist of audio test tracks—a diverse set from classical to rock, modern pop to remastered classics—is a totally different experience than it is on second-gen AirPods."

Of course we can simply dismiss every positive article by saying "It's fake, Apple pays them to say that."

There are numerous articles without a doubt but I personally tested it with varied types of music on apple music itself such as "magic bomb" and the bass was comparable. I can attest the p3 was indeed a tiny bit better but I would not want a product that would somehow make me uncomfortable.

I have tried the earphones for a few days and even after multiple adjustments, I would feel the pain. Noted that if the P2 would not exist, I would have kept it but upon my self-evaluation, I did realize shorter calls as I wanted to get the earphones out of my ears.

Now back to the sound quality, if I were to grade the difference it would at best be at 95% vs a 100% with p3. And thats because I'm literarily pushed with the apple verse. "the best ever"

I did like the small mic stick though.
 

Pushpaw

macrumors newbie
Jan 9, 2015
28
24
Sorry to hear that you are not happy with the gen 3 Airpods. I just got mine today. I actually went into an Apple Store to try them on first as I'd seen people talking about them being to big, hurting ears, falling out etc. I have to say I am super happy with them.

My gen 1 Airpods are still kicking, although the battery life is starting to become noticeably shorter. I've had them just over 3 years and use them most days for a couple hours at least. I also have Airpod Pros that I got for riding the bus where noise is a big issue, but then the pandemic happened and I never ride the bus. I still wear them sometimes and love how they sound, but noise cancellation is overkill at home. That and the silicon tips make my ears itch haha.

The 3rd gen Airpods seem like a nice middle ground for me. The 1st gens didn't fit my early quite right, and so I would have to either fuss with them a lot or put the little fuzzy wraps over them like old school headphones have or the bass would be barely there. The new 3rd gens sound great, and fit me perfectly. I've been wearing them for about an hour now and can tell that they will have the same invisible (to me) feel that the 1st gens do. I'll report back if that changes, but first impressions are these are great!
 

navigates

macrumors 6502a
Jul 13, 2008
770
53
Yes that was terrible too for me. The didn’t fall out but when smiling, talking and eating with the AP3 I was getting pain.
I was in the same position. Would get a sense of pain and tried it for a few days and would feel the pain. The gen two never falls off my ears as it does for others. I’m glad they are still available and I purchased them back again and am happy
 

bluesteel

macrumors 6502
Apr 5, 2007
429
55
Earth
I returned my AirPods 3 too. The right earbud fit good, but the left earbud was a bit too large for that ear. It hurt to push it in, and when I got it in somewhat, it would fall out if I touched it. I was super disappointed because I loved how light and unobtrusive the right side felt, and I loved the sound. I'm surprised they haven't tried releasing three AirPods sizes. My ideal size is in between AirPods 1+2 and AirPods 3.

I picked up a pair of AirPods Pro for $180 on Amazon the other day and I am very happy with the fit, comfort and sound. I'm a little restless because I know AirPods Pro 2 are right around the corner, but wow, I really like these AirPods Pro.
 
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Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
I’m just waiting for someone to have an AirPods 2 in one ear & an AirPods 3 in the other, due to differing fits in their ears. Or at least a photo of that while they hoped they’d work that way.
 

David Taub

macrumors member
Apr 2, 2016
59
22
Miami Beach FL
Mine are going back to Apple today. Waiting for a pickup. It's a shame. I really like the sound. My first pair of airpods. But dang, I'm just sitting at my desk typing up an email the other day and the right one falls out, bounces off my desk into the trash can. Not good.

I tried for a week. Turning them this way and that to get a tight, tighter, perfect fit. Could never find it. They were always falling out of my ears.

Wondering now what to do. Try version 2? Airpod pros? I've been using Bose sport buds but they fall out too, eventually, even with the wing things and trying different size buds.
 

Davelfc

macrumors 6502
Mar 2, 2014
390
651
Liverpool
I’m keeping mine but they do like to work their way out of my ear. I do have to keep pushing them back. I do think for some these just won‘t work at all.
 

CPx

macrumors 6502a
Sep 6, 2013
705
531
For me the Airpods 2 fit perfectly, and luckily, the 3's actually fit pretty well too! I was afraid they might be too big from people's comments, but they still work. But yeah only way to find out if they work for you is to try.
 

orange23

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 14, 2020
118
176
It takes time to get used to bigger things (Said my ex)

Human ears has bone inside which means "incompatible is incompatible" while assuming your ex has no such "bone" issue... get a better education
 

Brettka7

macrumors 6502
Nov 5, 2011
498
490
My AirPods 3 sounded great, but I’ve never had headphones so eager to fall out - I don’t mean slip out, but straight up fall entirely out of my ears onto the floor any time I work out or eat with them in.

Going back to my OG AirPods til the battery gets too bad to be usable, I guess.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
im glad its not too big for my ears!

that would suck and I empathize with people who do think they are. my gf they dont fit straight up

if they didnt fit - would save me some money at least :D
 
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