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Are you buying apples new wireless AirPods?


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I'll buy them secondhand for cheap from someone whose pair didn't fit, just to try them out. I could see myself using them if they stay in while running, but I'm not sure about the lack of noise isolation (and sound leakage).
 
Comparing the airpods to powerbeats and blue buds is not really a good comparison because both of those have wires running through them.

It would be a better comparison between the bragi dash or iconx. Which I think for the most part the airpods come on top.
I disagree. AirPods compete directly with Bluebuds and Powerbeats. Just because the later two are connected to a wire between each earpod doesn't change much. We are talking about wireless headphones regardless. Plus you'll notice how many people online are wondering if they can workout with AirPods. Obviously those consumers are going to contemplate Airpods versus other wireless options like the ones I listed.

AirPods have a lot of things going against them which I feel will make them DOA for their first-gen offering.
 
I disagree. AirPods compete directly with Bluebuds and Powerbeats. Just because the later two are connected to a wire between each earpod doesn't change much. We are talking about wireless headphones regardless. Plus you'll notice how many people online are wondering if they can workout with AirPods. Obviously those consumers are going to contemplate Airpods versus other wireless options like the ones I listed.

AirPods have a lot of things going against them which I feel will make them DOA for their first-gen offering.
Depends how you look at it. I know a lot of people don't like the feel of the earpods as they fall out, but I find the earpods the most comfortable since they aren't smashing my ear canals. The only 2 thing I dislike on the airpods is no volume control and the look of mini cigarettes coming out of your ears.

But i think if you can get past those 2 things it looks like it's best in its class of "completely wireless" earbuds. It has a better battery life then the iconx and bragi dash, faster charging capability, can take calls and listen on both sides, small form factor (the bragi dash has a big charger).
 
I was pleased with the announcement. Are they perfect? No. Have any that I've tried been perfect? No. Do I like how they will connect and be wireless (each bud, not just from the phone), absolutely. I will use them around the house, at my desk at work and also while walking. They are not made for every situation. If they don't fit the situation you want, don't buy them. Pretty simple really.
 
I won't.

It seems that the design team were down in numbers by one person. Unfortunately it was that persons job to ask all the silly questions like "what if the user has to run for a train?" "What if the user wants to lie back, lean forwards?" "What if they turn around quickly?"

The technical solution is terrific, the ergonomic one is less impressive.

Saying that regular EarPods are too small for my BFG like ears anyway.

Enjoy your new pods
 
Definitely interested.

But I'll wait for black and IPX7 water resistance (you know it'll come eventually). Too expensive to be disposable like EarPods.

On that note though, if you get AppleCare+ for your iPhone, could the warranty extend to the AirPods? In the fine print, it says it extends to accessories.
 
Depends how you look at it. I know a lot of people don't like the feel of the earpods as they fall out, but I find the earpods the most comfortable since they aren't smashing my ear canals. The only 2 thing I dislike on the airpods is no volume control and the look of mini cigarettes coming out of your ears.

But i think if you can get past those 2 things it looks like it's best in its class of "completely wireless" earbuds. It has a better battery life then the iconx and bragi dash, faster charging capability, can take calls and listen on both sides, small form factor (the bragi dash has a big charger).

Comfort-wise I think what you'll get from the X's or Powerbeats are far better. In my experience earpods always felt terrible in my ears.

I mean yeah, if we are talking completely wireless it might be your best bet (for now), however I still think it's an extremely flawed product and consumers will react accordingly.
 
my take is that you don't buy these for their amazing sound....if you want amazing sound that is wireless, you're going to buy other brands. i have two separate pairs of beats..the powerbeats that i use mostly for running and working out in the gym and the solo beats i use for watching movies on my macbook or when on an airplane.

for me, i've decided i may buy these for their everyday functionality.
1) the daily commute
2) the listening to music while on lunch break at work
3) talking on the phone and or facetime
4) the ease of going from one device to another and having all my apple products work.
5) i have a watch so i can control from the watch
6) it has pretty good battery life and a charging case if you need more juice
 
1. Some reviews claim they sound the same as the included headphones with your iPhone, which are mediocre/bad. None say they sound great.

2. No attention to noise cancellation.

This is what really matters to me when it comes to headphones.
And it seems like they are just as good as the regular EarPods in these categories, which is the dealbreaker for me.
 
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I'll definitely get a pair over the tangled wired mess that's with the phone. While I don't admire the looks, i like what Apple has built into them. It's all about ease of use and convenience knowing they'll sound the same as the ones included with phone. They're smart, connect automatically. Or just use one. No tangles to sort out but instead get to keep it charged. They're what I'll use when I don't have the Bose qc35 with me.
 
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Its the fit that's the deal-breaker for me. I need to use a pair of those Earhoox to use the bundled iPhone headphones and whilst I think they're great for handsfree calls when on long meetings, the poor fit means they're pretty rubbish for listening to music. Which is a shame because when I hold them in "properly", the sound quality is "ok" for using on the move.

The look doesn't bother me - the more I read about them, the more it seems like Apple have sorted out so many of the current problems with Bluetooth headphones and its some pretty cool tech. They look a bit strange, but is that just because there's not a wire going between them and round the back of your neck?
 
Comfort-wise I think what you'll get from the X's or Powerbeats are far better. In my experience earpods always felt terrible in my ears.
I'm going to have to disagree, for the same reason your quoted poster does: IEMs really bother my ear canals. I think it's awesome that IEMs work for so many people, but for me they aren't comfortable to use after 5-10 minutes. Sure the Earpods aren't the most comfortable either, but I do enjoy using them much more than any IEM. If I want wireless headphones I pretty much have to choose wireless earbuds that don't have the ear canal filling, noise isolation design that IEMs do. Overall I prefer over ear headphones when listening to music, but in certain situations, for myself, they aren't as practical as an earbud style headphone. For me I would personally decide to not listen to music than have to suffer through using an IEM; they just aren't comfortable.
 
AirPods are dead on arrival.

1. Some reviews claim they sound the same as the included headphones with your iPhone, which are mediocre/bad. None say they sound great.

2. No attention to noise cancellation.

3. No ability to adjust volume or skip tracks without using Siri. When I'm on the elliptical I don't want to use Siri, or my Apple Watch, or my iPhone, for such simple tasks. I want to be able to do them as easily as possible, which is the inline controls on the headphones themselves.

4. Poor battery life. My Bluebuds X's offer 8 hours, Powerbeats 3 claim 12 hours. No I don't want to rely on having to recharge my headphones on the go to get more battery life. I want them to last long throughout the day.

5. Pairing with my iPhone is already dead simple. Turn on my X's, wait literally one second, hear a voice say 'headphones connected', and I'm ready to use them.

6. This is just my personal opinion, but they look silly. White was a bad choice. Would have looked much better/less obvious in grey or black.
On 1, we will just have to wait and see.

On 2, same as 1 but I think it's worth noting that some reviews have suggested that the beam forming mics used for noise cancellation in calls also work in audio playback.

On 3, that's a totally fair criticism. I plan to use my watch to minimize the hassle with audio playback.

On 4, I don't think this is fair criticism unless you listen to your headphones 8-12 hours straight. If you take them out several times a day, what's the hassle with putting them in the case? You don't want to lose them or have them stolen anyway, right?

On 5, that is with one device. Switching between more than 2 is indeed a pain in the ass with most Bluetooth headphones. I have the JayBird Freedoms and to switch to a third device, I have to turn them off, then hold the play/pause button for several seconds to initiate pairing then find the listing in Bluetooth settings. It's cumbersome enough that I don't bother with it.

On 6, as you said it's subjective. I don't love the look but am willing to overlook it if it works as advertised.

I'm not 100% sold yet but the AirPods gave me intrigued. I am willing to compromise on audio quality and aesthetics for the sake of convenience. These would mostly be for mobile use anyway; I have the V-Moda Crossfade Wireless for serious listening.
 
On 5, that is with one device. Switching between more than 2 is indeed a pain in the ass with most Bluetooth headphones. I have the JayBird Freedoms and to switch to a third device, I have to turn them off, then hold the play/pause button for several seconds to initiate pairing then find the listing in Bluetooth settings. It's cumbersome enough that I don't bother with it.

Agreed.

I have a Bluetooth earphone for each device, and some sync between 2 devices well.

All of it is awkward.

Airpods simplifies all this.

I'll still keep my old earphone/headphones. They work. Mostly. Until they don't.

I'm hoping that the Airpods will be the only earphones that I will ever use or need.

I'll know more when I use the MACs with Siri.

Small price to pay for a lot of potential value to me.

 
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On 1, we will just have to wait and see.

Judging from early reviews there are going to be a ton come October pointing out how mediocre to bad these sound for music.

On 2, same as 1 but I think it's worth noting that some reviews have suggested that the beam forming mics used for noise cancellation in calls also work in audio playback.

Seriously doubt any attention was made to noise cancellation, otherwise they would say so.

On 3, that's a totally fair criticism. I plan to use my watch to minimize the hassle with audio playback.

Well that's a PITA at the gym.

On 4, I don't think this is fair criticism unless you listen to your headphones 8-12 hours straight. If you take them out several times a day, what's the hassle with putting them in the case? You don't want to lose them or have them stolen anyway, right?

You've never flown across America and used your headphones the entire time? Or to Europe, etc? I have. I take long flights all the time and 5 hours isn't going to cut it in one sitting.


On 5, that is with one device. Switching between more than 2 is indeed a pain in the ass with most Bluetooth headphones. I have the JayBird Freedoms and to switch to a third device, I have to turn them off, then hold the play/pause button for several seconds to initiate pairing then find the listing in Bluetooth settings. It's cumbersome enough that I don't bother with it.

I honestly don't use more than two devices with my headphones in one sitting. Perhaps it's an issue with 3 and more.

On 6, as you said it's subjective. I don't love the look but am willing to overlook it if it works as advertised.

I'm not 100% sold yet but the AirPods gave me intrigued. I am willing to compromise on audio quality and aesthetics for the sake of convenience. These would mostly be for mobile use anyway; I have the V-Moda Crossfade Wireless for serious listening.

Might as well get the Powerbeats 3. 12 hours of battery life. And they'll sound a hell of a lot better.
 
I have not read this entire thread, so I apologize if this has been mentioned already...

While I recognize that the Airpods/W1 chip's pairing capabilities are much better than the average bluetooth experience, not all bluetooth experience are alike. I have the new Bose SoundSport Wireless earphones and the pairing experience is top notch. They even have an App that improves the experience, but I rarely have to use it as it automatically pairs to my iPad and phone when I power them on.

Now, i'm not saying all this to say that I believe the Bose experience is on par or even better than the Airpods, but having gone through several bluetooth earphones before, I can understand why some people would instantly want to jump to this. I think the W1 chip is a neat innovation and hopefully we see it used in other earphones.

I would have liked to have seen a sport version with a wire between both earbuds and maybe a magnetic connection between both earbuds that when detached activated the W1 pairing.
 
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..and maybe a magnetic connection between both earbuds that when detached activated the W1 pairing.

AirPods has a sensor to know you're wearing or not. Just wearing it will connect it to your devices. (Connect, not pairing. You don't have to "pair" AirPods anymore)
 
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