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How did the 3rd gen AirPods fit you?

  • Perfect Fit - (Keeping)

    Votes: 29 39.2%
  • Horrible Fit - (Returning)

    Votes: 19 25.7%
  • It's okay, neither good or bad - (Keeping)

    Votes: 17 23.0%
  • It's okay, neither good or bad - (Returning)

    Votes: 9 12.2%

  • Total voters
    74

unknownx

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 25, 2011
199
30
A lot of different opinions about the 3rd gen fit - every ear is unique but lets make a vote ?

For those who returning, are you going back to 2nd gen or Pro?

If they fit good, would you consider yourself having small or big ears? :p
 

jonjames505

macrumors member
Sep 26, 2017
95
151
Got my Gen 3's on launch day and returned them in store today. Back to my Gen 2's and my ears are comfy again.
 
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turbineseaplane

macrumors P6
Mar 19, 2008
17,391
40,164
The longer I have been using them and comparing them to my second generation model, the more I’m thinking about returning the third gens.

It’s not that they’re super uncomfortable, it’s just that in comparison to the second generation — I notice them. My second gens just totally disappear in my ears
 
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sfrangu

macrumors regular
May 13, 2021
210
268
Perfect fit but returned to switch to the Pros. Love the Pros.
Average size ears.
 

mrples

macrumors newbie
Oct 21, 2010
27
10
Not as painful as Pros, but also not as fitting as 2nd gen. I have large ear canals, but the 3s don’t fit and become loose from speaking or running. Can’t use the during sports. Will return them.
 
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carlos916

macrumors regular
Jun 18, 2010
160
95
Sacramento, CA
i have mixed feelings.. like the 2nd gen as they fit perfect and sound great, i tried the pros but not a fan of ear tips as they are uncomfortable and these 3rd gens sound great!.. good bass and the Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking is fantastic but after an hour of usage my ears hurt real bad.. i might try one more week and if it just doesn't work out i will return them :(
really wish they had kept the 2nd gen form or just made them 2-5mm smaller form and they would probably have fit better.
 
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fischersd

macrumors 603
Oct 23, 2014
5,380
1,942
Port Moody, BC, Canada
I really wanted the AP3's to work out, but they were just painful - and the lack of a good fit didn't help the sound quality.
The Pro's seem like a good fit for me (with the smaller tips) - may try out some of the Comply foam tips though - had those previously on my Powerbeats 2's and loved them.

My tiny girlfriend absolutely loves her AP3's - so you really can't guesstimate based on the size of your frame - everyone's ears are different (seems the FBI's not wrong on that) ;)
 

turbineseaplane

macrumors P6
Mar 19, 2008
17,391
40,164
but after an hour of usage my ears hurt real bad..

I’m on the same spectrum. I wouldn’t say that my ears ever hurt real bad but I never forget that they are in and it feels mildly nice to take them out.

I never had these feelings ever with my first or second generation model.

I’m pretty mixed because if I’m gonna feel that they are in, there are a lot of other options I could go with. To me the magic with the AirPods was just how they disappear and I can’t even feel them and just sort of “enjoy”.

For me that particular magic is not there on the third generation model
 

BB-8

macrumors newbie
Sep 23, 2015
25
34
New Zealand
I’m on the same spectrum. I wouldn’t say that my ears ever hurt real bad but I never forget that they are in and it feels mildly nice to take them out.

I never had these feelings ever with my first or second generation model.

I’m pretty mixed because if I’m gonna feel that they are in, there are a lot of other options I could go with. To me the magic with the AirPods was just how they disappear and I can’t even feel them and just sort of “enjoy”.

For me that particular magic is not there on the third generation model
This. And I also just found it distracting from the music. Rather than going into my own world from listening to the music, I kept coming out to think about the actual earphones in my ears... which I shouldn't be.
 
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velo

Suspended
Dec 5, 2008
134
125
Apple make four different models of AirPods with different shapes and fit. Buy and use what works for your ears.

AirPods 3 work for me. I don’t expect every other model to have the same shape and disregard the millions of people that have a different preference.
 

ionasdf

macrumors regular
Apr 21, 2021
140
494
Finland
Just about perfect fit, used mine yesterday for close to two hours straight (walking, driving, running, moving about at home, and shower) and at no point did I feel any discomfort. Don't know what size my ears are but EarPods fit perfect too.

Will be keeping them even though I'm not enjoying the sound 100%.
 

PowerMike G5

macrumors 6502a
Oct 22, 2005
556
245
New York, NY
Apple make four different models of AirPods with different shapes and fit. Buy and use what works for your ears.

AirPods 3 work for me. I don’t expect every other model to have the same shape and disregard the millions of people that have a different preference.
Yes, this is exactly what I did. Ended up from Airpods 3 to 2, and the 2 fit my ears great.

So for reference, is are the AirPods 3's the same exact shape as the pros, just without the silicone tips?
 

chugg

macrumors regular
Oct 14, 2008
244
182
I just got these. After about 40 minutes or so, my ears start getting sore. It's not like crazy painful but like someone else said, I do feel relief when I take them out which is pretty much opposite of my experience with the Gen 2. Damnit. I really do like the sound of these but I wish they kept the old design which I could basically wear for the entire day.
 
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jonjames505

macrumors member
Sep 26, 2017
95
151
I just got these. After about 40 minutes or so, my ears start getting sore. It's not like crazy painful but like someone else said, I do feel relief when I take them out which is pretty much opposite of my experience with the Gen 2. Damnit. I really do like the sound of these but I wish they kept the old design which I could basically wear for the entire day.
I echo those thoughts completely.
 

turbineseaplane

macrumors P6
Mar 19, 2008
17,391
40,164
I’m getting closer to returning my 3’s

Now that I see the new Beats announced today with the wings, which are basically APP with wings, I might get those and keep a combo of those and my AP2.

Part of my calculus here is to not overlap and I think my 2’s will remain my go to for casual podcasts/music around the house...and the the new Beats could cover travel (ANC) and exercise (spin bike) and also sitting down for a focused movie with the spatial audio, head tracking, sealing design, etc.

Crazy?
 
Last edited:

jonjames505

macrumors member
Sep 26, 2017
95
151
I’m getting closer to returning my 3’s

Now that I see the new Beats announced today with the wings, which are basically APP with wings, I might get those and keep a combo of those and my AP2.

Part of my calculus here is to not overlap and I think my 2’s will remain my go to for casual podcasts/music around the house...and the the new Beats could cover travel (ANC) and exercise (spin bike) and also sitting down for a focused movie with the spatial audio, head tracking, sealing design, etc.

Crazy?
I wouldn't call you crazy but it would be nice to have one pair do everything - from kick arounds to focused movie.
 
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turbineseaplane

macrumors P6
Mar 19, 2008
17,391
40,164
I wouldn't call you crazy but it would be nice to have one pair do everything - from kick arounds to focused movie.

That's honestly unlikely for me once occasional travel needs (ANC) and exercise (wingtips) are factored in.

Changed my vote - printing return label right now
 

chugg

macrumors regular
Oct 14, 2008
244
182
My issue is that if I’m willing to put up with the discomfort of the AirPods 3, I might as well just go for the AirPods Pro which are about the same price now.
 
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turbineseaplane

macrumors P6
Mar 19, 2008
17,391
40,164
My issue is that if I’m willing to put up with the discomfort of the AirPods 3, I might as well just go for the AirPods Pro which are about the same price now.

Same - the "magic" and "barely there at all" from the AP1/AP2 isn't there on the AP3 for me.

Since I have AP2's that are fairly new, I figured I'd try supplementing with the new Beats that are basically APP clones built a bit more for exercise and staying in the ear.

(the reason I'm even doing any of this is that I have a family member who wanted to gift me new AirPods all the way back in last spring. Very generous and just trying to find a way to allow for that gift to finally happen, etc)
 

Abazigal

Contributor
Jul 18, 2011
20,392
23,893
Singapore
I’m getting closer to returning my 3’s

Now that I see the new Beats announced today with the wings, which are basically APP with wings, I might get those and keep a combo of those and my AP2.

Part of my calculus here is to not overlap and I think my 2’s will remain my go to for casual podcasts/music around the house...and the the new Beats could cover travel (ANC) and exercise (spin bike) and also sitting down for a focused movie with the spatial audio, head tracking, sealing design, etc.

Crazy?

Not unless you decide to add AirPods max to the mix as well.
 

orange23

macrumors regular
Oct 14, 2020
118
176
My issue is that if I’m willing to put up with the discomfort of the AirPods 3, I might as well just go for the AirPods Pro which are about the same price now.

On some channel, Pro is even a bit cheaper than 3... Whoever developed Airpods 3 shall resign...
 
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