Powerbeats Pro > AirPods Pro (Sound Quality)

[blairh]

Been using the PBP since launch. Received the APP last week. Have listened to both with a variety of music genres. To my ears, the PBP are on a completely different level SQ-wise. The APP offer things the PBP does not. Smaller case, ANC and Transparency, wireless charging. All great things and valid reasons to opt for the APP over the PBP. But SQ-wise, I find it's not even close.

 

[jterp7]

Been using the PBP since launch. Received the APP last week. Have listened to both with a variety of music genres. To my ears, the PBP are on a completely different level SQ-wise. The APP offer things the PBP does not. Smaller case, ANC and Transparency, wireless charging. All great things and valid reasons to opt for the APP over the PBP. But SQ-wise, I find it's not even close.

heh i picked up my pbp first week of september. When i first tried the app in store my heart sank since these were the upgrade to the airpod1 I was looking for.

i never really liked the mids on the pbp which for me were instantly better on the app. Main thing I noticed was definitely less bass than the pbp but still improved over gen 1

 

[drasl]

I also much more prefer the sound of the PBP over the Airpods Pro.

The Airpods Pro are not bad but the PBP offer a much more immersive sound experience.

 

[jbachandouris]

I didn't purchase either yet, but when I used the demo PBP, they sounded like garbage (most likely defective) and the APP sounded much better.

I own the Power Beats 3 and have the APP on order.

 

[AppelGeenyus]

I have both and think APP sound quality is slightly better overall, but only when ANC is enabled.

I noticed that APP sound noticeably better(than APP in default mode) when ANC is on, even when there is no noise to cancel out. Primarily clarity for mids and highs are improved but bass is also a little cleaner. AFAIK dynamic Adaptive EQ is disabled when ANC is off so that's probably why.

PBP definitely have a 'stronger' sound mostly due to extra bass, but it comes at the cost of clarity to mids and highs. I would never say one is way better than the other, they're basically the same and comes down to personal preference depending on what you listen to.

 

[jterp7]

I have both and think APP sound quality is slightly better overall, but only when ANC is enabled.

I noticed that APP sound noticeably better(than APP in default mode) when ANC is on, even when there is no noise to cancel out. Primarily clarity for mids and highs are improved but bass is also a little cleaner. AFAIK dynamic EQ is disabled when ANC is off so that's probably why.

PBP definitely have a 'stronger' sound mostly due to extra bass, but it comes at the cost of clarity to mids and highs. I would never say one is way better than the other, they're basically the same and comes down to personal preference depending on what you listen to.

lol im afraid if i buy it the pbp will forever collect dust like the matte black studios i have sitting around my house somewhere

 

[Brien]

I own the PBP and to my ears the AirPods Pro sounded better - but only slightly... I do agree though that noise canceling has to be on for them to sound good.

 

[jterp7]

I own the PBP and to my ears the AirPods Pro sounded better - but only slightly... I do agree though that noise canceling has to be on for them to sound good.

this is due to anc tied to dynamic eq right

 

[tonester697]

lol im afraid if i buy it the pbp will forever collect dust like the matte black studios i have sitting around my house somewhere

LOL I'm already at that point you speak of--I have PBP (bought shortly after initial release), hardly used them all this time and currently collecting dust other than to top off the battery every few weeks or so, now have APP.

 

[DesertSilver]

I agree with OP that sound quality on PBP is better than APP. I realize everyone has their own preferences and it's mostly a subjective topic but, to me, the PBP has a more full/even sound. To my ears, the APP has boosted mids, which means the highs and lows fall off. This is with good eartips seal. The various APP sound modes make a small difference but don't compare to the PBP.

That being said, I really wanted to like the APP since I prefer the form factor for my usage of 75% music/calls and 25% running.

I guess I have another week or so to decide to return the APP or not but I'm preferring the PBP for now.

 

[jterp7]

I agree with OP that sound quality on PBP is better than APP. I realize everyone has their own preferences and it's mostly a subjective topic but, to me, the PBP has a more full/even sound. To my ears, the APP has boosted mids, which means the highs and lows fall off. This is with good eartips seal. The various APP sound modes make a small difference but don't compare to the PBP.

That being said, I really wanted to like the APP since I prefer the form factor for my usage of 75% music/calls and 25% running.

I guess I have another week or so to decide to return the APP or not but I'm preferring the PBP for now.

hmm this might explain something then since i tend to prefer boosted mids. For fans of that the pbps are a bit muddy. Guess I will have to get the app like tonester haha