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ducatiti

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 18, 2011
932
153
Anyone has both and prefer one compared to another? More importantly, does the new firmware fully fix the video lag issue? Don't get me wrong, AirPods sound great but after a while and in certain songs, the bass become a bit distorted at 75% volume.

Thank you in advance for your opinions.
 

beastmode16

macrumors regular
Sep 5, 2011
122
1
Anyone has both and prefer one compared to another? More importantly, does the new firmware fully fix the video lag issue? Don't get me wrong, AirPods sound great but after a while and in certain songs, the bass become a bit distorted at 75% volume.

Thank you in advance for your opinions.

I found that the Bose sound isolation to be worse than the AirPods. However at almost double the price they do sound better than the AirPods when it comes down to bass. But I found that they disconnected quite a bit from my phone. Overall I find the AirPods more enjoyable.
 

ducatiti

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 18, 2011
932
153
I found that the Bose sound isolation to be worse than the AirPods. However at almost double the price they do sound better than the AirPods when it comes down to bass. But I found that they disconnected quite a bit from my phone. Overall I find the AirPods more enjoyable.

Thanks for the input. In terms of the connection issues, is it because the Bose is using an older BT technology?

More enjoyable because you have no connection issues on the AirPods?
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
Anyone has both and prefer one compared to another? More importantly, does the new firmware fully fix the video lag issue? Don't get me wrong, AirPods sound great but after a while and in certain songs, the bass become a bit distorted at 75% volume.

Thank you in advance for your opinions.

In comparison to the AirPods and Bose, the where AirPods excel the most is through loudness, but they do not hold base As the Bose do. I think the AirPods are more than sufficient enough for the audio and simplicity when pairing with the iPhone. But I think the AirPods with battery life is a huge advantage with longevity.
 
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ducatiti

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 18, 2011
932
153
In comparison to the AirPods and Bose, the where AirPods excel the most is through loudness, but they do not hold base As the Bose do. I think the AirPods are more than sufficient enough for the audio and simplicity when pairing with the iPhone. But I think the AirPods with battery life is a huge advantage with longevity.

So are you saying at full volume, the AirPods are louder and have less distortion?
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
So are you saying at full volume, the AirPods are louder and have less distortion?

When I work out with my AirPods, I almost have them at full volume (One Notch lower than full volume), and I have no distortion whatsoever. They are more than enough loud for my uses.
 

Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
So are you saying at full volume, the AirPods are louder and have less distortion?
I don't notice distortion on mine either, when at near full volume. Even at full volume (only when mowing the lawn), I still hear music clearly.

My EQ is off btw.
 
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EDH667

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
1,035
279
Northern California
Anyone has both and prefer one compared to another? More importantly, does the new firmware fully fix the video lag issue? Don't get me wrong, AirPods sound great but after a while and in certain songs, the bass become a bit distorted at 75% volume.

Thank you in advance for your opinions.
I have both and use the Apple AirPods to listen to audio books when I walk which provide less sound isolation than the SoundSport Free earbuds. I listen to my music around the house with my SoundSport Free because the sound and connection is excellent. The video lag is gone with the latest firmware upgrade for all Apple devices that I have used. I have an aftermarket bluetooth transmitter for a cable box that is unwatchable using the SoundSport free because the video lag is about a second.
 

cargobrian

macrumors regular
Apr 17, 2015
103
40
Long Island NY
I have both and I thought I really loved the airpods, however I always thought they could be better. Few weeks ago I picked up the Bose soundsport free and I absolutely love them. They fit in your ear perfectly and the sound is amazing. Since getting the Bose, I have taken the airpods and put them in my drawer. I usually bring my Bose QC35 with me when I fly, however my last trip to detroit I had only brought my airpods (bid mistake) could barely hear them unless I pushded them deep into my ear canal. Looking forward to my next trip to LAX when I bring my new Soundsport frees to see how they sound in a noisy cabin. Will also have my QC35 with me for my main headphones when traveling.

I only use my bose SSF with Apple products. Since the recent update, I have not had any problems with sound or drop offs at all. They only problem I see is when you try to watch youtube. Itunes,Netflix, Hulu, Amazon all work perfectly fine.

Love these, only wish they were cheaper.

Also considering getting the 2 year extended warranty for them should there be any future issues.
 

ducatiti

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 18, 2011
932
153
I have both and I thought I really loved the airpods, however I always thought they could be better. Few weeks ago I picked up the Bose soundsport free and I absolutely love them. They fit in your ear perfectly and the sound is amazing. Since getting the Bose, I have taken the airpods and put them in my drawer. I usually bring my Bose QC35 with me when I fly, however my last trip to detroit I had only brought my airpods (bid mistake) could barely hear them unless I pushded them deep into my ear canal. Looking forward to my next trip to LAX when I bring my new Soundsport frees to see how they sound in a noisy cabin. Will also have my QC35 with me for my main headphones when traveling.

I only use my bose SSF with Apple products. Since the recent update, I have not had any problems with sound or drop offs at all. They only problem I see is when you try to watch youtube. Itunes,Netflix, Hulu, Amazon all work perfectly fine.

Love these, only wish they were cheaper.

Also considering getting the 2 year extended warranty for them should there be any future issues.

That’s too bad re YouTube. I’m really this close of exchanging till I read your post. I do a lot of YouTube while the wifey is watching tv.
[doublepost=1516055641][/doublepost]I would like to hear from the others as well in regards to the newest firmware and video lag, before I make a decision tomorrow. I’ve read mixed opinions regarding the infamous video lag.

Thank you in advance.
 

EDH667

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
1,035
279
Northern California
That’s too bad re YouTube. I’m really this close of exchanging till I read your post. I do a lot of YouTube while the wifey is watching tv.
On my IOS devices if I access YouTube through the Safari bowser, there is no lag with the SoundSport free. If I use the YouTube IOS App, there is lag.
 
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ducatiti

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 18, 2011
932
153
On my IOS devices if I access YouTube through the Safari bowser, there is no lag with the SoundSport free. If I use the YouTube IOS App, there is lag.

Latest firmware? Thank you btw.
 

ducatiti

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 18, 2011
932
153
Yes, latest firmware on the SoundSport Free 1.3.2 and latest IOS 11.2.2.

Ok keeping the airpods for now and save up for a Samsung T5. I should have bought one when it was on sale for $149 :)
 

sparksd

macrumors G3
Jun 7, 2015
9,989
34,247
Seattle WA
On my IOS devices if I access YouTube through the Safari bowser, there is no lag with the SoundSport free. If I use the YouTube IOS App, there is lag.

I swear I'm seeing lag in the YouTube app with both my wired Bluetooth Bose SoundSports and my AirPods but not with any hard-wired headphones. And this is with the YouTube app only.
 

ducatiti

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 18, 2011
932
153
I swear I'm seeing lag in the YouTube app with both my wired Bluetooth Bose SoundSports and my AirPods but not with any hard-wired headphones. And this is with the YouTube app only.

No lag for me on the AirPods whatsoever, even on Youtube.
 

empaulio

macrumors member
Nov 13, 2007
61
54
Im currently using B&O's Beoplay E8.
Having used a pair of AirPods prior, i must say the E8's are significantly better. Much richer sound and deeper bass.
 

JNGold

macrumors 6502a
Aug 25, 2009
889
73
Im currently using B&O's Beoplay E8.
Having used a pair of AirPods prior, i must say the E8's are significantly better. Much richer sound and deeper bass.

I had a terrible experience with the E8’s with sound breakups and wonky capacitive touch controls. I updated the firmware to the latest with no joy there.

Full disclosure, I own both AirPods and Soundsport Frees. The Bose are now my daily drivers.
 

weeesss

macrumors 6502
Oct 24, 2017
349
187
I have the Soundsport Wireless and was thinking about stepping up with the SSF's now that i gave up on the Airpods ever fitting my ears. I really don't find the cable that cumbersome and the sound is great. I do notice that while running I keep having to push them back in my ears, but noticed last night I was using the small stayhere tips when I thought I was using the large.

Is there anything improved or just no wire?
 

EDH667

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
1,035
279
Northern California
I have the Soundsport Wireless and was thinking about stepping up with the SSF's now that i gave up on the Airpods ever fitting my ears. I really don't find the cable that cumbersome and the sound is great. I do notice that while running I keep having to push them back in my ears, but noticed last night I was using the small stayhere tips when I thought I was using the large.

Is there anything improved or just no wire?
I have both and in my opinion the SoundSport Free have superior sound and farther distance ability away from your iPhone. The SoundSport free may have video lag on certain Bluetooth systems, however all of my IOS devices work fine except for the YouTube App (YouTube through Safari works fine).
 
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dmaxdmax

macrumors 6502a
Oct 26, 2006
768
174
I bought both and returned the Bose which sound better without question. However, I think the AirPods win on every other count and I’d prefer them even without a cost difference.
 
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Ipadlover29

macrumors 6502a
May 28, 2011
977
320
In my opinion the AirPods are better then the Bose in just about every catageory. The Bose definitely sound better and have more bass. The Bose also have volume controls. Other than that AirPods are just a better package with more battery life, easier to use, cheaper. The Bose are still plagued with technical and reliability issues. AirPods are flawless and never fail, have amazing range and connectivity.
 
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