Apple Headphones Review
Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are elegant, comfortable and seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem. They have an Lightning connector for iPhones, and some models have a 3.5mm adapter for older devices.
The AirPods Pro sound excellent for music and movies, including cinematic spatial audio as well as fancy virtual surround. They also have unique features like instant pairing automatic switching, and "Hey Siri" voice activation.
Sound
Apple headphones usually provide great sound quality, and many of them come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone using the Lightning cable. If you don't have a Lightning cable there are adapters which allow you to connect your headphones using a standard jack. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also impacted by the audio codec they employ and you should verify which audio codec is supported by the.
The headphones that come with the iPhone typically use the Apple AAC codec, which is optimized for Apple devices. This codec is ideal for music and podcasts because it is less latency than other Bluetooth codecs. Apple headphones which are the best support Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC, which is a more recent version of technology that has more range.
If you're looking for a more immersive audio experience, then consider headphones that feature Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature mimics surround sound to provide an experience that is more immersive. However, you'll need to have an iOS device running iOS 14 or later to be able to use this feature.
In addition to delivering high-quality audio, some Apple headphones also sport sleek designs. Apple's EarPods for instance are simple, but excellent earbuds that fit into the majority of pockets and offer excellent audio quality.
The Beats Studio3 headphones are more flexible than the EarPods and feature a closed-back design that offers better noise isolation for commutes and sports. They are uncomfortable on the ears if worn for prolonged periods of time, though, and are not as comfortable to wear while running. They also have a heavier build and cost more than Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these limitations they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top picks from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer incredible sound quality, and offer excellent noise cancellation. They're built to a high standard and feature an audio engine of premium quality that is compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which offers advanced features.
Design
Apple is known for their sleek design, and the headphones from the company aren't an exception. Apple offers a range of headphones which include wired models that plug into the headphone port on the iPhone and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets are generally more expensive than comparable models from rival brands, however they often sound better.
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the top-selling headphones worldwide. They provide outstanding audio quality, noise cancellation, and a sleek and compact package. The earbuds are long-lasting battery life and also feature Siri voice activation for hands-free use. The earbuds come in a distinctive case that powers them up and keeps them safe when they are not in your ears.
The AirPods Pro track your movement, which can be useful if you are working out or running. The wireless headphones also come with a feature called spatial audio that simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature can be confusing, but it's an enjoyable way to listen to TV shows and movies while on the move.
Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones is another great option for audiophiles and those who love Apple Music playlists. They can last up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 hours without, and they feature the Apple W1 chip for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also come with a custom "Hey Siri" activation, as well as wing tips for a secure fit during workouts.
Apple and Google both offer headphones that are crafted to their respective ecosystems, however they each have their own strengths. For instance Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods however they have an extended battery life and include an app that is customizable with graphic EQ settings.
Apple's headphones are great for people who rely on the Apple ecosystem, but their controls can cause frustration to anyone else. The simple design of the headphones from Apple doesn't always include robust features. They lack important functions that are essential to their wireless models. Siri is supposed to handle your music, not the volume control.
Continue
With the proliferation of Bluetooth headphones options and the removal of headphone jacks on most new iPhones, wired models are quickly going the way of the Dodo. Sony has a wide selection of wired headphones, on and over the ear, that are compatible with Apple devices. It also offers a truly wireless pair of earbuds, the Momentum Free - that connect via an extremely low-power radio signal.
If you're using a more recent Mac ensure that your headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This protocol offers superior audio quality and a longer battery life when compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. Also check the list of compatible audio codecs and make sure your music files are playable.
Regardless of what type of headphones you opt for make sure you choose models that provide an ensconced fit. Over-ear or on-ear models that have the thick headband will provide a secure fit that is less likely to fall off during exercise. In earbuds you want a snug fit that seals the ears and provides good noise canceling to cut out any background noise.
Some of the top wireless headphones are the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. AirPods are sleek and stylish and a great wireless Bluetooth pairing, which has earned them a rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version, but has modern design, better sound cancellation and a long battery life.
The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest model in the Bose quiet comfort line, which offers noise cancellation, long battery life and a comfortable size in a compact, portable package. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the model before it, added support for the AAC audio codec, as well as a new wireless protocol that allows for greater Bluetooth speeds and shorter time to complete.
If your headphones do not connect to your Mac try changing your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop, then select System Settings. Click on the headphones you would like to use from the list. right next to their names. You may need to switch the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding their pairing button until the status light blinks.
Value
If you think the headphones worth $549 is up to you, but in the end they are worth it. AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The sound quality is superb and features such as transparency and auto-pause mode are very useful. The headphones are also well built which isn't the usual case for wireless headphones.
Of course, this type of advanced functionality comes at costs and for a lot of people the AirPods are simply too expensive. However the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense to those who are deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. The AirPods Pro use the same H1 chipset used in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers to analyze the audio output from the eight microphones that are placed around and inside the earcups. The headphones can now tailor the sound of the music to suit your head and block out outside sounds in real-time. Apple claims it can make 200 adjustments every second to your music, which is a staggering amount. The result is a set of headphones that truly feel alive with cinematic depth and clarity that's in a league of their own. AirPods Pro can make even the most mundane tracks sound spectacular and enveloping.
Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone before the AirPods were released. The earbuds are still available today however they don't include a microphone. The new AirPods are more impressive, but they're still great for exercising or for commuting. They have excellent battery longevity, and fit comfortably.
Beats' original line of earbuds as well as over-the-ear headphones was bought by Apple in 2014, but they've largely remained the same except for upgrading to a more advanced W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is expected to discontinue the Beats brand at some point but collaborations with artists and occasional updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor, which is a bit more advanced, could keep them current.