Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are stylish, well-designed and seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem. They come with 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 and fancy virtual surround. They also have special features, like instant pairing, automatic switching and "Hey Siri".

Sound

Apple headphones typically offer great audio quality, and a majority models come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone with the Lightning cable. There are adapters that allow you to connect your headphones to the standard headphone socket, if you don't own a Lightning cable. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also impacted by the audio codec they use, so make sure you determine which audio format is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec used by headphones that are included with iPhones. It's designed for Apple devices. This audio codec is better for podcasts and music because it is less latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The most reliable Apple headphones will support at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which provides an even wider range than previous versions of the technology.

If you're looking for an immersive audio experience, consider headphones that feature Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature allows you to simulate surround sound and give an enhanced, immersive listening experience. This feature is only available for iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

Apple headphones aren't just great for audio but also look sleek. Apple's EarPods, for example, are simple but decent earbuds that fit into almost any pockets and offer high-quality audio.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more flexibility than EarPods, and their closed-back design provides greater noise reduction when you commute or participating in sports. The headphones are uncomfortable to wear for long periods and aren't comfortable enough to wear while running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and have an oversized build. Despite these shortcomings they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 is one of our top Apple headphones because they are comfortable to wear, provide incredible sound quality and have excellent noise cancellation. They're premium headphones that have an audio engine that is premium and compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, headphone store near me which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple headphones aren't an exception to the stylish design. Apple has a variety of headphones which include wired models that plug into the iPhone's headphone store near me port and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets are typically more expensive than similar models from rival brands, but they also often sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones in the world, and provide outstanding audio quality and noise cancellation in a slim, compact package. The earbuds are long-lasting battery life and feature Siri voice control for hands-free usage. The buds have a unique case that powers them up and keeps them safe when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement and can be helpful if you are working out or running. The wireless headphones also have an audio feature called spatial that mimics surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature can be disorienting however it's a great way to listen to movies and TV shows while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling headphones are another option for audiophiles and people who want to listen to Apple Music playlists. They can last up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 without, and they utilize the Apple W1 chip for easy setup and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also come with a custom "Hey Siri" activation and wings tips to ensure an optimum fit during workouts.

Apple and Google both offer headphones that are crafted to their respective ecosystems, but they each have their particular strengths. Google's Pixel Buds, for example are less expensive than Apple's AirPods but they come with a longer battery life as well as a customizable app and graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones might be ideal for those who depend on Apple's ecosystem, but their controls can be a source of frustration for anyone else. The simple designs of Apple's headphones don't always come with robust features. They lack essential functions in their wireless models. Siri is supposed to handle your music, not volume control.

Connectivity

The increasing number of Bluetooth options and the demise from the latest iPhones of the headphone jack has caused wired models to rapidly go the way of Dodo. For those who still prefer listening to music using traditional cables, Sony makes a wide range of over-the-ear and on-ear wired headphones that can be used with all Apple devices. The company also has a wireless pair of earbuds - the Momentum Free - that connect via the radio signal that is low-power.

If you own a Mac that is older make sure your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This standard provides better audio performance and longer battery life compared to older Bluetooth versions. Also, make sure to check the list of supported audio codecs and make sure your music files are playable.

Make sure you choose headphones with an elongated fit, no matter which kind you pick. On-ear or over-ear models that have a thick headband offer a secure fit and are less likely to fall out when you exercise. You need earbuds that fit comfortably and seal the ears and offer good noise cancellation to block out any background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II are among the top wireless headsets. The AirPods provide exceptional sound quality, excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing, and an elegant design, which has earned them the highest rating from customers, which is 4.5 out of five. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but have modern design, superior noise cancellation, and headphone Store Near me a long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest addition to the Bose quiet comfort line, which offers noise cancellation, a long battery life and a comfy size in a compact, portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, bringing support for the new AAC audio codec as well as a new wireless connection protocol that allows for greater Bluetooth speeds and lower latency.

If your headphones do not connect to your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop and select System Settings. Select the headphones you want to use from the list. Then, next to their name. You may need to switch the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding the pairing button until the status light turns on.

Value

Whether or not you consider them worth $549 is up to you, but in the end, the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The sound quality is superb, and features like transparency and auto-pause mode are very useful. They also feel exceptionally well-constructed, which is not always the case with wireless headphones.

Of course, this kind of high-end functionality comes with a cost and for a lot of people the AirPods are simply too expensive. However, the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for people who are already committed to Apple's ecosystem. They feature the same H1 chip that is found in the iPhone's latest generation of speakers. They use it to analyze the audio from eight microphones scattered around and inside the earcups. This enables the headphones to not only block out noise from outside, but to tailor your music's sound in real-time to the way they fit and stay around your head. Apple claims that it can adjust 200 times per second to your music that's a staggering number. The result is a set of headphones and prices that feel alive, with a cinematic depth and clarity that's a class of their own. AirPods Pro can make even the most boring tracks sound spectacular and enveloping.

Apple used to include a pair of EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were introduced. The earbuds are available however, they don't include a microphone. The new AirPods are more impressive, but these EarPods are still excellent for exercise or for commuting. They have a long battery longevity, and are comfortable to wear.

Beats the original line of earbuds and over-the-ear headphones was bought by Apple in 2014, however, they've largely stayed the same, except for upgrading to a newer W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is likely to stop selling the Beats brand eventually but collaborations with artists and periodic updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor, which is a bit more advanced, could make them more current.