Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are stylish comfortable, comfy 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 films and music, including cinematic spatial audio as well as fancy virtual surround. They have other special features, like instant pairing, automatic switching, and "Hey Siri".

Sound

Apple headphones generally provide excellent audio quality, and a majority of the models feature noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods as well as others that can be connected to your iPhone through an Lightning cable. If you don't have a Lightning cable there are adapters which allow users to connect headphones using a standard jack. Apple headphones' sound quality is also affected by the audio codecs they employ. Be sure to verify which type of audio is supported.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically utilize the Apple AAC codec that is optimized for Apple devices. This audio codec is better for podcasts and music because it is less latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The best Apple headphones include at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0, which has more range than earlier versions of the technology.

If you're looking for an immersive audio experience, look at headphones that incorporate Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature simulates surround sound and give an enhanced, immersive listening experience. This feature is only available on iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

In addition to delivering high-quality audio Some Apple headphones also sport a sleek design. The company's EarPods, for example, are simple but decent earbuds that fit into the majority of pockets and offer great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more versatility than EarPods and their closed-back design provides better noise isolation when commuting or doing sports. The headphones can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and aren't comfortable enough for wear when running. They also have a slightly heavier construction and are more expensive than Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these limitations, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our favorite headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer an amazing audio quality, and provide outstanding noise cancellation. They are high-end headphones with high-end audio engines that are compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple is renowned for its elegant design, and the headphones made by the company aren't an exception. They offer a variety of options, ranging from wired models which connect to an iPhone's Headphone Online Shopping jack, to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but usually sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the best-selling worldwide. They deliver outstanding audio quality, noise cancelling and an elegant and compact design. The earbuds have a long battery life and also feature Siri voice activation for hands-free use. The earbuds come with an case that charges and protects them when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement, which is helpful if you're running or working out. The wireless headphones also come with a feature called spatial audio that simulates surround sound when you stream videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature can be disorienting, but it's an enjoyable method of listening to movies and TV shows while on the move.

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

Both Apple and Google make earbuds with their particular ecosystem in mind, however each brand's earbuds have their strengths. Google's Pixel Buds, for example, are cheaper than Apple's AirPods but they come with longer battery life, a customizable app, and graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones may be great for those who depend on Apple's ecosystem, but their controls can frustrate anyone else. The simple designs of Apple's headphones don't always have robust features. They also lack some important functions in their truly wireless models. Siri is expected to manage your music, not the volume control.

Connectivity

The proliferation of Bluetooth options and the demise from the latest iPhones of the headphone jack has caused wired models to rapidly disappear like Dodo. Sony has a wide selection of wired headphones, both on and over the ear, which are compatible with Apple devices. It also offers a pair of wireless earbuds - the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low-power low-range radio signal to provide an almost wire-free listening experience.

If you have a newer Mac make sure that your headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This technology provides superior audio quality and a longer battery life when compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. Also, make sure to check the list of audio codecs to ensure your music files are playable.

Regardless of what type of headphones you choose make sure you choose models that provide a secure fit. Over-ear or on-ear models that have a thick headband offer a secure fit and are less likely to slip out during physical activity. In earbuds, you want an earbud that is snug and secures the ears and also provides excellent noise cancellation to block out background noise.

Some of the best wireless headphones include the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless, and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. AirPods have a sleek design and a great wireless Bluetooth pairing, which has earned them a high rating of 4.5 stars from customers. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version, but it has new design, improved sound cancellation, and a longer battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the latest addition to the Bose quiet comfort line. It offers noise cancellation, a longer battery life and a comfortable package that is compact and portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, and adds support for the new AAC audio codec as well as a new wireless connection protocol that allows for more Bluetooth speeds and reduced latency.

If your headphones are unable to pair with your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Look for your headphones on the list and then click the right next to their names. You may have to switch the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding their pairing button until the status light blinks.

Value

The question of whether you'd consider them worth $549 is entirely up to you, but in the end, the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The sound quality is excellent and features like auto-pause mode and transparency are extremely beneficial. The headphones are also incredibly well-constructed and sound great, which isn't always the case for wireless headphones.

Of course, that sort of sophisticated functionality comes at costs and for many the AirPods are too expensive. However, the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already committed to Apple's ecosystem. The AirPods Pro utilize the same H1 chipset found in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers to analyze the sound coming from the eight microphones positioned within the earcups and around them. This enables the headphones to not only actively block out noise from outside, but to tailor your music's sound in real-time to how they fit and seal around your head. Apple claims to be able adjust 200 settings to your music per second, which is an incredible amount. The result is a pair of headphones that are truly alive with cinematic clarity and headphone Online shopping depth that's unmatched. AirPods Pro can make even the most basic tracks sound vivid and enveloping.

Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were introduced. The earbuds are in use today, but they do not have a mic. They're not as impressive as a pair of the brand new AirPods, but they're still great for commuting or exercising on a treadmill, and come with excellent battery life and a comfortable fitting.

Beats Original line of earbuds as well as over-the-ear headphones was bought by Apple in 2014, but they've largely stayed the same, headphones online Store with the exception of upgrading to a more advanced W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is expected to discontinue the Beats brand eventually however, collaborations with artists and occasional updates such as the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor that is more recent could make them more current.