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 come with a 3.5mm adapter for older devices.

The AirPods Pro sound excellent for movies and music, with cinematic spatial audio and fancy virtual surround. They also come with unique features like instant pairing, automatic switching and "Hey Siri".

Sound

Apple headphones are renowned for their excellent sound quality. Some models also have noise cancellation. Some are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone with an Lightning cable. There are adapters that let you to connect your headphones to a standard headphone socket in the event that you don't have a Lightning cable. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also impacted by the audio codec they utilize therefore, you must verify which audio codec is supported.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically use the Apple AAC codec that is optimized for Apple devices. This audio codec is more suitable for Headphones Apple music and podcasts since it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The best Apple headphones will have at minimum AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which offers an even wider range than previous versions of the technology.

If you're looking for an even more immersive audio experience, consider buying headphones that feature the Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature mimics surround sound for a more immersive listening experience. You'll need to be using an iOS device running iOS 14 or later to use this feature.

In addition to offering excellent audio and sound quality, some Apple headphones also have sleek designs. The company's EarPods, for example are basic but good earbuds that can fit in almost any pockets and offer high-quality audio.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more flexibility than EarPods, and their closed-back design gives better noise isolation when commuting or participating in sports. They can be uncomfortable to the ears when worn for long periods of time they aren't as comfortable to wear when running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and have a heavier build. Despite these drawbacks, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top picks from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer an amazing sound quality, and offer exceptional noise cancellation. They're built to a high standard and include an audio engine of premium quality that is compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which includes advanced features.

Design

Apple is renowned for its elegant 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 headsets are more expensive, but often sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones in the world, and provide amazing audio quality and noise cancellation in a slim, compact package. The earbuds come with a long battery life and come with Siri voice control for hands-free usage. The earbuds come with a case that charges and keeps them safe when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement, which is helpful if you're running or working out. The wireless Headphones apple have an option known as spatial audio, which simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature is a bit disorienting, but it's an enjoyable way to listen to TV shows and movies while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones are another option for audiophiles and those who love Apple Music playlists. These headphones with bluetooth can provide up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 without and they use the Apple W1 chip for easy setup and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also have an adjustable "Hey Siri" and wings tips to ensure a secure fit while working out.

Both Apple and Google create earbuds with their own ecosystem in mind, however each brand's earbuds come with their strengths. For instance Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have a longer battery life, and headphones Apple also come with a customizable app with graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones may be great for those who depend on Apple's ecosystem however their controls are likely to frustrate everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't necessarily have robust features, and they're lacking certain functions that are essential to their wireless models. They don't come with a volume control, and you're required to utilize Siri to manage your music instead.

Connectivity

The increasing number of Bluetooth options and the demise from the latest iPhones of the headphone jack is making wired models to quickly disappear like Dodo. Sony has a wide selection of wired headphones, both on and over the ear, that work with Apple devices. It also offers a truly wireless pair of earbuds - the Momentum Free - that connect via a low-power radio signal.

If you have a Mac that is more recent be sure to check if your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This standard provides better audio performance and a longer battery life when compared to older Bluetooth versions. Also check the list of compatible audio codecs and make sure your music files can be played.

Find headphones that provide an elongated fit, regardless of the model you select. On-ear or over-ear models that feature a hefty headband ensure a secure fit and are less likely to fall 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 any background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II are among the top wireless headsets. AirPods have a sleek design and excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing, which has earned them a rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but they have an updated appearance, superior noise cancellation, and a long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II, the most recent addition to Bose's quiet comfort line, offers noise cancelling headphones cancellation, a longer battery life and a snug fit all in a small portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, bringing support for the brand new AAC audio codec as well as a new wireless connection protocol that enables greater Bluetooth speeds and lower latency.

If your headphones don't connect with your Mac, try resetting the Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and select System Settings. Find your headphones in the list and then click the Then, next to their name. It is possible to put the headphones in pairing mode by pressing and holding their pairing button until the status light blinks.

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 top-notch and features such as auto-pause mode and transparency are extremely useful. The headphones are also extremely well built and sound great, which isn't 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 too expensive. The AirPods Pro are a great option for those who already have a strong connection to the Apple ecosystem. The AirPods Pro use the same H1 chipset used in the iPhone's latest generations speakers to analyze the sound coming from the eight microphones placed around and inside the earcups. The headphones can now tailor the sound of your music to fit your head and block out outside sounds in real-time. Apple claims that it can make 200 adjustments to your music every second this is an amazing number. The result is a set of headphones that feel truly alive and have a cinematic quality and clarity that's in a league of their own. Even the most mundane tracks like electronic jazz rock band Comet is Coming's debut album become hugely impressive and immersive on the AirPods Pro.

Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were released. The earbuds are still in use today, but they do not have a mic. The new AirPods are more impressive, but these earbuds are still great for exercising or commuting. They have a long battery longevity, and fit comfortably.

Apple purchased Beats' original line in 2014. They've remained mostly similar, except that they now come with the USB-C charger and W1 chip. It's anticipated that the company will eventually cease production of the brand, however collaborations with artists and the occasional upgrade like the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the newer H1 chip could keep them in the market for some time.