Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless earbuds and over-ear headphones are sleek, comfortable, and blend into the ecosystem seamlessly. They have a Lightning connector for iPhones, and some models feature a 3.5mm adapter for older devices.

AirPods Pro have a great sound for music and movies. They include cinematic spatial audio, fancy virtual surround, and much more. They also come with unique features such as instant pairing automatic switching, and "Hey Siri" voice activation.

Sound

Apple headphones are well-known for their excellent sound quality. Many models also come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods, while others can be connected to your iPhone via a Lightning cable. If you don't have an Lightning cable you can purchase adapters that will allow you to connect your headphones using a standard jack. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also impacted by the type of audio codec they use therefore, you must verify which audio codec is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec that headphones use to are included with iPhones. It's designed for Apple devices. This audio codec is better for music and podcasts because it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. Apple headphones that are the most reliable come with Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC, which is a more recent version of technology that offers greater range.

If you're looking for an even more immersive sound experience, consider buying headphones that feature the Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature simulates surround sound and offer a more rounded, immersive listening experience. This feature is only available for iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

Apple headphones are not just great for audio but also look sleek. The company's EarPods, for example are basic but good earbuds that fit into the majority of pockets and offer high-quality audio.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more flexible than the EarPods and have a closed-back design that offers better noise isolation for commuting and sports. The headphones are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and aren't comfortable enough for wear while running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and have a heavier build. Despite these flaws they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 is one of our favorite Apple headphones due to the fact that they are comfortable to wear, provide an amazing sound and offer exceptional noise cancellation. They're made to last and include an audio engine of premium quality that's compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which offers advanced features.

Design

Apple headphones are no exception to the stylish design. They offer a variety of options, ranging from wired models that connect to an iPhone's headphone port to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but usually are more comfortable.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the best-selling 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 feature Siri voice-activated for hands-free usage. The buds come with a case that charges and protects them when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement, which is helpful for those who run or work 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 at first but it's a great way to listen to films and TV shows on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are a great choice for audiophiles and those who want to enjoy Apple Music playlists. These headphones can last up to 22 hours with ANC and 40 hours without. They are powered by the Apple W1 chipset for easy setup and seamless switching among iOS devices. They also have a customizable "Hey Siri" activation, as well as wing tips for a secure fit during workouts.

Apple and Google both have earbuds that are tailored to their respective ecosystems, however they each have their particular strengths. For example Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have a much longer battery life, and also come with an app that is customizable with graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones are great for people who rely on the Apple ecosystem however their controls are likely to cause frustration to everyone else. The simple designs of the headphones by Apple don't always come with robust features. They lack important functions that are essential to their wireless models. Siri is expected to manage your music, not the volume control.

Connectivity

With the increasing number of Bluetooth headphones and the removal of headphone jacks on the majority of modern iPhones, wired models are quickly going the way of the Dodo. For those who prefer to listen with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide range of on-ear and over-the ear wired headphones that work with all Apple devices. They also offer a wireless pair of earbuds, the Momentum Free - that connect via a low-power radio signal.

If you own a Mac that is newer be sure to check if your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This standard provides greater audio quality and longer battery life as compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. Look through the list of audio codecs compatible to ensure that your music files will play.

Make sure you choose headphones with a secure fit, regardless of the type you choose. Over-ear or on-ear models that have the thick headband will provide an enduring fit that is less likely to fall off during physical activity. In earbuds you want a snug fit that seals the ears and also provides excellent noise canceling to cut out ambient sound.

The top wireless headphones include 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 high rating of 4.5 stars from customers. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version but features an updated appearance, superior sound cancellation, and a long battery life.

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

If your headphones will not connect to your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and select System Settings. Select the headphones you want to use from the list. Next to their names. You may have to put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding the button to pair until you see an indicator light.

Value

Whether or not you consider 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 smart features like auto-pause and transparency mode are super practical and the sound quality is sublime. The headphones are also well-constructed which isn't the usual case with wireless headphones.

AirPods are expensive, but they provide a wealth of advanced functionality. 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 found in the iPhone's latest generation of speakers and use it to analyze the audio of eight microphones that are scattered within the earcups. The online headphones [from the Thewrightbeef blog] are able to not only actively block outside noise, but to alter the sound quality of your music in real-time for how they fit and seal on your head. Apple claims to be able to adjust the volume of your music in a second which is a staggering amount. The result is a pair of headphones that truly live with a cinematic clarity and depth that's unmatched. Even more mundane tracks, like electronic jazz rock band Comet is Coming's debut album, are incredibly immersive and dramatic on the AirPods Pro.

Prior to the release of the AirPods, Apple used to include a pair of wired EarPods in every iPhone box and online headphones they remain available with either a Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they no longer feature a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, but they're still excellent for exercise or commuting. They are extremely battery longevity, and fit comfortably.

Apple purchased Beats the original line in 2014. The Beats line has remained largely identical, with the exception that they now have an USB-C charger as well as a W1 chip. The company is expected to end the Beats brand eventually, but artist collaborations and occasional updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor that is more recent could make them more relevant.