Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are elegant, comfortable, and seamlessly integrated into the Apple ecosystem. The headphones come with an Lightning plug for iPhones and some models have a 3.5mm connector for older devices.

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

Sound

Apple headphones are renowned for their excellent audio quality. Many models also feature noise cancellation. Some of them are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods and others can be connected to your iPhone through an Lightning cable. If you don't have an Lightning cable there are adapters which allow you to connect the headphones via a standard headphone jack. The quality of sound produced by Apple headphones is also impacted by the audio codec they utilize, so make sure you check what kind of audio is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec that headphones with bluetooth use to are compatible with iPhones. It's designed for Apple devices. This audio codec is more suitable for music and podcasts since it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The top Apple headphones will support at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which provides more range than previous versions of the technology.

If you're looking for an even more immersive experience, think about purchasing headphones that feature Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature mimics surround sound to provide an immersive listening experience. This feature is only available for iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

Apple headphones are not only great for audio but also look sleek. Apple's EarPods are basic but good earbuds. They can fit in most pockets and provide great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more versatile than EarPods and feature a closed-back design that offers better noise isolation for commutes and sports. The headphones can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods and aren't comfortable enough to wear when running. They also have a slightly heavier construction and are more expensive than the Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these shortcomings they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 is one of our favorite Apple headphones because they are comfortable to wear, provide excellent sound quality and have excellent noise cancellation. They have a high-end build and come with an audio engine of premium quality that is compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple is renowned for its sleek design, and headphones from the company aren't any different. They provide a variety of options, from wired models that connect to the iPhone's headphone jack, to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets tend to be more expensive than comparable models from rival brands, however they generally sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones in the world, and provide excellent audio quality and noise cancellation in a compact, sleek package. The earbuds are long-lasting battery life and come with Siri voice activation to allow hands-free use. The earbuds come with a case that recharges and protects them when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement and can be helpful when you're working out or running. The wireless headphones also feature a feature called spatial audio which simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature can be a little disorienting at first but it's a great method to listen to movies and TV shows on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are a great choice for audiophiles and people who wish to enjoy 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 installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also have a customizable "Hey Siri" activation as well as wings tips to ensure a secure fit during workouts.

Both Apple and Google create earbuds that have their specific environment in mind, but each brand's earbuds have its strengths. For example, Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods however they have a much longer battery life and include a customizable app with graphic EQ settings.

Although Apple's headphones are excellent for those who depend on Apple's technology ecosystem, their controls can be frustrating for anyone else. The simple designs of Apple's headphones don't always come with robust features. They are also lacking 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 options and the loss of headphone jacks on the majority of modern iPhones, wired models are quickly going the way of the Dodo. Sony has a wide selection of wired headphones, on and over the ear, which are compatible with Apple devices. There is also the first truly wireless earbuds - the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low-power low-range radio signal, allowing for an almost wire-free listening experience.

If you have a newer Mac make sure that your headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This version of the protocol has improved audio performance and has a longer battery life than earlier Bluetooth versions. Also, check the list of supported audio codecs to make sure that your music files playable.

Regardless of what type of headphones you pick make sure you choose models that offer a secure fit. Over-ear and on-ear models with an oversized headband offer a secure fit that is less likely to slip off during physical exercise. In earbuds, you need a snug fit that seals the ears and also provides excellent noise canceling to cut out any background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II are some of the best wireless headsets. The AirPods have 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 5. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but have an updated appearance, superior noise cancellation, and a long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the latest addition to the Bose quiet comfort line, offering noise cancellation, long battery life and a comfy 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 the introduction of a new wireless protocol that allows for faster Bluetooth speeds and reduced latencies.

If your headphones don't connect with your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and choose System Settings. Find your headphones in the list and click the in front of their name. It is possible to switch the headphones into pairing mode by pressing the pairing button until you see a status light.

Value

AirPods Pro are an impressive pair of headphones regardless of whether or not you believe they're worth $549. The sound quality is superb and features such as transparency and auto-pause are extremely beneficial. The headphones are also extremely well-constructed and sound great, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.

Of course, this kind of sophisticated functionality comes at a cost and for many 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 found in the iPhone's latest generations of speakers to analyse the sound coming from the eight microphones positioned around and inside the earcups. The headphones are now able to adjust the sound of your music to fit your head and block out external noise in real-time. Apple claims that it can adjust 200 times every second to your music that's a staggering amount. The result is a pair of headphones that are truly immersive with cinematic clarity and depth that is unmatched. Even the most mundane tracks, Bluetooth headphones like electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album, become incredibly immersive and dramatic on the AirPods Pro.

Prior to the launch of the AirPods, Apple used to include EarPods with wires in every iPhone box and they are still available with either an Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they no longer come with a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, however they're still great for exercising or for commuting. They have a long battery longevity, and fit comfortably.

Apple purchased Beats the original line in 2014. They've remained mostly similar, except that they now have the USB-C charger and W1 chip. The company is likely to stop selling the Beats brand eventually but collaborations with artists and occasional updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor that is more recent could make them more current.