Apple headphones gaming Review

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

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

Sound

Apple headphones generally provide excellent 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 an Lightning cable. There are adapters that let you to connect your headphones using the standard headphone socket, even if you don't have an Lightning cable. Apple headphones are also affected by the audio codecs that they use. Be sure to verify what type of audio is supported.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically use the Apple AAC codec, which is optimized for Apple devices. The codec for audio has lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, which makes it good for listening to music or podcasts. Apple headphones that are the most reliable be compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC, which is a more recent version of technology with more range.

If you're looking for a more immersive audio experience, then think about headphones that have Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature mimics surround sound for a more immersive listening experience. However, you must have an iOS device running iOS 14 or later to be able to use this feature.

In addition to offering excellent audio and sound quality, some Apple headphones also sport a sleek design. Apple's EarPods are basic, but decent earbuds. They fit in most pockets and provide great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more versatility than EarPods and their closed-back design offers better noise isolation while commuting or doing sports. The headphones can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and aren't comfortable enough to wear while running. The Apple EarPods are priced higher and have an oversized build. Despite these limitations however, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, feature an amazing sound quality, and have excellent noise cancellation. They're high-end headphones that feature a premium audio engine compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple headphones aren't an exception to the sleek style. They offer a variety of options, from wired models that connect to the iPhone's headphone jack to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but usually sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones worldwide and offer outstanding audio quality and noise cancellation in a compact, sleek package. The earbuds are equipped with an extremely long-lasting battery as well as Siri voice activation to allow users to operate hands-free. The earbuds come with a unique case that recharges them and protects them when they are not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement which is useful when you're working out. The wireless headphones also feature the feature of spatial audio which simulates surround sound when you stream videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature is a bit disorienting however it's a great method of listening to your favorite TV shows and films while on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones is another great option for audiophiles or people who love Apple Music playlists. These headphones can last up to 22 hours of ANC and 40 hours without. They are powered by the Apple W1 chipset for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. The earbuds also feature a customizable "Hey Siri", and wings tips to ensure a secure fit while working out.

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

While Apple's headphones are excellent for those who depend on Apple's technology ecosystem, their controls aren't ideal for everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't always include a lot of 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 expected to utilize Siri to control your music instead.

Connectivity

With the increasing number of Bluetooth headphones options and the removal 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, both on and over the ear, which are compatible with Apple devices. It also offers a truly wireless pair of earbuds, the Momentum Free - that connect via the radio signal that is low-power.

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

Make sure you choose headphones with an elongated fit, regardless of the kind you pick. Over-ear and on-ear models with an oversized headband offer an enduring fit that is less likely to fall off during exercise. You need earbuds that are snug, seal the ears, and have good noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds.

Some of 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 have a sleek design and excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing, which has earned them a top rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but have an updated appearance, superior noise cancellation and long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II, the most recent version of Bose's quiet comfort line, provides noise cancellation, a long battery life, and a comfortable fit all in a compact portable case. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, adding support for the new AAC audio codec and a new wireless connection protocol that enables higher Bluetooth speeds and reduced latency.

If your headphones won't pair with your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and choose System Settings. Select the headphones you want to use from the list. Next to their name. You may have to put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding their pairing button until a status light flashes.

Value

The question of whether you'd consider them worth $549 is up to you, but objectively they are worth it. AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The smart features like transparency mode and auto-pause are extremely useful, and the sound quality is sublime. The headphones are also well built, which isn't always the 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 deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. The AirPods Pro use the same H1 chipset found in the iPhone's latest generations of speakers to analyse the audio output from the eight microphones that are placed between the earcups. This allows the headphones to not just block out outside noise, but also to adjust the sound of your music in real-time, based on how they fit and seal on your head. Apple claims that it can make 200 adjustments per second to your music which is an incredible number. The result is a pair headphones that truly live with cinematic clarity and depth that's unmatched. Even tracks that aren't as well-known, like electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album are incredibly immersive and dramatic on the AirPods Pro.

Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were introduced. They're available today, but they do not include a microphone. They're not as stunning as the new AirPods however, they're perfect for working out or commuting on a treadmill. They have excellent battery longevity and a comfortable fit.

Beats the original line of earbuds and over-the-ear headphones was bought by Apple in 2014, but they've largely stayed the same except for upgrading to a brand new W1 chip and USB-C charging. It's likely that the company will eventually discontinue the brand, however collaborations with artists and the occasional upgrade like the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the H1 chip that is more recent could keep them relevant for an extended period of time.