Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless earbuds as well as over-ear headphones are sleek and comfortable and fit into the ecosystem seamlessly. The headphones come with a Lightning plug for iPhones and some models also have a 3.5mm connector for older devices.

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

Sound

Apple headphones usually provide great sound quality, and many models come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods, while others can be connected to your iPhone using an Lightning cable. If you don't have an Lightning cable there are adapters which allow users to connect headphones via a standard headphone jack. Apple headphones have a sound quality that is affected by the audio codecs they employ. Be sure to verify which type of audio is compatible with your.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically use 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. Apple headphones that are the most reliable support Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC, which is a newer version of technology with a wider range.

If you're seeking a more immersive audio experience, look at headphones that incorporate Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature mimics surround sound for an experience that is more immersive. This feature is only available on iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

Apple headphones are not only great for audio but also look stylish. The company's EarPods for instance are basic but good earbuds that fit into almost any pockets and offer high-quality audio.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more flexibility than EarPods and their closed-back design offers greater noise reduction when you commute or doing sports. They can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and are not comfortable enough to wear when running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and feature a heavier build. Despite these limitations, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our favorite headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, have outstanding sound quality, and offer excellent noise cancellation. They're high-end headphones that feature high-end audio engines that are compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which has advanced features.

Design

Apple is renowned for its sleek design, and headphones made by the company aren't any different. 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 have better sound.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the most popular worldwide. They provide outstanding audio quality, noise cancellation, and an elegant and compact design. The earbuds are long-lasting battery life and come with Siri voice-activated for hands-free usage. The earbuds come with an case that charges and keeps them safe when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement which is useful for those who exercise or running. The wireless headphones feature an option known as spatial audio, which mimics surround sound while watching videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature can be a little disorienting initially however it's an enjoyable method to listen to movies and TV shows on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are a great choice for audiophiles or those who want to listen to Apple Music playlists. These earbuds offer up to 22 hours with ANC and 40 hours without. They utilize the Apple W1 chipset for easy setup and seamless switching among iOS devices. They also have an adjustable "Hey Siri", and wings tips to ensure a secure fit while exercising.

Both Apple and Google create earbuds that have their specific ecosystem 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 longer battery life and come with an app that can be customized with graphic EQ settings.

While Apple's headphones are great for people who rely on the company's tech ecosystem, their controls can be frustrating for anyone else. Their minimalist designs don't always have robust features, and they're missing certain essential functions on their wireless models. Siri is supposed to handle your music, not volume control.

Connectivity

With the increasing number of Bluetooth headphones for sleeping options and the removal of headphone jacks on the majority of new iPhones, wired models are quickly going the way of the Dodo. For those who still prefer to listen with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide selection of on-ear and over-the-ear wired headphones that are compatible with all Apple devices. It also offers a pair of 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 own a newer Mac ensure that your headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This protocol offers better audio performance and longer battery life as compared to older Bluetooth versions. Check out the list of audio codecs compatible to ensure that your music files can be played.

Regardless of what type of headphones you choose Look for Headphones Review models that provide an ensconced fit. On-ear or over-ear models that come with a thick headband provide an ensconced fit and are less likely to slip out during exercise. In earbuds, you need an earbud that is snug and secures the ears and also provides excellent noise cancellation to block out background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II are some of the best wireless headsets. AirPods have a sleek design and excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing that 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 modern design, better sound cancellation, and a longer battery life.

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

If your headphones don't connect with your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and select System Settings. Look for your headphones in the list and click the in front of their name. It is possible to put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding the button to pair until you notice the status light.

Value

AirPods Pro are an impressive pair of headphones marshall regardless of whether you think they're worth $549. The sound quality is excellent and features such as auto-pause mode and transparency are very useful. They also feel extremely well-constructed and sturdy, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.

Of course, this type of advanced functionality comes at a cost and for a lot of people the AirPods are too expensive. However the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. They have the same H1 chip found in the latest iPhone models of speakers. They utilize it to analyse the audio of eight microphones that are scattered between the earcups and inside them. The headphones are able to not only block out noise from outside, but to adjust the sound of your music in real-time, based on how they fit and seal around your head. Apple claims to be able to adjust 200 settings to your music every second which is a staggering number. The result is a set of headphones that are truly immersive with a cinematic clarity and depth that's unbeatable. Even tracks that aren't as well-known such as electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album, are incredibly intense and dramatic with the AirPods Pro.

Prior to the release of the AirPods, Apple used to include an EarPod with wired connections in every iPhone box and they are still available with either the Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they no longer feature a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, but these earbuds are still great for exercising or commuting. They have a long battery longevity, and are comfortable to wear.

Beats the original line of earbuds and over-the ear headphones was bought by Apple in 2014, but they've mostly remained the same with the exception of upgrading to a newer W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is likely to stop selling the Beats brand eventually, but artist collaborations and occasional updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the newer H1 processor could make them more current.