Apple Headphones Review

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

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

Sound

Apple headphones usually provide great audio quality, and a majority models come with noise cancellation. Some of them are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods as well as others that can be connected to your iPhone through the Lightning cable. There are adapters that let you to connect your headphones to the standard headphone socket, in the event that you don't have a Lightning cable. The quality of sound produced by Apple headphones is also impacted by the audio codec they use and you should verify which audio codec is compatible with your.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically use the Apple AAC codec that is designed for Apple devices. This audio codec is more suitable for music and podcasts because it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The top Apple headphones include at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which offers a much wider range than earlier versions of the technology.

If you want a more immersive sound experience, you should consider purchasing headphones that feature the Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature simulates surround sound for an experience that is more immersive. This feature is only available on iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

In addition to offering high-quality audio Some Apple headphones also have sleek designs. Apple's EarPods are simple but good earbuds. They can be tucked away into most pockets and offer great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more flexible than the EarPods and feature a closed-back design that offers better noise isolation for commuting and sports. They can be uncomfortable on the ears if worn for long periods of time, though, and are not as comfortable to wear while running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and feature an oversized build. Despite these shortcomings however, the Beats Studio3 is one of our favorite Apple headphones gym because they are comfortable to wear, have excellent sound quality and offer exceptional noise cancellation. They're premium headphones that have a premium audio engine compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which has advanced features.

Design

Apple headphones aren't an exception to the sleek style. Apple has a variety of headphones which include wired models that connect to the headphone port of the iPhone, as well as 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 an extremely long-lasting battery as well as Siri voice activation, which allows users to operate hands-free. The buds come with a case that charges 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 come with 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 Headphones For running HBO Max. The feature can be disorienting but it's a fun way to listen to TV shows and movies while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones are another option for audiophiles or people who enjoy Apple Music playlists. They can last up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 without, and they feature the Apple W1 chip for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. The earbuds also feature an option to customize "Hey Siri" and tips for wing to ensure a secure fit while working out.

Both Apple and Google make earbuds with their own ecosystem in mind, however each brand's earbuds have their strengths. Google's Pixel Buds, for example are less expensive than Apple's AirPods however they have longer battery lives and a user-friendly app and graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones may be great for people who rely on the Apple ecosystem, but their controls can frustrate everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't always have robust features, and they're lacking some important functions on their truly wireless models. They don't have volume control, and you're required to use Siri to manage your music instead.

Connectivity

With the emergence of Bluetooth headphones and the disappearance of headphone jacks on the majority of modern iPhones wired models are fast becoming the way of the Dodo. Sony offers a range of wired headphones, on and over the ear, that are compatible 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 own a Mac that is more recent be sure to check if your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This version of the protocol offers better audio performance and has a longer battery life than earlier Bluetooth versions. Also, check the list of supported audio codecs and make sure your music files can be played.

Regardless of what type of headphones you opt for, look for models that offer a secure fit. Over-ear or on-ear models which have a thick headband offer an ensconced fit and are less likely to fall out when you exercise. You want earbuds that fit snugly and seal the ears and have good noise cancellation to block out background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II are among the top wireless headsets. The AirPods offer amazing sound quality, superb wireless Bluetooth pairing, and an elegant design, which has earned them an excellent rating from customers of 4.5 out of 5. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version, but has 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, provides noise cancellation, a long battery life and a comfortable fit all in a small portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, bringing support for the latest AAC audio codec and the new wireless connection protocol that enables greater Bluetooth speeds and reduced latency.

If your headphones are unable to pair with your Mac try changing your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Find your headphones for running in the list and then click the in front of their name. It is possible to put the headphones in pairing mode by pressing and holding the pairing button until the status light turns on.

Value

Whether or not you consider them worth $549 is entirely up to you, but in the end, the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The sound quality is excellent and features like transparency and auto-pause are extremely useful. They also feel exceptionally well-constructed as is often the case with wireless headphones.

AirPods are costly, but they have a wide range of advanced functionality. However the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense to those who are committed to Apple's ecosystem. They feature the same H1 chip found in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers. They utilize it to analyze the audio from eight microphones dotted within the earcups. The headphones can now tailor the sound of your music to fit your head and block out external noise in real time. Apple claims 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 alive with a cinematic clarity and depth that is unmatched. AirPods Pro can make even the most mundane tracks sound spectacular and immersive.

Prior to the release of the AirPods, Apple used to include an EarPod with wired connections in every iPhone box and the earbuds are still available with either a Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they do not feature a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, but they're still excellent for exercise or for commuting. They are extremely battery life, and they fit comfortably.

Beats Original line of earbuds and over-the ear headphones was purchased by Apple in 2014, but they've mostly remained the same with the exception of upgrading to a brand new W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is expected to discontinue the Beats brand in the near future however, collaborations with artists and periodic updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the newer H1 processor could keep them current.