Apple Headphones Review

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

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

Sound

Apple headphones are well-known for their excellent audio quality. Many models also come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone using a Lightning cable. There are adapters that allow you to connect your headphones to the standard headphone socket, if you don't own an Lightning cable. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also impacted by the type of audio codec they employ and you should check what kind of audio is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec used by headphones that are included with iPhones. It's optimized for Apple devices. This audio codec has lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, making it suitable for listening to music and podcasts. Apple headphones that are the most reliable be compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC, which is a more recent version of technology that has greater range.

If you're looking for an immersive audio experience, then look at headphones that incorporate Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature simulates surround sound and provide an enhanced, immersive listening experience. This feature is only available on iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

Apple headphones are not just great for audio, but also look sleek. Apple's EarPods are basic and decent earbuds. They can fit in most pockets and for running provide excellent audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more versatile than the EarPods and have a closed-back design that offers better noise isolation for commutes and sports. The headphones are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and aren't comfortable enough to wear while running. They also have a slightly heavier build and cost more than Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these limitations, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer an amazing sound quality, and offer outstanding noise cancellation. They have a high-end build and come with an audio engine of premium quality that's compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which includes advanced features.

Design

Apple headphones aren't an exception to the sleek style. They have a range of options, ranging from wired models that connect to an iPhone's headphone jack to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but often are more comfortable.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the best-selling in the world. They provide outstanding audio quality, noise cancelling and a compact and sleek design. The earbuds feature an extremely long-lasting battery as well as Siri voice activation to allow for hands-free operation. The buds come with a case that recharges and protects them when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement which is beneficial when you're working out. The wireless headphones come with an option known as spatial audio, which simulates surround sound while watching videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature can be difficult to get used to 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 another great option for audiophiles and those who want to enjoy Apple Music playlists. These earbuds have up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 hours without, and they feature the Apple W1 chip for easy setup and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also have a custom "Hey Siri" activation as well as wings tips to ensure a secure fit during workouts.

Both Apple and Google create earbuds that have their particular ecosystem in mind, however each brand's earbuds come with their strengths. For instance, Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods however, they come with an extended battery life and come with an app that can be customized with graphic EQ settings.

Although Apple's headphones are great for people who depend on the company's tech ecosystem, their controls aren't ideal for everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't necessarily come with robust features, and they're missing certain functions that are essential to their wireless models. Siri is expected to manage your music, not the volume control.

Connectivity

With the proliferation of Bluetooth headphones options and the disappearance of headphone jacks on the majority of recent 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. They also offer the first truly wireless earbuds, the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low-power low-range radio signal to provide an almost wire-free listening experience.

If you're using a more recent Mac, make sure your headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This version offers better audio performance and provides longer battery life than earlier Bluetooth versions. Also, make sure to check the list of audio codecs to ensure your music files can be played.

No matter what kind of headphones you choose Look for models that provide an ensconced fit. On-ear or over-ear models that feature a hefty headband ensure a secure fit and are less likely to break when you exercise. In earbuds you want a snug fit that seals the ears and provides good noise cancellation to block out any background noise.

Some of the best wireless headphones are the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. The AirPods have outstanding sound quality, Where To Buy Headphones Near Me superior wireless Bluetooth pairing and a sleek design, earning a high customer rating of 4.5 out of 5. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but they have modern design, superior noise cancellation and a long battery life.

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

If your headphones aren't able to pair with your Mac Try resetting the Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Look for your headphones on the list and then click the In addition to their name. You may have to put the headphones in pairing mode by pressing and holding the pairing button until the status light turns on.

Value

AirPods Pro are an impressive pair of headphones, regardless of whether you think they're worth $549. The sound quality is top-notch and features such as transparency and auto-pause are very useful. The headphones are also well built and sound great, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.

Of course, this kind of sophisticated functionality comes at an expense and for a lot of people the AirPods are just 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 that is found in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers and use it to analyze the audio from eight microphones dotted between the earcups and inside them. This enables the headphones to not just block out outside noise, but also to adjust the sound of your music in real-time, based on the way they fit and stay around your head. Apple claims it can adjust 200 times every second to your music which is an incredible figure. The result is a pair of headphones that are truly immersive with cinematic clarity and depth that's unbeatable. Even the most mundane tracks, like electronic jazz band Comet is Coming's debut album, become incredibly intense and dramatic with the AirPods Pro.

Prior to the release of the AirPods, Apple used to include a pair of wired EarPods in every iPhone box and they continue to be available now with either a Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they do not have a microphone). They're not as spectacular as the brand new AirPods however, they're ideal for running or commuting on a treadmill, with great battery longevity and a comfortable fit.

Beats the original line of earbuds and over-the-ear headphones was purchased by Apple in 2014, but they've largely remained the same, except for upgrading to a brand new W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is likely to stop selling the Beats brand at some point but collaborations with artists and periodic updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the newer H1 processor could make them more relevant.