Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are stylish, comfy and seamlessly integrated into the Apple ecosystem. They have an Lightning connector for iPhones and some models have a 3.5mm adapter for older devices.

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

Sound

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

Apple AAC is the codec that headphones use to come with iPhones. It's designed for Apple devices. This audio codec is more suitable 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 greater range.

If you want a more immersive sound experience, consider buying headphones that include the Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature simulates surround sound and give an immersive, more balanced listening experience. This feature is only available on iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

In addition to providing excellent audio, some Apple headphones also have a sleek design. Apple's EarPods are basic but good earbuds. They fit into most pockets and offer great 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. They can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and HeadphonesShop aren't comfortable enough for wear when running. They also have a slightly larger build and are more expensive than Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these shortcomings, the Beats Studio3 is one of our top Apple headphones because they are comfortable to wear, offer an amazing sound and offer exceptional noise cancellation. They're high-end headphones that feature high-end audio engines that are compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple headphones aren't an exception to the sleek style. Apple offers a range of headphones which include wired models that connect to the headphone port on the iPhone and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets are generally more expensive than comparable models from competing brands, but they generally sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones in the world, and provide amazing audio quality and noise cancellation in a compact, sleek package. The earbuds are long-lasting battery life and feature Siri voice-activated to allow hands-free use. The earbuds come in a distinctive case that powers them up and keeps them safe when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement which is useful when you're working out. The wireless headphones come with a feature known as spatial audio, which simulates surround sound when watching videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature can be disorienting, but it's an enjoyable way to listen to your favorite TV shows and films while on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are another great option for audiophiles and those who wish to enjoy Apple Music playlists. These earbuds offer up to 22 hours of ANC and 40 hours without. They use the Apple W1 chipset for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. The earbuds also feature a customizable "Hey Siri", and tips for wing to ensure a secure fit when working out.

Apple and Google both offer earbuds that are specifically designed for their respective ecosystems, however they each have their particular strengths. Google's Pixel Buds, for example are less expensive than Apple's AirPods but they come with longer battery life as well as a customizable app and graphic EQ settings.

While Apple's headphones are great for those who depend on Apple's tech ecosystem, their controls aren't ideal for everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't always have robust features, and they're missing certain functions that are essential to their truly wireless models. They don't have volume control, and you're required to make use of Siri to control your music instead.

Connectivity

With the emergence of Bluetooth headphones options and the disappearance of headphone jacks in most modern iPhones wired models are rapidly 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 the first truly wireless earbuds -- the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low-power low-range radio signal, allowing for a virtually wire-free listening experience.

If you own a Mac that is newer be sure to check if your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This technology provides greater audio quality and a longer battery life when compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. Check the list of audio codecs compatible to ensure that your music files will play.

Make sure you choose headphones with a secure fit, no matter which model you select. On-ear and over-ear models with a thick headband provide an enduring fit that is less likely to fall off during exercise. You want earbuds that fit snugly, seal the ears, and have excellent noise cancellation to block out any background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and bose product Quiet Comfort 35 II are among the top wireless headsets. AirPods are sleek and stylish and excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing, which has earned them a rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version but features an updated appearance, superior sound cancellation, and a longer battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest model in the Bose quiet comfort line, offering noise reducing bluetooth headphones cancellation, a long battery life and a comfy package that is compact and portable package. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the model before it, added support for the AAC audio codec as well as a new wireless protocol that allows for greater Bluetooth speeds and lower latency.

If your headphones will not pair with your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop and select System Settings. Look for your headphones on the list and click the next to their name. It is possible to put the headphones into pairing mode first by pressing and holding their pairing button until the status light blinks.

Value

The question of whether you'd consider the headphones worth $549 is up to you, but objectively the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The smart features like auto-pause and transparency mode are extremely practical and the sound quality is sublime. They also feel extremely well-constructed and sturdy, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.

AirPods are expensive, but they offer a lot of modern features. However, the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense to those who are committed to Apple's ecosystem. The AirPods Pro utilize the same H1 chipset that is used in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers to analyse the audio from the eight microphones positioned around and inside the earcups. This allows the headphones to not only actively block out noise from outside, but to adjust the sound of your music in real-time to the way they fit and stay to your head. Apple claims to be able to adjust 200 settings to your music per second this is an amazing number. The result is a pair of headphones that truly live with a cinematic clarity and depth that's unmatched. AirPods Pro can make even the most boring tracks sound vivid and immersive.

Prior to the introduction of the AirPods, Apple used to include a pair of wired EarPods in every iPhone box and they are still available with either a Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they no longer come with a microphone). They're not as impressive as a pair of the latest AirPods, but they're still great for commuting or exercising on a treadmill, with great battery life and a comfortable fitting.

Beats Original line of earbuds and over-the-ear headphones was acquired by Apple in 2014, HeadphonesShop however, they've largely remained the same with the exception of upgrading to a newer W1 chip and USB-C charging. It's likely that the company will eventually cease production of the brand, however collaborations with artists and a periodic update such as the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the latest H1 chip might keep them relevant for a while.