Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless earbuds and headphones are sleek, comfortable and integrate with the ecosystem seamlessly. The headphones have an Lightning plug for iPhones and some models 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 are renowned for their great audio quality. Some models also have noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone via a Lightning cable. There are adapters that allow you to connect your headphones using a standard headphone socket even if you don't have a Lightning cable. The quality of sound produced by Apple headphones is also impacted by the type of audio codec they employ therefore, you must check what kind of audio is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec used by headphones that are compatible with iPhones. It's optimized for Apple devices. The codec for audio has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, which makes it suitable for listening to music and podcasts. Apple headphones that are the best will support Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC, which is a more recent version of technology that offers a wider range.

If you're looking for a more immersive audio experience, look at headphones that incorporate Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature simulates surround sound and give an enhanced, immersive listening experience. You'll need to have an iOS device with iOS 14 or later to be able to use this feature.

In addition to delivering high-quality audio Some Apple headphones also have a sleek design. Apple's EarPods are simple but good earbuds. They fit in almost all pockets and offer excellent audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more versatile than the EarPods and have closed-back design which provides better noise isolation for commutes and sports. The headphones can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods and are not comfortable enough to wear while running. They also have a heavier build and are more expensive than the Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these disadvantages, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, feature incredible sound quality, and have excellent 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 design. They provide a variety of options, from wired models that connect to an iPhone's headphone jack to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but they usually are more comfortable.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the best-selling headphones in the world and deliver amazing audio quality and noise cancellation in a sleek, compact package. The earbuds are equipped with a long-lasting battery and Siri voice activation, which allows for hands-free operation. The earbuds come with an case that charges and protects them when they are not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement and can be helpful when you're working out or running. The wireless headphones also feature an audio feature called spatial that simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature can be confusing, but it's an enjoyable way to listen to movies and TV shows on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless headphones is another excellent choice for audiophiles and those who like Apple Music playlists. These earbuds have up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 hours without, and they use the Apple W1 chip for easy setup and seamless switching between iOS devices. The earbuds also feature a customizable "Hey Siri", and wing tips to ensure a secure fit when exercising.

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

Apple's headphones may be great for those who depend on Apple's ecosystem however their controls are likely to frustrate anyone else. The minimalist design of the headphones from Apple doesn't always include robust features. They are also lacking important functions that are essential to their wireless models. They don't have volume control, and you're expected to use Siri to control your music instead.

Connectivity

The increasing number of Bluetooth options and the disappearance from the latest iPhones of the headphone jack has caused wired models to rapidly become the new Dodo. Sony offers a range of wired headphones, on and over the ear that work with Apple devices. It also offers a truly wireless pair of earbuds, the Momentum Free - that connect via an extremely low-power radio signal.

If you have a Mac that is older, check to see if your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This protocol offers greater audio quality and longer battery life compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. Also, make sure to check the list of compatible audio codecs to make sure your music files are playable.

Find headphones that provide an elongated fit, no matter which model you select. Over-ear or on-ear models which have a thick headband offer an ensconced fit and are less likely to break when you exercise. In earbuds you want an earbud that is snug and secures the ears and also provides excellent 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. AirPods have a sleek design and an excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing which has earned them a high rating of 4.5 stars from customers. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model but feature modern design, superior noise cancellation and long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest model in the Bose quiet comfort line, offering noise cancellation, a long battery life, and a comfortable package that is compact and portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, adding support for the new AAC audio codec and the new wireless connection protocol that enables greater Bluetooth speeds and lower latency.

If your headphones are unable to pair with your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Select the headphones you would like to use from the list. next to their name. You may have to put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding the button to pair until you notice a status light.

Value

If you think the headphones worth $549 is up to you, but objectively the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The innovative features like auto-pause and transparency modes are extremely practical, and the sound quality is utterly stunning. The headphones are also incredibly well built and sound great, which isn't always the case for wireless headphones.

Of course, this kind of high-end functionality comes with a cost and for many the AirPods are simply too expensive. The AirPods Pro are a great alternative for those who already have a strong connection to the Apple ecosystem. They have the same H1 chip found in the iPhone's latest generation of speakers. They use it to analyze the audio of eight microphones that are scattered around and inside the earcups. This enables the headphones Beats to not only block out outside noise, but also to alter the sound quality of your music in real-time for how they fit and close on your head. Apple claims it can make 200 adjustments per second to your music which is an incredible amount. The result is a set of headphones that feel truly alive, with a cinematic depth and clarity that's in a league of their own. AirPods Pro can make even the most mundane tracks sound vivid and enveloping.

Prior to the launch of the AirPods, Apple used to include EarPods with wires in every iPhone box, and the earbuds are still available with either an Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they no longer have a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, however these EarPods are still excellent for headphones Beats exercise or commuting. They are extremely battery life, and they fit comfortably.

Beats Original line of earbuds and over-the ear headphones was acquired by Apple in 2014, however, they've largely stayed the same with the exception of upgrading to a brand new W1 chip and USB-C charging. It's anticipated that the company will eventually end the brand, though artist collaborations and the occasional update like the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the latest H1 chip might keep them relevant for some time.