Air pod Pro 2 vs. Pro 3 side by side - they are 100% improved!

[ArchEtech]

Case is slightly larger (Left Picture Air Pod Pro 2 Left, Pro 3 Right)

Bud stem slightly larger, but the housings is smaller with larger speaker and mic openings (Right Picture Air Pod Pro 3 Left, Pro 2 Right)

Apple makes it easy to switch back and fourth, same song, same part of the song. I have both sets of pods connected to the phone. Using a mix of genre types (Arcane soundtrack, Tron Legacy Soundtrack, Metallica, Doja Cat, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Classical Piano, and a bass test track on Youtube), media, and spaces for the noise cancelling function, here are my observations as a long time Pro 2 user:

1) General Sound color is just different in general. Not enough anyone would probably care or have a preference most likely.
2) Sound stage is bigger and wider. Not astronomically so.
3) Volume switch between the two changes slightly all settings being the same with the Pro 3 being louder. Fairly significantly so.
4) Base response is is basically the same. Its slightly tighter in the #3 and slightly lower frequency respons. The wider sound stage make it a slightly difference response but nothing significant. The EQ on the #2 seem heavier on the bass, but not a huge difference. Likewise the #3 seem a little brighter.
5) There is more clarity to go along with the bigger sound in general.
6) The fit is quite a bit different. For me its better because I have smaller ears. The default bud seems great so far. Haven't tried jogging. They feel physically larger putting them in and out of the ear, holding the stem. They seem to fit slighter more inside the ear and the housing slightly smaller behind the foam earpiece, but that could just be part of the feel since they are quite a bit different. They are a little harder for me to take in and out of the ear, fit tighter. Earpiece material is softer, thicker and more subtle.
7) The #3 weigh more maybe. I'll have to weigh them on a food scale.
8) When listening to the headphones with no media playing, the noise canceling has a different "tone" than the #2 and have a lot less static. I'm assuming they made adjustments to frequency.


I will be interested in test with equipment to see if they match my ears. The fit is worth trying if you have trouble with the Pro 2. I didn't but the 3 fit better for me. I prefer the color of the sound and that's to say less color maybe on the low end, and bigger sound stage in the pro 3 but its not a huge difference that you need to rush out and upgrade for. Overall, they seem like a incremental step up in overall sound quality, more balanced, better low and high frequency response.

 

[aoaaron]

View attachment 2553502View attachment 2553631

Case is slightly larger (Left Picture Air Pod Pro 2 Left, Pro 3 Right)

Bud stem slightly larger, but the housings is smaller with larger speaker and mic openings (Right Picture Air Pod Pro 3 Left, Pro 2 Right)

Apple makes it easy to switch back and fourth, same song, same part of the song. I have both sets of pods connected to the phone. Using a mix of genre types (Arcane soundtrack, Tron Legacy Soundtrack, Metallica, Doja Cat, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Classical Piano, and a bass test track on Youtube), media, and spaces for the noise cancelling function, here are my observations as a long time Pro 2 user:

1) General Sound color is just different in general. Not enough anyone would probably care or have a preference most likely.
2) Sound stage is bigger and wider. Not astronomically so.
3) Volume switch between the two changes slightly all settings being the same with the Pro 3 being louder. Fairly significantly so.
4) Base response is is basically the same. Its slightly tighter in the #3 and slightly lower frequency respons. The wider sound stage make it a slightly difference response but nothing significant. The EQ on the #2 seem heavier on the bass, but not a huge difference. Likewise the #3 seem a little brighter.
5) There is more clarity to go along with the bigger sound in general.
6) The fit is quite a bit different. For me its better because I have smaller ears. The default bud seems great so far. Haven't tried jogging. They feel physically larger putting them in and out of the ear, holding the stem. They seem to fit slighter more inside the ear and the housing slightly smaller behind the foam earpiece, but that could just be part of the feel since they are quite a bit different. They are a little harder for me to take in and out of the ear, fit tighter. Earpiece material is softer, thicker and more subtle.
7) The #3 weigh more maybe. I'll have to weigh them on a food scale.
8) When listening to the headphones with no media playing, the noise canceling has a different "tone" than the #2 and have a lot less static. I'm assuming they made adjustments to frequency.


I will be interested in test with equipment to see if they match my ears. The fit is worth trying if you have trouble with the Pro 2. I didn't but the 3 fit better for me. I prefer the color of the sound and that's to say less color maybe on the low end, and bigger sound stage in the pro 3 but its not a huge difference that you need to rush out and upgrade for. Overall, they seem like a incremental step up in overall sound quality, more balanced, better low and high frequency response.

Interesting. I heard way more static with 3.

I'd definitely recommend no one with APP2s get them. I really regret my purchase but I CBA to return it.

 

[ArchEtech]

Interesting. I heard way more static with 3.

I'd definitely recommend no one with APP2s get them. I really regret my purchase but I CBA to return it.

I wouldn't imagine that is 100% dependent on your ears, age, and preference. I do have a little tinnitus.

 

[dstew201]

I immediately heard a difference in SQ and noise cancellation! Bass is more prominent but not boomy… high end is clear and airy! Also soundstage is wider.

Maybe it depends on source material, im happy with the purchase, and dont miss my APP2s!!

 

[aoaaron]

Thanks. Did more testing. I can confirm the APP3s overall sound much better than APP2s.

You can NOT wear APP3s the same as APP2. You MUST shove them into your ear canal or the sound is substantially worse.

 

[Corpuscle]

Interesting. I heard way more static with 3.

I'd definitely recommend no one with APP2s get them. I really regret my purchase but I CBA to return it.

Thanks. Did more testing. I can confirm the APP3s overall sound much better than APP2s.

You can NOT wear APP3s the same as APP2. You MUST shove them into your ear canal or the sound is substantially worse.

Just so I understand, in the 31 minutes between these posts, you went from recommending no one with APP2 get the 3 to saying the 3 has much better sound.

I love my APP2. But the APP3 sounds so much better.

 

[dstew201]

Thanks. Did more testing. I can confirm the APP3s overall sound much better than APP2s.

You can NOT wear APP3s the same as APP2. You MUST shove them into your ear canal or the sound is substantially worse.

Did you try different tips??

 

[Kylo83]

Just so I understand, in the 31 minutes between these posts, you went from recommending no one with APP2 get the 3 to saying the 3 has much better sound.

I love my APP2. But the APP3 sounds so much better.

They just don’t sound better tho; I know it’s subjective but the new ones sound tiny and not full sound, and you have to shove them deep in your ear or you loose even more sound, where as pro 2 just hang in your ears and have great sound and anc, they ruined what made the pro 2 good, music is much cleaner and fuller on pro 2

 

[Kylo83]

Did you try different tips??

Tried all the tips and using same size as pro 2 means shoving it in your ear which hurt where as pro 2 just sit nicely with better sound with deep fuller sound stage

 

[dstew201]

They just don’t sound better tho; I know it’s subjective but the new ones sound tiny and not full sound, and you have to shove them deep in your ear or you loose even more sound, where as pro 2 just hang in your ears and have great sound and anc, they ruined what made the pro 2 good, music is much cleaner and fuller on pro 2

Wow. I guess it is subjective. I played songs im very familiar with, and heard things i dont recall hearing before. Actually got chills all over 🤣🤣

The clarity and bass are top notch. And, for me the ANC is noticeably better!!

 

[Kylo83]

Wow. I guess it is subjective. I played songs im very familiar with, and heard things i dont recall hearing before. Actually got chills all over 🤣🤣

The clarity and bass are top notch. And, for me the ANC is noticeably better!!

Yes the highs are clean and you will notice higher frequency sounds but it lacks the mids; it sound tiny and lacking the full sound

 

[dstew201]

Yes the highs are clean and you will notice higher frequency sounds but it lacks the mids; it sound tiny and lacking the full sound

Hmmm… think the source material is having an effect? Maybe the mix?

 

[aoaaron]

Just so I understand, in the 31 minutes between these posts, you went from recommending no one with APP2 get the 3 to saying the 3 has much better sound.

I love my APP2. But the APP3 sounds so much better.

Pretty much. The incorrect fit was pivotal

 

[Rivanov]

Interesting. I heard way more static with 3.

I'd definitely recommend no one with APP2s get them. I really regret my purchase but I CBA to return it.

Don’t hear any static noise at all. It’s a great upgrade from my APP 2.

 

[jimmy_uk]

I genuinely feel like the ANC on my APP2 has gotten worse over the past few days—I can clearly hear my colleagues clacking away on their keyboards now. The APP3 definitely seem to have stronger ANC, but it’s not a night-and-day difference. Voices are still audible, just noticeably quieter.

I use EQ in Spotify and mostly listen to Hip-Hop and Drum & Bass. The APP3 do sound like they have more bass, though at times there’s a hint of distortion. Overall, I’d say they feel about 20–30% better than the APP2. The real question is whether that improvement justifies the price, especially since I was perfectly happy with my APP2 up until this week.

You definitely have to push them into your ear canal while the APP2 would just sit in the ear with minimum effort.

 

[Isamilis]

Just so I understand, in the 31 minutes between these posts, you went from recommending no one with APP2 get the 3 to saying the 3 has much better sound.

I love my APP2. But the APP3 sounds so much better.

Are you sure it’s so much better or just better? I am coming from APP2 and on paper, it looks like not much improvement on sound quality.

 

[aoaaron]

I genuinely feel like the ANC on my APP2 has gotten worse over the past few days—I can clearly hear my colleagues clacking away on their keyboards now. The APP3 definitely seem to have stronger ANC, but it’s not a night-and-day difference. Voices are still audible, just noticeably quieter.

I use EQ in Spotify and mostly listen to Hip-Hop and Drum & Bass. The APP3 do sound like they have more bass, though at times there’s a hint of distortion. Overall, I’d say they feel about 20–30% better than the APP2. The real question is whether that improvement justifies the price, especially since I was perfectly happy with my APP2 up until this week.

You definitely have to push them into your ear canal while the APP2 would just sit in the ear with minimum effort.

Yup.

It's a big difference.

I think both serve a role. I'm not sure I'd really have even called this APP3. They seem like an entirely different product. They're proper IEMs. Shove in the ear canal. APP2 were much more unique in that they just sit on the outside of the canal and very comfortable.

 

[daneoni]

My AppleCare for APP2 has run out so i hope they really last (already had to replace them once), otherwise i'd be forced to get the APP3

But i'm skeptical with the reduced batt life and having to shove them in my ears.

 

[Corpuscle]

Are you sure it’s so much better or just better? I am coming from APP2 and on paper, it looks like not much improvement on sound quality.

Am I sure about "much better" or "better"? Please. I'd suggest you make any decisions based upon what you read. Do NOT actually listen to the APP3 and decide for yourself.

They aren't "much better". They are actually much, much better. The overwhelming consensus is that they are significantly better. On this forum, there are two posters that essentially say they are much worse. And they say it over and over and over again. They have zero credibility for me. I don't believe they represent reality.

 

[ArchEtech]

My AppleCare for APP2 has run out so i hope they really last (already had to replace them once), otherwise i'd be forced to get the APP3

But i'm skeptical with the reduced batt life and having to shove them in my ears.

They have more battery life. The case just has fewer charges in it because the capacity of the buds takes more juice. Its a compromise but bud life is way more important as you can charge the case while you use the buds.

Its not like they fit WAY deeper in the ear, we are talking a few mm. You can feel it because of the sensitivity of your inner ear. You'd really need to see how they fit as overall the new shape of the housing you might like more. There is no way to tell unless you try them. My guess is you could find one of the ear pieces will work just fine.

 

[Corpuscle]

My AppleCare for APP2 has run out so i hope they really last (already had to replace them once), otherwise i'd be forced to get the APP3

But i'm skeptical with the reduced batt life and having to shove them in my ears.

Don't get something you've already decided will be worse than your APP2.

 

[ArchEtech]

Are you sure it’s so much better or just better? I am coming from APP2 and on paper, it looks like not much improvement on sound quality.

"Better" is subjective. Some audio fanatics might disagree.

I prefer a flatter, slightly scooped sound with boosted low frequency, not over all tons of base.

There is nothing astronomically different in sound between the 2 and the 3 so there is no reason to feel like you will be blown away or behind by not having them. If you end up eventually having to get them, I also thin, you will be just fine!

 

[daneoni]

Don't get something you've already decided will be worse than your APP2.

Skeptical not decided. But we'll see.

They have more battery life. The case just has fewer charges in it because the capacity of the buds takes more juice. Its a compromise but bud life is way more important as you can charge the case while you use the buds.

Its not like they fit WAY deeper in the ear, we are talking a few mm. You can feel it because of the sensitivity of your inner ear. You'd really need to see how they fit as overall the new shape of the housing you might like more. There is no way to tell unless you try them. My guess is you could find one of the ear pieces will work just fine.

Yeah i'd probably just have to try them and see for myself