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AirPod Alternatives

blairh

blairh

macrumors 603
Original poster
Dec 11, 2007
6,040
4,665
So I'm definitely not getting the AirPod's. I have no reason to believe they will sound great and the lack of in-line controls is a total dealbreaker for me. Plus they look ridiculous IMO.

I'm very interested in completely wireless earbuds because I workout a lot. So far my research just shows a bunch of earbuds that are open for pre-order. I'm okay with spending up to $250 if they sound great. I'm not interested in anything that is cheap and won't sound great/last me.

As of right now, the Jabra Elite Sport look great but I don't know much about Jabra's sound quality. I'd love to hear from fellow forum members who either are currently using totally wireless earbuds or have their eyes on something coming soon.
 
I'm going to buy the airpods as I think they will fit my main usage as in going to the gym/walking the dog and just generally using when going into work.

I'm tempted to get some wireless headphones as in the big ones just as in to use when at home. Don't want big ones when I'm at the gym as would get too sweaty for me.

found some ones as cheap as £25 on amazon.
 
Either the Jabra's or the Epic Air from JLab. I prefer the supposed 6 hours of battery life on the JLab's, but they aren't coming to the market until February allegedly.
 
AustinIllini said:
I wouldn't sleep on the BeatsX. Early reviews are pretty positive.
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Beats X are just another set of wireless headphones, just with W1. I want to try totally wireless at this point.

Plus if I were to go not totally wireless I'd get the JLab's Epic 2's with 12 hours of battery life.
 
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blairh said:
Beats X are just another set of wireless headphones, just with W1. I want to try totally wireless at this point.

Plus if I were to go not totally wireless I'd get the JLab's Epic 2's with 12 hours of battery life.
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But the airpods aren't really better at anything.

Don't get me wrong, they're kind of neat, but Epic 2 and BeatsX both sound better and real life are better.
 
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AustinIllini said:
But the airpods aren't really better at anything.

Don't get me wrong, they're kind of neat, but Epic 2 and BeatsX both sound better and real life are better.
Click to expand...
I never said I wanted the AirPods. I would however like to try a pair of truly wireless headphones. Hence why I'm looking at alternatives to the AirPods.
 
I was pretty excited about the Airpods but then I found out that there are other truly wireless earbuds out there. Got my Bragi Dash yesterday and I have a pair of Jabra Elite Sport coming in by mid November. I got the Bragi because the shipping was delayed on the Jabras.
The Bragi Dash was a little bit tricky to set up. Feels comfortable so far, been using it for music, video, calls, Facetime. This weekend will be the true test though when I take it out trail running. I'm a little bit worried about not being able to hear the outside environment. Not sure how good audio transparency will work, if it does not I could use just the right earbud (hoping not to have to do that). Audio quality is pretty decent, I usually use BlueBuds X. The Bragi can hold up to 4GB of music files the Jabras don't have internal storage.
 
xthine said:
I was pretty excited about the Airpods but then I found out that there are other truly wireless earbuds out there. Got my Bragi Dash yesterday and I have a pair of Jabra Elite Sport coming in by mid November. I got the Bragi because the shipping was delayed on the Jabras.
The Bragi Dash was a little bit tricky to set up. Feels comfortable so far, been using it for music, video, calls, Facetime. This weekend will be the true test though when I take it out trail running. I'm a little bit worried about not being able to hear the outside environment. Not sure how good audio transparency will work, if it does not I could use just the right earbud (hoping not to have to do that). Audio quality is pretty decent, I usually use BlueBuds X. The Bragi can hold up to 4GB of music files the Jabras don't have internal storage.
Click to expand...
I also have the X's. How does the sound compare? Also, did you not want to wait for Bragi's 'Headphone'? (Alleged 6 hrs battery life, pre-order only, $150).
 
I've been considering the Here One but I'm concerned about the battery life and Bluetooth connectivity. I almost preordered today when I got an email about them but I'm not sure if I should pull the trigger.
 
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edlex said:
I've been considering the Here One but I'm concerned about the battery life and Bluetooth connectivity. I almost preordered today when I got an email about them but I'm not sure if I should pull the trigger.
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Very few details about those headphones on their website. Not even a word about battery life.

I personally would not pre-order anything. I want to wait until an item is for sale and has been reviewed by many publications, etc.
 
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blairh said:
I also have the X's. How does the sound compare? Also, did you not want to wait for Bragi's 'Headphone'? (Alleged 6 hrs battery life, pre-order only, $150).
Click to expand...

I'm using mine mainly for when I'm out trail running/hiking so chose the Dash because it's waterproof, also has internal storage vs. Headphone. I don't go out running (yet) for more than 3 hours so the battery life of the Dash is not much of an issue. Sound quality, I would say the X's are a little bit better, more bass. The Dash sounded better than I expected overall.
 
I am so sick of pre-orders. Just build the product and sell it. This pre-order stuff is tired. Apple has it right in that respect. They can delay, because they aren't holding people's money. Bragi, Kanoa, and others are just trying to insulate themselves from their own incompetence. Customers end up with the short end in that deal.

Sorry... I went off the deep-end there. I'd like a set of wire free earphones too, but either they suck, or you have to pay them months/years in advance and hope you get them.
 
The samsung gear iconx works well for me. I get about 1.5 hrs when connected to my iphone ,in the gym, and 3 hrs when using the on-board storage. I'm more of a 30 min. treadmill for cardio and 40 min weight training kinda guy. For me the iconx is perfect.
 
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Vilacr said:
The samsung gear iconx works well for me. I get about 1.5 hrs when connected to my iphone ,in the gym, and 3 hrs when using the on-board storage. I'm more of a 30 min. treadmill for cardio and 40 min weight training kinda guy. For me the iconx is perfect.
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks.
 
Jabra Elite Sport allegedly begin shipping next Monday from Best Buy. I also read online they will be $199 after Xmas for 6 days.

AirPods are rumored to be released next week.
 
blairh said:
Jabra Elite Sport allegedly begin shipping next Monday from Best Buy. I also read online they will be $199 after Xmas for 6 days.

AirPods are rumored to be released next week.
Click to expand...

I think rumors for the Airpods for next week have been squashed as evidenced by Macrumors front page discussion. There wasn't really any good source for that rumor, or should I say anyone folks could trust that is a good Apple insider.
 
ANTAWNM26 said:
Anyone would be crazy to buy the bravo dash considering they can't hold a connection amongst other things. The less expensive ones the Headphones are rated higher than the dash
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Actually they can from all reports

2.2 update solves the previous issue and it allows you to access Siri by tapping your cheek
 
ANTAWNM26 said:
Anyone would be crazy to buy the bravo dash considering they can't hold a connection amongst other things. The less expensive ones the Headphones are rated higher than the dash
Click to expand...

Does not lose connection with my iPhone 7 nor does it dislodge from my ears when I use it for trail running.
 
ANTAWNM26 said:
Anyone would be crazy to buy the bravo dash considering they can't hold a connection amongst other things. The less expensive ones the Headphones are rated higher than the dash
Click to expand...

While reliability is key, the price needs to be right as well. That said, .....
 
xthine said:
Does not lose connection with my iPhone 7 nor does it dislodge from my ears when I use it for trail running.
Click to expand...

Well your in the 1-5% that don't have that issue. Its a well known issue with the bragi dash period. Now the bragi headphones are rated much higher
 
ANTAWNM26 said:
Well your in the 1-5% that don't have that issue. Its a well known issue with the bragi dash period. Now the bragi headphones are rated much higher
Click to expand...

Yes.. I was pretty nervous about the Dash at first being my first truly wireless earbuds. I had thought about waiting for the Headphones but the lack of water resistance was a no go.
 
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