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AirPods 2 or Powerbeats Pro?

AirPods 2 or Powerbeats Pro?

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    181
Boardiesboi

Boardiesboi

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 3, 2013
4,617
10,705
Sydney Australia
I have a pair of first gen AirPods and looking to upgrade. Was just gonna get the AirPods 2 but now I’m undecided between this and the Powerbeats Pro.

The 9 hr usage time and sweat resistant aspects tempt me. But the case looks massive and won’t fit in my jeans pockets. I’ve also read that the Powerbeats 3 were prone to breakdown and not sweat resistant at all.

For those who are still on the fence, which one are you gonna get and why?

Some comparison articles:
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/powerbeats-pro-vs-airpods-2/

https://9to5mac.com/2019/04/03/airpods-2-powerbeats-pro-comparison/

https://m.imore.com/powerbeats-pro-vs-airpods-2-which-should-you-buy
 
Last edited:
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PowerBeats 3 feature 2 Drivers one handles booming bass, and the other highs and mids.
PowerBeats 4 feature just 1 driver and will sound much worse than PowerBeats 3

Price. $99 or less on Amazon PowerBeats 3
Price. $250 on Apple.com PowerBeats 4

I just don’t think saying Hi Siri is worth $150 More.
 
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TheRealAlex said:
PowerBeats 3 feature 2 Drivers one handles booming bass, and the other highs and mids.
PowerBeats 4 feature just 1 driver and will sound much worse than PowerBeats 3

Price. $99 or less on Amazon PowerBeats 3
Price. $250 on Apple.com PowerBeats 4

I just don’t think saying Hi Siri is worth $150 More.
Click to expand...

Wow, where did you see the PB4 has only 1 driver?
 
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Honestly, I'm getting pretty excited about the Powerbeats Pro. They have all the features of Airpods that I love (sad about no wireless charging though) plus being less obtrusive, more muted colors, better sweat resistance, better sound quality, and much improved battery life. Comes at a premium, of course, but it looks like it might be worth it.
 
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none of those.

Airpods dont really fit my ear and they don't provide a seal so the sound is horrible. I usually ride the subway in NYC and fly a lot.... and airpods don't do well in noisy environments

I tried a pair of Powerbeats a while back and having to put the loop over my ear each time I put them on and took them off annoyed me to no end. Sound was decent and they provided more of a seal.

Then I found the perfect headphones for my uses - The Jabra Elite 65t.... These provide a nice seal, noise isolation, they stay in my ear no matter how hard I am working out, they sound great, you have the option to let in outside noise if you need it, nice app to change the sound signature, they look great and feel like high quality, the case is a nice size (slightly thicker than airpods case) I get about 15 hours total which is good enough for me to go a whole week without having to charge them.

Good luck with your decision.
 
TwoBytes said:
Wow, where did you see the PB4 has only 1 driver?
Click to expand...

They are like way lighter and the press release mentioned one driver not dual drivers.

For $250 bucks And No LDAC and aptX HD support and only one driver. My PowerBeats 3 will literally outperform the PowerBeats Pro they are literally and sonically a downgrade.

Best earbuds I’ve ever had PowerBeats 3 deep bass and nice mids and highs thank I part to their dual drivers.
Best headphones I’ve had Sony 1000XM3 just amazing noise canceling.
 
TheRealAlex said:
They are like way lighter and the press release mentioned one driver not dual drivers.

For $250 bucks And No LDAC and aptX HD support and only one driver. My PowerBeats 3 will literally outperform the PowerBeats Pro they are literally and sonically a downgrade.

Best earbuds I’ve ever had PowerBeats 3 deep bass and nice mids and highs thank I part to their dual drivers.
Best headphones I’ve had Sony 1000XM3 just amazing noise canceling.
Click to expand...

I have seen this same conclusion about the PowerBeats a couple of times, based on PowerBeats only having a single driver. I just don't think that will be the case or at least hoping it will not be. I believe technology is moving forward and just because it has 1 driver doesn't mean it is less of a product. Beats have always had the great sound and I am guessing they will be the same. This is only my opinion and I could be totally wrong but I will hold out until I hear them myself.
 
TheRealAlex said:
They are like way lighter and the press release mentioned one driver not dual drivers.

For $250 bucks And No LDAC and aptX HD support and only one driver. My PowerBeats 3 will literally outperform the PowerBeats Pro they are literally and sonically a downgrade.

Best earbuds I’ve ever had PowerBeats 3 deep bass and nice mids and highs thank I part to their dual drivers.
Best headphones I’ve had Sony 1000XM3 just amazing noise canceling.
Click to expand...
How do you know that the new driver isn't superior? That seems like a nonsensical assumption.
 
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JTBing said:
How do you know that the new driver isn't superior? That seems like a nonsensical assumption.
Click to expand...
1 Driver won’t sorry can not be better than 2 dedicated drivers. And not worth $150 more, for 1 less driver.

PowerBeats 3 dual drivers, get a pair before they are off market.
 
TheRealAlex said:
1 Driver won’t sorry can not be better than 2 dedicated drivers. And not worth $150 more, for 1 less driver.

PowerBeats 3 dual drivers, get a pair before they are off market.
Click to expand...
I don’t really understand the difference between 1 driver and duel driver can someone explain please?
 
TheRealAlex said:
1 Driver won’t sorry can not be better than 2 dedicated drivers. And not worth $150 more, for 1 less driver.

PowerBeats 3 dual drivers, get a pair before they are off market.
Click to expand...
What you are saying is not a fact, you are just making things up. A single driver headphone can in fact outperform a dual driver setup, there are many variables that contribute to sound quality besides the number of drivers.
 
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Boardiesboi said:
I have a pair of first gen AirPods and looking to upgrade. Was just gonna get the AirPods 2 but now I’m undecided between this and the Powerbeats Pro.

The 9 hr usage time and sweat resistant aspects tempt me. But the case looks massive and won’t fit in my jeans pockets. I’ve also read that the Powerbeats 3 were prone to breakdown and not sweat resistant at all.

For those who are still on the fence, which one are you gonna get and why?

Some comparison articles:
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/powerbeats-pro-vs-airpods-2/

https://9to5mac.com/2019/04/03/airpods-2-powerbeats-pro-comparison/

https://m.imore.com/powerbeats-pro-vs-airpods-2-which-should-you-buy
Click to expand...
OP, I believe the PB's case will be 3" x 3". It looks massive up against the tiny AirPods case, but in reality I don't think it will be all that bad. To put it in perspective, a post-it note is the same size. Now the PB case will be thick, so if you wear skinny jeans, then yes, it might not fit in your front pocket comfortably. But I suspect in reality this case will be just fine for most of us to put in our front pockets.

I've been using PB3's for 14 months now. I've had zero issues with them. Keep in mind I use them for about 3 hours a day and for 1.5 hours I'm working out hard in them. I should say that my beats are not drenched in sweat the entire time. I lift weights and do intensive cardio at the end of my workout. So really I'm just drenched for about 15 mins a day while wearing them. In this usage I have had zero issues with my PB's being effected in any way with my sweat. Also keep in mind that Apple is really good about handling any issues you may have with your PB's. I'd rather deal with their reps in store versus Best Buy, etc.

The only thing I personally like about the AirPods 2 are the tiny case (not a huge deal for me in terms of real world usage, just think it's awesome) and wireless charging (boy do I wish the PB Pro's had this). For my personal use, the Pro's win in every other manner. (Sound quality, noise isolation, secure fit, battery life, sweat resistance.)
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TheRealAlex said:
PowerBeats 3 feature 2 Drivers one handles booming bass, and the other highs and mids.
PowerBeats 4 feature just 1 driver and will sound much worse than PowerBeats 3

Price. $99 or less on Amazon PowerBeats 3
Price. $250 on Apple.com PowerBeats 4

I just don’t think saying Hi Siri is worth $150 More.
Click to expand...
LOL. What? CNET has had hands on time with them and said they sounded noticeably better than PB 3's. I believe TechCrunch said the same thing.
 
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I think if you plan on traveling with ear buds then the Powerbeats take the edge because of the noise isolation. They sound like they will be adequate in almost any use case.

I think AirPods+Over the ear noise cancelling if money is no object. But if you can only get 1 pair then it looks like the power beats are great.
 
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TheRealAlex said:
1 Driver won’t sorry can not be better than 2 dedicated drivers. And not worth $150 more, for 1 less driver.

PowerBeats 3 dual drivers, get a pair before they are off market.
Click to expand...
I'm afraid that you don't know what you're talking about. Every review says that these sound better.
 
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mnsportsgeek said:
I think if you plan on traveling with ear buds then the Powerbeats take the edge because of the noise isolation. They sound like they will be adequate in almost any use case.

I think AirPods+Over the ear noise cancelling if money is no object. But if you can only get 1 pair then it looks like the power beats are great.
Click to expand...

Right now I have AirPods gen 1 and beats studio 3.

Airpods for me are limited to gym and walking around in stores and such. They are useless on planes. Studio 3 for work and travel.

If I were starting all over and didn’t have any headphones. I’d start with Powerbeats pro.
 
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It depends on your usage. If you're going to work out with them a lot, Powerbeats seem better. But for casual listening, Airpods seem more comfortable and convenient.

Costco had Airpods 1 for $129 if you're willing to buy the first gen.
 
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