AirPods 3 Available to Order Today for $179 and Launch October 26

[eyeseeyou]

Apple's own website:

Transparency mode lets outside sound in, so you can hear what's going on around you.

Because the Non-Pro Airpods don't make a tight seal in your ears, you don't need transparency mode, as you can still hear the world around you when using them assuming you don't have the volume set to maximum or anything.

Yes/No

Transparency mode actually provides a tailored sound and also has the ability to amplify voices. You can still hear sounds of the outside world with earbuds that don't have a seal but transparency mode is more similar to a hearing aids. It provides clearer sounds of the outside world, not a muffled version. At least IMO. I mean even with a seal you can still hear the outside world.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Pretty similar to the Pros, but they lack ANC and they're not in-ear and sealed (something I can appreciate)

'In-ear and sealed'? Sealed?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

As you wrote, the wireless charging case is a desirable feature -- and many 2nd gen airpod buyers willingly paid the extra $40 for the version with that feature ($159 vs $199).

I'm guessing some portion of the market is more interested in the convenience of the wireless charging than the additional capabilities of the 3rd gen mode -- and thus would pay the $179 for the 3rd gen to get the wireless charging, but would instead just buy the $129 gen2 if they included with wireless charging case.

Well, true I suppose. Unless sweat resistance is a big deal with the user. It is to me. I don't need my ears catching fire because I sweat like crazy. It wouldn't be an improvement, and let's leave it at that...

 

[deeddawg]

Well, true I suppose. Unless sweat resistance is a big deal with the user. It is to me. I don't need my ears catching fire because I sweat like crazy. It wouldn't be an improvement, and let's leave it at that...

Having killed supposedly “sweat proof” headphones I put little faith in Apple’s IPX4 rating. My Aftershokz Aeropex have been amazing though and have shrugged off two summers of Georgia lunchtime runs.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Having killed supposedly “sweat proof” headphones I put little faith in Apple’s IPX4 rating. My Aftershokz Aeropex have been amazing though and have shrugged off two summers of Georgia lunchtime runs.

HAH! I've killed sweat-proof headphones too. Polks that sounded great, *POOF* the sweat in the corded control and toasted TWO PAIR! They stopped covering the carnage claiming I was abusing them. Then there was those IronMan branded generics. They lasted a little longer than the Polks, but eventually died too. I did try the Air Pods, out of necessity, and then read about that young kid who had them flame-out in his ears. As much as I'd love more money, scorching my head seems a little extreme...

So far, the Beats Studio buds seem to shrug off the 'abuse'. Their PowerBeats Pros, once I solved the charging issue, are a favorite too.

 

[deeddawg]

HAH! I've killed sweat-proof headphones too. Polks that sounded great, *POOF* the sweat in the corded control and toasted TWO PAIR! They stopped covering the carnage claiming I was abusing them. Then there was those IronMan branded generics. They lasted a little longer than the Polks, but eventually died too. I did try the Air Pods, out of necessity, and then read about that young kid who had them flame-out in his ears. As much as I'd love more money, scorching my head seems a little extreme...

So far, the Beats Studio buds seem to shrug off the 'abuse'. Their PowerBeats Pros, once I solved the charging issue, are a favorite too.

Yikes. Hadn't heard of that incident.

I'd done years of disposable earpod knockoffs with a nano, then behind-the-neck BT style with a nano7 for a long time. When I switched to playing music/podcasts from my apple watch I started having issues with dropouts -- apparently many headphone designers put the BT receiver on the right side - and I wear my watch on my left arm. Worked fine indoors - guess the BT signal bounces off walls and stuff - but I'd would get dropouts when in the open outdoors. Tried a couple different options that didn't help, then tried the Aftershokz and they've been great.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Yikes. Hadn't heard of that incident.

I'd done years of disposable earpod knockoffs with a nano, then behind-the-neck BT style with a nano7 for a long time. When I switched to playing music/podcasts from my apple watch I started having issues with dropouts -- apparently many headphone designers put the BT receiver on the right side - and I wear my watch on my left arm. Worked fine indoors - guess the BT signal bounces off walls and stuff - but I'd would get dropouts when in the open outdoors. Tried a couple different options that didn't help, then tried the Aftershokz and they've been great.

That's curious... I have the 3M Bluetooth hearing protectors (talk about a weird disconnect) and the signal drops when I am walking with them, and yet are solid when sitting. I've tried swapping hip sides and it seems like their antenna is on the right too. Were these products designed my lefties? (How many people wear their iPhones in a holster on their right hip? Seat belts? Hmm...) Why can't they have antennas on BOTH sides. Oh, I did have a pair of buds that were unusable while walking. *TOSS* I can't even remember the brand now, but I was so disappointed.

It should be easier than this to get buds that fit, and work, I think... I had a box of early Bluetooth iPhone single ear buds. So many worked so inconsistently... /rant

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