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AirPods Impressions: ‘Better Than Expected’ Bluetooth, Sound, and Battery Impress Early Users

I received mine today. I haven't used them very long but I feel I like them better than my new Jaybird Freedoms. The sound is actually better than expected.
 

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Spent the day working with mine. So far I like em. Never fell out of my ears, or even felt like it. I kinda forgot I had em in actually. I generally only wear one though, as I'm not really listening to music much. Need them for phone calls and Howard Stern. I've never had a bluetooth headset that didn't hurt my ear after a while. These don't. And Ive never had one that didn't suck with regards to sound quality. Everybody I spoke with sounded load and clear, and didn't complain that they couldn't hear me.

I'm happy with my purchase.

I was the 5th person in line this morning and got the last 2 pair. The second pair is for sale at a premium price. If nobody buys them, I will give them to my daughter for Christmas.
 
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blacktape242 said:
hey thanks for your huge ramble i didn't read much of. Honestly, don't care one bit. If I think 159 is a lot then i won't pay for it. I could care less how much you think it costs to manufacture. If its too much for my pocket book, I won't open it.
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Thanks! Always nice to meet someone who's not only proud of their ignorance, but working hard to maintain that state!
 
Could someone with larger ear canals that had issues with the EarPods please tell me whether the AirPods stay in your ears better? I mean, I could slowly move my head back and forth 5-7 times and the EarPods just fall right out. I currently have the Sony XBA-C10IP in-ear that stay in pretty good with the customized tips but I wanted something for exercising and using with my Apple Watch.

As a side note, my Sony XBA-C10IP was rated best by Wirecutter a few years ago for earbuds under $100. I hadn't tried Apple's earbuds in years and tried the lightning EarPods that came with my iPhone 7 and the sound quality for most songs was better with the EarPods than the Sony ones that cost me $70-80. That's what ultimately pushed me to order the AirPods (which don't arrive until January 12th for me). I'm no audiophile, but they're good enough, and if the AirPods are a little better, along with the fast charging, solid bluetooth and Siri functionality, then I'm happy as long as they stay in my ears!
 
All i need is an in-ear version. I hate the standard EarPods included with the iPhones so I bought the in-ear EarPods from Apple. Much better noise isolation and better fit for the shape of my ears. Oh and better sound too.
 
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Nicksd84 said:
You're completely discounting the tech of bluetooth pairing, audio management through separate bluetooth channels, and noise cancellation and pickup.
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Noise cancellation from what I understand is for the mics not for audio stream through the buds (i.e. Bose QC series).
 
macduke said:
Could someone with larger ear canals that had issues with the EarPods please tell me whether the AirPods stay in your ears better? I mean, I could slowly move my head back and forth 5-7 times and the EarPods just fall right out. I currently have the Sony XBA-C10IP in-ear that stay in pretty good with the customized tips but I wanted something for exercising and using with my Apple Watch.

As a side note, my Sony XBA-C10IP was rated best by Wirecutter a few years ago for earbuds under $100. I hadn't tried Apple's earbuds in years and tried the lightning EarPods that came with my iPhone 7 and the sound quality for most songs was better with the EarPods than the Sony ones that cost me $70-80. That's what ultimately pushed me to order the AirPods (which don't arrive until January 12th for me). I'm no audiophile, but they're good enough, and if the AirPods are a little better, along with the fast charging, solid bluetooth and Siri functionality, then I'm happy as long as they stay in my ears!
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Got mine today. The Apple rep had a good laugh as I was jumping and running around a small area of the store. I couldn't get them to fall out no matter what I tried. You'll be super happy with them.
 
179202 said:
Got mine today. The Apple rep had a good laugh as I was jumping and running around a small area of the store. I couldn't get them to fall out no matter what I tried. You'll be super happy with them.
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Awesome. So to clarify, you had problems with the EarPods before and have somewhat larger ear canals too?
 
Got mine today! They worked great for a phone call at an airport. Everyone could hear me OK. Worth every penny for that alone.
 
thirteen1031 said:
Two reasons: (1) It's the signature color that everyone now identifies with Apple, thanks to when everyone had an iPod and everywhere you looked people had those white earbuds. Thus, the white is a form of advertising. You don't even have to stop someone and ask "where did you get those?" White ear buds? Apple! If they were other colors, you might not know. (2) This is a new product and that means "testing the waters." You may not love the white, but it's not offensive as a color. And you can certainly see it easily (as compared to black which, if the case got lost somewhere in your backpack or the floor, you might find harder to see). Now, if these AirPods prove popular, then Apple will probably make them in other colors with the next generation (likely black and red). But there's no point in putting the money into multi-colored pods in this first generation of the product. Not until Apple sees if they're going to sell well.
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I get that, and the white was nice when they sold the white plastic MacBooks but none of Apples products on the market are white really, and to be honest I dbout this will change. They never sold the EarPods in different colours so why would they with this?
 
JNGold said:
Noise cancellation from what I understand is for the mics not for audio stream through the buds (i.e. Bose QC series).
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Noise cancellation for voice calls works great from what I can tell. I took a business call from the airport and no one complained.
 
carletonguy said:
Cardio days = excessive sweat = broken headphones. That's why the beats (and others) specifically market some of their headphones as sweat resistant. If these are damaged as a result of sweat, they won't be covered under warranty, and these are a bit too pricey to just throw away.
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OK, sweating is out for me.

Everything else is a phenomenal experience.

Goodbye old BT headphones.

➰
 
I don't get why people are freaking about about the price. I bought the Jaybird Bluebuds X when they were released a few years ago (MSRP: $170) - the sound quality was impressive for wireless headphones, but after 5 minutes on the treadmill the in-ear piece always felt loose and the sound quality was diminished significantly. Plus the cord that connects the earbuds would always flop to the heavier side with the volume controls...AND they stick out of my ears so far they look far more ridiculous than the Airpods. $159 to alleviate these issues is worth it in my book.

I have yet to receive the Airpods (expected delivery date of 12/29), so current owners: can you change the function of the "double-tap" feature? My biggest gripe is the lack of volume controls, so it'd be sweet if Apple provides a software update in the future that allows us to double-tap on the right earbud for volume up / left earbud for volume down.
 
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They DO fall out, if you bend over to pick something up, for example, which is a little bit of a bummer, but other than that, for their size, they are INSANELY GREAT! The sound oooOOOhhhhh so good... smooth...
 
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jenksjenks said:
I don't get why people are freaking about about the price. I bought the Jaybird Bluebuds X when they were released a few years ago (MSRP: $170) - the sound quality was impressive for wireless headphones, but after 5 minutes on the treadmill the in-ear piece always felt loose and the sound quality was diminished significantly. Plus the cord that connects the earbuds would always flop to the heavier side with the volume controls...AND they stick out of my ears so far they look far more ridiculous than the Airpods. $159 to alleviate these issues is worth it in my book.

I have yet to receive the Airpods (expected delivery date of 12/29), so current owners: can you change the function of the "double-tap" feature? My biggest gripe is the lack of volume controls, so it'd be sweet if Apple provides a software update in the future that allows us to double-tap on the right earbud for volume up / left earbud for volume down.
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Yes, when they're connected, go to bluetooth in settings, hit the "I" in the circle. You have the options of Siri, play/pause, or off.
 
Tanamerra1 said:
Not an Apple hater, satisfied with my Iphone 7 and 2015 Macbookpro but returning Airpods. Sound quality to my ears is no better than those that came with the phone. Not worth the $$ and found a better wireless option.
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Ok, what are they and why do you like them?
 
was around the 10th in line at the ala moana store in honolulu. arrived at 8:30 and the store opened at 9:30. i or the person behind me got the last two pairs...as people were limited to 2 pairs, there were around 20-25 in stock. picked one up for the wife (who's been asking for a pair of BT/wireless buds for her runs/walks) and will try to sell one. i suppose if no one buys it i'll keep them for a bit...have until the 8th to return them.

i did try them on at the store and for someone whose ears don't seem to fit any of the apple earbuds, the airpods fit very well and stayed put. they have this tacky feel to them, sort of like the jet black iphones...they look like they'd be slippery, but they're more tacky than you'd expect.
 
iamdmann said:
That's pretty cool! I got to menlo at 8:37am (debated stopping for tea and decided it was worth the risk, otherwise I'd have been there closer to 8). Sold out right before I got in. I have the Dash and was getting these for my wife as an added Christmas surprise so I wasn't too upset. Plus I'd chosen to stop for a drink. The only thing that I'm going to complain about is the behavior of the 60-something year old woman who got the last pair and was checking out as i was asking about the pods. The specialist said that they just sold the last pair they'd received and the woman starts cackling and says "I got it" from halfway across the store. The specialist I'd asked apologized and told me there had been a line outside before the store opened at 8. I told him no worries and that at least the elderly woman was being pleasant about it. We had a laugh at her and I continued on to my office. But just a random reminder to folks, the vast majority of whom don't need a reminder at all: don't be a jerk cause you got an unnecessary luxury item and someone behind you didn't. Be thankful that you're in a position to spend that much money on headphones. There's no need to be a Scrooge about things. I wasn't upset, but her behavior did inspire me to donate another 10 bucks to the make a wish foundation. I hope the only people her actions offend are as fortunate as I am and that she doesn't act like that to people struggling through the holidays.
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Chances are they got a supply in the afternoon, I was told that store get deliveries 3 times a day.
 
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KPOM said:
Noise cancellation for voice calls works great from what I can tell. I took a business call from the airport and no one complained.
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Yes the audio for the other party seems to be truly excellent
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EdT said:
Ok, what are they and why do you like them?
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I prefer to have just play pause and or answer end and then use "hey Siri" to summon siri
 
OK AirPods owners, lets see some pics of you wearing them.

Please?

Ok, ok. I'll stop trolling...:p

Lighten up, fellas. Glad to hear they're (mostly) good stuff.
 
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