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

[Jamie0003]

I like the idea of these, but why does Apple have to use this white plastic in every single accessory they sell? Especially now with so many devices coming in multiple colours. A jet black option would be awesome. If I got these I would probably use my Apple Watch to control volume etc, a little awkward but much better than relying on Siri.

How do these compare to the Powerbeats 3? As I understand it these have better battery life and look much better in my opinion, but I've never owner beats headphones so can't comment on it, but I have used EarPods for quite some time and been quite disappointed in them.

 

[satchmo]

I wonder how many more would be interested, it there were a black or space grey version.
Might be less dorky looking.

 

[Rogifan]

I think these have gotten a lot of hate. Personally, I think they're pretty expensive. I would definitely consider them once the price has dropped.

Expensive compared to?

 

[TigerWoodsIV]

I was wondering a little bit about the reviews, like the one claiming that it felt different, much better in the ear and lighter. It's the same shape as the EarPods how can it feel different. I think some of this is just "having the new toy" fanboy talk for now. I think we will get a clearer picture in the coming weeks when more people review them.

I think the cord really makes a difference. Not having it probably makes the fit and perceived weight better and lighter. Just my theory anyway.

 

[djcerla]

I think these have gotten a lot of hate. Personally, I think they're pretty expensive. I would definitely consider them once the price has dropped.

the price, today, is literally negative.

you can resell them on eBay for €300 and more

 

[needfx]

the price, today, is literally negative.

you can resell them on eBay for €300 and more

sssshhhhhh
I am trying to buy a set from people who have two pairs

 

[lazyrighteye]

Will these be available to demo at Apple stores? Would like to try these before buying, especially at the price point. But it seems like a logistical nightmare for Apple store folks to supervise the demos.

I, for one, have zero interest in sticking them in my ear after you have (or anyone else, for that matter).
Just buy them. If you don't like them, you have a return window.

 

[Rogifan]

150 for earpod quality sound?? No thanks! Quite happy with my Bose Soundsport wireless that was able to get at 80 and have way better quality. I prefer to deal with that single wire joining the earbuds than to deal with Earpod sound quality thank you very much.

Have you tried AirPods? Those (not named Nilay Patel) that have say sound quality is better than EarPods.

 

[wigby]

My AirPods arrived this morning Fedex at my office in Newark, NJ funny thing is in the morning on my way to work.
I stop by Apple Menlo Park mall and picked up a set of Apple AirPods, So now I have 2 sets lol

Did you happen to notice how many they had in stock? I live right there and mine are arriving today too but I would pick up another pair for my dad.

 

[AJ5790]

You can't even control volume with these earphones. What a joke.

Not true. What a joke of a comment.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Have we really gone from "it just works" to "better than expected"?

It is a key to happiness, I guess:

If your life isn't meeting your expectations, lower your expectations.

also from jealous, to sulking, to tantrums. I wonder if the Airpods support pampers?

 

[citysnaps]

This whole "Get Time Cook out!" thing I see in these threads sounds so much like the Trump / Clinton election to me...

Sad, isn't it. Most of these and other similar knee-jerk comments sound like somebody going through puberty and not handling it very well.

 

[The Game 161]

I get two mentions in two threads now...hope my head doesn't get too big here.

 

[AJ5790]

Yes, congratulations to all the suckers who fell victom to Apples POS marketing and couldn't deal with a small 2 ft wire. Your wallets are now $150 lighter and your energy bill just went up a slight bit to charge yet ONE MORE THING!

Thank you. Congrats on being you.
[doublepost=1482162561][/doublepost]

How long until they release them in jet black? Those are the ones I want.

You'll be waiting a long time.

 

[Dezmond]

Love the idea and the tech but hoping for a newer version with better sound and tap volume control without needing Siri which is too awkward to use in public, in my opinion.

 

[imola.zhp]

You wait until it's open and call instead of making stupid assumptions based on a random web article. Life skills sure are handy.

Indeed they are! I had other errands in the area so it's not a complete wash. If there were lines at several stores then waiting until after the store opens would not have helped at all should there have been a line at this store.

Remind me not to invite you to any parties as I would bet you would be quite a bore.

 

[iHack13]

The design of these earpods must have been a very complicated process.

A child, earpods and a pair of scissors.

 

[AJ5790]

Love the idea and the tech but hoping for a newer version with better sound and tap volume control without needing Siri which is too awkward to use in public, in my opinion.

But tapping the side of your head isn't awkward?

 

[wigby]

Be prepared to be attacked on here lol

People happy with their new Apple products tend to not attack anyone because they are busy with their lives. It's the rare ones that have a poor experience with Apple and mostly the ones who haven't even tried the products that attack the most. Maybe it's jealousy or just a hatred of anything from Apple. No one has ever cared to pay attention to them enough to find out.

 

[SoApple]

They are actually cheap compared to alternative in-ear wireless headphones.
http://www.cultofmac.com/444655/quit-yer-whining-airpods-cheap-af/

Thanks for the article. Both macrumours article say that users found the sound quality was better.
Most reviewers - mkbhd , the verge and techcrunch - to name a few , put sound quality on par with the current wired earpods.

 

[thatanonymoususer]

I'm sort of one of those people, but really it's just the sound quality. The rest of the package is probably fine, but I would've loved to have seen IEMs as opposed to Earpod type devices. I can't imagine the bass levels and isolation are any good (like the regular Earpods). If they can get people to pay this price, it'd be cool to see another slightly more expensive model more focused on sound quality as an IEM like their $79 (iirc) IEMs that were actually pretty solid on sound for the price.

I tend to get really bad microphonics (really loud sounds I get while eating with earbuds or the sound that happens when a cable gets bumped) sounds when I have the standard earbud tips, so I'm pretty excited to see a w1-based in-ear that doesn't have that type of tip like the Beats. They tend to echo around in my head and give me a headache over time.

Unfortunately Bose, my recent favorite for their StayHear tips, switched to the StayHear+ tips for their wireless earbuds which re-introduced the microphonics to their earbud lineup.

Edit: I did have a pair of AlienEars remolded Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 that I loved, but unfortunately custom molds don't always last that long since your ears constantly grow.

 

[santaliqueur]

150 for earpod quality sound?? No thanks! Quite happy with my Bose Soundsport wireless that was able to get at 80 and have way better quality. I prefer to deal with that single wire joining the earbuds than to deal with Earpod sound quality thank you very much.

$159 for EarPod quality sound that's truly wireless? Yes please! Quite unhappy with any earphone that has a cord, even free bundled earphones. I prefer to never have any cord again, and you get a very convenient carrying case that's also a charging station that you never plug the AirPods into, it's all magnetic, thank you very much!

I can play this game too. Weird how different people want different things? Some people respect others opinions, and some people love to be wet blankets.

 

[wigby]

1000 is a typical number for the Li-ion chemistry

Strange how many people fixate on questions like this and "What happens when I lose them?" It's as if they have never owned a small, battery powered tech product in their lives.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Not sure why people would buy these when you can get better looking and better sounding ones for $60 (no cord connecting them either). You won't have tampons hanging form your ears and you won't be supporting a company that removed a feature just so they can sell you these.

If you truly feel that way you should consider if you ever would buy another Apple product. If the answer is no, we will miss you.

 

[The Game 161]

Just glad I can retire those annoying wires...loving these air pods and how it works from sound to connection to syncing quickly.

Those who dislike them that's fine. Everybody's needs are different