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@ultratiem So apparently they are much better, or at least can be. The new SPR AVS protocol works with iPhone 17 and likely upcoming apple stuff. Under 10ms is pretty amazing for a wireless headphone.
Yeah people have been doing this for decades using the 2.4G USB dongle. They are up to 8K now (whatever that means to you as a gamer). Apple has also long relied on adhoc networking to do this (and their other continuity shenanigans). I think they wove that feature into the C modems and wireless co processors at the hardware level.

The 2s have a long delay. Even for a basic BT headphone. I have also been hearing the buffer for over a year now thanks largely to a firmware update.

I’m excited either way. If not for the battery boost.
 
The ANC improvement seems almost entirely due to the new foam-filled ear tips, since it’s still using the same old chip.
I was really worried about this given Apple’s track record for spin and reality distortion. Like I think that’s literally where they are getting the 2x over the prior gen ANC claim 😕
 
ive compared both just now and I feel the APP2 sounds more natural and has more mid bass.
The APP3 sounds thinner but higher frequencies. Does maybe sound more detailed/brighter but sterile.


For reference: I'm an audiophile, and own a Perlisten S series home cinema.

Overall, not impressed. Doing an update in my iPhone to see if it improves things but overall - no where, and I mean no where near the jump from APP1 to APP2.
 
ive compared both just now and I feel the APP2 sounds more natural and has more mid bass.
The APP3 sounds thinner but higher frequencies. Does maybe sound more detailed/brighter but sterile.


For reference: I'm an audiophile, and own a Perlisten S series home cinema.

Overall, not impressed. Doing an update in my iPhone to see if it improves things but overall - no where, and I mean no where near the jump from APP1 to APP2.
What do you think about the bass and ANC? I’m picking mine up later today, but after the initial excitement I’m getting less interested. I already own the Pro 2s, and based on reviews the differences in sound seem pretty marginal. Any ANC improvement is probably just from the foam ear tips since it’s still using the same chip. Also a bit worried about the tighter, in-ear fit.
 
ive compared both just now and I feel the APP2 sounds more natural and has more mid bass.
The APP3 sounds thinner but higher frequencies. Does maybe sound more detailed/brighter but sterile.


For reference: I'm an audiophile, and own a Perlisten S series home cinema.

Overall, not impressed. Doing an update in my iPhone to see if it improves things but overall - no where, and I mean no where near the jump from APP1 to APP2.
Maybe try different tips? They definitely don’t sound thinner. I couldn’t disagree more.

Curious why there is so much misinformation in this thread. ANC is not down to just the tips.
 
Getting mine from Costco for the free applecare so can’t post impressions until later but im also an audiophile and will let y’all know the real truth later. I’ve used every single type of AirPods there are and the Pros have been my go to for quite some time now.
 
Just bought them in the Apple Store here in Vancouver (Pacific Center). They had plenty in stock for regular walk-ins.

Tomorrow will be picking up my iPhone 17 Pro in Seattle and then I can fly back home satisfied. 😛
 
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What the hell apple, just when I think every new Apple device seems worse than the last you prove me right, I was so looking forward to better sound quality but wow AirPods Pro 3 are terrible I spent an hour comparing both and AirPods Pro 2 has much better bass and sound quality, the new ones are to high in the high end and has lower bass and anc isn’t better. What are you doing Apple? It’s like I just don’t want any new product anymore. They sound much worse than pro 2
 
What the hell apple, just when I think every new Apple device seems worse than the last you prove me right, I was so looking forward to better sound quality but wow AirPods Pro 3 are terrible I spent an hour comparing both and AirPods Pro 2 has much better bass and sound quality, the new ones are to high in the high end and has lower bass and anc isn’t better. What are you doing Apple? It’s like I just don’t want any new product anymore. They sound much worse than pro 2

Wow .. f'real?

Not even "sort of the same as APP2", but actually worse!?
 
Wow .. f'real?

Not even "sort of the same as APP2", but actually worse!?
Yeah honestly try it, I spent an hour putting both in and comparing and I hate the new sound, I don’t get the whole bass thing as the pro 2 has stronger deep bass, tried other tips and nothing and angry because it’s the one product I love. Do a side by side and you will see what I mean
 
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I ordered the APP3 when they announced Live Translation (I'm Sr Director of distribution centers with a lot of Spanish speakers and that will come in handy), but then tried to cancel my order when they said Live Translation would work with APP2. Alas, my order couldn't be canceled, so I figured I would just return it after it arrived.

It arrived today, and was watching reviews on YouTube and reading some on here comparing APP3 to APP2. I was pretty much convinced to return the 3's, but figured I would open them to compare for myself. I'm so glad I did as the difference is night and day (for me)! Mainly around the clarity of the music.

I was listening to a song with clean electric guitar picking, and the clarity of the picking stood out to me. I compared to my APP2, and it sounds muffled. I don't think my APP2's are packed with ear wax, as I don't see anything but I guess anything is possible. Listening to louder music also demonstrated better clarity, as well as deeper bass.

The medium tips that are installed when you open it felt tight, so I switched to the small tips, which is what I have on my APP2. It felt more comfortable, but the seal wasn't there. Could hear the TV on in the background, at a moderate volume. I switched to the medium tips. It felt fuller and tighter in my ears, but definitely a better seal. Couldn't hear the TV at all. I wore them for about 15 min and didn't have any ear pain. I'll have to try a longer session tonight to see if medium tips are going to work for me.

I'm definitely keeping them. Did an A/B back and forth with my APP2, and every song was noticeably better on the APP3. YMMV.
 
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Yeah honestly try it, I spent an hour putting both in and comparing and I hate the new sound, I don’t get the whole bass thing as the pro 2 has stronger deep bass, tried other tips and nothing and angry because it’s the one product I love. Do a side by side and you will see what I mean

I will have to take your word on it as I don’t have justification to purchase them at this time. I actually tried to sell my APP2 at one point as I just don’t use them much…

I use lots of AirPods, but just not the pros very much.

Is the ANC really not any better?
That would be the one thing I would want
 
I will have to take your word on it as I don’t have justification to purchase them at this time. I actually tried to sell my APP2 at one point as I just don’t use them much…

I use lots of AirPods, but just not the pros very much.

Is the ANC really not any better?
That would be the one thing I would want
Honestly I couldn’t notice but it’s not loud here right now I’ll need to test in the day outside. I don’t understand anyone saying the bass is better on the new ones because it isn’t it’s actually worse and the reason people say it’s better is the highs are much stronger but it’s not as full
 
What the hell apple, just when I think every new Apple device seems worse than the last you prove me right, I was so looking forward to better sound quality but wow AirPods Pro 3 are terrible I spent an hour comparing both and AirPods Pro 2 has much better bass and sound quality, the new ones are to high in the high end and has lower bass and anc isn’t better. What are you doing Apple? It’s like I just don’t want any new product anymore. They sound much worse than pro 2
Absolutely not my experience. They sound great. Bass is really good, seal in ear is really good and the sound more immersive. I do like more treble but the bass is fantastic on these.
 
Absolutely not my experience. They sound great. Bass is really good, seal in ear is really good and the sound more immersive. I do like more treble but the bass is fantastic on these.
I dont get it, mine are much worse, I compared both and the pro 2 sounded so much better, even the bass was stronger
 
I've done more testing today.

From a sound quality perspective, IMO:

APP3 have:
1. Larger soundstage
2. Bette bass extension
3. Better detail retrieval
4. Brighter
5. Require a very good seal for optimum sound quality.
6. Have a lack of mid bass and tactility.

APP2 have:
1. Better mid-bass,
2. Better higher SPL in the mid bass (fullness)
3. Aren't seal dependant for sound quality
4. A more balanced sound signature
5. More comfortable
6. A more relaxed treble which means its more easier to listen to at higher volumes.


Overall, the APP3 have grown on me a lot today. However I'm surprised how small the gap is between them in terms of a pleasurable experience.



I am very, very certain the measurements will lineup with a mid bass dip around 40-100hz. It's clearly audible, as is the brightness. I'd say overall, they're better than the APP2 - but I can definitely imagine a lot of people preferring the APP2 over the 3.

From a sound quality perspective, this is not a categorical upgrade over the APP2. To me, it's almost like an entirely different sound signature.


I really, really, really think Apple need some optional EQs on this model. Its brightness will be an issue for some people. Ideally needs 2-3 EQs. One to mimic APP2s (if the driver can handle it) with a more relaxed treble, and one which is fine as it is.

The treble is real. I've gotten used to it now but I know a lot of people wouldn't like it.
 
I dont get it, mine are much worse, I compared both and the pro 2 sounded so much better, even the bass was stronger


Mess with the tips to get a good seal. With these APP3, you need to shove them into your ear canal. With the APP2, you didn't. Slip them in your ears and sound fantastic. These are much more like an IEM, in what you need to shove the tip right into your ear as the foam/silicione tip extends in your canal. It still won't have the stronger mid bass but its extension and dynamics of the bass should be more superior.

I think the bass is more dynamic (stop/start), it definitely has more sub-bass but it doesn't have MORE bass than the APP2.

Some of the YouTubers were clearly over exaggerating as a simple where on/off without proper fit , the APP2 is clearly more forgiving.
 
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I will have to take your word on it as I don’t have justification to purchase them at this time. I actually tried to sell my APP2 at one point as I just don’t use them much…

I use lots of AirPods, but just not the pros very much.

Is the ANC really not any better?
That would be the one thing I would want
The ANC is much much better

BUT BUT BUT

There is a VERY loud static noise in transparency mode. It can be resolved by going to control centre -> hearing -> toggling down the amplification and voice settings.

But again, no reviews are mentioning the loud static noise?

On APP2, I never noticed it.
 
Mess with the tips to get a good seal. With these APP3, you need to shove them into your ear canal. With the APP2, you didn't. Slip them in your ears and sound fantastic. These are much more like an IEM, in what you need to shove the tip right into your ear as the foam/silicione tip extends in your canal. It still won't have the stronger mid bass but its extension and dynamics of the bass should be more superior.

I think the bass is more dynamic (stop/start), it definitely has more sub-bass but it doesn't have MORE bass than the APP2.

Some of the YouTubers were clearly over exaggerating as a simple where on/off without proper fit , the APP2 is clearly more forgiving.
You know what your talking about I respect that, for me it’s a huge downgrade and upset as I love the pro 2 and I just couldn’t enjoy the new ones, it just doesn’t sound right to me at all and the bass is worse, Apple seems to keep making products worse
 
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