AirPods Pro Offer 'Close to Seamless' Audio Experience Thanks to Improved Bluetooth Latency

[kyjaotkb]

I mean, they are a satisfying, impossibly small gadget and the transparency mode is better than Sony’s ‘ambient mode’. Plus battery is alright. And maybe they have super low lag but indeed, at the expense if rubbish BT compression (especially when using music apps that use non-native codecs, like Spotify, whose OGG format is re-compressed in AAC on the iPhone). But they sound like £30-50 earbuds, nowhere near the price they sell for. They are fun ‘podcasting and walking’ earbuds. Still lightyears away from my old wired Sony XBA-4ip IEMs, with their quad balanced armature drivers, which used to cost about the same price.
I will definitely keep my MDR-1000x and WH-1000XM2 (I know, over-ears - apples v oranges) for when I want to listen to music or actually cancel out the noise of the London Underground. But I am confident the next generations of Airpods Pro will become very solid products over time.

What really, really disappoints me is Siri, which still requires an internet connection (impossible most of the time when commuting using public transport or in elevators etc.) and is generally clueless. Ew.

 

[tkukoc]

So take them to Apple. I have tons of anecdotal data too that they aren’t broken.

If a software fix “broke” a product like AirPods, there would be an update immediately.

Not the same thing in the slightest. And as I already said, I took them to Apple.. and no.. they haven't fixed the issue which is why I am no longer using the pro series.

 

[B4U]

The pricing differences are made up in other things like the drivers, physical features, etc. The testing element is the Bluetooth connection itself, not the audio quality. I am just spit balling here but Sony is most likely using the same Bluetooth controller across their line of headphones at a variety of price points. It would be silly not to.

Unless we know that for sure, the only thing obvious to the average consumer is what I have pointed out.
It looks like we are comparing a Toyota to a Mercedes.

 

[Baymowe335]

Not the same thing in the slightest. And as I already said, I took them to Apple.. and no.. they haven't fixed the issue which is why I am no longer using the pro series.

Your issue isn’t necessarily a global issue and the fact there isn’t an update means the software isn’t broken for the masses. Ridiculous premise.

 

[DeepIn2U]

This is great and all, but I still wish Apple would start supporting the AptX range of codecs as well.

screw AptX ... LDAC baby!

There is a bigger issue here though. Apple, by default in it's core features/reasons for being is art (visual and acoustically). Why is Logic Pro, and GarageBand consistently updated to perform so much better every year or so and yet, even after the iPods all made and still sold, alongside iPhone, Mac's and HomePod ... is Apple STILL limiting AAC? And at 128Kbps?

Everything purchased or streamed via iTunes or Apple Music is encoded over AAC. The only exception is the Mac, which supports aptX.


Source

SBC Codec:

SBC (Low Complexity Sub-band Coding) is the basic coding standard for most Bluetooth devices and is present in almost in every device by default. In fact, it's mandatory for any A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) device to have SBC.

his Bluetooth Codec has maximum bit rates of around 328 kbps (198 kbps for mono streams) with a sampling rate of up to 48 kHz.

Moreover, the latency is around 100-150 milliseconds.

AptX: aptX (lower latency) has a bit rate of 352 kbps while aptX HD transfers audio at up to 576 kbps. hat's the reason aptX claims to have near CD quality audio. Plus, the audio latency is drastically less; less than 40 ms.

The key difference between aptX and SBC is how the former compresses audio data. aptX uses the Adaptive Differential Pulse-code Modulation or ADPCM in short. Basically, ADPCM predicts the next signal based on the previous signal and it transmits the difference in both the signals.

In short, ADPCM transmits fewer bits per sample which means smaller files which means superior music quality.

The aptX codec has a slight catch. To get the most out of it, the phone and headphones should support aptX.

One of the key highlights of LDAC is its use of variable bit-rate for data transfers. It uses three different types of connection modes — Connection, Normal, and Priority.

While the basic Connection mode transfers at 330 kbps, the Normal mode scales the speed up to 660 kbps. Interestingly, the Priority mode sends data at a whopping 990 kbps, which is a significant improvement when compared to SDC and aptX.

What's more, LDAC is capable of sending high-res audio data with minimal loss in quality. This can be attributed to the combination of lossy and lossless audio compression technique.

Apple NEEDS to finally up the streaming audio quality of music in Apple Music, as well as purchased audio for those that purchase tracks and/or Albums. I'm sure musicians, composers, and groups/singers would LOVE this. IF the Mac can support various codecs ... including aptX why not the iOS devices?!

I love music more than the OS or ecosystem of my smartphone .... and since Sony stopped making the Xperia Compact line (the ONLY Android smartphone I actually like and could somewhat use/trust) I'm stuck.

Come on Apple give us a bone here in 2020.
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Why no test Apple between Sony wf1000xm3 and why no EQ for the air pods pro for better bass.

Flawed and bias comparison no doubt.

Also, unfortunately, the Sony WF-1000XM3's do not support LDAC codec ... so like the iPhone as well, it's not really worth a comparison really (I'd still like to know to be honest). I cannot wait for 2020's redux of the WF-1000XM4's supporting LDAC (Hi-Res Audio at 990Kbps and minimal latency). Just wished:

iPhone supported LDAC
iPad's supported LDAC
HomePod supported LDAC

Still hoping and dreaming.

 

[Tibits]

The oblong case... = no Bueno

 

[t22design]

So they perform significantly worse than wired headphones and cost significantly more. Excellent. Well played everyone.

 

[dfs]

The range is insane on them as well.. I can walk almost 200’ away from my phone at work and they still work...

That's why both side have that stick sitting out. Most earbuds have one small antenna on one side only and the other is a slave. At the cost of looking "dorky", AirPods have two large ones and obviously it pays off.

 

[Ntombi]

The range is insane on them as well.. I can walk almost 200’ away from my phone at work and they still work...

I almost left my house without my iPhone yesterday, because I was listening via my AirPod Pros, and didn’t realize it was upstairs and three rooms over!

It was only because I did my typical pre-departure pocket pat that I realized.
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I just can't get past the way they look. They look dorky.

I'm good with the originals.

Are you positing that the originals look less dorky?

Maybe you’re just used to the look? Because honestly, if you were to ask a large number of people who’ve never seen either which looked better, I doubt you’d get a consensus.

 

[ersan191]

I just can't get past the way they look. They look dorky.

I'm good with the originals.

Lol the originals look way "dorkier" than the Pro's.

 

[Aston441]

I would buy a pair (or two) if it had a great microphone, and not a bean-can low-bandwidth like excuse for a mic. But I understand that it is one of the best in class, since really no manufacturer seems to care about the mic on bluetooth earbuds.

Nailed it. This times one million.

I didn't bother with iPhone until 5s, which had the first passable mic.

I'll waste no further time or money on Airpods while can+string still has superior outgoing voice quality.
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144ms will be noticeable by most musicians. I've found that I can notice the delay down to about 30 ms. 144ms is tolerable though for just casual playing.

30ms to a decent violinist is very noticeable

the things that can and do happen within that 30 ms are what seperate making the violin sound amazing or just ok... or even horrible

 

[PickUrPoison]

So they perform significantly worse than wired headphones and cost significantly more. Excellent. Well played everyone.

Buy wired headphones if that’s what you want, there are hundred of models to choose from!

But there’s no reason others shouldn’t be able to buy wireless, if that’s what they want. It shouldn’t be all that surprising that not everybody wants the same thing you want.

 

[Martin75]

They are much further from wired speakers than what this article makes is sound like. As mentioned in the blog, the latency measured here consists of the sum of the input latency (the one of the microphone), the latency of the software generating the clicks, as well as the output latency of the headset. The first two are a fixed cost no matter which headset. Input latency is typically higher than output latency, so my guess is that the overhead is of the order of 40-50ms in this case, which would make the directly comparable figures 20-30ms for the wired speaker vs ~100ms for the AirPod pro. This still makes it worse by about a factor 4, precisely in the range where this makes the difference between "instantaneous" and "clearly noticeable".

 

[PickUrPoison]

They are much further from wired speakers than what this article makes is sound like. As mentioned in the blog, the latency measured here consists of the sum of the input latency (the one of the microphone), the latency of the software generating the clicks, as well as the output latency of the headset. The first two are a fixed cost no matter which headset. Input latency is typically higher than output latency, so my guess is that the overhead is of the order of 40-50ms in this case, which would make the directly comparable figures 20-30ms for the wired speaker vs ~100ms for the AirPod pro. This still makes it worse by about a factor 4, precisely in the range where this makes the difference between "instantaneous" and "clearly noticeable".

The ratio of 1:4 may or may not be relevant; it depends on whether they exceed the threshold of perceptibility.

If wired is 1ms and wireless is 4ms, that’s not perceptible. If wired is 5ms and wireless is 20ms, both can still be described as no perceptible delay. If wired is 100 and wireless is 400 both are clearly perceptible.

In this case, the speaker in the device was about 70ms, and the AirPods Pro twice as much at about 145ms. Whether the internal speaker itself or the AirPods Pro has sufficiently low latency will depend on the user and the application.

 

[allenvanhellen]

Gave mine to my wife after trying GarageBand and Taiko Drum Master and finding the delay unbearable. This area needs way more improvement before Apple gets rid of ports altogether (which I’m not saying is a good idea).

 

[Roller]

Let’s remember that Consumer Reports ranked Samsung galaxy buds as being better AND cheaper. Those make the best gift this holiday. I got them for my nieces. I know they will enjoy the superior quality over AirPods “Pro.”

Let's also remember that the Galaxy Buds don't have active noise cancellation. Perhaps you and your nieces don't need or care about this feature, but there are those who do.

 

[MacBH928]

As usual... Apple delivers a product that is even better than advertised. But people keep complaining about pricing...

its a $250 earphone, you are paying $230 just not to have to deal with the wires. Also wired ones don't need to be charged.

It delivers on the product, but the price is outrageous. Its like something Richie Rich would have...

 

[V_Man]

These are like the HomePod. Which I own. I also own the gen 1 AP

Sound is decent, but nothing special. You pay for the ecosystem integration. It’s worth is up to you.

 

[votdfak]

The range is insane on them as well.. I can walk almost 200’ away from my phone at work and they still work...

If you are near water bt is ****... APP too...

 

[Unregistered 4U]

IF the Mac can support various codecs ... including aptX why not the iOS devices?!
...
iPhone supported LDAC
iPad's supported LDAC
HomePod supported LDAC

This question took me down a fun little internet side road. I’m always interested in the choices that Apple makes against standards, and I hadn’t looked closely into this one for awhile. I think part of it is hardware, maybe Intel and Qualcomm provides support and Apple doesn’t see fit to build this into their iOS products.

But part of focusing on fewer codecs means that Apple can really focus squeezing the best performance out of what they do support. I don’t think it’s a mistake that the most limited system (in terms of codec support) is also the one with the lowest latency.

can+string still has superior outgoing voice quality.

Speaking as someone that recently used can+string, I’m gonna call hyperbole on this one! LOL Unless, of course, you can provide the brand/type of can/string you used

 

[DeepIn2U]

This question took me down a fun little internet side road. I’m always interested in the choices that Apple makes against standards, and I hadn’t looked closely into this one for awhile. I think part of it is hardware, maybe Intel and Qualcomm provides support and Apple doesn’t see fit to build this into their iOS products.

But part of focusing on fewer codecs means that Apple can really focus squeezing the best performance out of what they do support. I don’t think it’s a mistake that the most limited system (in terms of codec support) is also the one with the lowest latency.

I’m glad this has you investigating this topic. Unfortunately, for Apple, LDAC has the lowest latency.

 

[FlyingDutch]

its a $250 earphone, you are paying $230 just not to have to deal with the wires. Also wired ones don't need to be charged.

It delivers on the product, but the price is outrageous. Its like something Richie Rich would have...

I don’t want wired earbuds. Period.
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Let’s remember that Consumer Reports ranked Samsung galaxy buds as being better AND cheaper. Those make the best gift this holiday. I got them for my nieces. I know they will enjoy the superior quality over AirPods “Pro.”

Lol... consumer reports for me is a joke.
especially when they are speaking about Apple products.

 

[SteveW928]

But yeah... (if some rumors are true... and Apple trends continue) let's just remove the physical ports, because as we all know, 'close to seamless' has Apple written all over it.