AirPods Pro - Pictures and first impressions

[mavis]

I have a few questions before I order mine

1. can you hear yourself breathe obnoxiously loud?
2. are you experiencing „spider senses“ like the fabric of a scarf bumping into your jacket being unusual loud?
3. is there some annoying noise when the music is too quiet? Like a base and constant buzzing?
4. how is the pressure in your ear canal? Comfortable?

1. No, I haven't noticed this at all.
2. I think you're referring to microphonics, which these don't suffer from as there's no cable to conduct vibrations. 😉
3. No buzz at all, and (4) no pressure, either. It's rather cool, actually, when the ANC kicks in when no music is playing - you're just hit by a wave of silence (or partial silence, anyway - outside sounds are greatly reduced, not eliminated completely) without any of the typical ANC side effects like that weird pressure sensation or buzz.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

i guess it really works ... almost got in trouble at work ... ANC was on and I didn't hear my coworker call me several times lol ... she had to text me to call my attention ... the humming noise of the A/C ... copier noise ... and random office buzzing all fades away ... and thats not even with it at full volume ... probably around 65%

I've had the same experience for 12 years with my Sennheiser earphones with no fancy features (essentially the current CX100 line). I have people physically alert me / wave me down to get my attention when I have them in. They were around $80 (in "12 years ago money") and the sound is great. The negative? That damn wire, but I know they'll still be working flawlessly in another 5 years (assuming I haven't moved into the earphone rental market).

 

[soulreaver99]

Just got mine this morning and after almost a full day of using this...

I can conclude that these will be the one of the best earbuds you will ever buy. AirPods didn’t fit well for me (kept falling off my ears even when walking) and they sounded mediocre. I had the Powerbeats Pro and they were fantastic except the case was too bulky to carry around and they hurt my ears after 45 minutes to an hour of using them.

These AirPods Pros are nothing short of incredible on how the fit, how they sound and how well everything is executed. I had these on all day and only took them out to recharge them when the battery died during lunch and popped them back on again right after.

Noise cancellation works great and the transparency mode is more useful then I thought it would be. Stop thinking about it... buy it now.

 

[bobsamm]

First impression are the ANC on the AirPods Pro is about 70% as good as Bose QC20 (which to my ears are the gold standard), and about 80% as good as Bose QC30 and QC35II.

Which is to say, pretty damn good for true wireless earbuds.

I ride the subway everyday to/from work, so that will be the real test later tonight. I have my QC35IIs with me, so I can do a side-by-side comparison.

80% This is what i was wondering i had Bose QC3511 but not now, I have only used mine at home so far but would of thought more like half as good from memory "shrugs".
Guess a plane will be the real test for those that don't want both.
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Anyone's Mrs got a thermomix that's the real test in a house, the pro's pretty much do nothing v my old Bose QC3511, at my listening volume the thermo noise kills the sound, its about 10m or more away.

 

[JD2015]

Vast majority of reviews are positive. Therefore, ordered AirPods Pro tonight around 6.30pm UK time. Dispatched for delivery tomorrow within 2 .5 hours of ordering. Will be coming from AirPods Gen 1 so looking forward to trying them out tomorrow.

 

[Picapau21]

Anybody struggling to decide which size tips to use? I think the mediums are ever so slightly too small and the large every so slightly big. Using the large for the moment and using a trick from another thread about twisting them in. Can’t really decide which one is best.

 

[oneMadRssn]

80% This is what i was wondering i had Bose QC3511 but not now, I have only used mine at home so far but would of thought more like half as good from memory "shrugs".
Guess a plane will be the real test for those that don't want both.

It's hard to compare for a number of reasons. With in-ear buds, I think most of the attenuation heavy lifting is done by the silicon tips physically sealing and blocking out sound, and the ANC is just good bonus to really make things quiet. I think this is true on the AirPods Pro, as well as the QC20 and QC30. With over-the-ear headphones such as the QC35II, there is less attenuation from a physical barrier (though there is some), but much more attenuation from actual ANC because the drivers are bigger, there is more battery power, etc.

I don't think the AirPods Pro will be great for planes. Certainly good for short flights and leisure travelers, but frequent flyers will probably prefer the QC35II or NC700. First, the 4hr battery life is not enough for a flight and the time spent listening before a flight. Second, the Bose headphones are just sooo comfortable.

I think the real target use for the AirPods Pro ANC is street noise, subway or bus noise, and gym noise. I'm about to get on a subway now, so I should be able to see how good they are shortly!

 

[bobsamm]

I mean they are only $249

Try $399AUD here.
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They are just INCREDIBLE

Bit over the top there, yes i have AP2 as well.

 

[marmiteturkey]

Anybody struggling to decide which size tips to use? I think the mediums are ever so slightly too small and the large every so slightly big. Using the large for the moment and using a trick from another thread about twisting them in. Can’t really decide which one is best.

I’m in exactly this spot. I’ve gone with th mediums for now; might try them for a day and then switch to the large for a day and see which is more comfortable.

 

[CloudsNeverDie]

First impression are the ANC on the AirPods Pro is about 70% as good as Bose QC20 (which to my ears are the gold standard), and about 80% as good as Bose QC30 and QC35II.

Which is to say, pretty damn good for true wireless earbuds.

I ride the subway everyday to/from work, so that will be the real test later tonight. I have my QC35IIs with me, so I can do a side-by-side comparison.

Please keep us updated. I have been using Bose QC20s for over 5 years and I'm on my second pair, and I have yet to find anything with superior ANC. If the AirPods Pro beats them, I'll buy them.

 

[Robdmb]

To update the firmware do you have to leave the lid open on the case while plugged in or do you close the lid? (Doesn’t closing the lid disconnect them?)

 

[soulreaver99]

Please keep us updated. I have been using Bose QC20s for over 5 years and I'm on my second pair, and I have yet to find anything with superior ANC. If the AirPods Pro beats them, I'll buy them.

I also have the QC35 IIs. I type with a Steel Series APEX 7 mechanical keyboard so it's noisy AF. I have the volume set at 75% and playing a J-Lo song from the 90s and can't hear the typing at all with the AirPods Pro which is on par with the Bose QC35s. Also, I was in an office environment when I was at work and I couldn't hear anyone around me with ANC on on the AirPods Pro.

I think the true test is when you use these on a plane which I have an upcoming flight from Austin to LA next week so I'll bring both my Bose and AirPods to compare.

Oh crap, my wife just came in pissed because she was yelling that dinner was ready and I was ignoring her. Damn these work pretty well!

 

[bobsamm]

I think the real target use for the AirPods Pro ANC is street noise, subway or bus noise, and gym noise. I'm about to get on a subway now, so I should be able to see how good they are shortly!

Ok, thanks. I just tested next to my solar inverter only thing i have here that constantly hums, and NC kills at least 50% of the noise, guessing on a plane will be similar.
My next flight is only 3 hours to NZ, in July i did it with Bose QC.
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Please keep us updated. I have been using Bose QC20s for over 5 years and I'm on my second pair, and I have yet to find anything with superior ANC. If the AirPods Pro beats them, I'll buy them.

doubt they would beat them
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Anybody struggling to decide which size tips to use? I think the mediums are ever so slightly too small and the large every so slightly big. Using the large for the moment and using a trick from another thread about twisting them in. Can’t really decide which one is best.

Yes, i find the small a better fit but harder to get the correct seal, have to twist/push them in to get the green tick.
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Oh crap, my wife just came in pissed because she was yelling that dinner was ready and I was ignoring her. Damn these work pretty well!

lol, i know that feeling.

 

[ReardenMetal]

There’s probably only one way to find out, but I’m curious if one is sensitive to Active Noise Cancelation tech (e.g. headaches, nausea, dizzines, etc.), will the AirPods Pro induce these symptoms too?
My guess is it’s likely, but I’d love to know if anyone out there is sensitive to ANC and isn’t experiencing any symptoms.

 

[bobsamm]

Anyone tried with a iMac? Have to have volume half way to even hear anything.

 

[soulreaver99]

There’s probably only one way to find out, but I’m curious if one is sensitive to Active Noise Cancelation tech (e.g. headaches, nausea, dizzines, etc.), will the AirPods Pro induce these symptoms too?
My guess is it’s likely, but I’d love to know if anyone out there is sensitive to ANC and isn’t experiencing any symptoms.

I had that problem with QC30s where the ANC gave me headaches after a half hour use so I had to return those. Didn't have that problem with the QC35s and did not have that problem with the AirPods Pro which I used all day.

 

[alFR]

Kind of disappointed with mine, to be honest:

• Finding it really difficult to get a proper seal on the left one (keeps failing the fit test) no matter which tip I use. Anyone got any hints on how to put them in? Seems like it should be easy but damned if I can do it reliably.
• Don’t know if I’m expecting too much, but the noise cancellation doesn’t seem that effective. Some of the posts on here and the reviews online seem to suggest that even when not playing anything they block the noise of TV, for example: mine don’t, they block low-intensity background noise but I can still hear people talking either in the room or on the TV.
• After using them for a couple of hours (admittedly with a lot of in/out trying different tips) my ears are sore.

So, the jury’s out on these: will give them a longer try but prefer my gen 1 ones at the moment (mainly on comfort grounds).

 

[turbineseaplane]

Dont know if I’m expecting too much, but the noise cancellation doesn’t seem that effective. Some of the posts on here and the reviews online seem to suggest that even when not playing anything they block the noise of TV, for example: mine don’t, they block low-intensity background noise but I can still hear people talking either in the room or on the TV.

I have to be honest - I don't actually believe people saying "the AirPodPro NC is blocking everything! AWESOME!" (paraphrasing and summarizing here...)

That's not physically possible here - Apple would admit this openly I'm sure.

NC is great for reducing and mostly eliminating many types of noises and frequencies in a variety of situations, but there is no commercially available NC that blocks "everything" as some here seem to be, very oddly, raving about and claiming.

 

[johnyslats]

• After using them for a couple of hours (admittedly with a lot of in/out trying different tips) my ears are sore.

Mine too. Not having an issue with my ear canal but with ear cartilage. Have tried each of the tips. Maybe it’ll take a few days to adjust. My original AirPods feel so comfortable when I put them back in after trying the Pros.

Maybe these just aren’t for me despite the benefits elsewhere 🙁

 

[mavis]

Thanks for some REAL sound analysis. My question is how are they in relation to the original/2nd gen airpods. I too like bass but I like it tight, controlled and above average but not insane. The airpods, while not bass heavy, still provide a fairly balanced full sound.

Also curious about mic quality. Some early reviews ay its a bit muddy/muffled and thats not cool especially since the regular airpods are very very good on mic quality.

Could you offer any insight?

Comparing them directly to my 2nd gen AirPods (and the original AirPods as well) they definitely have better soundstage (as I mentioned, it's surprisingly spacious for an IEM) and separation. With a good seal, the original AirPods might have been slightly more bass-heavy (that's one of the things I really liked about my OG AirPods), but the bass on the AirPods Pro is tighter/cleaner, IMO.

 

[soulreaver99]

Kind of disappointed with mine, to be honest:

• Finding it really difficult to get a proper seal on the left one (keeps failing the fit test) no matter which tip I use. Anyone got any hints on how to put them in? Seems like it should be easy but damned if I can do it reliably.
• Don’t know if I’m expecting too much, but the noise cancellation doesn’t seem that effective. Some of the posts on here and the reviews online seem to suggest that even when not playing anything they block the noise of TV, for example: mine don’t, they block low-intensity background noise but I can still hear people talking either in the room or on the TV.
• After using them for a couple of hours (admittedly with a lot of in/out trying different tips) my ears are sore.

So, the jury’s out on these: will give them a longer try but prefer my gen 1 ones at the moment (mainly on comfort grounds).

Everyone's ears are different. Since they don't fit properly in your ears you will get a negative experience in general. You might have to wait for aftermarket eartips that will fit your ears better. Standard AirPods and EarPods fit horribly for me.

As for ANC - it doesn't 100% cancel out ALL noise but reduces them. For me it reduces environmental noises significantly but that's because the eartips fit well.

 

[mavis]

Thanks for some REAL sound analysis. My question is how are they in relation to the original/2nd gen airpods. I too like bass but I like it tight, controlled and above average but not insane. The airpods, while not bass heavy, still provide a fairly balanced full sound.

Also curious about mic quality. Some early reviews ay its a bit muddy/muffled and thats not cool especially since the regular airpods are very very good on mic quality.

Could you offer any insight?

I just called someone I talked to regularly with the gen2 AirPods (FaceTime Audio call) and she said I sound as clear as ever on the new AirPods Pro. I certainly didn't notice any reduced quality, on my end. And having ANC was great, as well as Transparency - I ended up leaving it on Transparency mode so could hear myself better. 👍

 

[dannyyankou]

I was really surprised they had plenty of these in stock today at around 4pm when I went. It's not due to low demand either, there was a decent-sized line to get them.

Man, these things feel weird in my ears, lol. I think I like them more though.

 

[bobsamm]

Kind of disappointed with mine, to be honest:

• Finding it really difficult to get a proper seal on the left one (keeps failing the fit test) no matter which tip I use. Anyone got any hints on how to put them in? Seems like it should be easy but damned if I can do it reliably.
• Don’t know if I’m expecting too much, but the noise cancellation doesn’t seem that effective. Some of the posts on here and the reviews online seem to suggest that even when not playing anything they block the noise of TV, for example: mine don’t, they block low-intensity background noise but I can still hear people talking either in the room or on the TV.
• After using them for a couple of hours (admittedly with a lot of in/out trying different tips) my ears are sore.

So, the jury’s out on these: will give them a longer try but prefer my gen 1 ones at the moment (mainly on comfort grounds).

I was the same yesterday, NC mainly works with constant hum noise better, i had trouble with left ear with the small size which i like better, try twist it a bit worked for me and the seal test worked.
More i use them the better, i was returning after a hour yesterday, i remember i had same problem with original ones except left one would never stay in.
Give it a few days and play with the fitting a bit.

One bonus thing range is better, one annoying thing is they are a pain to get out of the case, serious apple.

 

[mavis]

How does the mic compare for making phone calls?

It's fine - I just replied to someone else with the same question but yeah. My friends/family (who I usually talked to using the AirPods v1 and v2) said they couldn't notice any difference.