AirPods Pro Unboxing Videos: Design, Sound, Ear Tip Fit Test, and More

[Rogifan]

This is a silly take by Nilay. What is Apple supposed to do license out the H1 chip that they poured all of their R&D and work in to? They can choose to do that later on when they feel like it... But they are not obligated to.

Right. And I’ve used non-Apple Bluetooth headphones with my iPhone XS and 11 and they work fine and pair easily. No I don’t get a pretty little graphic pop up but so what?

Why do people put up with pathetic sound quality? I've listened to lots of Apple/Beats headphones and NONE of them come anywhere near the SQ of my Sony WI-H700 (h.ear Series Wireless In-Ear High Resolution Headphones).

People are dumb.

What device are you using to play this music? What is the format of the audio tracks? Does it even matter what headphones someone has if they’re listening to MP3 quality streamed tracks on their smartphone?

 

[xxray]

The fact that MKBHD said they just sound "fine" is a bit discouraging for me. He's not an audiophile or sound reviewer, but still.

 

[Analog Kid]

The AirPods Pro have the Qi wireless charging battery case, so the appropriate comparison is to the $199 regular AirPods, not the $159 model.

Not if it’s a feature you don’t care about... The choice for me is $159 AirPods, or $249 AirPod Pros... There‘s no $60 route from the regular case to noise cancellation.

I still made the decision to order the Pros. I suspect the therapy necessary to understand why will also cost more than $60...

 

[x-evil-x]

Black would have been "Pro"

black is for next year to get all the people upgrading to these to spend more on the new black color. Its all about milking people out of their money.
I won't get these till the stem is much small and black. Im happy with my jaybird freedoms for sound quality.
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The fact that MKBHD said they just sound "fine" is a bit discouraging for me. He's not an audiophile or sound reviewer, but still.

id expect a noise canceling in ear to sound really good. Memory foam does help and there should be companies making them for these but I would think initial impressions should of been better. Especially because there are others that have smaller earphones and sound really really amazing for what they are.

 

[BobVB]

Ordered mine with the hope my 'slightly large' left ear canal will not need to have the earbud shoved in every minute or so.

At $249 I did get the laser engraving for the first time with some contact info for return (don't laugh - I've left my old AirPods at businesses twice in Seattle and had them returned - we always do well with the 'lost wallet' tests too)

And even with the engraving they say they will arrive by Oct 31.

 

[radus]

That is a very goog idea - I will let them do the engraving next time

 

[thadoggfather]

Sorry I haven't kept up but can someone bring me up to speed-

is 13.2 and Catalina actually required to sync these PERIOD? or just for the pop up convenient sync feature?

if the former, deal breaker for my Sierra Mac and iOS 12 iPhone..

not really sold on in ear suction form factor either from past experiences

 

[xxray]

GQ's review says they sound "decent" and "a bit better than that of the AirPods." I know Apple is already doing a lot with AirPods, but I would expect significantly better sound after what Apple has been doing with their speakers on iPhones, MacBook Pros, iPads, and HomePod, and the fact that this product is 3 years old now. I understood if the lower cost one had only decent sound, but for the "pro"/premium model to still only have decent sound at $250...

 

[MikeKlump]

True. All the more reason to give them the first crack. The people who can afford the products have access to the high speed bandwidth needed to watch and the content is just a Hell of a lot more interesting than five paragraphs on DaringFireball.

Gruber is definitely a lot more knowledgeable than any of these people. Not that I don't enjoy these videos for what they are but Gruber is on a different level.

 

[dazz87]

amazing how nobody commits to commenting on sound quality. It's like they are scared of being honest or their own opinion. MKBHD's only comment was not bad. What does that mean? He compared the noise cancellation to the beats but how about the sound quality of the airpod pros. Bass, transparency, even a few sentences would help.

Bad mouth Apple = ban.

 

[iBrooker]

Some people just don't put that much emphasis on sound quality and are not audiophiles.... Like for example most headphones sound pretty much the same to me.... I can obviously tell the difference between in-ear buds and overhead headphones... or if one headphone is more bassy etc... like the obvious stuff... But other than that it all just sounds the same to me. I have a masters degree from an ivy league university and a CFA so I don't think I am dumb despite my lack of affinity for perfect sound.

You don't need to be an audiophile to appreciate sound quality.

If you're using headphones to listen to podcasts, tv shows or YouTube then sure by all means use anything, but if you actually like music than sound quality matters, even if in varying degree.

Whenever I see anyone with Beats or AirPods I cringe and lose a little faith in humanity - people buying garbage because of marketing/influencer nonsense or just because they think it makes them look 'cool'. I think it's dumb, yes.

Btw being academic doesn't mean you cannot be dumb - there are plenty of people with degrees who I would class as dumb (just look at politicians/doctors/lawyers etc - such a large number are dumb!!).

 

[danny1305]

To expensive. Just bought a pair of “normal”, AirPods and couldn’t be bothered about these. No way I’d pay that much for Apple headphones, if I wanted high end “pro” ones I’d go elsewhere. My AirPods rock for day to day use and not that expensive.

For someone that “couldn’t be bothered” but these, you seem very much bothered by them

 

[Antgb84]

Curious about the bass. From what I'm reading they're using a load of marketing fluff, 200 per second eh...

Bloody expensive especially up in Canada so on the fence about these.

 

[oneMadRssn]

You don't need to be an audiophile to appreciate sound quality.

If you're using headphones to listen to podcasts, tv shows or YouTube then sure by all means use anything, but if you actually like music than sound quality matters, even if in varying degree.

Whenever I see anyone with Beats or AirPods I cringe and lose a little faith in humanity - people buying garbage because of marketing/influencer nonsense or just because they think it makes them look 'cool'. I think it's dumb, yes.

Btw being academic doesn't mean you cannot be dumb - there are plenty of people with degrees who I would class as dumb (just look at politicians/doctors/lawyers etc - such a large number are dumb!!).

It's about priorities. Not everyone has the same priorities as you. High quality sound is not the top priority for everyone. If someone values portability or microphone quality or ease-of-use more than sound quality, they would be correct in getting AirPods.

 

[ericwn]

Because today's Apple power users are fashionistas and Kardashian wannabe's.... Pro tools for likes.

Let’s not forget the clever ones who actually take YouTube content at face value!

 

[ericwn]

Hmmm, so now I'm torn between these (pros, small, wear in public. Cons, I don't have much luck with in ear, breathing makes them fall out)

Bose 35II. (pro, over ear, cons don't want to look like a hipster in public)

or wait for the rumoured Apple branded headphones. (pros, will probably be top dog, cons, may never exist, even through Kuo says so)

Decisions, decisions......

I used to use the Bose when working at a desk or when flying mostly- they were great for these situations. AirPods to me are for on the go or quick casual listening.

 

[Digital Dude]

I didn't want to spend $301 w/AppleCare+tax, but I just did. I have a disability, so I rely on the AppleWatch and AirPods to make things easier. I'm hopeful the to noise cancellation and fit may improve the user experience, but I was also hoping for extended use before recharging.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Gruber is definitely a lot more knowledgeable than any of these people. Not that I don't enjoy these videos for what they are but Gruber is on a different level.

He writes maybe one "article" a week. The rest of the time he is either linking to other people 's work with a comment or two or ignorantly discussing politics.

He's a hack and a dinosaur.

I don't consider him to be on a "different level" of anything.

He's running a great scam, though.

He makes a ton off advertising and does minimal work.

Gotta hand it to him---he found a way to make a killer living while doing less than a 16 year old with a part time job bagging groceries.

My regard for him could not be lower.

 

[tkukoc]

Why is everyone on this forum so set on gatekeeping technology? What exactly is wrong with someone who isn't super tech savvy reviewing a product from a "normal" person perspective? You all realize that the millions of people who buy these products are not people who are gonna sit and read some in-depth technical review about every little thing?

Average people want to know the basics - how well does it work and how does it integrate into their lifestyle? That's what all these YouTubers go over and the reason they have the audience. Good for you guys for not liking that and not watching the content this people make. You're sooooooo different and cool and smart. I swear people bitching about "dumb YouTubers" are more grating than the actual YouTubers themselves.

Because most of what these people do isn't for even average people. They just read right off a website and get free products. Meanwhile real reviewers have a tough time getting products on time or don't get invites to events because of these people. That's the issue. People who actually have something real to offer about the product should be the ones getting ahead in line to put those details out. These other people who are just influencing based on their society stature level shouldn't be taking others spots. Of course it's not going to change. But to say these people say the basics of how something works isn't what they do at all.

 

[jimbobb24]

True. All the more reason to give them the first crack. The people who can afford the products have access to the high speed bandwidth needed to watch and the content is just a Hell of a lot more interesting than five paragraphs on DaringFireball.

Wow I forgot Daring Fireball still existed. Used to go regular about 10 years ago and got bored/busy/moved on. I just went to see what’s up and reviewed a few days of his stuff and he got distracted by politics. I can get that anywhere - I don’t need an Apple fanboys opinion of current world events. YouTube is more interesting and informative now.

 

[ScreenSavers]

Wow I forgot Daring Fireball still existed. Used to go regular about 10 years ago and got bored/busy/moved on. I just went to see what’s up and reviewed a few days of his stuff and he got distracted by politics. I can get that anywhere - I don’t need an Apple fanboys opinion of current world events. YouTube is more interesting and informative now.

I’ve been keeping up with Apple news websites for 10 years – and I just heard of him for the first time today!

 

[Seoras]

RE: iJustine:

I like her. She approaches it as a regular person, and not a pretentious tech nerd.

Which this forum is full of. I like her too, she's down to earth.
She went on the street and in an aircraft with them. The other two didn't think of that.
Just because she's a pretty blonde doesn't mean she's not a professional, intelligent journalist.

 

[T-Bob]

He writes maybe one "article" a week. The rest of the time he is either linking to other people 's work with a comment or two or ignorantly discussing politics.

He's a hack and a dinosaur.

I don't consider him to be on a "different level" of anything.

He's running a great scam, though.

He makes a ton off advertising and does minimal work.

Gotta hand it to him---he found a way to make a killer living while doing less than a 16 year old with a part time job bagging groceries.

My regard for him could not be lower.

Just visited, and more political blogging. It might as well be some genero rant blog on tumblr with that amount of content indeed.

 

[jimbobb24]

Whenever I see anyone with Beats or AirPods I cringe and lose a little faith in humanity - people buying garbage because of marketing/influencer nonsense or just because they think it makes them look 'cool'. I think it's dumb, yes.

That is a crazy coincidence. Because whenever I see people judging others and humanity based on their choice in consumer goods I lose a little faith in humanity.

 

[Dizzy714]

If these sound similar, or as good as the BeatsX - I’m in. BeatsX seem to have mixed feelings regarding sound quality. But I’m a fan of them, they sound full to me and that’s largely due to the seal I’d imagine - AirPods sound thin in comparison. I hear so much more across the spectrum on the BeatsX than I do on the AirPods. AirPods I have to have cranked at max volume to hear anything in the gym as well. Crossing my fingers on these things.