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

[JGIGS]

Super saf video says bass isn’t as good as last gen AirPods I hope not

He also said he isn't an audio expert so I'd wait for reviews by people who know audio fidelity better. Like say a JimsReviewRoom on YouTube.
[automerge]1572379568[/automerge]

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.

It was also his first impressions and he said he would have a full review later with more detail on the sound once he's used them for a bit.

 

[MarkB786]

Well, I'll give these a try. My two biggest complaints with the old APs were secure fit and poor noise isolation, so these should be much better.

 

[cap7ainclu7ch]

I'm pretty skeptical of any tech reviewers commenting on audio quality. I'd bet a good amount of money that these sound substantially better than the standard AirPods (due to fitment alone). There is no way that the new driver and EQ tech hasn't increased sound quality by a good margin.

 

[Glockworkorange]

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

I saw what you saw, too, but won't get into it too much because I don't want the mods here to smack me for political talk, but you're 100% right. Much of his content is just screaming and banging his wooden spoon on his high chair about political choices he doesn't agree with.

I would venture to say he gets a lot of mileage out of it, as it seems the majority of tech writers and followers agree with his political persuasion.

In fact, I bet at least half of his readers are there for things other than his take on Apple products.

It's a free country and all that---I just stopped following his writing when I watched him sort of descend into madness, which I think started around 2015.
[automerge]1572381347[/automerge]

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.

Thats exactly why I stopped following his work---he's consumed by political discourse.

Fine---it's his page, but there's nothing I can get on Daring Fireball that I can't get in 100 other places.

 

[m4mario]

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.

If I was not an audiophile and the AirPods Pro did sound great to me, and I wanted to get an early review, I would say they sound fine just to be safe. I would jump on the bandwagon of it sounding great once it is the common consensus.

 

[1rottenapple]

I personally don’t watch those particular youtubers. There are others than I’d rather watch like “phenedo” make really great video reviews. Quality stuff and funny.

 

[MaxGravy]

I prefer listening to music on full size speakers, not earbuds or headphones. To me airpods are best for podcasts and taking calls. ANC on a plane would be great for podcasts. If they can knock down that engine drone over a podcast I'll be happy.

I wasn't able to order until almost 5 hours after they went on sale. My order originally showed delivery on 10/31 but the tracking number just popped up with delivery tomorrow 10/30.

 

[Glockworkorange]

I prefer listening to music on full size speakers, not earbuds or headphones. To me airpods are best for podcasts and taking calls. ANC on a plane would be great for podcasts. If they can knock down that engine drone over a podcast I'll be happy.

I wasn't able to order until almost 5 hours after they went on sale. My order originally showed delivery on 10/31 but the tracking number just popped up with delivery tomorrow 10/30.

Same thing for me. I received confirmation I'd be getting them tomorrow after an initial 10-31-19 delivery date.

One thing I don't know is if it requires a signature. Sure hope not.

 

[apolloa]

They look very trick with some really nice features, still not Pro though.

 

[Aston441]

Big question is how do they actually sound though? AirPods sounded rubbish, the PowerBeats Pro sound quite good - i'd take that sound in a new Apple product - I love the PowerBeats Pro but as someone who doesn't really use them for working out, the ear hooks annoy me a bit.

The bigger question is how do they sound to the party at the other end of a phone call, since no one ever does objective frequency response measurements of microphones any more. I miss the 1990s when "tech savvy" people actually discovered and presented useful information.

 

[The Game 161]

Looking forward to trying them tomorrow

 

[FriendlyMackle]

Big question is how do they actually sound though? AirPods sounded rubbish, the PowerBeats Pro sound quite good - i'd take that sound in a new Apple product - I love the PowerBeats Pro but as someone who doesn't really use them for working out, the ear hooks annoy me a bit.

Agreed that AirPods sound like rubbish. I tried them and they remind me of old AM radio music broadcasts...but smoother. I'm also not a fan of non-sealing earbuds. I like to shut out the outside world with headphones/earbuds. And I like depth of sound (which does not mean an overemphasized bass).

As for the PowerBeats Pro, they're just too big and ugly for me to wear. I hate ear-hooks. Not only do they look horrible, but they feel horrible - at least for me, I don't find them comfortable for that long. And that ginormous case, how could you fit that into a pants or jacket pocket?

I have two pair of Bang & Olufsen E8 true-wireless earbuds (the version 1 from 2017, and the v2 from this year) and they sound amazing. Though they do not have active noise canceling. They do have a Transparency feature. For me that is their only shortcoming--but not enough that I would move to another product. I like the fact that I can adjust the sound profile in the app while I use them. Apple gives you no real control over that (custom sound profiles/eq), which really doesn't suit me.

 

[Royksöpp]

I’m not watching any of these clowns. I’ll find out for myself when they arrive. Until then, I’ll wait for a grown up review.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I’m not watching any of these clowns. I’ll find out for myself when they arrive. Until then, I’ll wait for a grown up review.

Zollotech usually has excellent videos. No unicorns and clowns just normal voice facts without verbal diarrhea.

 

[ScreenSavers]

I will admit that I watched the reviews. They were informative.

 

[SDJim]

Still feel with longer match sticks would've come longer battery life.

Yes, but design and engineering are an eternal compromise (functional design, that is). The only times my AirPods have ever come out was two random times my hood caught the arms and twisted them out. If someone is planning on using these for significant aerobic activity, I'm sure they will appreciate a significant reduction of that risk. I know I would.

 

[CafeNevosa]

I’d be interested to know if the AirPods ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) is active while not playing any media. I love using ANC without media on my Bose QC35’s for piece and quiet in noisy environments.

 

[Precursor]

These new airpods are only $50 more than the previous ones so you pay $50 for noise cancelling and bunch of other tech included in this new version, which is a no brainer for me. Instabuy. I just happen to be in San Francisco so I’ll definitely buy these tomorrow from the Apple store half a mile down the road from my hotel 😂
[automerge]1572397875[/automerge]
From

I’d be interested to know if the AirPods ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) is active while not playing any media. I love using ANC without media on my Bose QC35’s for piece and quiet in noisy environments.

From the reviews I’ve watched, yes you can. It’s a simple press&hold the stem for a second to activate/deactivate the ANC.

 

[PickUrPoison]

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.

Agreed, and as I mentioned in another reply, if they want to compare the $159 regular AirPods to the $249 AirPods Pro that’s fine. But when listing the extra features you get for that $90, don’t forget the Qi charging case (as the article did).

 

[roguedaemon]

Just got mine today here in Melbourne, Aus.

After waiting way too long for the 13.2 update to install, I finally powered them on.
As usual, the pairing process was fantastic.
The products themselves and the quality of everything inside seems to be top notch.

I first went into settings and did the "Tip Fit Test" and it confirmed that everything was good.

But then I played my first song. I started without noise cancelling to try it out.
Hmm. Something must be wrong there's absolutely no depth to the sound.

Okay let's try a different song. Nope, same thing.

Maybe noise cancelling on will make a difference? Nope.

Then I compared them back to back with the OG AirPods. Wowee!! I just burst out laughing. THERE's my audio!

The sound quality difference is insane. Very, very disappointed in these for a $400 product.

It's a shame because, throughout my other testing I was thoroughly impressed.
The noise cancelling is incredible. Like, really really good. They fit better in my ears, are much more comfortable, much more discreet looking, less awkward, finally has a better control scheme, integrates better etc.
But in cramming all those awesome developments it seems Apple forgot about the whole point of headphones. The audio.

Real shame.

 

[Analog Kid]

Agreed, and as I mentioned in another reply, if they want to compare the $159 regular AirPods to the $249 AirPods Pro that’s fine. But when listing the extra features you get for that $90, don’t forget the Qi charging case (as the article did).

Yeah, I agree. The article's been edited since your comment, so it's hard to know what you saw. The current article is pretty clear though:

AirPods Pro come with a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box, compared to USB-A for the regular AirPods. Also included in the box is a wireless charging case, silicone ear tips in three sizes, and documentation.

AirPods Pro feature several improvements over the regular AirPods, including active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and water and sweat resistance. The higher-end earphones are now available to order for $249, compared to $159 for the regular AirPods, with deliveries beginning Wednesday.

 

[smoking monkey]

Watched most of the "reviews"/unboxing. Here are some of the takeaways--

1. They sound way better than AirPods.
2. The ANC is good considering they are in ear
3. The sound quality is good and very clear.
4. The sound is better than Beats Pro
5. The transparency mode is great
6. Overall good package
7. Feature packed
8. Comfortable

Jim's Review Room for me is the best in the business so hopefully he'll have a review up soon

 

[JosephAW]

I'm assuming you don't need to have an Apple device to use these or they still work with older iOS devices running iOS 12.
Can't wait for the floor to drop out on the old design and for the clones to appear for budget minded users.

 

[GJVVU]

Why no other colours? So bored with only white for everything. The driver is the same as AirPods 2, only the ANC and design upgrade, charges so much more. I will probably wait for Sony Wh1000MX4 Headphone.

 

[Applefan4]

Please forgive this take if it offends anyone... I'm sure she's a very nice person, but I can't help but think that her entire appeal is about making dudes horny while watching her.

The few times I've listened to her I felt like I was getting marketed to by the head of the high school cheerleading squad.

iJustine is a classic Apple shill with no tech knowledge whatsoever. Watching her "reviews" is an utter waste of time