Apple Announces New AirPods Pro With H2 Chip for Up to 2x Noise Cancellation and More

[TwoBytes]

They didn't tout any sound quality upgrades with bass response, etc so we're going to get opinions from reviewers instead of a clear dealbreaker must buy we'll always get those YouTubers who say it's 'slightly' better but it's purely objective and not noticeable to many

 

[jared52]

Same form factor means those of us who get a lot of pain from the giant blub on the back of the Airpods Pro are out for APP 2. I was hoping they were going to shrink the form factor a bit (at least smaller than the AP3s which also hurt a lot of people, myself included).

 

[AZKev]

I dont know about this stuff:

Does Bluetooth 5.3 = LC3? LE?

BT 5.3 means it supports Low Energy radio (LE) if the iPhone does (I don't know that it does, will have to look) It also support direct finding which makes for the case pinpoint Find.

New Bluetooth® Core 5.3 feature enhancements | Bluetooth® Technology Website

Blog One of the key reasons why Bluetooth® technology has emerged as the global wireless standard powering the IoT is its rate of evolution. The hard work and collaboration between Bluetooth Special…

www.bluetooth.com

LC3 should be used, but not confirmed without looking deeper into the Pod specs.

A technical overview of LC3 | Bluetooth® Technology Website

Blog Over the past two decades, since its inception, Bluetooth® technology has become the go-to solution for the vast majority of wireless audio streaming applications. If you’ve ever listened to…

www.bluetooth.com

 

[whsbuss]

Would never buy any Apple ear tech and I love Apple. The worst Sennheiser earphones completely obliterated the best Apple has to offer. Anyone who even suggests Sennheiser or Sony aren’t the best earphone manufacturers I’ll have what you’re smoking

I can agree but besides the ANC, its all about the ecosystem integration.

 

[AZKev]

I came here to know this also. The rumors talked about BT LE, it's not written anywhere. But it seems if it's BT 5.3 then it is included. Waiting to see answers from people who know

Moderator has to approve my original post where I included links to BT specs.

BT 5.3 means it supports Low Energy radio (LE) if the iPhone does (I don't know that it does, will have to look) It also support direct finding which makes for the case pinpoint Find.

LC3 should be used, but not confirmed without looking deeper into the Pod specs.

Apple would be immensely stupid not to support LE and LC3, so thinking they are supported. However, it is not guaranteed as LE support depends on the iPhone.

 

[Gator5000e]

Moderator has to approve my original post where I included links to BT specs.

BT 5.3 means it supports Low Energy radio (LE) if the iPhone does (I don't know that it does, will have to look) It also support direct finding which makes for the case pinpoint Find.

LC3 should be used, but not confirmed without looking deeper into the Pod specs.

Apple would be immensely stupid not to support LE and LC3, so thinking they are supported. However, it is not guaranteed as LE support depends on the iPhone.

The 14Pro has BT 5.3 for whatever that is worth.

 

[porkrind]

They didn't tout any sound quality upgrades with bass response, etc so we're going to get opinions from reviewers instead of a clear dealbreaker must buy we'll always get those YouTubers who say it's 'slightly' better but it's purely objective and not noticeable to many

"The exceptional sound quality of AirPods Pro is also now transformed, with a new, low-distortion audio driver and a custom amplifier to power it ... you will hear even more detail and clarity across a wider range of sound frequencies."

 

[eas]

They support Bluetooth 5.3. Does that mean they support Bluetooth LE Audio? If so then Apple burried the lede, which is that bi-directional audio (headset/handsfree) will, after decades, no longer sound like talking on a lousy analog landline.

 

[tgwaste]

The 14Pro has BT 5.3 for whatever that is worth.

Ok so iPhone has 5.3 and Airpods have 5.3...

So whats the minimum latency between devices?

 

[Gator5000e]

9-5 posted this:

Bluetooth 5.3 support: With the release of a new LC3 codec last month, the iPhone 14 Pro will be able to transmit at much lower bitrates without dropping the audio quality we currently see with Bluetooth’s standard. With the technology available on the iPhone, expect improvements in audio calls, music, playback, and more.

 

[tlnargi]

Re: Lossless, I swear on the first features slide they showed, there was a tile at the bottom that said 48khz, which would imply lossless quality, but I see nothing about it anywhere else. Maybe I just imagined it.

No I saw it too. But it doesn't imply lossless.

 

[whsbuss]

I'm gonna wait to gets these (have 3rd pair of APP replaced under the ir program) to see what users think about the sound and 2x ANC.

 

[greenorblue]

That wasn't my question. I wanted to know if 5.3 is the SAME AS LE or contains LC3 support? I'm specifically wondering about the minimum latency with 5.3 which I literally cant find anywhere.

5.2 is the minimum spec for LE Audio support, but just because something has 5.2 or above does not mean LE audio is implemented. I have a feeling we'll see Apple implement it down to road since 5.3 is included on all of the new devices they announced today (other than the Series 8, which is a joke).

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

I've got the original pros and they are great I think, this had taken a very long time for such a minor update though.

The originals might even be a better deal if you can get a cheap enough price on them

 

[eas]

I'm one of those people who really can't hear a huge difference between lossless audio and lossy.

You've described almost everyone in the world, including almost everyone who is sure they can tell a difference between lossless and lossless by ear (as opposed to using signal analysis equipment and/or being told what they are hearing).

 

[JacquesleMac]

Totally true. What we get with the Apple solutions is the quick-connect convenience, easy device switching, access to features like spatial audio, and a common charging solution with current iPhones. All those are worth something to some people, including myself.

What we absolutely do NOT get is best in class SQ or NR. Not even close.

Even the lowest-end, $99.00 Shure SE215 IEM's blow away anything currently available from Apple for isolation and SQ.

For some situations, like a ZOOM meeting, phone calls while taking walks, or casual podcast listening, I like my APP's for the convenience factor, but when I want to listen to something critically I go to my Shure 848's with AONIC2 modules, or my Sony WF1000XM4 IEM's.

On long flights, I will run the Sony WH1000XM4. NR on the APP's is a joke by comparison.

Is there any way you can ensure the Sony WF1000XM4s aren't reporting your data usage, location, etc. back via Alexa/Google assistant?

This isn't a rhetorical question – I need some decent IEMs, and I live entirely in the Apple ecosystem, but AirPods Pro always seem ludicrously overpriced compared to the competition. I value sound quality above Apple compatibility. OTOH, I also value my privacy...

 

[eas]

9-5 posted this:

Bluetooth 5.3 support: With the release of a new LC3 codec last month, the iPhone 14 Pro will be able to transmit at much lower bitrates without dropping the audio quality we currently see with Bluetooth’s standard. With the technology available on the iPhone, expect improvements in audio calls, music, playback, and more.

So, does that actually mean that the new iPhones support LE Audio (of which the LC3 codec is an essential part) or are they jumping to conclusions based on Bt 5.3 support?

 

[Toratek]

Is there any way you can ensure the Sony WF1000XM4s aren't reporting your data usage, location, etc. back via Alexa/Google assistant?

This isn't a rhetorical question – I need some decent IEMs, and I live entirely in the Apple ecosystem, but AirPods Pro always seem ludicrously overpriced compared to the competition. OTOH I value my privacy....

I don't have either one of those services set up on the device- I have it set up for SIRI, and run it through my iPhone, so I don't worry about that at all.

 

[satchmo]

Finally touch enable volume controls. Good riddance to Siri.

 

[seek3r]

Volume controls may be enough for me to upgrade, it's my biggest irritation with my APPs. Mostly mitigated because I wear an apple watch I can adjust volume with, but still annoying

 

[nfl_brah]

Did they mention anything about doing a better job eliminating noise when on the phone to the caller you are speaking with?

This is literally the biggest issue with them. Unbelievable how it’s not addressed. 90%+ don’t care about lossless audio.

 

[seek3r]

All these great features are worthless with the same slippery-material, badly-shaped eartips. (Hey Apple, a bunch of us needed XL, not XS!)

Except touch-capacitive controls. That is a step backwards.

Keeping my BFP...

There are like 1000 different types of third party eartips on amazon, I use a foam tip that's much more comfortable for my ears.

 

[jimbobb24]

I am excited to buy these on Black Friday 2023. Look amazing.

 

[GDF]

This is literally the biggest issue with them. Unbelievable how it’s not addressed. 90%+ don’t care about lossless audio.

Agree. I did see on the Apple website that it says - hoping that improves it.

Mute the breeze.​

Covered in a special acoustic mesh, an inset microphone in each earbud minimizes wind noise when you’re on a call — so your voice is always heard loud and clear.

 

[nfl_brah]

Agree. I did see on the Apple website that it says - hoping that improves it.

Mute the breeze.​

Covered in a special acoustic mesh, an inset microphone in each earbud minimizes wind noise when you’re on a call — so your voice is always heard loud and clear.

I hope this improves other environmental noise too.