Apple's AirPods Achieve 98% Satisfaction Rate in User Study

[elev8d]

I work in research and these are pretty good results, but usually we don't use top 2 box as metric, because top box is more indicative of repeat business. That said 82% for Very Satisfied is still a very good score.

That said, I still don't like how they look, but would consider them if they offered them in matte black.

 

[stanman64]

What an odd comment. Do you take personal offense to comments made about a consumer electronics device?

Not personally offended at all. I just don't get why you're making wide, sweeping generalizations about literally millions of people.

This may be a difficult concept for you to grasp, but sometimes people buy products because they are actually good products.

 

[vixster1901]

That said, I still don't like how they look, but would consider them if they offered them in matte black.

Aggeed, they look stupid. The stem is too long.

 

[k1121j]

not with the wait to get them.. this waiting for product is getting old Apple..... my demand has weekend with your supply issues. I hope this is not the case for the next iPhone I may just switch for the first time to a new vendor is I have to wait 4 months to get one... its silly to wait half way through a products lifecycle to get it

 

[macdragonfl]

Went through the process recently for new bluetooth headphones, I tried them. The charging case and concept is their best attribute. The fit and the subpar audio quality was the deal breaker for me. They do not sound any better than the ones that come with your phone. So the premium price is just for the wireless and charging case. Easy setup is also good for many but the normal bluetooth setup is not hard. Most people don't make audio quality their highest priority, as if you do this would the first of the current solutions you would eliminate.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I like the AirPods look. Your opinion is not fact.

Good for you. Breaking News: your opinion is not fact either. That's why it's opinion. Learn to discern when someone is stating something as fact or opinion.

 

[whyamihere]

I got Airpods and BeatsX at the same time. I'd say my time split is about 90% airpods, 10% beatsx. I basically only wear the BeatsX for mowing the lawn and during air travel... ie only when I need to isolate outside noise. Airpods are so brilliantly convenient.

 

[AngerDanger]

Good for you. Breaking News: your opinion is not fact either. That's why it's opinion.

I never implied otherwise. You are the one who said somebody else was "correct" about AirPods looking goofy. Other than that, I cannot disagree with your post.

Learn to discern when someone is stating something as fact or opinion.

In my opinion, it was unclear that you weren't asserting yours as fact.

 

[sinsin07]

As another poster put it, these were largely purchased by die hard Apple fans ...

Not provable.

who have a willingness to overlook basic features that don't work 100% of the time.

Again, not provable.

 

[JMacHack]

Macrumors on studies showing Apple in a negative light: "Apple is doomed!"
Macrumors on studies showing Apple in a positive light: "The Studies are wrong [insert anecdote], Apple is doomed!"

 

[melendezest]

This is so overused, and not true in practice. I have worn them to the gym several times a week for months. I never get any looks or comments. I don't understand why anyone is so self conscious and worried about others thoughts, rather than just enjoying them.

Others in this thread have mentioned that they get the looks. Even the press have poked fun at the design...

That said, you echo what I stated previously: Forget what everyone else thinks and enjoy them.

 

[Otaviano]

I love my AirPods. Can't imagine going back to wired headphones.

 

[joeblow7777]

Yup, AirPods were the first holy **** moment since the original iPhone. They are fantastic.

That may be a bit of an exaggeration. I don't think that AirPods have rocked the consumer electronic market the way that the original iPhone did.

 

[symphara]

Not provable.

You're right, we don't have access to data to prove such a point.

But the point does make sense. This "study" seems to be confirmation bias at its finest. The people who bought AirPods, a niche product that would only appeal to diehard Apple fans, will by definition think that every Apple product is the bee's knees. Especially after sinking $160.

I imagine many of those who didn't buy them would probably hate them. I know I would. They are impractical - I'd worry all the time about them falling off. They look dorky/goofy/like wearing earings - and I don't want to look like that. And then I prize sound quality above all else. From what I've read, the sound quality of these AirPods seems on par with the wired headphones supplied with the iPhone, i.e. none to speak of.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I never implied otherwise. You are the one who said somebody else was "correct" about AirPods looking goofy. Other than that, I cannot disagree with your post.


In my opinion, it was unclear that you weren't asserting yours as fact.

Yes, correct -- in my opinion. It's called implied. If I wrote "it's a terrible day." Do you think I'm stating that as fact to? I know the youger generation loves emoticons but I didn't realize how dependent they were on them. Do they not teach how to read between the lines anymore?

 

[MrX8503]

I love my airpods. I had to buy a whole new set when I lost my first set. I couldn't go back to regular earphones.

 

[AngerDanger]

Yes, correct -- in my opinion. It's called implied. If I wrote "it's a terrible day." Do you think I'm stating that as fact to? I know the youger generation loves emoticons but I didn't realize how dependent they were on them. Do they not teach how to read between the lines anymore?

Yep, it's my generation or lack of education. It has nothing to do with the fact that we're communicating online which tends to strip interactions of nuance. This isn't a simple miscommunication—no, it must be indicative of something greater!

Anyway, if all you've got to offer is blanket statements and vapid rhetorical questions, I'm going to bow out. I apologize for misinterpreting your original message; I feel the rest was entirely unwarranted… but that's just my opinion.

 

[Newjackboy]

This is so overused, and not true in practice. I have worn them to the gym several times a week for months. I never get any looks or comments. I don't understand why anyone is so self conscious and worried about others thoughts, rather than just enjoying them.

exactly -most won't notice at all. some might say "are those the new apple earphones"
who will possibly say anything else to a stranger?

 

[bubsdaddy]

Others in this thread have mentioned that they get the looks. Even the press have poked fun at the design...

That said, you echo what I stated previously: Forget what everyone else thinks and enjoy them.

I get the "looks" followed by questions. Everyone who has approached me exhibits a positive curiosity about them. I have been wearing them since January and I bought a pair for my son in early April. He works in a downtown setting and laughed the other day that he almost can't wear them anymore because he is constantly stopped by people wanting to talk about the Airpods.

My guess is that while some may find them funny looking now, they will become quite normal over time.

 

[Uofmtiger]

one reason I got BeatsX and not Airpods was because of soft tips. I use foam tips and not the tips that came with the headphones and they work very well.

I recently bought the BeatsX. It was mainly because they were on sale for $119 at the time and the $30 coupon to Apple Music, effectively made them $89.

I don't like the long cord or the case they provide. The pros compared to the Airpods are that they should fit anyone because they have several different tips you can try in the box and also wings if you really need them to stay in, they have better sound isolation which typically means better sound quality in everything but quiet rooms (it also means you don't have to jack up the volume and risk your hearing), the inline controls are more complete than the Airpods. Also, they are harder to lose and can be worn around the neck (they have magnets on the buds) when you aren't listening to then

The Airpods have the little box you can bring with you to charge/store them. They have the cool feature of music stopping when you pull one out, and they can switch to mono mode. Also, you have no wires at all to get in the way.

I think preference depends on how you prioritize the things I listed above. I really like the convenience of easily switching from one Apple device to another without re-pairing or manually needing to disconnect from another device. I can see why the satisfaction is high. I don't think they sound that great, but I mainly use them for Youtube, background music while doing things around the house and for podcasts. The ability to have my phone on dock and control what is playing on Apple Music with Siri is pretty awesome, too.

 

[sinsin07]

But the point does make sense.

To you, maybe to others. However not to everyone.

This "study" seems to be confirmation bias at its finest. The people who bought AirPods, a niche product that would only appeal to diehard Apple fans, will by definition think that every Apple product is the bee's knees. Especially after sinking $160.

Still an opinion. You have still not provided proof of claim. As you mentioned before:
"You're right, we don't have access to data to prove such a point."

I imagine many of those who didn't buy them would probably hate them. I know I would.

Yikes! Whenever you start of with I imagine, all else is negated as what's in your imagination is not provable.

They are impractical for me- I'd worry all the time about them falling off. They look dorky/goofy/like wearing earings to me - and I don't want to look like that. And then I prize sound quality above all else. From what I've read, the sound quality of these AirPods seems on par with the wired headphones supplied with the iPhone, i.e. none to speak of, in my opinion since I only read about them.

Items in red added for clarification.

 

[imola.zhp]

Any data on the Beats X?

 

[sinsin07]

My guess is that while some may find them funny looking now, they will become quite normal over time.

This is exactly what will take place.

 

[SparkOnShore]

People used to think radiation was good for you. They drank radon water and used uranium blankets, because "nothing had been proven by science". If you think EMF and RF microwaves are good for you, then I guess you'll be personally providing that proof you seek.

I am sure you will be the one providing the reality that even without microwaves on your head, sickness is always there because of human nature! Now just forget the illiterate rubbish of the countryside you probably come from and bring me one important doctor's research to prove your words. Otherwise just stay silent and eat the high quality foods that make your country's population the fattest people in the world!

 

[gorkt]

I bought the AirPods first and loved everything about them except the looks. For some reason, they sit weirdly in my ears and when I put them in without a mirror, they stick out at odd angles. However, I like the storage case, the sound quality is decent and they are comfortable for me.

I bought the beatsX to try and I ended up returning them. After a month or so of being wireless, I really was annoyed by the beats wire. THey look more normal, but the sound was not noticeably better.

I also tried the Jabra elites but they just would not fit my ears no matter what type of ear sleeve I tried.