Can’t get along with AirPods Pro

[TopToffee]

So I bought the original AirPods on launch day, and they gave me over 4 years of faithful service. Genuinely one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

Finally earlier this year the battery gave up the ghost. So on Prime Day a couple of weeks ago, I snagged a pair of Pros.

First off, I love some of the features. They’re vastly quicker to pair/switch source than my old ones, the spatial audio is an amazing bit of tech, and Transparency mode is pretty awesome.

HOWEVER, I’m really struggling with the “feel” of them. They seem to make every movement reverberate in my ears. If I go for a walk with them, every footstep booms in my head, if I scratch my cheek it sounds like someone is scratching directly on the Pods. It’s a hard thing to describe, but it seems to accentuate any rustling/vibration/impact, making for a really unpleasant experience.

move never had a pair of “tipped” headphones like this. Anyone experienced similar, or got any guidance or advice? Am I doing something wrong or is this just what this sort of earbud is like due to sitting deeper in the ear? Or are they just not for me?

 

[turbineseaplane]

You've described exactly why I'm always and only a "normal" AirPods person.

Grab yourself some Gen 2 AirPods instead.
You'll be much happier.

Nothing can be done about the "hearing steep in your ear" thing if it bothers you. It's subjective and doesn't bother some people and/or for some types of usage. It's just part and parcel with an in-ear plug design unfortunately.

Or are they just not for me?

Basically -- they are not for you, correct

 

[ZebraDude]

So I bought the original AirPods on launch day, and they gave me over 4 years of faithful service. Genuinely one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

Finally earlier this year the battery gave up the ghost. So on Prime Day a couple of weeks ago, I snagged a pair of Pros.

First off, I love some of the features. They’re vastly quicker to pair/switch source than my old ones, the spatial audio is an amazing bit of tech, and Transparency mode is pretty awesome.

HOWEVER, I’m really struggling with the “feel” of them. They seem to make every movement reverberate in my ears. If I go for a walk with them, every footstep booms in my head, if I scratch my cheek it sounds like someone is scratching directly on the Pods. It’s a hard thing to describe, but it seems to accentuate any rustling/vibration/impact, making for a really unpleasant experience.

move never had a pair of “tipped” headphones like this. Anyone experienced similar, or got any guidance or advice? Am I doing something wrong or is this just what this sort of earbud is like due to sitting deeper in the ear? Or are they just not for me?

I found pod swap on the net and swapped in my 1st gen Air Pods for $59.00 and I am very happy. They somehow replace the batteries on these tiny things.

 

[Apple_Robert]

So I bought the original AirPods on launch day, and they gave me over 4 years of faithful service. Genuinely one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

Finally earlier this year the battery gave up the ghost. So on Prime Day a couple of weeks ago, I snagged a pair of Pros.

First off, I love some of the features. They’re vastly quicker to pair/switch source than my old ones, the spatial audio is an amazing bit of tech, and Transparency mode is pretty awesome.

HOWEVER, I’m really struggling with the “feel” of them. They seem to make every movement reverberate in my ears. If I go for a walk with them, every footstep booms in my head, if I scratch my cheek it sounds like someone is scratching directly on the Pods. It’s a hard thing to describe, but it seems to accentuate any rustling/vibration/impact, making for a really unpleasant experience.

move never had a pair of “tipped” headphones like this. Anyone experienced similar, or got any guidance or advice? Am I doing something wrong or is this just what this sort of earbud is like due to sitting deeper in the ear? Or are they just not for me?

You shouldn't stay in an electronic marriage you are not happy with. Time for a divorce.

 

[philrock]

I am in the same boat as you OP, I find that experience overwhelming. I actually almost ordered some Pros last night but held off, now I am glad I did. I get the same experience if I fully insert my PBPs... I am now going to wait for the next AP release.

 

[TopToffee]

Well, not the answers I was hoping for, but the ones I was expecting. Back they go I think.

My hope is that the "Gen 3 AirPods" supposedly to be released soon will be tip-less, but incorporate some of the features of the Pros (spatial audio particularly)

 

[Puonti]

If I have the Transparency mode enabled on my Pros it results in the same kind of "amplified scratches" you're experiencing. I don't get that effect with the other modes, but I do still get the "thump" from my feet while walking. I only hear it through my left ear, though, due to differences in how my ear canals are, and unfortunately it's not something I (or Apple) can fix.

 

[TopToffee]

If I have the Transparency mode enabled on my Pros it results in the same kind of "amplified scratches" you're experiencing. I don't get that effect with the other modes, but I do still get the "thump" from my feet while walking. I only hear it through my left ear, though, due to differences in how my ear canals are, and unfortunately it's not something I (or Apple) can fix.

It's definitely the thumping that is the bigger issue. It's quite oppressive, especially on a fast walk