Hands-On With Apple's New Second-Generation AirPods

[j1mmyjm]

My first AirPods (generation 1) have been playing up for a long time. I often listen to music or Apple TV in bed using just one earbud (I’m a side sleeper) and when using both at the gym, the second earbud volume would be out of sync - even after resetting/resyncing.

The sound quality also has deteriorated rapidly and after one year and even at max volume they are now barely useable. The microphone makes a lot of crackling and screeches during calls - even after the latest firmware upgrade v6.3.2 (March 2019)

My 2 year Australian warranty also wasn’t honoured in the UK. Perhaps the rapid degradation in sound quality is the reason Apple doesn’t offer AppleCare on these devices.

Waiting for my Gen 2 airpods...more on that in a separate post
[doublepost=1553669780][/doublepost]Apple seem to have switched courier companies and now uses DHL (UKmail) in the UK. DHL must be the worst courier I’ve ever had the misfortune of being forced to use.

There is no delivery window (like UPS and DPD) so waiting in all day is a sheer pleasure /s

When I missed the delivery, they left 2 cards saying the delivery was left with a local delivery point, but neither card number is locatable via their website. No phone number to call either. So I’ll have even more pleasure /s trying to track them down for the next few days. This always happens with DHL. Please Apple ditch these incompetent archaic couriers and go back to DPD or UPS!

 

[karnsculpture]

I had issues with them staying connected to an iPad last night, but it needed a software update so that may have been the problem. They sound better than the first version but the real test will be today on public transport.

 

[skillwill]

One thing I hate about the new AirPods is we have to endure the barrage of YouTubers’ hands on videos which for these is just them putting the AirPods in their ears and going “hmm I can’t tell if it sounds better or not? Yes... no... actually yes... wait no it’s probably about the same.”

 

[djcerla]

Audio quality is objectively measurable with dozens of different measuring devices in dozens of different ways.

Ask any audio engineer.

Any audio engineer will tell you that the most revered, best sounding pieces of studio hardware measure very poorly in dozens of different ways.

Objective, measurable things like signal distortion are in no way connected to perceived “sound quality” and listener gratification, which is the topic of this discussion.

 

[ediks]

And anyone who thinks that these things have good sound quality need to put an actual quality headphone in their ears.
All of this “they sound so much better” and “are faster” is nothing more than people trying to justify spending another $200 on a piece of crap product.

even MKBHD said that apple confirmed to him that the sound is the same in his airpods 2 video

 

[Classie]

I can’t justify a purchase... the improvements over the 1gen isn’t enough.
Still want to know if it’s possible to change the battery 1-2years down the line.

 

[44267547]

I can’t justify a purchase... the improvements over the 1gen isn’t enough.
Still want to know if it’s possible to change the battery 1-2years down the line.

I try to stay open minded with new product
Releases, but I agree with you, the second GEN AirPods just are not enough in terms of being an ‘upgrade’ for a transition for me from my first GEN AirPods. The only way I would consider upgrading to the second GEN AirPods, is when the battery life on my first GEN AirPods is completely depleted or can’t sufficiently hold a charge. I think the AirPods are a great product, but I suspect bigger things are coming for the AirPods in 2020 with more dynamic changes. To me, The 2019 AirPods is more of an ‘S’ model to me.

 

[MrMister111]

Is the old and new on same firmware now? My 1st gen just updated V6.3.2

Wondering if it's made any difference to 1st gen, hard to judge?

 

[Classie]

I try to stay open minded with new product
Releases, but I agree with you, the second GEN AirPods just are not enough in terms of being an ‘upgrade’ for a transition for me from my first GEN AirPods. The only way I would consider upgrading to the second GEN AirPods, is when the battery life on my first GEN AirPods is completely depleted or can’t sufficiently hold a charge. I think the AirPods are a great product, but I suspect bigger things are coming for the AirPods in 2020 with more dynamic changes. To me, The 2019 AirPods is more of an ‘S’ model to me.

Yes, I think that the next version will be a “real” upgrade and more color options. We’ll just have to wait a year.

 

[Adrian Andrews]

I discovered last night that you can charge the wireless charging case with the
Watch charger.

 

[dan9700]

You have to update to the very latest OS released today (both iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS) to see improvements.

I did and still the same

 

[PickUrPoison]

Any audio engineer will tell you that the most revered, best sounding pieces of studio hardware measure very poorly in dozens of different ways.

Objective, measurable things like signal distortion are in no way connected to perceived “sound quality” and listener gratification, which is the topic of this discussion.

I think you’ve overstated your case somewhat. Certain measurable parameters are absolutely associated with poor quality audio reproduction.

But it’s true that even relatively bad audio specs—e.g. THD of 1-2% (and even 5-10% at low frequencies), non-linear phase response/high frequency phase shift, poor dynamic range or channel separation, among many others—can be inaudible with most music program material.

 

[PaladinGuy]

I can’t justify a purchase... the improvements over the 1gen isn’t enough.
Still want to know if it’s possible to change the battery 1-2years down the line.

Pretty sure there is no way to replace the batteries or refurbish them. They’re just trash, once the battery goes out.

 

[MoreRumors?]

Dan,

The blinking red light doesn’t mean they aren’t compatible. It means two different pods from different sets are in the case. You can make the blinking go away if you hold the back button down for more than 10 seconds.

The same thing happened to me when I had Apple mail me replacement airpods and they sent each AirPod seperately.

Dan, I think Geardo Ranger is correct. Apple is selling the case alone and this is from the website, "The Wireless Charging Case works with all generations of AirPods and can hold multiple charges."
[doublepost=1553683416][/doublepost]

Any way just to buy the buds and use a USB cable to charge them?

I had to buy a replacement for 1 earbud and buy the time you buy the 2nd one, you're close to the price of a whole new set. In case you haven't noticed, Apple price products and repairs which "encourages or makes sense to" buy new product and/or upgrade instead.
[doublepost=1553683588][/doublepost]

I can’t justify a purchase... the improvements over the 1gen isn’t enough.
Still want to know if it’s possible to change the battery 1-2years down the line.

If replacing the batteries were an alternative, the price it cost would most likely be the cost of new set.

 

[radiology]

Every time Apple releases something there is a certain amount of negative comments. Just the way it is.

It’s called “opinion” and everyone is entitled to one, even if it doesn’t please you.

 

[JTBing]

And anyone who thinks that these things have good sound quality need to put an actual quality headphone in their ears.
All of this “they sound so much better” and “are faster” is nothing more than people trying to justify spending another $200 on a piece of crap product.

Anyone who thinks people are buying Airpods for audiophile-style music listening needs to clean more than wax out from between his ears.

Airpods have an entirely different set of use scenarios than high-end open-back headphones with amp/dac. And for those uses, they are the most convenient and functional product I've ever used. Perhaps you should refrain from offering your opinion on products about which you know so little.

 

[idrewuk]

I'm waiting patiently for the Powerbeats Pro — think these will be what I've been waiting for to use in the gym and on the move. Unfortunately Airpods are just too loose in my ears with terrible sound leakage. I bought rubber tips but it's a hassle to keep putting them on and taking them off all the time.

 

[kahkityoong]

And anyone who thinks that these things have good sound quality need to put an actual quality headphone in their ears.
All of this “they sound so much better” and “are faster” is nothing more than people trying to justify spending another $200 on a piece of crap product.

They’re paying for convenience not sound quality. For me no wireless headphone or bud currently has acceptable sound quality but that’s just me. Others may find the sound Ok. You have to compare like with like. Wireless with wireless. AirPods are not going to be able to compete with wired high end headphones for sound but they are more convenient to use.

 

[Morgenland]

And anyone who thinks that these things have good sound quality need to put an actual quality headphone in their ears.
All of this “they sound so much better” and “are faster” is nothing more than people trying to justify spending another $200 on a piece of crap product.

Stupid MR-comment. You should go out into the world sometime. There are a lot of people running around who use AirPods mainly for telephoning (e.g using the watch) and and it works great! No one uses a headphone for that.

 

[Moshe1010]

can somebody confirm if 2nd gen AirPods recognize the ear faster? When I put one earbud and I want to change between speaker to the AirPods it sometimes takes more than 10 sec to recognize my ear

 

[Dave245]

They sound louder, connect to all my IOS devices and Mac a lot faster than the first gen. "Hey Siri" is very helpful when using them out on a run.

 

[dmunz]

When they came out with what changes were made for the AirPods 2 (really more like 1.2), I decided to get something else.

Just got my Jabra Elite Active 65t. Did the research and they seem to be about the best true wireless in-ears, and good for working out as well. They sound fantastic!

Passed my AirPods 1 to my daughter. And those got the firmware upgrade today. I don’t think she’ll use them, but didn’t want to toss ‘em.

I lost my generation 1 Airpods and picked up the 65t's but ended up returning them. I have never been a fan of using in-ear buds for talking on the phone. I don't like the way the sound of my voice sort rattles around in my head with me ears sealed off.

The Jabras were great for listening to music but I really need a good headset for calls. (Same goes for the BeatsX - great for music but don't work well for me on calls.)

I probably wouldn't pick up the new ones if I had not lost my original set. I'm in the "mid-to-late-April" delivery bucket so I might try to score a set of Gen 1's at a deep discount somewhere. If I don't find them, I'll take the new ones.

FWIW
DLM

 

[clauzzz203]

Audio quality is subjective.

No it is not. Opinions about wether audio quality matters or not, are subjective

 

[Morgenland]

I am pleased that there is still a Lightning-only charging case available.
When I'm on my way, I don't want to carry the extra Zeitgeist accessory with me.

 

[Fidgetyrat]

Stupid MR-comment. You should go out into the world sometime. There are a lot of people running around who use AirPods mainly for telephoning (e.g using the watch) and and it works great! No one uses a headphone for that.

I had a call come in yesterday while listening to music with my Hesh 3 headphones on. What an awkward experience. The sound isolation made me always think I was yelling and that everyone around me was listening to my conversation.