Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Unfortunately, I tapped out on these. I bought AirPods 4 to try alongside these since I wasn't a huge fan of APP 2's. I was hopeful that the APP 3's genuinely had a better fit. Which they did. But I felt they went too far into my ears. I wanted to see which ones fit me better, and the comfort level on the AirPods 4 was soooooo much higher than the APP 3's. The APP 3's are great headphones, but I had to return them. Just not for me.
Update: Well, the AirPods 4 ended up caused me pain outside of my ear canal. So I figured if both would hurt, I may as well get the one with better features. So I re-bought the AirPods Pro 3. I tried them again, expecting the same, and they fit me perfectly. No pain, no discomfort, nothing. I was pleasantly shocked.

I put on the XS tips, so no size change from what I tried before. But I tilted the stems back towards my earlobes. That helped me a lot. Which is counter to the advice most give. Tilting the stems toward my face just caused pain and pressure. My ears aren’t angled that way. Goes to show everyone’s ears are different. It’s really all just trial and error.
 
  • Like
Reactions: transpo1
My trial with APP3 was just one day.

My left ear didn't like how far the new design goes into the ear.
It was tolerable, but after about 20 mins I was not liking it and that sort of thing is a huge red flag for me with earbuds.

ANC was great, but I wasn't able to discern a really meaningful difference vs my APP2 with foam tips, at least for the noises I'm cancelling. (road noise in car and a/c noise from a roof unit)

Sound was excellent and maybe a bit better?

I'd call it different more than better.

Sound Q was the aspect I tested the least honestly, as I think APP2 are fine and I have various other buds and over ear options for pure SQ.

I consider APP3 fine, great even, assuming the fit is comfortable for you!

But ... if you already have APP2, as I do, I can't say I'd stop using my APP2 and switch to them unless I needed to buy new ones.

Seems like an excellent update if you're coming from nothing or APP1, for sure.

I returned the APP3
 
  • Like
Reactions: BGPL and transpo1
My trial with APP3 was just one day.

My left ear didn't like how far the new design goes into the ear.
It was tolerable, but after about 20 mins I was not liking it and that sort of thing is a huge red flag for me with earbuds.

ANC was great, but I wasn't able to discern a really meaningful difference vs my APP2 with foam tips, at least for the noises I'm cancelling. (road noise in car and a/c noise from a roof unit)

Sound was excellent and maybe a bit better?

I'd call it different more than better.

Sound Q was the aspect I tested the least honestly, as I think APP2 are fine and I have various other buds and over ear options for pure SQ.

I consider APP3 fine, great even, assuming the fit is comfortable for you!

But ... if you already have APP2, as I do, I can't say I'd stop using my APP2 and switch to them unless I needed to buy new ones.

Seems like an excellent update if you're coming from nothing or APP1, for sure.

I returned the APP3
Thanks for the rundown! I'm still trying mine out-- want to try different eartips and positions to see if I can make them work. I'm still likely to return but good to know if I need new ones in the future.

It's pretty crazy and somewhat disturbing that Apple changed an in-ear design that was working for so many. I wonder how the fit is for Tim Cook and the executive team?
 
  • Love
Reactions: turbineseaplane
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.