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New AirPods Sound Quality Debated as Orders Begin to Arrive Around the World
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Apple's new second-generation AirPods are beginning to arrive to customers around the world, and some early adopters have turned to the MacRumors forums and social media to share their first impressions of the earphones.
The new AirPods have the same outward design as the original and remain available in white only. Apple continues to include a one-meter Lightning to USB-A cable in the box with all second-generation AirPods.
Hey Siri
Powered by a new H1 chip, the new AirPods support hands-free Siri, enabling users to change songs, make phone calls, adjust the volume, get directions, and more by saying "Hey Siri." Siri can still be activated by doubling tapping one of the AirPods if enabled in Settings > Bluetooth on an iOS device.
First impressions about the new Hey Siri functionality are mostly positive so far. MacRumors forum member Moxxham from Australia wrote that "Hey Siri seems to work really well," even with loud music playing in the background, while Reddit user Lachlanhunt found the feature "works reasonably well."
Sound Quality
First impressions about overall audio quality are both subjective and anecdotal, with conflicting opinions as to whether the new AirPods sound better than the original. Reports range from users not noticing any difference all the way to feeling like the new AirPods are a huge improvement for sound.
MacRumors forum member Kiky disagrees with the above tweet:At the very least, MacRumors reader Vladislav Kuznetsov and many others agree that features like Siri and FaceTime calls sound clearer:
On a related note, Apple recently seeded a 6.3.2 firmware update for the first-generation AirPods, and some users on MacRumors and Reddit are speculating that the update has led to improved audio quality and faster connection speeds on the first-generation AirPods. Evidence is anecdotal at this point.
Early adopters are also noticing that the new AirPods switch more quickly between devices like the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac they are connected. Apple says the H1 chip makes switching between sources up to two times faster.
As far as battery life is concerned, more time will be needed for a proper comparison between the new AirPods and the original pair.
Apple says the new AirPods get up to three hours of talk time per charge, compared to up to two hours with the previous generation. Other battery life stats remain the same, with up to five hours of listening time per charge and more than 24 hours of total battery life from extra charges stored in the case.
The new AirPods are available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app with a wired charging case for $159, the same price as the original AirPods, and with a wireless charging case for $199. Apple says both options will be available at Apple Stores and select resellers starting this week.
MacRumors will be sharing our own second-generation AirPods hands-on video and impressions soon. Let us know your own first impressions in the comments section or by tweeting at us with a @MacRumors mention!
Article Link: New AirPods Sound Quality Debated as Orders Begin to Arrive Around the World
Are you sure it isn't charging? The light isn't supposed to stay on continuously anyway.
I haven’t because I thoroughly clean them regularly.I received my AirPods 2 today and the audio quality does sound better.
Black paint my friend. I have two friends that did that very carefully.
On top of that there is a legit manufacturing variance between even the same gen/model of headphones with any brand!The "placebo" train has arrived...get on board!
Seriously...your ears can hear differently sometimes. I've experienced this with all earphones, headphones and the Airpods. Sometimes you can improve the sound by blowing your nose.
It also depends on how much earwax is in there so yeah...it's subjective unless we see an actual scientific sound comparison.
From Apple's website:
Performance you’ll want to hear.
Powered by the all-new Apple H1 headphone chip, AirPods deliver a faster and more stable wireless connection to your devices — up to 2x faster when switching between active devices,3 and a 1.5x faster connection time for phone calls.4The H1 chip also drives voice-enabled Siri access and delivers up to 30 percent lower gaming latency.5 So whether you’re playing games, listening to music, or enjoying podcasts, you’ll experience higher-quality sound.
Performance you’ll want to hear.
Powered by the all-new Apple H1 headphone chip, AirPods deliver a faster and more stable wireless connection to your devices — up to 2x faster when switching between active devices,3 and a 1.5x faster connection time for phone calls.4The H1 chip also drives voice-enabled Siri access and delivers up to 30 percent lower gaming latency.5 So whether you’re playing games, listening to music, or enjoying podcasts, you’ll experience higher-quality sound.
I put one of each in either ear and played the audio, there really isn't a difference. I'm an audiophile for sure but by no means does my opinion matter just putting it out there.
Got mine an hour ago, they sound the same. (Still very pleased with them)
If Apple had substantially improved the audio they’d have been shouting about it from the rooftops.
If Apple had substantially improved the audio they’d have been shouting about it from the rooftops.
Maybe some people don't like putting over-the-ear headphones on because, I dunno, effing up their hair?
I certainly don't like running with over-the-ear headphones...
I am soon to be a first time AirPods user. Debated back and forth on the wireless, but given the battery issues decided to go with the cheaper variant considering I may upgrade in a few years. As far as I can tell, these usually just need to get charged once every few days so plugging into a lighting plug doesn't seem like a big deal. Plus, I am considering a waterproof clip case for these.
For the phone, wireless is great for use for quick drop off and on at a desk at work or propped up for a nightstand - anyone have any comments on the value of wireless for AirPods?
For the phone, wireless is great for use for quick drop off and on at a desk at work or propped up for a nightstand - anyone have any comments on the value of wireless for AirPods?
I can’t say I would recommend that. There are services that will have them professionally painted, but doing so on your own, could result in voiding the warranty if something were to go wrong if any paint were to penetrate the internals. And I don’t think that would be worth jeopardizing a $170 pair of AirPods simply just for the color ‘black’ being painted by an amateur. Just my own personal opinion on that matter.
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If you haven’t tried Bluetooth headphones in the past 5 years, you might want to consider a pair. Sure, some of the cheaper BT buds and even over ear headphones may still suffer from sound and connection quality, but there are great sounding BT headphones on the market now. I’m using a pair of Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2’s and they sound incredible and their active noise cancelation works great for air travel.
I have a hunch that these were ready in "Late 2018" when Apple expected to release Airpower. Had to be a tough call, hold off on the Airpods Gen2 until Airpower so people dont buy aftermarket charging mats or release them without. This makes sense on why Gen 1's were so hard to find at the end of last year - they were producing Gen 2.
Unfortunately for Apple, it seems they didn't get Airpower working for this launch either but they had to release these Airpods (gen 2) because of the amount of stock and it's getting too close to Airpods 2 (gen 1) release at the end of this year. With people receiving Airpods today we should have seen Airpower.
Apple's new second-generation AirPods are beginning to arrive to customers around the world, and some early adopters have turned to the MacRumors forums and social media to share their first impressions of the earphones.
The new AirPods have the same outward design as the original and remain available in white only. Apple continues to include a one-meter Lightning to USB-A cable in the box with all second-generation AirPods.
Hey Siri
Powered by a new H1 chip, the new AirPods support hands-free Siri, enabling users to change songs, make phone calls, adjust the volume, get directions, and more by saying "Hey Siri." Siri can still be activated by doubling tapping one of the AirPods if enabled in Settings > Bluetooth on an iOS device.
First impressions about the new Hey Siri functionality are mostly positive so far. MacRumors forum member Moxxham from Australia wrote that "Hey Siri seems to work really well," even with loud music playing in the background, while Reddit user Lachlanhunt found the feature "works reasonably well."
Sound Quality
First impressions about overall audio quality are both subjective and anecdotal, with conflicting opinions as to whether the new AirPods sound better than the original. Reports range from users not noticing any difference all the way to feeling like the new AirPods are a huge improvement for sound.
MacRumors forum member Kiky disagrees with the above tweet:At the very least, MacRumors reader Vladislav Kuznetsov and many others agree that features like Siri and FaceTime calls sound clearer:
On a related note, Apple recently seeded a 6.3.2 firmware update for the first-generation AirPods, and some users on MacRumors and Reddit are speculating that the update has led to improved audio quality and faster connection speeds on the first-generation AirPods. Evidence is anecdotal at this point.
Early adopters are also noticing that the new AirPods switch more quickly between devices like the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac they are connected. Apple says the H1 chip makes switching between sources up to two times faster.
As far as battery life is concerned, more time will be needed for a proper comparison between the new AirPods and the original pair.
Apple says the new AirPods get up to three hours of talk time per charge, compared to up to two hours with the previous generation. Other battery life stats remain the same, with up to five hours of listening time per charge and more than 24 hours of total battery life from extra charges stored in the case.
The new AirPods are available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app with a wired charging case for $159, the same price as the original AirPods, and with a wireless charging case for $199. Apple says both options will be available at Apple Stores and select resellers starting this week.
MacRumors will be sharing our own second-generation AirPods hands-on video and impressions soon. Let us know your own first impressions in the comments section or by tweeting at us with a @MacRumors mention!
Article Link: New AirPods Sound Quality Debated as Orders Begin to Arrive Around the World
Obligatory Safari runs smoother when using the new AirPods lol!
I only bought them because the battery on my first pair have degraded significantly and I’m having connection issues, e.g only one will pair and having to put it back in the box. They also don’t always charge back up to 100% or I’ll take them out of the box and one will be 98% and the other is like 60% of 20 %. If they were still working well I wouldn’t have bothered getting another pair this time.
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So jealous. I’ve got to wait until Thursday for mine now. They were coming tomorrow but I had to reschedule the delivery as I’m working all day tomorrow.
The light on the wireless charger stays on as long as it charging and even that one stops.
On something you've shoved in your ears? I hope not.
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Why would Apple improve the sound quality and not tell anyone?