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pshady

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 10, 2005
267
192
los angeles
Has anyone used their Powerbeats Pro on a flight? Is it good enough / better than AirPods for flight? Would like to make sure I don’t ruin my hearing by needing to turn the volume all the way up. Thanks.
 
My Powerbeats 3 do just fine without having to turn up the volume. Neither AirPods or the pro’s are noise cancelling but I dont see why they would need to be turned up all the way. They will probably be the same as your air pods as far as NC is concerned
 
In-ear earbuds is by nature more noise isolating than AirPods. Of course if you have small ears it's another story.
 
I too am interested if they block enough noise out passively to make them good for flights or if the over the ears QC35/700 or Sony are still the only way to fly?
 
I too am interested if they block enough noise out passively to make them good for flights or if the over the ears QC35/700 or Sony are still the only way to fly?

I'm currently using the Bose QC30 on flights. I'm sure the BPP won't be as good but wondering if good enough so that I can just bring that with me on business travel. This way I only need one set for flight and for working out.

I ended up picking up a pair and am hopping on a flight to Japan tomorrow (11 hours). Will report back. Hoping I don't regret leaving my QC30s behind.
 
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I just returned from a trip to California from Georgia (about a 5 hour flight nonstop). The Pros worked great, even with regards to noise cancellation. I typically use them at about a 40-50% volume level and other people have to tap me to get my attention.

Battery levels were great as well. I didn’t use the Pros for 4 days (doing crazy tourist stuff) and when I checked the battery level, the Pros were at 100% and the case at 96%. 10 days later, at the airport in California on the way home, because I still hadn’t used the Pros during the trip and left them in the case, the levels were exactly the same. I thought that I was going to have to charge them before boarding, so that was great!

The one issue that I had was on the flight from Georgia to California (the only issue I’ve had with them so far). I went to put them in once on the plane and the right one wouldn’t connect. No matter what I did. Thank goodness I had my Beats X to use instead. I thought I was going to have to try and exchange them at an Apple store in California, which is the only reason why I know the battery level from 4 days into the trip. I was checking to see if the Pros worked and they did. Luckily, I didn’t have the same issue on the flight back. So, I don’t know what caused the issue on the first flight but they’ve been working fine since. Just wanted to give a heads up on that.
 
I just returned from a trip to California from Georgia (about a 5 hour flight nonstop). The Pros worked great, even with regards to noise cancellation. I typically use them at about a 40-50% volume level and other people have to tap me to get my attention.

Battery levels were great as well. I didn’t use the Pros for 4 days (doing crazy tourist stuff) and when I checked the battery level, the Pros were at 100% and the case at 96%. 10 days later, at the airport in California on the way home, because I still hadn’t used the Pros during the trip and left them in the case, the levels were exactly the same. I thought that I was going to have to charge them before boarding, so that was great!

The one issue that I had was on the flight from Georgia to California (the only issue I’ve had with them so far). I went to put them in once on the plane and the right one wouldn’t connect. No matter what I did. Thank goodness I had my Beats X to use instead. I thought I was going to have to try and exchange them at an Apple store in California, which is the only reason why I know the battery level from 4 days into the trip. I was checking to see if the Pros worked and they did. Luckily, I didn’t have the same issue on the flight back. So, I don’t know what caused the issue on the first flight but they’ve been working fine since. Just wanted to give a heads up on that.
Put them both in the charging case again to disconnect them and then take them out and wear them, which may solve temporary connection problem to one of them.
 
I'm currently using the Bose QC30 on flights. I'm sure the BPP won't be as good but wondering if good enough so that I can just bring that with me on business travel. This way I only need one set for flight and for working out.

I ended up picking up a pair and am hopping on a flight to Japan tomorrow (11 hours). Will report back. Hoping I don't regret leaving my QC30s behind.

That is what I’m wondering. I frequently fly for work regionally, so under two hour flights. I would love to be able to wear the Powerbeats instead of an over ear solution for majority of my travels. I am flying to Ireland to play golf in August and that one scares me with Powerbeats.

Even though they seal better than AirPods, I just assume they won’t seal enough and you have to turn the volume way up to actually hear anything
 
I'm currently using the Bose QC30 on flights. I'm sure the BPP won't be as good but wondering if good enough so that I can just bring that with me on business travel. This way I only need one set for flight and for working out.

I ended up picking up a pair and am hopping on a flight to Japan tomorrow (11 hours). Will report back. Hoping I don't regret leaving my QC30s behind.

Yes please let us know your thoughts
 
Yes please let us know your thoughts

On the flight right now. Connected via WIFI.

Basically it’s not even close to the QC30 in terms of noise reduction (as expected). For me to watch something on my iPad, the volume needs to be at 80% or so. I’m 1 hour into the flight. Will report back again. So far, I’m probably going to take my QC30s next time.
 
On the flight right now. Connected via WIFI.

Basically it’s not even close to the QC30 in terms of noise reduction (as expected). For me to watch something on my iPad, the volume needs to be at 80% or so. I’m 1 hour into the flight. Will report back again. So far, I’m probably going to take my QC30s next time.

Thanks. That is what I was afraid of
 
Thanks. That is what I was afraid of

The ear tips are also not as soft as the QC30s. Bose knows what they are doing. I guess I’ll have to wait for the true wireless noise cancelling Bose 700 earbuds that’s slated for release next year.
 
Personal experience on a busy subway train:
I’m not sure why the noise isolation of PBP is even weaker than the BeatsX. Not sure what went wrong with it. That’s why people have been complaining that the volume is low for this thing.
 
IMO, the in-ear seal you get plays a big role. Personally, I struggled to get a good seal with the PBPs, trying all tip sizes as well as some comply tips. I recently used a 7+ hour flight to confirm. There was not much difference for me between my PBPs and my Airpods during the flight, and I had to use 80-90% volume levels to hear with both. There is something off with my left ear as that one seems to be the problem. :D
 
My AirPods for music on airplanes out pretty useless. But for watching the free TV is doable but wouldn’t want to watch a movie I was in to with them. Was hoping the seal of the PBP would be the difference needed. I’d rather have good buds then over ears for a majority of my work travel which are pretty quick flights. That said was hoping to get something for my flight to Ireland and doesn’t sound like these are ideal for that.
 
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