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When Apple released the second-generation AirPods Pro in late September, we did an initial impressions and hands-on video, but we thought we'd check in again with a more in-depth review after spending some time with the new earbuds.


MacRumors video editor Dan Barbera has spent 10 days using the AirPods Pro 2, and there are definite improvements over the first-generation version. Active Noise Cancellation is notably better at eliminating outside noise, and there's a clear difference in sound quality.

The on-device controls are nice to have for adjusting volume, and while Transparency works well, it's hard to tell the difference between the old Transparency mode and the new Adaptive Transparency that's supposed to quiet down loud noises like sirens.

Battery life is solid, and the built-in speaker that plays sounds for charging and Find My is beneficial, plus it's handy to be able to use the Apple Watch charger to charge up the AirPods. The lanyard loop is just okay and not super useful, especially without Apple-designed lanyards, and unfortunately, there's still no option for customizing EQ.

All in all, if you've been waiting to pick up the AirPods Pro, now is the time to do so, and if you have the original AirPods Pro and have been having issues with battery life or any other aspect, the AirPods Pro 2 are worth the cost. Dan's full thoughts are in the video up above, so check that out and then let us know what you think of the AirPods Pro 2 in the comments below.

Article Link: Video: 10 Days With the AirPods Pro 2
 
I'm impressed with them. I tried the first gen and they would not stay in my ears. I had heard the second gen stayed in your ears better, and I figured that was BS. I tried them anyway and they really do stay in my ears. I'm constantly checking them, figuring they've slid out a little and they never do. I don't know if it is the shape of the tips or if they changed the material they are made of, but they actually stay in my ears. I fully admit that I'm waiting for the honeymoon to be over. That maybe after a month of use, the tip's surface will change and then they'll start coming out of my ears.
 
I'm impressed with them. I tried the first gen and they would not stay in my ears. I had heard the second gen stayed in your ears better, and I figured that was BS. I tried them anyway and they really do stay in my ears. I'm constantly checking them, figuring they've slid out a little and they never do. I don't know if it is the shape of the tips or if they changed the material they are made of, but they actually stay in my ears. I fully admit that I'm waiting for the honeymoon to be over. That maybe after a month of use, the tip's surface will change and then they'll start coming out of my ears.
They definitely changed the material. Just keep the tips clean and you should be fine. I bought extra tips so now I have clean tips for every day.
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My AirPods 2 are still going strong. This may be my next ones especially if they lower the price point to match the older AirPods. :rolleyes:
 
My favourite new feature was not even mentioned in this video. It's the fact that my iPhone att all times knows and displays the battery level for both the AirPods and the case. No more bringing the case up to the phone, opening the lid and waiting for that animation to pop up. Something that would often bug out and require several attempts with the first gen AirPods Pro.
 
How do you review AirPods and not discuss call/mic quality? Does anyone have any input if it has improved?

Most of my colleagues use AirPods Pro for Teams/Discord and sometimes phone calls. The mic quality is consistently bad especially if they are driving.
The other day I was on a call to Apple Support using my AirPods Pro 2 and the Apple rep was complaining about how terrible the call quality was. He said it was difficult even to understand what I was saying. I was in a completely quiet room. Oh the irony 😆

But I also discovered that simply adjusting the angle of the stems in your ear can go a very long way to drastically improve call quality. I think it's best to slightly angle the stems so that they don't touch your cheeks.
 
I enjoy them enough to keep them, but I probably could have waited until my air pod pro 1's officially died. One of them occasionally didn't charge though so I was close to needing an upgrade anyways. the bass on the 2's is MUCH better. the noise canceling is great, however that could deteriorate as filters and mic's get dirty.
 
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Has anyone found out what happens to Find My when the case battery goes flat? Does Find My just stop working, or does the case reserve enough battery power to keep Find My working?
 
I enjoy them enough to keep them, but I probably could have waited until my air pod pro 1's officially died. One of them occasionally didn't charge though so I was close to needing an upgrade anyways. the bass on the 2's is MUCH better. the noise canceling is great, however that could deteriorate as filters and mic's get dirty.
That's probably because the AirPod wasn't making contact inside the case with the charger. Give the contacts inside the case a clean, and see if that sorts the problem.
 
The other day I was on a call to Apple Support using my AirPods Pro 2 and the Apple rep was complaining about how terrible the call quality was. He said it was difficult even to understand what I was saying. I was in a completely quiet room. Oh the irony 😆

But I also discovered that simply adjusting the angle of the stems in your ear can go a very long way to drastically improve call quality. I think it's best to slightly angle the stems so that they don't touch your cheeks.
Keep in mind a bad connection will make APP call quality worthless while on a a call. Could’ve been many factors.
 
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But to they fit better? The originals seem too bulky in the wrong areas and want to sort of wimp out. They don't actively feel like they 'jump out', but they do sort of flop out over time. I can usually feel them starting to go, and if I grab them quick enough, can reseat them in the ears.
 
Conflicting thoughts on Adaptive Transparency?

Here it doesn't work well, that it's "hard to tell the difference between the old Transparency mode and the new Adaptive Transparency"

...and while Transparency works well, it's hard to tell the difference between the old Transparency mode and the new Adaptive Transparency that's supposed to quiet down loud noises like sirens.

while in the comparison to the Bose QuietComfort II, the impression given is that the new Adaptive Transparency mode works really well and is an improvement over the old Transparency mode.

Apple also does Transparency better, especially with the new Adaptive Transparency that can cut down on loud sounds like sirens without muting all background noise.
 


When Apple released the second-generation AirPods Pro in late September, we did an initial impressions and hands-on video, but we thought we'd check in again with a more in-depth review after spending some time with the new earbuds.


MacRumors video editor Dan Barbera has spent 10 days using the AirPods Pro 2, and there are definite improvements over the first-generation version. Active Noise Cancellation is notably better at eliminating outside noise, and there's a clear difference in sound quality.

The on-device controls are nice to have for adjusting volume, and while Transparency works well, it's hard to tell the difference between the old Transparency mode and the new Adaptive Transparency that's supposed to quiet down loud noises like sirens.

Battery life is solid, and the built-in speaker that plays sounds for charging and Find My is beneficial, plus it's handy to be able to use the Apple Watch charger to charge up the AirPods. The lanyard loop is just okay and not super useful, especially without Apple-designed lanyards, and unfortunately, there's still no option for customizing EQ.

All in all, if you've been waiting to pick up the AirPods Pro, now is the time to do so, and if you have the original AirPods Pro and have been having issues with battery life or any other aspect, the AirPods Pro 2 are worth the cost. Dan's full thoughts are in the video up above, so check that out and then let us know what you think of the AirPods Pro 2 in the comments below.

Article Link: Video: 10 Days With the AirPods Pro 2
Just picked up a pair. Soundstage is more three dimensional but I’m also finding them rather “muffled”. Not sure how I feel about this. I feel like there is too much bottom end and no clarity. Anyone else notice this?
 
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I too have been surprised by the increased sound quality and especially the improved noice-cancellation. I was commuting on the NYC subway last night, switched from Transparency (which I use on the streets, for sure) to Noise Cancellation, and truly all the sound in the subway car vanished.

In music, I'm noticing some instruments more distinctly than I ever did before.

Still not at all a fan of spatial. And definitely have had some disconnects, sometimes one pod, sometimes both.
 
Love the improvement in ANC. One of my other favorite improvements hasn't been mentioned yet: The improved Find My. I almost posted a photo of my original APP being 2 feet from my phone and my phone still not being able to find them, but I lost my APP (for real!) before I got around to doing that. Still can't find them.
 
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