Apple Headphones Review
Apple's wireless earbuds and headphones are sleek and comfortable and integrate with the ecosystem seamlessly. The headphones come with an Lightning connector for iPhones and some models have a 3.5mm connector for older models.
The AirPods Pro sound excellent for movies and music, with cinematic spatial audio as well as fancy virtual surround. They have other special features, like instant pairing, automatic switching, and "Hey Siri".
Sound
Apple headphones are known for their excellent sound quality. Many models also come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods as well as others that can be connected to your iPhone through the Lightning cable. If you don't have an Lightning cable, there are adapters available that will allow you to connect your headphones via a standard headphone jack. Apple headphones' sound quality is also affected by the audio codecs they use. Be sure to determine which type of audio is supported.
The headphones that come with the iPhone typically utilize the Apple AAC codec that is designed for Apple devices. This audio codec is better for music and podcasts since it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. Apple headphones that are the best will support Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC, which is a modern version of technology with a wider range.
If you want a more immersive experience, you should consider purchasing headphones that include Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature simulates surround sound and provide an immersive, more balanced listening experience. You'll need to possess an iOS device running iOS 14 or later to be able to use this feature.
In addition to providing high-quality audio and sound quality, some Apple headphones also have sleek designs. The company's EarPods, for example are simple, but excellent earbuds that fit into the majority of pockets and offer high-quality audio.
The Beats Studio3 headphones are more flexible than the EarPods and have closed-back designs that provide greater noise isolation for commuting and sports. They are uncomfortable on the ears if worn for long durations, however, and are not as comfortable to wear when running. They also have a slightly larger build and are more expensive than the Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these drawbacks they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top picks from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer outstanding audio quality, and provide outstanding noise cancellation. They're made to last and come with an audio engine of premium quality that is compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which offers advanced features.
Design
Apple headphones are no exception to the sleek design. Apple offers a wide range of headphones, including wired models that plug into the headphone port on the iPhone and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but they usually have better sound.
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the best-selling headphones in the world and deliver amazing audio quality and noise cancellation in a compact, sleek package. The earbuds are equipped with an extended-lasting battery and Siri voice activation, which allows for hands-free operation. The earbuds come with a case that charges and protects them when not in your ears.
The AirPods Pro can track movement which is beneficial if you're running or working out. The wireless headphones come with a feature known as spatial audio. It simulates surround sound while watching videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature can be a little confusing at first however it's an enjoyable way to listen to movies and TV shows while on the move.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are another great option for audiophiles and people who wish to enjoy Apple Music playlists. They can last for up to 22 hours with ANC and 40 hours without. They use the Apple W1 chipset for easy setup and seamless switching among iOS devices. The earbuds also come with an option to customize "Hey Siri" and wings tips to ensure a secure fit while working out.
Apple and Google both make headphones that are crafted to their respective ecosystems, but they each have their own strengths. For instance, Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have a much longer battery life, and also come with a customizable app with graphic EQ settings.
While Apple's headphones are great for those who rely on the company's technology ecosystem, their controls can be a hassle for everyone else. The simple designs of the headphones by Apple don't always include robust features. They are also lacking important functions that are essential to their wireless models. Siri is expected to manage your music, not the volume control.
Connectivity
With the proliferation of Bluetooth headphones and the removal of headphone jacks on the majority of modern iPhones, wired models are quickly going the way of the Dodo. For those who prefer to listen with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide selection of on-ear and over-the-ear wired headphones that are compatible with all Apple devices. The company also has a wireless pair of earbuds, the Momentum Free - that connect via an extremely low-power radio signal.
If you have a newer Mac ensure that your headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This version of Bluetooth offers improved audio quality and offers longer battery life than earlier Bluetooth versions. Check out the list of audio codecs supported to ensure that your music files will play.
No matter what kind of headphones you pick make sure you choose models that offer a secure fit. Over-ear or on-ear models which come with a thick headband provide an ensconced fit and are less likely to break when you exercise. In earbuds, you want a snug fit that seals the ears and also provides excellent noise cancellation to block out background noise.
Some of the top wireless headphones include the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. The AirPods provide outstanding sound quality, superior wireless Bluetooth pairing, and an elegant design, which has earned them a high customer rating of 4.5 out of 5. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but have new design, better noise cancellation, and a long battery life.
The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest addition to the Bose quiet comfort line, offering noise cancellation, long battery life and a comfy size in a compact, portable package. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the previous model that added support for the AAC audio codec and a new wireless protocol that allows for increased Bluetooth speeds and reduced time to complete.
If your headphones are unable to pair with your Mac try setting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Look for your headphones on the list and then click the Next to their name. You may need to switch the headphones with noise cancellation headphones into pairing mode by pressing the button to pair until you see an indicator light.
Value
Whether or not you consider them worth $549 is entirely up to you, but in the end they are worth it. AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The sound quality is top-notch, and features like transparency and auto-pause mode are extremely useful. The headphones are also incredibly sturdy and sound great, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.
Of course, this kind of advanced functionality comes at a cost, and for many people the AirPods are too expensive. The AirPods Pro are a great option for those who already have a strong connection to Apple's ecosystem. They feature the same H1 chip used in the iPhone's latest generation of speakers and use it to analyze the sound from eight microphones scattered around and inside the earcups. This allows the headphones to not only block out outside noise, but also to tailor your music's sound in real-time, based on how they fit and seal to your head. Apple claims that it can adjust 200 times per second to your music, which is a staggering amount. The result is a set of headphones that truly live with cinematic clarity and depth that is unmatched. AirPods Pro can make even the most basic tracks sound vivid and immersive.
Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when AirPods were released. The earbuds are available however, they don't include a microphone. They're not as stunning as a pair of the brand new AirPods however they're great for commuting or exercising on a treadmill. They have great battery life and a comfortable fit.
Beats the original line of earbuds and over-the-ear headphones was bought by Apple in 2014, however, they've largely remained the same with the exception of upgrading to a brand new W1 chip and USB-C charging. It's anticipated that the company will eventually cease production of the brand, though artist collaborations and the occasional upgrade like the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the H1 chip that is more recent could keep them relevant for some time.