Apple Headphones Review
Apple's wireless earbuds and headphones are sleek and comfortable and integrate with the ecosystem seamlessly. They have an Lightning connector for iPhones, and some models come with a 3.5mm adapter for older models.
The AirPods Pro sound excellent for music and movies, including cinematic spatial audio as well as fancy virtual surround. They also come with unique features like instant pairing as well as automatic switching and "Hey Siri" voice activation.
Sound
Apple headphones generally provide excellent audio quality, and a lot of the models feature noise cancellation. Some are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods and others can be connected to your iPhone via a Lightning cable. There are adapters that allow you to connect your headphones with an ordinary headphone socket even if you don't have a Lightning cable. Apple headphones have a sound quality that is affected by the audio codecs they use. Make sure to check what type of audio is compatible with your.
The headphones that come with the iPhone typically utilize the Apple AAC codec that is designed for Apple devices. The codec for audio has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, making it good for listening to music and podcasts. The most reliable Apple headphones will support at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0, which has an even wider range than earlier versions of the technology.
If you're looking for an immersive audio experience, look at headphones that incorporate Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature mimics surround sound to provide a more immersive listening experience. This feature is only available for iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.
In addition to offering great audio and sound quality, some Apple headphones also have sleek designs. The company's EarPods for instance are simple, but excellent earbuds that can fit in nearly any pocket and provide excellent audio quality.
The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more versatility than EarPods, and their closed-back design gives greater noise reduction when you commute or playing sports. The headphones are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and aren't comfortable enough to wear while running. The Apple EarPods are priced higher and have more weight to them. Despite these shortcomings they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 is one of our favorite Apple headphones due to the fact that they are comfortable to wear, have excellent sound quality and have excellent noise cancellation. They're high-end headphones that feature high-end audio engines that are compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which has advanced features.
Design
Apple headphones are no exception to the sleek design. They have a range of options, ranging from wired models that connect to the iPhone's headphone jack to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets tend to be more expensive than comparable models from rival brands, however they often sound better.
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the most popular worldwide. They provide outstanding audio quality, noise cancelling and a compact and sleek design. The earbuds come with a long battery life and come with Siri voice-activated for hands-free use. The earbuds come in a distinctive case that powers them up and secures them when not in your ears.
The AirPods Pro can track movement which is beneficial when you're working out. The wireless headphones also have a feature called spatial audio that mimics surround sound when you stream videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature is a bit disorienting however it's a great way to listen to movies and TV shows on the move.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are a great choice for audiophiles and those who want to listen to Apple Music playlists. They can last for up to 22 hours of ANC, and 40 without. They are powered by the Apple W1 chipset for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. The earbuds also feature an adjustable "Hey Siri" and tips for wing to ensure a secure fit when working out.
Both Apple and Google create earbuds with their specific ecosystem in mind, however each brand's earbuds come with their strengths. For instance Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have an extended battery life and come with an app that can be customized with graphic EQ settings.
Although Apple's headphones are great for people who depend on the company's tech ecosystem, their control options can be frustrating for anyone else. The minimalist designs of the headphones by Apple don't always come with robust features. They also lack some important functions that are essential to their wireless models. They don't have a volume control, and you're required to utilize Siri to manage your music instead.
Connectivity
With the increasing number of Bluetooth headphones options and the loss of headphone jacks in most new iPhones wired models are fast becoming the way of the Dodo. For those who still prefer to listen with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide range of over-the-ear and on-ear wired headphones that can be used with all Apple devices. They also offer a pair of truly wireless earbuds, the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low power, low-range radio signal for an almost wire-free listening experience.
If you own a Mac that is newer make sure your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This standard provides better audio performance and longer battery life as compared to older Bluetooth versions. Also, make sure to check the list of compatible audio codecs and make sure that your music files playable.
Look for headphone online shop that have an elongated fit, regardless of the kind you pick. Over-ear and on-ear models with the thick headband will provide an enduring fit that is less likely to fall off during physical activity. In earbuds, you want a snug fit that seals the ears and provides good noise canceling to cut out ambient sound.
Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II are some of the best wireless headsets. AirPods are sleek and stylish and a great wireless Bluetooth pairing which has earned them a top rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version but features modern design, better sound cancellation, and a longer battery life.
The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the latest addition to the Bose quiet comfort line, which offers noise cancellation, a long battery life and a comfy fit in a compact, portable package. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the model before it, added support for the AAC audio codec, as well as the introduction of a new wireless protocol that allows for increased Bluetooth speeds and reduced latencies.
If your headphones do not pair with your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and choose System Settings. Select the headphones you want to use in the list. next to their name. You may need to put the headphones in pairing mode by pressing and holding the pairing button until the status light blinks.
Value
AirPods Pro are an impressive pair of headphones, regardless of whether you believe they're worth $549. The sound quality is top-notch and features such as transparency and auto-pause mode are very useful. The headphones are also well built and sound great, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.
Of course, that sort of advanced functionality comes at costs, and for many people the AirPods are just too expensive. However, the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. The AirPods Pro utilize the same H1 chipset found in the iPhones' newer generations of speakers to analyze the sound coming from the eight microphones that are placed within the earcups and around them. This enables the headphones to not just block out outside noise, but also to adjust the sound of your music in real-time, based on the way they fit and stay on your head. Apple claims it can adjust 200 times every second to your music that's a staggering amount. The result is a pair headphones that are truly immersive with a cinematic clarity and depth that's unbeatable. AirPods Pro can make even the most basic tracks sound dramatic and enveloping.
Prior to the launch of the AirPods, Apple used to include an EarPod with wired connections in every iPhone box and they are still available with either the Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they no longer have a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, however these EarPods are still excellent for exercise or for commuting. They are extremely battery longevity, and fit comfortably.
Beats Original line of earbuds and over-the ear headphones was acquired by Apple in 2014, however, they've largely remained the same except for upgrading to a more advanced W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is expected to discontinue the Beats brand in the near future, but artist collaborations and occasional updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor, which is a bit more advanced, could make them more relevant.