AirPods Pro: what are they worth and how good are they?
· Michel Aguilera
Some time ago we talked about a competitor to the so-called traditional AirPods (in this article). Apple recently launched the AirPods Pro, presented as an improved version of the company’s True Wireless earbud concept. We are going to give you an overview, an unboxing and our feedback (without being expert audiophiles!) on Apple’s new earbuds.
Got sound, have you?
The first thing you notice is a brand-new design for these earbuds. They are smaller, with tips that make them real in-ear earphones (which was not the case with the 1st and 2nd generation AirPods). The case has also changed and is a little longer than that of the other AirPods.
The tips supplied by Apple let you adjust the fit in the ear canal according to each person’s anatomy. One of the big new features is the active noise cancellation system. This was made possible by integrating microphones (internal and external) into each of the AirPods Pro.
To make sure they sit properly in your ears, you can use your iOS device to test the acoustic seal, depending on the tips you have chosen for your AirPods Pro:
Offering up to 24 hours of battery life (4.5 hours on a single charge), the AirPods Pro are also water- and sweat-resistant (IPX4 rating). Pairing is as simple as usual: just open the charging case near your iPhone or iPad and a window appears, inviting you to pair them (thanks to Apple’s H1 chip). You can also pair the AirPods Pro with any other compatible Bluetooth device (just hold down the pairing button on the case for a few seconds to enter pairing mode). These new AirPods Pro use Bluetooth 5.0.
Now for the first downside: the price. This new Apple product costs 279 CHF. You might consider that expensive (by comparison, the Sony WF-1000-XM3 cost approx. 260€), but we are talking about in-ear earphones with digital noise cancellation, which is the main argument justifying the price of this product. To get a first impression, here is a (very enthusiastic) video from PP World comparing the AirPods Pro and the Sony WF-1000-XM3:
If I have to compare the AirPods Pro, I will do so with products I have had on (or in) my ears, namely the PowerBeats Pro, JBL’s PEAK and the classic AirPods.
The PowerBeats provide passive isolation (with the rubber tips for the in-ear part) and these earphones have very good sound reproduction, particularly in the bass (without being too aggressive).
Here is a comparison table between the PowerBeats and the AirPods Pro:
The PEAK work like the PowerBeats (passive isolation) but with a much more precise sound (less pronounced bass) and a noticeably lower volume. The classic AirPods have sound reproduction close to the PEAK, but with a much stronger perception of ambient noise (because they are not real in-ear earphones).
Now, my test of the AirPods Pro. My 1st impression is an incredible lightness in the ears: I can hardly feel them when I put them in. I start listening to some classical music; the sound is clear and precise, and with noise cancellation I feel as if I am in a musical bubble. I pause to switch to transparency mode, and what strikes me is how I perceive my own voice (clearer and sharper in my ears). I make a phone call and, here again, no problems either listening or talking (the person on the other end hears me loud and clear). Verdict: these AirPods are better than all the other earbuds I have ever had in my ears (the quality is noticeably better than the PowerBeats).
To conclude this article, my unboxing video of the AirPods Pro:
In short, should you buy them?
As mentioned, I was very pleasantly surprised by the sound quality and the noise isolation management system offered by the AirPods Pro. They are very good and can meet the quality requirements of almost all users. If you are looking for something light for everyday use, these earbuds are made for you. If you are someone who does sport in very active conditions, then I would rather point you towards the PowerBeats Pro.