Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless earbuds and over-ear headphones are sleek and comfortable, and blend into the ecosystem seamlessly. They come with an Lightning connector for iPhones, and some models feature a 3.5mm adapter for older devices.

AirPods Pro have a great sound quality for movies and music. They include cinematic spatial audio, a sophisticated virtual surround and more. They also have unique features like instant pairing, automatic switching and "Hey Siri" voice activation.

Sound

Apple headphones are known for their excellent audio quality. Many models also feature noise cancellation. Some are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods, while others can be connected to your iPhone via an Lightning cable. If you don't have a Lightning cable, there are adapters available that will allow you to connect the headphones using a standard jack. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also affected by the audio codec they employ, so make sure you determine which audio format is compatible with your.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically use the Apple AAC codec that is designed for Apple devices. The codec for audio has lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, which makes it suitable for listening to podcasts and music. The most reliable Apple headphones will support at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which provides more spectrum than previous versions of the technology.

If you're looking for sleeping an even more immersive experience, consider buying headphones that feature Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature simulates surround sound and give an enhanced, immersive listening experience. This feature is only available on iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

In addition to providing high-quality audio Some Apple headphones also have sleek designs. Apple's EarPods are simple and decent earbuds. They can be tucked away in almost all pockets and offer excellent audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more versatility than EarPods and their closed-back design gives better noise isolation when commuting or playing sports. The headphones are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and aren't comfortable enough to wear when running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and feature an oversized build. Despite these limitations they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, have an amazing sound quality, and offer exceptional noise cancellation. They're premium headphones that have high-end audio engines that are compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple headphones aren't an exception to the sleek design. They provide a variety of options, from wired models which connect to an iPhone's headphone jack, to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets are generally more expensive than comparable models from competing brands, but they generally sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones sold in the world, and provide amazing audio quality and noise cancellation in a sleek, compact package. The earbuds come with a long battery life and also feature Siri voice activation for hands-free use. The earbuds come with an case that charges and keeps them safe when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement and can be helpful if you are working out or running. The wireless headphones also come with the feature of spatial audio which simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature can be confusing at first but it's a great way to listen to movies and TV shows while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling headphones are another option for audiophiles and people who want to enjoy Apple Music playlists. These earbuds have up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 without, and they feature the Apple W1 chip for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also come with a custom "Hey Siri" activation, as well as wings tips to ensure an ideal fit during exercise.

Both Apple and Google create earbuds with their specific ecosystem in mind, however each brand's earbuds come with their strengths. For example Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have a much longer battery life and come with an app that can be customized with graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones might be ideal for those who rely on Apple's ecosystem However, their controls could be a source of frustration for everyone else. The simple designs of Apple's headphones don't always have robust features. They are also lacking essential functions in their wireless models. They don't have a volume control, and you're required to utilize Siri to control your music instead.

Connectivity

With the emergence of Bluetooth headphones options and the loss of headphone jacks in most recent iPhones, wired models are quickly going the way of the Dodo. Sony offers a range of wired headphones, both on and over the ear that are compatible with Apple devices. They also offer a pair of truly wireless earbuds - the Momentum Free -- that connect via an ultra-low-power, low-range radio signal, allowing for the ultimate wire-free listening experience.

If you own a Mac that is more recent make sure your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This technology provides superior audio quality and longer battery life as compared to older Bluetooth versions. Check the list of audio codecs that are supported to ensure that your music files are compatible.

Make sure you choose headphones with a secure fit, no matter which model you select. On-ear and over-ear models with an oversized headband offer an enduring fit that is less likely to fall off during exercise. You need earbuds that fit comfortably and are able to seal your ears and have excellent noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds.

Some of the top wireless headphones are the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. AirPods are stylish and sleek and an excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing which has earned them a high rating of 4.5 stars from customers. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version, but has modern design, better sound cancellation, and a long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II, the most recent model in Bose's quiet-comfort line, offers noise cancellation, a longer battery life, and a comfortable fit all in a small portable case. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the model before it, added support for the AAC audio codec and an upgraded wireless protocol that allows for increased Bluetooth speeds and shorter latencies.

If your headphones over ear do not pair with your Mac try setting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and choose System Settings. Select the headphones you would like to use from the list. next to their name. You may have to switch the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding their pairing button until a status light flashes.

Value

Whether or not you consider the headphones worth $549 is up to you, but objectively, the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The intelligent features such as transparency mode and auto-pause are extremely useful, and for Sleeping the sound quality is utterly sublime. They also feel exceptionally well-constructed, which is not always the case with wireless headphones.

AirPods are expensive, however they provide a wealth of features that are advanced. 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 used in the iPhone's newer generations speakers to analyze the audio from the eight microphones placed around and inside the earcups. The headphones are now able to adjust the sound of your music to fit your head and block out external sounds in real-time. Apple claims that it can make 200 adjustments per second to your music, which is a staggering figure. The result is a set of headphones that truly feel alive, with a cinematic depth and clarity that's in a league of their own. AirPods Pro can make even the most mundane tracks sound vivid and immersive.

Prior to the release of the AirPods, Apple used to include EarPods with wires in every iPhone box, and the earbuds continue to be available now with either an Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they no longer have a microphone). They're not as impressive as a pair of the brand new AirPods however, they're ideal for running or commuting on a treadmill, with an excellent 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 except for upgrading to a brand new W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is expected to end the Beats brand eventually however, collaborations with artists and periodic updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor, which is a bit more advanced, could make them more current.