Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are elegant and comfy, and seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem. They have an Lightning connector for iPhones and some models come with a 3.5mm adapter for older devices.

AirPods Pro have a great sound for music and movies. They come with cinematic spatial audio, a fancy virtual surround and more. They have other unique features such as instant pairing, automatic switching, and "Hey Siri".

Sound

Apple headphones are renowned for their excellent audio quality. Many models also come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone via an Lightning cable. There are adapters that allow you to connect your headphones using a standard headphone socket in the event that you don't have a Lightning cable. The quality of sound produced by Apple headphones is also affected by the type of audio codec they utilize, so make sure you check what kind of audio is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec that headphones use to come with iPhones. It's optimized for Apple devices. This audio codec has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, making it ideal for listening to podcasts and music. The top Apple headphones will have at minimum AAC and Bluetooth 5.0, which has an even wider range than previous versions of the technology.

If you want a more immersive experience, consider buying headphones that incorporate the Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature can simulate surround sound and give a more rounded, immersive listening experience. This feature is only available for iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

In addition to delivering high-quality audio and sound quality, some Apple headphones also sport an elegant design. Apple's EarPods are simple and decent earbuds. They can fit in most pockets and provide great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more versatile than EarPods and have closed-back designs that provide better noise isolation for commuting and sports. The headphones can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and aren't comfortable enough for wear when running. They also have a heavier construction and are more expensive than the Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these disadvantages, for running the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer incredible sound quality, and offer excellent noise cancellation. They have a high-end build and include a premium audio engine that's compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple is known for their sleek design, and headphones from the company aren't any different. Apple offers a wide range of headphones, including wired models that plug into the iPhone's headphone port and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but they usually sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the best-selling in the world. They offer exceptional audio quality, noise cancellation and a sleek and compact package. The earbuds are equipped with a long-lasting battery and Siri voice activation, which allows users to operate hands-free. The earbuds come with a unique case that recharges them and keeps them safe when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement which is beneficial for those who run or work out. The wireless headphones also come with a feature called spatial audio that simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature is a bit confusing however it's a great method of listening to your favorite TV shows and films while on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling headphones are another option for audiophiles and people who want to enjoy Apple Music playlists. They can last up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 hours without, and they utilize the Apple W1 chip for easy setup and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also have an adjustable "Hey Siri" and tips for wing to ensure a secure fit while working out.

Apple and Google both make headphones that are crafted to their respective ecosystems, however they each have their distinct strengths. For example Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have a longer battery life, and also come with an app that is customizable with graphic EQ settings.

While Apple's headphones are excellent for those who depend on the company's technology ecosystem, their controls aren't ideal for everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't always come with robust features, and they're lacking certain essential functions on their truly wireless models. They don't come with a volume control, and you're expected to utilize Siri to control your music instead.

Connectivity

The increase in Bluetooth options and the disappearance from the latest iPhones of the headphone jack has caused wired models to quickly disappear like Dodo. For those who prefer listening with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide selection of on-ear and over-the-ear wired headphones that are compatible with all Apple devices. There is also a pair of wireless earbuds -- the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low power, low-range radio signal for a virtually wireless listening experience.

If you have a newer Mac, make sure your headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This protocol offers superior audio quality and a longer battery life when compared to older Bluetooth versions. Look through the list of audio codecs supported to ensure that your music files will play.

No matter what kind of headphones you opt for, look for models that offer a secure fit. Over-ear or on-ear models which come with a thick headband provide a secure fit and are less likely to fall out during exercise. You need earbuds that are snug and are able to seal your ears and offer excellent noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds.

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 have a sleek design and a great wireless Bluetooth pairing that has earned them a top rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but have modern design, superior noise cancellation and long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II, the latest addition to Bose's quiet comfort line, offers noise cancellation, a long battery life and a comfortable fit, all in a compact portable package. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the previous model, included support for the headphone shop AAC audio codec as well as a new wireless protocol that allows for increased Bluetooth speeds and lower latencies.

If your headphones aren't able to pair with your Mac, try resetting the 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 Then, next to their names. You may need to put the headphones in pairing mode by pressing the button to pair until you notice an indicator light.

Value

If you think them worth $549 is up to you, but objectively the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The smart features like auto-pause and transparency mode are extremely useful and the sound quality is sublime. The headphones are also incredibly well built which isn't the usual case for wireless headphones.

AirPods are expensive, but they have a wide range of modern features. The AirPods Pro are a great option for those who already have a strong connection to the Apple ecosystem. The AirPods Pro use the same H1 chipset found in the iPhones' newer generations of speakers to analyze the sound coming from the eight microphones placed within the earcups and around them. The headphones are now able to adjust the sound of the music to suit your head and block out outside noise in real-time. Apple claims that it can adjust 200 settings to your music every second this is an amazing number. The result is a pair of headphones that feel alive, with a cinematic depth and clarity that's a class of their own. Even more mundane tracks, like electronic jazz rock band Comet is Coming's debut album are incredibly impressive and immersive on the AirPods Pro.

Prior to the release of the AirPods, Apple used to include an EarPod with wired connections in every iPhone box and the earbuds remain available with either the Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they don't come with a microphone). They're not as impressive as a pair of the new AirPods, but they're still ideal for running or commuting on a treadmill, and come with great battery longevity and a comfortable fit.

Beats Original line of earbuds and over-the-ear headphones shop near me was acquired by Apple in 2014, however, they've largely stayed the same except for upgrading to a more advanced W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is likely to stop selling the Beats brand in the near future but collaborations with artists and periodic updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor, which is a bit more advanced, could keep them in the market.