Is new Airpods pro with active noise cancellation worth $400? Are there any better earpods for same price in market with active noise cancellation
Are the New AirPods Pro with Active Noise Cancellation Worth $400?
saku0751 on 30/10/2019 - 10:59
Last edited 30/10/2019 - 11:21 by 2 other users
Last edited 30/10/2019 - 11:21 by 2 other users
Comments
Well, if we're looking at the premium market, the Bose QuietControl 30 are $395 and Sony WI-1000X are $380 so AirPods Pro are in the right ballpark IF they can match up to the audio quality which remains to be seen.
They also offer seamless pairing with iPhone, no cable or bulk like the others and quickcharge wireless case etc. They're also really really good for audio calls both via mobile and Skype for Business in office.
Absolutely not a necessity in life, but there's value in them for some people. I'm still on the fence till reviews come out as absolutely love the original AirPods and use them daily at work and out and about so they were definitely worth it for me.
Neither of those are true wireless. Regardless, the Sony Sony WF-1000XM3's are often on sale on ozbargain and are supposed to be very good quality, and even at full price are still cheaper than the Airpods. I have Galaxy buds which have fantastic sound, no active noise cancelling tech but are way cheaper.
Ah, wasn't aware of those. That's an even better comparison and interesting choice to explore as love the Sony over-ears. Thanks.
I've heard things like the airpod pros won't work on the iPhone 6 and earlier, which leads me to believe they won't work completely on non apple devices. The seamless pairing is also overrated (from someone who's had two sets of beats with the special Z1/W1 chips in them). I've found device switching to be less convenient than some other Bluetooth headsets which support being paired to multiple devices. (I always have to at least 'reconnect' when switching between iPhone and iPad. :\
Assuming they fix the compatibility when they release a (presumably beats) version with the earhooks and my current ones wear out I'll probably buy some. I can never keep any in ear headphones in my ears without the earhooks.
Didnt they only get released a few hours ago?
Nope.
The sound quality isn't the issue, even the price isn't the issue… they're not worth buying because the design literally grapes your ear canal. I prefer the traditional on-ear EarPods/earphones, for comfort and safety reasons. Or for better quality, just use around-ear Headsets like the Bose QC35 II's. That way I can protect the virginity of my ear drums.That bose wrecked the NC on, bose no where as good for calls, no where as good for connection between apple iMac/ipads/iphone, no good lying in bed these can use one ear. Sold mine the bluetooth connect button went on them too, i didn't know lucky buyer got them replaced for free was only 6 months old.
Make sure you are prepared to throw them in the bin once the battery dies in 2 years
Along with my 2k iPhone 11 pro, will have learnt me $1.2 million by then :)
Fortunately the resale on them should still be pretty good. I used my original AirPods for 18 months then sold them for $40 less than what I paid originally.
only 2 years and original made obsolete twice already…
Only?
Welcome to the technology age.
Rush to market age, Samsung Fold anyone?
Mine are on board for delivery so will let you know, i have gen 2 but don't fit my ears, left one falls out so hoping these will, and NC should be good. Will give AP2's to my daughter if i keep them.
Fit is better can shake my head and left one doesn't fall out.
Look better if you care not as long and are more comfy.
NC is seems ok.
Still have airpod 2 sound better maybe a bit as more sealed.
The small buds seemed better fit but the seal wasn't good, so using the medium.
Also a pain to get out of the case.Agree that they are more of a pain to get in and out of the case compared to the original design
How's the comfort? The best thing about the originals is that they don't block out your surroundings and sit lightly, so you can still be aware of what's around and forget they are even there
They have a transparency mode which works really well actually. It uses the microphones to pump in external sounds.
After testing AirPod 2 and pro all arvo, 2 has better bass imo, pro more comfy but not $400 comfy, returning mine.
is it still hanging on ears or IEM feeling?
After mucking around with the different size buds, i may have jumped the gun, getting right fit is the key for sound and NC. Definitely a better fit and don't fall out. Keeping now.
I picked up a pair of Airpods Pro yesterday and am quite pleased with them. I guess the answer as to whether it's worth $400 is based on your own criteria and what's important to you in a pair of earphones.
For me the criteria that are important to me which it does meet are:
- ANC quality: This is subjective, but I find it good, and for me to not be blasting at 100% volume on public transport and wrecking my eardrums is a big plus.
- Sound quality: I'm no audiophile but combined with the ANC, the sound quality is good enough for me.
- Comfortable & secure fit: I overheat in Summer, so sweating out of my ears wearing my Bose QC35s isn't a plesant experience at all. The fit feels quite comfortable for me, no ear pressure etc. and feels pretty secure that I don't fear them just falling out the way my cabled earpods do.
- Compatibility/connectivity: I pretty much live in the Apple ecosystem, iPhone, Macbook Air etc. so the integration and user experience is somewthing I value.
Negatives:
- Design still looks kinda stupid
- No other colour optionsFor me the positives outweigh the negatives, which is why I bought a pair. I've never owned the first two gen Airpods, and never wanted to because it didn't meet the important criteria, but the ANC was a big enough change that convinced me to get this latest release.
Do I think $400 is overpriced? In my opinion, yes, but at the same time I'm willing to pay the premium because of what I'm getting out of it.
You could get them cheaper at Costco. Anyone seen the price there yet?
If you have $400 to burn and own an iPhone then maybe, but are they 'worth it'? Probably not, there are wireless earbuds with the same function and most likely better sound for less.