The long-awaited ideal
It just so happened that I never had an Apple Watch or AirPods. Many other gadgets for a short but busy life of an IT journalist passed through my hands, but these did not. I’ll talk about the clock a little later, it’s too many-sided experience, so I won’t get into the short text. But I’ll talk about AirPods Pro headphones today.
It just so happened that I never had an Apple Watch or AirPods. Many other gadgets for a short but busy life of an IT journalist passed through my hands, but these did not. I’ll talk about the clock a little later, it’s too many-sided experience, so I won’t get into the short text. But I’ll talk about AirPods Pro headphones today.
Apple AirPods Pro in a case
Wireless noise canceling headphones are not invented by Apple. But as it sometimes happens, the Cupertino company took into account all the shortcomings of competitors and released the perfect product. Why perfect? Now let’s see, but let’s start with the most important thing.
Options Apple AirPods Pro
It makes no sense to consider the box of the new AirPods Pro, of course. Still, these are headphones, not some kind of smartphone. And in the end, this is Apple, which is always distinguished by its brevity.
It makes no sense to consider the box of the new AirPods Pro, of course. Still, these are headphones, not some kind of smartphone. And in the end, this is Apple, which is always distinguished by its brevity.
Nevertheless, the equipment here is quite complete. In addition to the charging case and the headphones themselves, in the box we found a wire for charging, with USB-C. That is, you can use it with a MacBook or an adapter from the iPhone 11 Pro.
USB-C cable and AirPods Pro ear pads
In addition to the cable, they put additional ear pads here. They are special, from other headphones will not work, so try not to lose. It’s nice that Apple can determine which ear cushions are right for you. After connecting the headphones, if you go to the menu of the Bluetooth device, you can check the fit to the ears. Great idea.
In addition to the cable, they put additional ear pads here. They are special, from other headphones will not work, so try not to lose. It’s nice that Apple can determine which ear cushions are right for you. After connecting the headphones, if you go to the menu of the Bluetooth device, you can check the fit to the ears. Great idea.
Appearance of Apple AirPods Pro
Compared to previous Apple AirPods, the design has changed a bit. When the first Apple headphones were introduced, they seemed very specific. As if with wired headphones, the wire was simply cut off. At that time, other companies played with the design, but no one had it. Now on the market there are dozens of analogues with a similar appearance. In general, as always, Apple sets the rules.
Compared to previous Apple AirPods, the design has changed a bit. When the first Apple headphones were introduced, they seemed very specific. As if with wired headphones, the wire was simply cut off. At that time, other companies played with the design, but no one had it. Now on the market there are dozens of analogues with a similar appearance. In general, as always, Apple sets the rules.
AirPods Pro is similar to the previous version, but slightly modified. The bow has become curved and shorter, so the headphones themselves are now more compact and much more comfortable sitting in your ears. Now they are not so visually stand out and fit much denser. The shape of the earphone itself has also changed, it has become more anatomical. Perfect for my ears, AirPods Pro seems to be made for them.
Owners of AirPods Pro may ask a question, how to change these rubber nozzles? Pretty easy. You need to hold the ear cushion with your fingers and pull it hard. It seems that they do not disconnect, but you need to make a little more effort and the rubber part will snap off. Inserting new ones is much easier, just insert and push until a quiet click. Done.
There is now on the darling and a subtle element – a button with a pressure sensor (subtle recess). With its help, you can switch tracks, stop and start music, as well as switch the noise reduction mode. It’s important that there are buttons on both headphones, so it’s not necessary to pair them.
The charging case has become a little heavier (as much as 45.6 grams, not 40, like AirPods). In addition, he changed shape, became wider, but smaller in height. The plastic is the same and in general, from a couple of meters you are unlikely to distinguish it from the old one (it is a pity that I do not have previous AirPods to show you in comparison). At the back of the case there is an LED to indicate the status, as well as a button to reset the pairing.
Apple AirPods Pro Case
Of course, the case can be charged wirelessly. Just put it on the wireless charging unit and a miracle will happen. With the new iPhone 11 Pro and these headphones, I don’t use wires at all. Unless for the Apple Watch. I have the usual horizontal wireless charging, but for the Watch you need a special one, for example, from Belkin, where there is a separate watch stand.
Of course, the case can be charged wirelessly. Just put it on the wireless charging unit and a miracle will happen. With the new iPhone 11 Pro and these headphones, I don’t use wires at all. Unless for the Apple Watch. I have the usual horizontal wireless charging, but for the Watch you need a special one, for example, from Belkin, where there is a separate watch stand.
Noise reduction and other technologies
Shumodav in headphones has been around for several years. Similar gadgets were at Bose, Sony and even Xiaomi. The technology is quite simple and Apple does not invent a bicycle here. The headphone has a microphone, it reads external sounds, the processor processes this wave, flips and produces, in fact, subtracting the noise from the scene you are listening to. Here, the H1 chip is responsible for processing, which is quite powerful, so there is almost no delay between analysis and processing.
But this is Apple, so it has its own characteristics. AirPods are perhaps the only headphones that measure noise also inside the ear, they have a separate microphone for this. Moreover, all measurements are made by these headphones 200 times per second. After each analysis, sound and noise reduction are corrected. It will be difficult to notice, of course, but AirPods are really very quiet, regardless of the environment. I flew them in an airplane, rode the subway and everywhere I heard them the same.
There is an accelerometer in the headphones, which determines whether they are in the ears or not. The earphones are protected against moisture and dust according to the IPX4 standard. In simple words, the rain is not terrible, but it’s not worth taking them to a shower or pool. Well, another important feature of these headphones is the through hole. Thanks to this, the pressure is naturally equalized, so that there is no discomfort in the aircraft. As you can see, even though AirPods Pro and similar to its predecessor, but now the price difference is understandable, because there are much more technologies.
Test and impressions of AirPods Pro
In order not to be unfounded when creating this review, I took AirPods Pro and flew to Paris. I must say that it is always very difficult for me to fly. I can sleep on board, but for this it is important for me to be in a comfortable position and without extraneous sounds. Usually, Sony’s large headband headphones do the trick, but even 4-5 hours of sitting in them is not very convenient. There shouldn’t be a problem with AirPods Pro, I thought, and flew.
In order not to be unfounded when creating this review, I took AirPods Pro and flew to Paris. I must say that it is always very difficult for me to fly. I can sleep on board, but for this it is important for me to be in a comfortable position and without extraneous sounds. Usually, Sony’s large headband headphones do the trick, but even 4-5 hours of sitting in them is not very convenient. There shouldn’t be a problem with AirPods Pro, I thought, and flew.
I went into the salon, put the headphones in my ears, they themselves were already connected to the iPhone. He started the music and fell asleep five minutes later. I overslept the take-off and almost missed lunch, since the caring neighbor pushed through. The headphones passed the first test, they removed the noise, if not completely, then to a comfortable value. After lunch I tried to test different music and different volume, as well as turn off noise reduction.
I pulled out my headphones and realized that it was simply impossible to fly in such a noise. We did not have a very new board and the sound insulation left much to be desired, but at least a little better.
Without the noise canceling function turned on, it was about the same, which means that even regular AirPods would not be able to cope. With noise reduction, it has become many times easier, but complete silence is not created. If you start the music, then it drowns out the roar of engines even more and you can live.
I listen to music from Assassin’s Creed near the Seine in Paris
I also tried to turn on the mode in which the sound from the microphone goes into the headphones. On a plane, it is useless unless you need to talk with neighbors or a flight attendant. But already in the city I used it quite often. You listen to music and, for example, you go to a cafe. Previously, you would have to turn off the music or pull out one or both of the headphones. Now just hold the button on any of the headphones. And after that you hear the environment. You can calmly talk with someone, listen to what is shown on TV or something else. The function is also not new, of course, but I can’t stop rejoicing at it.
P. S. I had enough power for the whole flight. Moreover, I have never once in 4 days charged AirPods Pro in Paris. Headphones last for almost 5.5 hours of continuous music playback. The case gives about 3-4 full charges. So, even if you listen to music every day, it should be enough for a week. And if only on the way to work and back, you will charge them a couple of times a month like me. And even that, it’s quite simple – I threw it on the charging mat and took it after three hours. The wire, however, is 1 hour faster.