Apple presented its new AirPods Pro And leaving aside what or not headphones should have to deserve the name Pro (actually said term hasn't made much sense for a long time), the most interesting thing is to see what they are really offering so that you see fit to pay 279 euros for them.
AirPods Pro, active noise cancellation as a great claim
The new AirPods Pro are essentially a mix between PowerBeats and the hitherto classic AirPods. In other words, a headset with an in-ear type design and where that extra value is sought through a better listening experience and a noise cancellation system as a great claim.
Then, physically they are similar to the current ones, somewhat smaller and with a redesign in the part that goes inside the ear to integrate all the new necessary electronics. Also, now they are in-ear type, with silicone capsules that you will insert into your ears.
This is how, basically, we could describe the new apple earbuds. But there is more, so we are going to continue disassembling these AirPods Pro.
- they arrive with three silicone pads so that each user can find the one that best suits their ears. Small Tip, you may need the medium size in one and the large size in another. Which seems obvious, but many still think that their hatreds must be identical and that is why sometimes that "only the left earphone falls out" happens.
- La black part you see on the outside is the microphone. It serves both for calls, use of Siri and to capture ambient sound. The latter is the one that is processed and allows the generation of an inverse wave with which noise cancellation is achieved. Hence the name active, because according to Apple the audio is processed 200 times for better performance and is supported by another internet microphone that analyzes what comes to you and cancels possible noises that are still present.
- On the sticks there is a touch control. Depending on the type and number of presses, the actions will be different (pick up a call, play music, stop it, skip a song or go back and of course activate the cancellation or the opposite)
- Adaptive equalization, a feature that according to Apple allows you to adapt the music according to the anatomy of your ear.
- Spatial sound, an option that can be activated in the settings and allows you to put the user at the center of the experience
- They integrate the H1 chip, in charge of all the processing and that user experience that differentiates AirPods when connected to other Apple devices.
- Kit wireless charging and fast charging system (3 hours with 5 minutes of charging)
- Total autonomy of 24 hours with the various charges offered by the case and up to 4,5 hours of use on one headphone charge.
With all this, the AirPods Pro are what many users asked directly from the first model. What's more, they may now consider them an attractive option. Because before, without ceasing to recognize the value of the product, they did not offer something that for many was essential: sound quality at the level of a product with a high price.
Now, with the noise cancellation system and that improved equalization, they will presumably sound better. If you have tried the PowerBeats it will be something very similar, since those already included noise cancellation, in-ear design, etc.
The problem? The price, 279 euros is a high price. But to see it, we better compare it with the competition, the current one and the one that is to come.
AirPods Pro, Echo Buds, Sony WF-1000 and other “PRO” headphones
Currently, if a user is willing to pay 279 euros for headphones simply because they are from Apple, it will be very difficult to make them think that, perhaps, there are other more attractive alternatives in terms of price or quality. However, in the absence of trying them, it is true that the noise cancellation makes them more attractive and the references to the quality they offer after the first unboxing are good.
Still, let's play with the data and experience with the rest of the products that we have tested here at El Output or personally. These are the most interesting headphones and capable of competing against the AirPods Pro, sometimes for quality and sometimes for a simple question of price and the quality they offer. Without forgetting that there are proposals such as the Sony WH-1000 or the Bose 700 (headband type headphones).
AirPods (2nd generation)
For 179 euros for the model without a case with wireless charging and 229 euros for the one that does include it, these AirPods headphones have as The main advantage is the user experience and being on-ear.. For some they are much more comfortable than the button type. Let's say they tire less but the sound is also somewhat more limited.
PowerBeats Pro
These headphones They integrate the same Apple H1 chip, better noise cancellation due to its in-ear design and protection against water and sweat. That plus a more secure grip system for when you do sports make them much more attractive than the classic AirPods and even, for some, more than the new Pro. And the best thing is that its price is also a little cheaper, 237 Euros. Of course, they are not "white".
Sony WF-1000 M3
We liked these in-ear headphones for their sound quality and their noise cancellation system. Sony has been one of the benchmarks in this regard for years and its WF-1000M3 a clear example of high-quality headphones in all aspects.
Its negative part was a case that was perhaps somewhat larger than it would like and the price, which was also high at around 250 euros. But as we said, at the level of sound quality they are worth it. And if not, here's the video reviews.
amazon echo buds
These have been launched recently, they come with Bose technology and for their price ($129) they are going to be a big headache for many manufacturers. Because it does not leave noise cancellation behind, because they are in-ear type, true wireless and include Alexa -for some, a better assistant than Siri-.
Xiaomi Mi AirDots
These are earbuds as simple as they are attractive for a simple matter of price. They do not offer active noise cancellation, but for a price of around 39 euros the Xiaomi Mi AirDots have few rivals if you are looking for wireless headphones with which to listen to some music or podcasts while you are on your way to class, work or taking a walk. And of course, also perfect for home use. Here you have the video analysis.
Xiaomi Mi AirDots Pro
Xiaomi's noise canceling version is the AirDots Pro, which costs 60 Euros. Here, again, for price they are an extremely attractive option since they do not exceed 100 euros and that is already the limit that many are willing to pay for such a product.
Which headset to choose: AirPods Pro or one of its competition
As I said before, if you want the new AirPods Pro, nothing and no one is going to convince you otherwise. Apple's new headphones will be a great option for many and your sound and experience will have improved. But it is also good that you stop for a few minutes and assess to what extent it compensates for its price or not.
For 279 euros there are very good options if what you really want is to have a great listening experience at a quality level. The WH-1000 M3 sound luxurious and its price is practically that taking advantage of offers. There are also the Bose QC35 II and for about a hundred euros plus the Bose 700 that we have liked so much.
Logically, if you want button-type or smaller headphones, then these headband models are not worth it. But in those cases, again, if you're looking for audio quality the Echo buds They seem to be offering it at a more competitive price. And that they have Bose experience for equalization and noise cancellation gives them value.
The choice is up to you, but it wouldn't close doors just because it's not an Apple product. If after evaluating all the possibilities you still prefer the AirPods Pro, go ahead, because they must sound quite good and if you move with other Apple products it is always attractive because of what that H1 chip offers at the connection level.