Apple AirPods Pro Review

Comparisons

[responsivevoice_button]

Who’s going to the pit with the AirPods Pro? A few models actually :

– BGVP Q2 : the Q2 offers a wider sound stage, deeper bass and it sounds much more… audiophile. 90% of the time, I felt that the transients sounded faster, but on modern tracks, the difference with the AirPods Pro is harder to spot. Yet, I consider the Q2 to be better sounding, overall.

– Jays M-Seven : the M-Seven are my go-to ears for any sports activities. They fit perfectly, sound bassy but fun and cost less than 150 bucks. Yet, the AirPods Pro is better in terms of sound quality and integration (remember I’m on an iPhone). If you’re on Android (or iPhone) and don’t need any noise-canceling, plus are on a budget, this is the right choice in my opinion.

– FiiO UTWS1 + Shanling ME500: this combo is more expensive than the AirPods Pro, but I was curious to hear the difference. The ME500 feels more precise, with sharper highs and mids, but the residual noise reduces the dynamic and honestly, on a wireless basis, I’d prefer the AirPods Pro as I preferred the BGVP Q2. Plus, it’s much heavier to carry in terms of TWS standards. So if I’d have to get wireless, I’d stick with the AirPods.

– Sennheiser Momentum Wireless: another TWS from a major brand, with a single dynamic transducer. The sound is more precise, more full on the Momentum and you can easily hear details harder to spot on the AirPods Pro. Still, the Momentum suffers from a severe battery drain and I had to recharge the box every day during my tests. The AirPods Pro? Just once every week.

Conclusion

The Apple AirPods Pro is the best TWS  the brand has to offer and with good reasons.

Sound is good, but clearly not exceptional. However, combined with noise-canceling, tight integration and the simple fact that Apple keeps improving its earphones through wireless updates, make them worth every penny you’re gonna put on them.

Yes, their design is “meh” at best. But, once you wear them, all of those considerations fly away. Sure, the white glossy plastic finish is deceiving. Yet, that’s what makes them fit swiftly into the charging box. Noise-cancelling is known to alter the sound quality. Even though, that’s not the case here as Apple achieved better results thanks to their all-mighty engineers.

If you want to hate these earphones, feel free to do so. People will keep buying them and exhibit those ugly white sticks like a trophy.

But if like me, you’re willing to pass the first “that-is-not-audiophile-damn-those-people” impression and be keen enough to spend a full grand on an iPhone, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best user-focused experience. Period.

And yes, I’ll keep my AirPods Pro for my everyday commute. And I will even gift a set to my wife, to share Netflix on the iPad in the train, wirelessly, like normies. So yeah, if you have an iPhone and just want the best TWS, get the AirPods Pro. I’d gladly add them to my recommendation list, but since you can’t use them fully on a DAP… I can’t.