Connect with us

News

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Review: The Only Headphones You Need

Published

on

“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote”} }”>

Get access to everything we publish when you
>”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link”}}”>sign up for Outside+.

My dad was an audiophile back before being an audiophile was cool. He had a huge record collection, knew his way around a high-quality turntable, and had music playing in our house during all waking hours. I distinctly remember the first time he put on a pair of decent over-the-ear headphones and was amazed by how these cups could provide such an immersive audio experience while the rest of the world around him was silent.

My dad passed away 10 years ago, but when I put the new AirPods Pro in for the first time last week, he was the first person I thought about. I wish he could have experienced what it’s like to wear these tiny little earbuds that, while a tenth the size of those original headphones, provide an even clearer and more immersive listening experience. He would have been blown away.

RELATED: Trail Running Gear You Can’t Live Without – As Selected By You!

Richer Audio

I’m a huge music fan, thanks to my dad, and listen to a wide swath of artists every day. I’ve also been lucky to test every new release of AirPods to date, and can say that the second generation of the AirPods Pro have arrived at a pretty astounding point. The music is so full and rich that it’s hard to imagine where Apple will go from here. I’m listening to them as I write, and the music is so clear and enjoyable that I literally feel giddy.

According to Apple, the updated sound stems from a mix of factors, including the power of their new H2 chip, plus a custom-built driver and amplifier that allow for even crisper highs matched with deep and rich bass across all audio levels. There’s also the spatial audio technology, which I was able to understand with help from a member of Apple’s AirPods team.

Simply put, spatial audio creates a surround-sound listening experience so it feels like the music is coming at you from all angles, just like in a high-quality movie theater or in a great concert venue. The original AirPods Pro have it, but this second generation maps your ear and head with your iPhone, so that spatial audio is customized specifically to you. I did the mapping, which only takes a minute, and didn’t note a giant leap in surround-sound quality, but I did feel more immersed and engrossed in the music than when wearing the original AirPods Pro.

Improved Noise Cancellation

Match the upgraded sound quality with noise cancellation that’s been improved by a factor of two, and it can sometimes feel like you’ve been transported to a completely different space. Sitting in my office for the past week, even with my door open to barking dogs and loud kids, only the loudest noises occasionally got through.

Listening to music on a plane ride, I was able to completely drown out the ambient noise and immerse myself in a book so deeply that I only looked up when the plane bounced on the runway during landing. It’s true that this was mostly possible with the first generation of AirPods Pro, but the added noise cancellation and increased audio quality make these experiences noticeably better and more flawless.

The Noise app on my Apple Watch allows me to see in real time how much the headphones reduce noise in decibels. With normal ambient noise, my watch reads somewhere around a 25 decibel reduction. But if I clap or shout, that goes up to 60 decibels. I don’t understand audio technology fully, but I do know that noise is reduced by 20 decibels when wearing over-the-ear headphones at the shooting range to make sure my rifle doesn’t leave me with hearing loss, so there’s no doubt the Apple headphones filter out a lot.

RELATED: You Can Listen To Music When Running If It Brings You Joy

Longer Battery Life, Better Fit, and Easier Controls

Those of us who love to travel will also be glad that the battery life gets a bump. Apple says the new AirPods Pro have a 33-percent better battery life than the first version, and will last six hours with noise cancellation on (plenty for a cross-country flight). While they don’t specify exactly how much longer the battery will last with noise cancellation off, Apple does claim it will deliver more time, which means I’ll be able to listen to music (and take calls if I have to) during an 80-mile gravel ride or a 15-mile trail run and not worry about the headphones crapping out.

Another new feature I’m thankful for lets you swipe up or down on the post of the bud to raise or lower the volume. (The swiping motion took a minute to figure out, but once you get it right, it’s easy.) This makes a big difference, especially when you’re on a bike and don’t want to reach down to fiddle with your watch or phone in a jersey pocket. I’ve never had problems getting the AirPods Pro to fit in my ears, but the new ones come with four different tip sizes, up from three for the original AirPods, to customize them so they fit snugly and comfortably.

True Transparency

Transparency mode means you can have the AirPods Pro in your ears and be able to hear your surroundings as naturally as possible. With the new AirPods Pro, transparency is significantly enhanced so that it sounds like I don’t even have headphones in. During Zoom meetings I’m able to clearly listen to whoever is speaking, but still feel like I have a complete understanding of what’s going on around me and don’t have to take the headphones out to rejoin the world.

Apple also says the new AirPods Pro come with something called adaptive transparency, which reduces the impact of loud noise, like sirens or jackhammers, when you’re walking around with them on transparency mode (I haven’t found a construction site to test this yet).

So Are They Worth $250?

Like all Apple products, the new Pros are not cheap. But I always try to break down a price by how much I use the product, and it’s clear that for $250 I’m getting a device that I’ll use nearly all day, most days—and they’re cheaper than comparable earbuds from Bose and Sony. For anyone who travels extensively, exercises regularly, or spends a fair share of time on Zoom meetings, the new AirPods Pro make all of these activities better and easier. And then of course there’s the audio itself. People who prefer over-the-ear headphones will stick with their top choice, but the rest of us who want one headphone for daily tasks and makes everyone from John Coltrane to Odesza sound great, will be really happy with the new AirPods Pro.

Continue Reading

Recent News

Amazon Seller Account Amazon Seller Account
Business3 days ago

Transforming Dreams into Reality: A Success Story of Purchase Amazon Seller Account

Purchase Amazon Seller Account: In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, many aspiring entrepreneurs dream of starting their own business. However,...

Shearling Leather Jackets Shearling Leather Jackets
Fashion6 days ago

Shearling Leather Jackets That Are Worth Every Penny This Winter

When winter’s chillstarts to bite, we all crave something warm, timeless, and effortlessly stylish. Enter the shearling leather jacket—a piece...

Global Enterprises Global Enterprises
Tech7 days ago

How Cloud Encryption Safeguards Data for Global Enterprises

As global enterprises continue their digital transformation journeys, data security has become a top priority. Cloud computing offers unmatched flexibility...

Character AI Character AI
Tech1 week ago

The Future of Character AI: Trends and Predictions for the Next Decade

If we focus on the evolution of artificial intelligence, technology has left us speechless. Now, if we pay attention to...

Moscow Moscow
Fashion2 weeks ago

The Moscow Catwalk is Becoming Increasingly Diverse

By Jackie H. Grey Moscow Fashion Week has shown that diversity enriches the phenomenon of modern clothing. Designers from around...

Carbon Emissions Carbon Emissions
Fashion2 weeks ago

The Unseen Expenses of Fashion Industry; The Impact of Carbon Emissions, in Womens High End Apparel

Fashion is commonly seen as a way to express oneself; however it carries a cost that often goes unnoticed by...

Neon Artwork Neon Artwork
Lifestyle2 weeks ago

Neon Artwork for Parties: Transform Your Events with Stunning Neon Designs

Neon artwork has revolutionized the way we think about event decor. Once confined to storefronts and bars, neon lights have...

Personal Injury Lawyer Personal Injury Lawyer
Law2 weeks ago

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in Charlotte Help You Win Your Case?

Life after an accident can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s a car crash or another type of personal injury incident, you’re...

Njord Partners Njord Partners
Business1 month ago

Espionage, Corruption, and Sanctions: The Dark Underbelly of Njord Partners

Njord Partners, a prominent asset management firm operating across Europe and the UK, has come under renewed scrutiny. The firm,...

Reverse Email Append Service Reverse Email Append Service
Business1 month ago

How to Choose the Best Reverse Email Append Service for Accurate Results

Choosing the right reverse email append service can feel overwhelming, especially when accuracy is a top priority. Whether you’re a...