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Which generation of AirPods are the best?
We think the AirPods (3rd generation) are superior to the AirPods (2nd generation) in several aspects, including a more comfortable fit, an IPX4 water-resistant rating, support for spatial audio, a MagSafe charging case, and better battery life. They also feature a skin-detect sensor for improved play/pause automation, bass-reflex ports, and Adaptive EQ for audio adjustments. Despite this, neither model excels in sound isolation, and for those prioritizing sound quality and noise cancelation, there are better options available, such as the AirPods Pro.
What is spatial audio on the AirPods (3rd generation)?
Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos is Apple’s version of 3D sound. It uses head-tracking technology to create a more realistic, immersive experience with music and movies. Apple introduced Spatialize Stereo with the AirPods (3rd generation), which doesn’t require source material with more than two channels to work. Spatialize Stereo isn’t particularly great, but it works well on tracks initially mixed in mono.
Apple’s spatial audio works just with the AirPods Pro (1st generation and 2nd), AirPods Max, AirPods (3rd generation), and the Beats Fit Pro.
Which AirPods model is better for improving one's hearing
Neither; AirPods are regular wireless earbuds intended for listening to audio, not medical devices for treating hearing impairment or loss.
I’m looking at purchasing my first ever set of AirPods. I understand that the 2nd gen pro has the rubber ear buds with sound cancellation. Other than that feature is there much of a difference between these two generations?
Looking for people with experience with one or the other or both. Thanks in advance reddit
AirPods (2nd generation) were made available for in-store pickup at Apple Stores today. I wasn’t planning on buying them, but seeing that they were in stock and rationalizing with the return period, I picked up a pair with the classic charging case on a whim. Here are some impressions from a longtime AirPods owner.
Wireless
First, connection times are definitely faster. Switching between outputs is kind of pokey with the first generation – definitely a weak point in an otherwise great product. With the second generation, the claim of halving switching times is definitely noticeable. I tested with the same downloaded songs on an iPhone 7 Plus on 12.2 (Music app) and 2017 MacBook Pro on 10.14.3 (iTunes). I pressed play with the AirPods connected to one device, then started playback over the other device’s speakers. Then I selected the AirPods as output on the device which it currently wasn’t connected to and timed how long it took to start audio playback. Here are the results, averaged over 5 runs for each.
| Model | Time |
|---|---|
| AirPods (1st generation) | 7.09 s |
| AirPods (2nd generation) | 3.77 s |
Strangely, switching from phone to MacBook always took a bit longer than MacBook to phone. They’re both Bluetooth 4.2 devices – maybe there’s more overhead in the macOS audio stack? Purely speculating. Updated to 10.14.4, switching speed has improved and is on par with MacBook to phone.
Another improvement of the second gen over the first is how quiet they are when not playing anything. Over multiple pairs of first gen AirPods, I found that there was a constant low-level hiss when connected to any device and faint whines right before playing sound or immediately after sound is playing. These sounds are completely eliminated on the new model.
Sound Quality
The different in sound quality isn’t immediately apparent, but its definitely there. When I saw comments and posts from people claiming that “AirPods 2 are worlds better than AirPods 1,” I rolled my eyes and chalked it up to new product placebo or earwax-clogged grilles.* “These people are crazy, I thought. “There’s no difference in sound whatsoever.”
After escaping street noise from my walk home and comparing both models in a quiet environment, I have to say I’m wrong. It’s not a quantum leap or revolution by any means (like some may suggest), but sound quality on the second generation has noticeably improved. While maintaining the same sound signature and balance as the first, the new model sports more precise delivery, especially in the lows and mids.
What does this all mean? You’ll notice a brighter sound with more clarity in your home or office. Output volume has not changed appreciably. If you like how the first gen sounded, you’ll appreciate the second gen. If you didn’t – or they didn’t fit your ears – this isn’t going to change that. I personally quite enjoyed how AirPods sounded from the beginning. They’re not the most detailed headphones by far, but they’re well-balanced with an upfront bass. Of course my over-ears (H9i, M50x) and HomePod offer better sound, but none are as convenient as AirPods – which don’t suck in comparison.
* Sidenote: Anyone saying that the new model is much louder or sound 100x better needs to clean out their old AirPods. Don't be gross.
Edit: Some have quoted MKBHD that audio quality hasn't changed. Let me emphasize that the difference is very slight and not noticeable in environments with any audible background noise. In regards to my testing: it's definitely not dirty AirPods, the grilles are clear with no earwax ever. It's possible that it's placebo, but I was also highly skeptical at first. I also lost track of which pair was which during testing and had to check the model number printed on the bud (the second gen always sounded better). Of course this isn't double blind or scientific at all. Another possibility is that the drivers are simply newer or there is some manufacturing variance. I keep my volume at 40% or below at all times though, so I don't think I've blown out my first gen.
Odds and ends
“Hey Siri” definitely works but its not as fast as “Hey Siri” recognition on other devices, including Apple Watch. Trying it for the first time, I thought the people at the Apple Store screwed up and handed me a first gen because it took a few tries to successfully activate. I’m pretty sure what’s happening is that the AirPods are listening only for the hotphrase then handing off everything to the paired device.
I couldn’t get “Hey Siri” to work when paired to Apple Watch. Checking this support page, it’s because watchOS 5.2 is required but not yet released. So on 5.1.3, “Hey Siri” doesn’t work, and interestingly, the voice feedback is much lower quality than when paired to an iPhone running iOS 12.2 (the same quality as Siri on the first gen).
The packaging is essentially identical. The only differences I see are label placement and size, updating Apple’s address to 1 Apple Park, year update from 2016 to 2018, box version change from 602-00758-A to 602-00758-B, and the elimination of the dash in the German phrase “mit Lade-Case” (with Charging Case). The setup guide has also been revised to reflect new features and iOS 12.
I haven’t had a chance to fully test battery life and range yet, but I’ll update this soon.
Overall verdict
The second generation AirPods are a solid advancement over the first, with slightly better sound, faster and more refined wireless connection, and better Siri support. The wireless charging case is by no means a necessity, but if you’ve got multiple charge pads it’s definitely nice to have. I’d say first generation owners shouldn’t feel the need to upgrade unless the battery on yours is degraded – these updated AirPods don’t make the first gen any less of a product.
Seems like the 3rd gen is better, but cheaper? Can anyone help me figure out why a 2nd gen pro would be better?
Got AirPods 3 for Christmas and was quite happy. I was worried they wouldn't fit my ears, but surprisingly they they did fit. And they survived the head shaking test. Tho, comfort wise, they certainly fit different from gen. 1 and 2. Preferably I would still choose gen. 1 and 2 for comfort, but that's just me.
What I have started to get annoyed about the most with the AirPods 3 is their sound signature. It is way more balanced and neutral than AirPods 1. gen and 2. gen, which ofcourse is nice, but I noticed the treble was very harsh. Searched around and found out the AirPods 3s sound signature does indeed have twise as strong treble, on top of ofcourse the stronger hardware. In comparison the AirPods gen. 1 and 2 focus more on bass.
Maybe it is more to it, but the general sound signature (and the fancy "Adaptive EQ") gets out these harsh treble noises way more, to the point of my ears hurting. Certain songs is more affected by this, but it certainly is an issue I didn't have before. I can see this treble issue creeping into YouTube videos and movies/tv shows too.
AirPods gen. 1 and 2 is warmer in it's sound signiture, but are not as big in the sound department, but they are in return easier on the ears on higher volumes especially.
If it was possible to tweak the AirPods 3 a bit more, I could just tone down the treble response a bit, but as it stands this is very limited. I know about the Accebility setting for AirPods, but these options and presets are still very limited. And I would guess it's the hole Adaptive EQ thing that's mainly making the treble high enough for me not liking it, but I can't just change this EQ easily. The hole point with this type of EQ is it should work automatically for specific content. Apple should atleast make the hole "Adaptive EQ" function customizable. Would actually solve so much. What do you do when the Adaptive EQ didn't quite get things right for you liking? Right? It is kinda ridiculous when you think about it, even tho not many people think like me probably.
I'm currently not blown away by the sound quality of the AirPods 3. At least not as much as all of the reviewers. The thing is that the sound is good, but I would easily choose the warmer and a bit "worse" AirPods gen 1 or 2 sound profile, which is a easier digustable sound for my ears.