Apple - Airpod Pro 3

I agree with you, yesterday I used my airpods 3 Pro for couples of ours, when I got em off I got scared by the loudness the surrounding. 

Yeah I’m returning my 3s and buying another set of 2s. Extremely disappointed with the size and fit.

The 4s have really good ANC. But it's not as good as APP2 or APP3. source: I have them all. The APPs silicon tips sometimes hurt my ears so I got the 4s. The 4 has great sound, battery and ANC. But I mean, it's open ear design still allows some noise in. If it's all about ANC for you, I'd find a way to get the pro 2 or pro 3. If ANC is just part of your list but not a major requirement, the 4s will do you good. And yes, 3 ANC is noticeably better then 2. Edit: one more thing, I hate that the 4s don't have volume adjust on the stem. Annoying when your phone is tucked away somewhere. Just something to remember.

Have had both, and pro 1’s. Pro 2’s will always be legends for sound. Took 2 weeks and a lot of messing around with tips but i finally can say i enjoy the 3’s more. Disliked the sound at first but have to figure out the perfect tip size or it wont sound right. Also tips seem to break in over a day or 2 so can take time to figure out. Now 3 sound is very enjoyable - just as much as the 2. Fit better And i dont have to mess with the fit at all unlike the 2’s where i was frequently pushing them back in my ear. Anc like 20% better on the 3’s - but only with the right tip size to you ear. Also i lift/run almost everyday - dont worry about sweat theyll be fine. Ive drenched both 2 and 3 and theyre built to handle it

My two cents as a regular consumer and someone with no claim to being an audiophile… I am a long time AirPods Pro user, first with the AirPods Pro 2 and now for several years with the AirPods Pro 2. I was very much looking forward to the release of the AirPods Pro 3. Unfortunately, however, I am disappointed with its sound quality. Of course, how we perceive sound and our preferences in music, our individual and our opinions subjective. However, in my opinion, Apple did nobody any favors, changing the sound signature of the AirPods Pro 3.  The increased bass and to a lesser degree, the peak in the treble have produced for me and almost cartoonish sound. Although I had hoped for a little more bass and sub base rumble than the AirPods Pro 2, neither the quantity nor quality of the bass in the new model strikes a positive chord with me. So, seeking more bass than APP2 but keeping the balance of APP2, I I bought the Technics AZ 100. For sound quality it blows both the APP2 and APP3 out of the water. Out of the box, the AZ100 sound pretty good, but with minimal tweaking in the EQ, they sound incredible. Directly comparing them to the new AirPods, the key difference. Is that the bass on the AZ100 is more detailed and less bloated.  On the AirPods, the bass is loud but fails to present any sense of nuance. For lack of a better term, it is thumpy. All drums sound the same. Piano tends to be overly loud. Low notes get smeared together. By contrast, the AZ100 bass is very present. You can hear and feel it. However, it is sharp and detailed. Vocals on the AZ100 are clear and retain a sense of worth and naturalness. Basically, the new AirPods seem to have substituted a thick bass for crispness and detail in bass. The bass seems somehow artificial and overstated. Not so with the AZ100.  Overall, the AZ100 is just more natural sounding and detailed then the new AirPods. If anything, it is like the AirPods Pro 2 but with appropriate bass and more and more clarity. Having said all this, I am seriously torn as to which set of buds to keep. The AirPods Pro 3 ANC is incredible and probably unsurpassed by anything except the new Bose and even then perhaps it’s equal. The AZ100 ANC is excellent, like maybe a 90 out of 100, but Apple is now as close to 100 as one can probably get with today’s technology. Also, being fully enmeshed in the apple ecosystem, the AirPods are seamlessly integrated. Little things like checking the battery level are no-brainers when compared to the AZ100.  As for comfort and fit, I don’t love either of them and wish that Apple had simply kept the fit and tips of the AirPods Pro 2 which for me we’re always perfect and felt like I had nothing in my ears. I hope this helps anyone who might chance to read this.

So, if I want to 3db less bass, do i set +3db or -3db in my audiogram?? It is also constantly giving me a "your results are not detailed enough" or whatever. EDIT: I got it to work, but its barely doing anything, even when setting my audiogram to -20db or +20db. This is not a replacement for normal EQ at all IMO.

I like bass, but I hate it wenn the bass dominates the music for most genres. Im not listening to techno 24/7. The APP3 have so much bass, that you can barely hear the midrange - where all the actual music happens - at times. I wanna hear instruments, I wanna hear people sing. Thats the primary part of music for me. I dont want hear a gigantic bassline with everything else 10 meters in the background.

I fully agree. I wouldnt call it V-shaped, the treble is pretty well balanced with the mids in my opinion. The bass is too much though. We really need some sort of EQ with these, graphic EQ would be enough.

I didnt say that they are not impressive. I said that they are too bassy for me. I understand that some other people may enjoy this type of sound signature, but I do not. i’m

I dislike the sound a lot . I will most likely be returning them. ANC is truly top notch though. but i'm not paying 250 for this kind of sound

Nah fam they still sound like garbage for violin . It's unfortunate

If you’re talking intense workouts, AirPods Pro 3 all day as AirPods Max have no sweat resistance

I had a pair of Buds3 Pro with my Pixel. Can't do real time translation without a Galaxy phone. And I was trying not to go back to Apple cause my old Air Pod pros 2? died. In the end I got the Air Pods 3 Pro. Returning the Buds3 Pro today.

I bought the APP3’s yesterday. I only had an older regular version and the mic stopped working. I am very amazed at the ANC. I keep taking them off and putting them back in to hear the difference. Even when you pull them barely out of your ear the ANC still works and then like half an inch out your ear adjusts to the real sound. It’s pretty neat.

Been using AirPods Pro 2 and now 3 with the setup. I can confirm everything works fine and as it should.

Sound is good. Microphone was really, really bad on pro 2. I mean you were understandable but yeah it was awful. On pro 3 it’s still like meh but definitely better than pro 2. One thing to keep in mind is multipoint won’t work with windows. So no auto switching between apple devices and windows. You will have to manually click connect in windows if it’s not the last device you used your AirPods with.

For me ANC on this thing is worth every penny. Total game changer from my perspective. Can’t compare to buds pro. But compared with some Jabras, Samsung beans, B&O, nothing of those come close.

I had 1 APP1, 2 APP2, APM and now APP3. Plus other audiophile shit. My take: if you don’t need to upgrade the APP2 just keep them. My APP2 were falling apart, silicone tips tearing, battery life was very annoying, had the lightning version. So to me the APP3 are no brainer, fully ditching lightning from my life. Better ANC, better battery life, anything else is just a bonus. I do enjoy the audio profile, listening to videos/movies/calls/music is good, I think people are bashing them just because is cool. To me they feel great, audio profile is different, wouldn’t say better, nor worse, just different, coupled with an amazing ANC and transparency mode they are superior as a package no doubt. AMA

My microphone is dead because of that debri getting in the holes. Sucks, still like them thoughå

Thanks for sharing your perspective on both. I bought and tried both as well but found I couldn't get a good fit or seal with any of the Airpods Pro 3 eartips at all, so as a result the sound to me wasn't good. The call quality though was fantastic. For me, the Bose have the better fit and seal, and the ANC and sound are fantastic. Call quality on the Bose is OK but not great. In the end, I returned the AirPods and kept the Bose and am very satisfied with the purchase.

Never had the APP2; only the APP3, bought specifically because so many people on the internet stated they really liked the fit of the latest version. I imagine scores of people would be satisfied with them but APP3 just didn't fit well for me.

I upgraded from AirPods Pro 2 with lightning so I am happy to have USB C finally. I like the sound profile and they seem louder, the ANC does seem better to me. The fit is very different but still works OK for me. My only real complaint is that case battery runtime is LESS than the Pro 2s and they are BIGGER. To me that feels like going backwards. No big deal though it’s not like the iPhone 17 Pro is thicker too this year… oh wait

Yea I understand the benefit of having 8 hours in the buds themselves and that is awesome, but I am disappointed about the 24 hours of total listening time in APP3 vs the 30 hours of total listening time in the APP2, this doesn’t feel like an improvement in any way, it’s a separate metric and it’s a step back and it makes little sense considering they increased the size of the case in the APP 3.

I will try that thanks, on my 2s I used the medium tips. Currently on the 3s I have 1 medium and 1 large. They seem to hurt my ears way less after a few hours than the Pro 2s did but they are a but harder to insert and don’t feel snug, but they do not fall out at all which the 2s eventually did.

I have used the Airpods 4 without ANC and I currently use the Airpods Pro 3. To the average person, both will sound very similar. The Airpods Pro 3 have more bass but when looking at the price, the Airpods 4 is more worth it. For me I also found the Airpods 4 more comfortable than the Airpods Pro 3 but the ANC and bass is making me want to keep it.

You comparing apples with oranges here. Around ear vs in ear. What’s your use case? You plan to workout a lot? APP3! For ex. “A truly finished product isn’t one that can’t be improved — it’s one that no longer needs to be.” The AirPods max are an incredible device and I prefer them before the APP3.

I just returned my pro 3s… after a day of having them. Pre ordered them, got them on the 19th, super excited. Never had AirPods before. Have been with Sony, and latest Bowers and Wilkins Pi5. Sound quality is atrocious, no bass, too bright. Hate Apple Music, won’t convert. YouTube music for the win. Anyway, i really tried to like them…. ButI ordered the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and they are on the way. Couldn’t be more excited knowing how great my Pi5s sound. I don’t need the features of the AirPods, I just wanted to give it a shot because people were saying how great the Pro 2s sounded and Apple claiming the Pro 3s are even better. What matters to me is the sound, the depth, the bass. Very disappointing that these are the apples flagship earbuds…

Mine hurt and get too hot after like 10min. Apple made way too many sacrifices in order to be able to market them as the best anc ever! It’s like of course they have the best anc because you have to jam them all the way into your skull. Did they not focus group these at all with people that have the pro 2s? What a disaster

WOW! Anything but. Such a biased post. I got my air pod pro 3s today and tested them right next to my pro 2s on noise cancelling by watching a TV show -kept rewinding specific 10 second clip. Noticably WORSE noise cancelling. Don't let these guys fool you.

I have it and the ANC is insane. I will ditch my AirPod Max now.

I guess I’m still deciding how I like mine. I’ve had all 3 AirPods Pro and I’ve loved them all. To be honest the noise cancellation doesn’t seem all that much better in the 2’s than the 3’s. What I am noticing more is that the transparency seems a little better though. I am wondering if anyone is having a better experience with the noise cancellation mainly because of the redesign of the eartips? Maybe they are fitting better in some people’s ears now? For me they are fitting just as well as the 2’s did though and it doesn’t seem radically different to me. I should probably do more comparing of the two but for me they are at least on par with the AirPods Pro 2.

APP1 both the 2 and 3 are big upgrades to them just for the extra functionality they have - better Noise canceling and transparency as well as hearing aid and heart rate functionality is great. I think the sound is better in the 2's & 3's too. Whether it's worth the upgrade is up to you. If they are working great still and if you dont need the extra functions then there may be no reason to upgrade. I think the upgrade from the 1's to the 2s was bigger than the 2s to the 3s.

Knowing apple meer idea of parametric eq would give them ptsd. But it's baffling that they dont offer different presets as features.

Only one app on one platform

yeah we know but the main issue remains: app3 doesnt have its own eq memory nor feaature and apple says suck it to those who use iphone

I got the pro 3’s instead cause of the better controls, was looking at these as well though. They were 20$ more expensive so not too bad.

Yeah twice as much is too big of a difference, this was 62$ vs 80$ and im happy with em, sent the airpods pro 3 back.

I ride my bike on a bike only path with no cars and they have WAYYY less wind noise than the AirPods Pro 2 in both transparency and anc modes!

It’s absolutely nuts. They’re freaking earbuds with a small uplift over the previous, now three year old product. And OP is over here like Apple just cured cancer.

I love mine. I always felt the airpods pro 2 which I used daily for 2 years was lacking that extra oomph and this delivered on that. Everything improved for me. I do like a lot of good bass, my headphones are all bass heavy so take that as you will.

Ignore these people. You have every right to be excited if that’s how you feel. Personally, they’re the best wireless buds on the market and I’m happy to have a pair. I’ll still use a dedicated system for at home use, but these are really fantastic. Oh, and yeah I put them on in the Apple Store in NYC and life was put on mute. Got a little nauseous for a minute. And on my flight today, most of the sound bleed was from my head and body touching the chair, not from outside my ears. Wild

I used my new AirPods Pro 3 both in the plane (8h flight) and by the pool outside I keep having this deep “hummm” sound coming through, something similar as to when you keep your ears underwater Not sure what it is, i believe the size of the ear cups is right for me. I didnt have this problem with my AirPods Pro 2

Yeah seems like comparing apples to oranges now that I’ve looked into both separately. APM better for home use and APP3s for travel/gym it seems. Thanks!

Honestly I like both but I heard APM is more fragile and more heavy causing more ear fatigue. I’m looking to use the APP3 in workout setting as well.

Thanks for breaking it down. Yes it seems condensation is huge issue with the APM for the gym so I’ll get APP3 in this case.

Intense workouts is the key word here. Go for APP3, I’ve had mine for a little less than a week, and although recency bias may be here, I have both. APP3 are better for activities, while APM are for a sedentary lifestyle. Overall, I’d go with the APP3

Yea. They also won’t fall off your head or build up sweat and stink lol. APM are notorious for that when used in the gym

I hah the 2s, bought 3s on day 1. It’s night and day to me. The 2s never showed any upgrade vs the 1s to me, but the 3s are just incredible, maybe it’s the fit, the 2s might have left some air through while the 3s dont at all. But I won’t consider over ear headphone anymore. Go for it !

I've been using the AirPods Pro 2 since release, I now couldn't help myself and got the AirPods Pro 3. I also own the AirPods Max. Since a lot of people are wondering if the Pro 3 are worth it, here are my thoughts after comparing them side by side. **General Sound Quality** The AirPods Pro 3 definitely have more bass and more treble and a little wider soundstage. It makes them sound a bit more "exciting" at first, but it can also feel a little overwhelming or even harsh depending on the track. As I use "Boost High Frequencies" from iOS Accessibility/Audio & Visual/Headphone Accommodations, I can use less overall volume and have less boomy bass. In most cases the bass is not a problem. With the Pro 2 and the Max it never was a problem anyway. The AirPods Pro 2 sound more neutral and less flashy. They might feel a bit "boring" when switching directly from the Pro 3, but honestly, you get used to them quickly. You get used to ANY of the three quickly. None of them is a filthy earsore. Both Pro models are fine for music and podcasts, but let's be real: neither are true hi-fi. They sound good or even very good, but not amazing. The Max are a bit better for music, but still nowhere near proper hi-fi gear. Which is totally fine as they are not aimed at this market. **Movies & TV** The AirPods Max win here. They have a fuller, more cinematic presentation with better mids and overall weight, which works really well for action and dialogue-heavy content. The Pro 2 and Pro 3 are perfectly fine too, but the Max feel more "theatrical." **Speech & Podcasts** All three are totally fine for spoken word. Nothing game-changing, just solid and transparent. **Noise Cancelling** The Pro 3 have better ANC than the Pro 2. Apple claims up to 2x more noise reduction and in my testing it's noticeable, i wouldn't say it's 2x more though, maybe 1.2 times more? Sometimes the Max do better, sometimes the Pro 3, depending on the noise source. **Fit & Comfort** I first used the largest ear tips with the Pro 3. They fit more securely than the Pro 2 and feel a bit tighter but can be a little uncomfortable after a while. The mid sized ear tips are more comfortable for me but don‘t sit as tight. But the Pro 2 never fell out on me either and the Pro 3 are even less likely to. **Mic quality** I recorded my voice and judging from that the Max' mics have a good quality but they sound "roomy". Pro 2 and 3 mics sound more "close to the mouth" and the Pro 3 has a slight advantage in mic sound quality but again nothing earth-shaking. **Conclusion** If you already own and are happy with the AirPods Pro 2, I don’t think the Pro 3 are a must-have upgrade for the sound. The differences are noticeable when switching back and forth, but you quickly adapt to whichever one you’re using. The slightly stronger ANC alone isn’t worth the price jump, at least for me. If you’re unhappy with your Pro 2’s fit or ANC or you have the budget and want to try them out, go for the Pro 3. Otherwise, the Pro 2 are still excellent. And if you want the best wireless Apple sound for movies and music, the AirPods Max still edge them both out. Sound tl;dr Pro 2 great, neutral and transparent, good ANC Pro 3 great, flashy, DSP loudness, sometimes annoying, very good ANC Max really great, neutral and better mids and more authority, very good ANC None of them are true audiophile hifi

Well the Pro 3 ANC is pretty great regarding that the Max are a massive closed headphone and the Pro 3 are just big q-tips. And sound-wise the Max have more authority.

No idea, but the wired earbuds as far as i remember were awful. And the Pro 3 are not awful.

1. Max are better for intensive listening to music and for 'home cinema' use, as they have more oomph for such uses. They just sound a tiny bit better and grander. And the ANC is better. Airpods Pro 3 ANC comes close. 2. I wouldn't use them for that as they tend to move a little on your head when you move quickly. They are nice for a slow outside walk in winter though as they keep your ears warm. 3. Max are luxury for me, not necessarily for everyday use. The Max could never replace Airpods Pro for me. 4. Yes. Unless it's warm/hot. I personally get very warm ears then. I have/had Airpods Pro 2 and Max, now Airpods Pro 3 and Max. I am glad i have both.

If you have trouble with earbuds fitting your ears I would go with APP3

As an audio professional with over $30k in headphones & speakers in just my personal home collection … …Allow me to say: …. While the 2nd & 3rd gen AirPodsPro saw many QOL improvements, and great innovation/direction in many ways … … I have long said the tuning / frequency-response, of the 1st gen AirPodsPro, was superior/more-balanced/more-neutral/more-accurate, to the 2nd gen, from 20hz-3khz, and the only improvements sound wise, in the 2nd gen, were in specific bands of the treble range.

1st gen, from 20hz-3khz, were vastly superior, in terms of balance and neutrality, “honesty” / “natural” in layman’s terms. 1st gen’s presence from 1k-3k was PERFECT, and this is the most critical region for vocals and many instruments, to have both natural sound & natural presence. 1st gen’s slight curves beneath that, in the bass and lower mids, are actually masterfully strategic. Huge tip of my hat to that project manager, for resisting “bad-data pleb audio trends” like the newer Harman target curves with insane bass shelves, and such. Especially the very slight dip centered at 200hz, is a chef’s kiss, to any trained ear. Lessens any muddiness, and slightly increases clarity and separation between the bass and mids. The 2nd gen was however slightly superior above 3k, albeit not as smooth, with the peak irritating many listeners. But no question the 2nd gen had superior “air”. I was hoping this 3rd gen, would return to the frequency response curve of the 1st gen below 3khz (most important regions) but retain the superior air of the 2nd gen, and maybe reach a happy medium in the treble beteeen 4k-10k, but no. Apple instead is offering, and forgive my dismissive, mildly insulting arrogance in saying this … …. a very “Extreme X, sponsored by Monster energy drink”, “doesn’t know any better, bad-data-driven” , “mindless pleb frequency response” in their flagship “pro” wireless in-ear. [https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/s/jQ2pvdlfXF](https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/s/jQ2pvdlfXF)

Longtime Apple power user here. Audio professional since the late 00’s. The ANC advancements on these 3rd gen’s are truly impressive. As are some of the other QOL improvements in the 3rd gen. Just a shame its very V-shaped sound signature is the least balanced/neutral/accurate of the 3 generations of AirPodsPro to date. 1st gen had such a shockingly nice, balanced, neutral frequency response from 20hz -3khz. And maybe was just a little veiled/shy above 3khz-20khz. 2nd gen’s improved treble response above 3k was welcome, albeit having some slight peakiness. 2nd gen also added just slightly too much bass to still be viewed as a truly balanced/accurate/neutral/timeless frequency response, but still had a very enjoyable, mostly realistic/natural sound, if just slightly V-Shaped. This 3rd gen is far too V-shaped for a flagship wireless in-ear, branded as “pro”, and from a company known for its tasteful, timeless, and smart decisions regarding its longstanding & proud audio legacy. Apple products have almost always carried a tradition of polished, balanced, neutral, accurate, and effortlessly beautiful sound. These 3rd gen APP, are instead, following a lower end consumer trend, based on what I, as a longtime audio professional, firmly believe to be “bad consumer data”. I found myself agreeing with Linus tech tips on audio, which I never really watched his videos for audio, but he said it well: “the Beats™️ acquisition was supposed to be for the name” (and possibly styling, etc) adding “NOT for the sound signature!” Here’s to hoping the extremely prestigious audio legacy of Apple, corrects course in the most impressive way in several years with the 4th gen AirPodsPro. I’m definitely extremely excited at many of their other innovations in the audio space. Especially their future offerings which may offer competition to AMBEO 11.1, or future Dolby Atmos improvements, as well as their surprisingly decent additions in Logic Pro 11.

For sound quality yes but falls short on APP 3 for literally everything else.

Devialet gemini 2 is great but there are connection and battery drainage issues. I just bought a new airpods pro3, the sound is not as good as gemini but it is sufficient I can say, other features of new airpods are way better. If you just want to listen music, go for gemini (headphones even beter if this is the purpose) but if you use earbuds for daily purposes and sometimes you listen music, airpods pro 3s are very good earbuds.

I finally caved and honestly it's crazy how convenient and easy they are

"My air conditioner is that fucking loud?"

Just got mine this morning. I think they are great. Bit more spatial sounding. Nice bass mids and highs. Giving my app2 to my daughter but i'll AB test before i do.

AirPods Pro 3 — best ANC, very good battery life.

I actually prefer AirPods Pro 2 not because they were better because they are not I just really got used to them, also I went through a lot with them and I formed a bond, so much so I couldn’t sell them I gifted them to my little sister… However AirPods Pro 3 are a magnitude better in Sound, Noise Cancellation and battery life on the AirPods themselves rather than the case which I can really appreciate I look forward to building a bond with the 3’s if you don’t know you would never get it but at some point you have less years in front of you than behind and Apple products don’t often leave me with regrets. Final point yes they are expensive but when I was younger with less disposable income I would by used products from Apple and they preformed very well cost to live longevity very few companies beat Apple, Not Bose not Sony, not any other PC brands I still use my 2013 MacBook Pro Retina, and my even older iPod Touch they are running absolutely fine and both work with my 3’s! Oh I am not a fan of the heart rate sensor I don’t want that recorded or shared if I am listening too something I shouldn’t be, I am sure the data private but I am not a fan of…

I got them specifically for the Gym. Can’t hear a single thing with ANC on. Don’t even have my music past 50% volume anymore. It’s insanity.

I agree. Started with the medium that come installed. Ear fatigue hit after a few hours. Switched to the small. Didn’t feel like I was getting the best seal despite the test saying I was. Went back to medium, and I think they just conformed to my ears over the few weeks I’ve had them because I have zero discomfort now. Wore them all day at work and had zero issues.

I remember when I first use my Pro 2 and the noise canceling compared to Pro 1 was so good it made me a bit motion sick. I don't know if it is reduced over the years because of normal degradation or I just simply get used to it, I now can barely notice the noise canceling in the gym (probably because of poor fit but iPhone's fit test always say I have good seal). I am getting the Pro 3 and I hope it's an improvement. I don't expect a noise canceling level of Sonos Ace but I don't think TWS can ever reach the level of over ear ANC headphone.

Agreed ! I’ve had the APP2 since its release and. Just got the APM a week ago and the APM are not great for the gym or intense workouts . The weight itself makes them kind of slide since the top band doesn’t really kept the APM in place that well I am constantly adjusting them back up when lying down on a bench for example. APP3 earbuds are the way to go for gym sessions . The APM are great for home listening and movies.

ANC is quite frankly amazing and they seem to handle spatial audio playback a lot better than other Apple headphones; you are no longer totally dependent on the quality of the original mix to make it worthwhile. They certainly have a very different sound signature to AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max and so on. I don’t mind a V shape profile but these are just incredibly fatiguing for me when listening to certain music. I’ll keep them for travel, working in a coffee shop, fitness and such but no way can I use these as my primary earbuds like APP2.

I had the 2s and I’d say their fit was 90% perfect. Better than any other earbuds I’ve used and I have the QC buds as well. I got the 3s and the fit in my ear canal is good, but the plastic part puts pressure on my inner ear and it’s not great. Not sure what I’m gonna do with them. May end up selling them. It’s a shame cus I use them for travel a lot and I was really excited about the upgraded ANC.

It’s great that you’re so excited about your new earbuds, so you don’t feel any regrets. However, it’s important to be realistic about their quality. While they’re good, they’re not exceptional. I personally switched from Pro 2s to Pro 3s and was pleased with the noticeable upgrade in sound and noise cancellation. That said, there are definitely better earbuds available if you’re willing to leave the Apple ecosystem. Bowers and Wilkins Pi8 and Technics AZ100 are a couple of examples. In my opinion, they’re even better than AirPods Pro 3s. But it’s still great to be excited about what you have. 

I'm with you. Everything is perfect for me with the Airpod Pro 3, except the sound quality. Way to bright is a good way to describe it, really not for me.

I’m a first time AirPods user because no version ever made would stay in my ears even walking before the Pro 3. These new AirPods fit me perfectly and I feel like I joined the “club” but the reality is my wife who has worn AirPods for nearly a decade including currently the AirPods Pro 2 can’t wear these AirPods Pro 3 with the same problems I used to have… they fall out for her. I will say these need a reduced ANC setting because ANC is too quiet in certain environments (like home, I still want to subtly hear if someone calls my name) but Adaptive is too weak. I wish there was an “old” style ANC mode for when you only need 80-90% silence instead of 100%.

I just boxed mine up and slapped that return label on it. Glad I hadn’t sold my pro 2’s yet. They fit so much better. 3’s had my ears hurting after a couple hours.

I have had the AAPP1, 2, and now 3. The ANC on the 3 is great. I have at least 1 ear or the other throughout the day. Haven’t had any issues with them. Except I’ve never liked apple’s ear tips. So I always replace them. Sadly electronics aren’t exactly designed to last more than 5 years. From your words I can tell you what I expect. First, ANC drains the batteries faster than anything else does. The original AAPs ANC sucked and broke on 2 different pairs of mine and multiple pairs of others I had seen. Second, the leather case did nothing to protect against damage, only cosmetic scratches. But the one thing it did do was Overheat your AirPods while they charged, which hurt the batteries and the internals. Usually ANC being the first thing to seam to go. I’ve had my Pro 3s since day one, have used them for 4-12 hours a day since, no issues with ANC or battery yet. But with any electronic that is rechargeable (with lithium ion) recharge between 20-80% and store between 40-50%. Also keeping it cool will help a lot.

Compared to AirPod max and Sony wh1000xm5, the AirPod pro 3’s ANC is surprisingly capable

did the same upgrade. It is noticeably much better, you’ll be pleased.

They have Adaptive mode.

It literally gives you control over the noise canceling level. And then if you want 100%, you simply select the Noise Cancellation option. I don’t see how it’s any different than what you want. The layout is pretty stupid if you count it as ANC 1 = transparency ANC 2, 3 and 4 = Adaptive ANC 5 = Noise Cancelling. But it’s still an option.

I tried them in a busy food court yesterday and it felt kind of eerie. Like I lost my hearing and all I could hear was myself chew my lunch. The sound is a huge improvement from my 1st gen AirPods Pro.

I can’t really thing of anything that they could change or add that would make me go out of my way to purchase Pro 3s. After they added volume control to the stems, my Pro 2s never leave my EDC. My battery life hasn’t significantly degraded either since I stagger use of left and right at work My one unreasonable desire is for them to make a “Midnight” set of AirPods one day but I know that won’t ever happen

So far I definitely prefer the sound signature of the APP2s but I also struggled with proper fit with those. Fit with the APP3s is a massive step up for me so that alone is a win

I can assure you coming from 2s the 3s are genuinely blowing them out of the water. I had my 2s for 2 years, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them other than I lost a bud 😭. The noise cancellation, the surround sound, the bass, the highs, it’s all perfectly balanced. I am an audiophile and had issues with the 2s highs being way too screechy above 75% volume, meanwhile the 3s are the perfect balance and I can max out the volume without any sort of distortion.

I have the APP3 coming from the APP2. Yes, the sound is different, but it’s still very good people don’t like something different. When i first got them i also wanted to sent them back but here in belgium i pre ordered in a store with a policy that if it’s used you can’t sent it back and i sold my APP2 so i sticked with it. Now more after a week i’m used to the sound profile and i love it more now than the APP2. I also had the bose quietcomfort, technics and denon perl pro before. The denons for me was the best sounding but the anc wasn’t that good so i heard my environment trough the music and it was shit outside of my house. I think the airpods pro 3 are the best choice out of all of them.

I got them yesterday and put them in while walking home through city rush hour without playing music, just the noise cancellation. It was so good that it almost made me disoriented lol. Felt like I was wearing a spacesuit

This worked for me, it is a bit counter intuitive but using a bigger size fixed my problem.

I just got my AirPods Pro 3 yesterday. I worked out with them for the first time today. I am coming from Bose QC Ultra Ear Buds. After about 24 hours, I'd say the AirPods Pro 3 are better for everyday use. However, the Bose Ultra's are much better for working out (if you work out with intensity). The major disadvantage of the Bose is that the microphone picks up a ton of outside noise. I work in a busy, crowded place. When I talk to people on the phone with the Ultras while I'm at work, they constantly complain that they have a lot of trouble hearing and understanding me due to the interference from background noise. Today, walking along a busy six-lane road (and crossing it) with the AirPods Pro 3 on, the person I was talking to didn't even notice the loud traffic noises at all as I talked to them. Verdict: the AirPods Pro 3 microphone is much better than the Ultras. The major disadvantage of the AirPods Pro 3 is that once I started sweating very much during my workout, they started falling out of my ear. That caused me to have to break off my set and catch the AirPod before it fell to the ground. That sort of thing almost never happened while wearing the Ultras. Also, the AirPods, despite fiddling with the very limited noise cancellation settings (compared to the Ultras) let in WAY more background noise at the gym than the Ultras do. In fact, until today, I didn't even notice that my gym blares super loud, pretty annoying rap music all day long. I didn't notice it because the Ultras cancelled it all out. With the AirPods Pro 3, the noise mixes in with the music I'm playing from my phone. I ended up switching back to the Ultras (I brought them along today just in case) midway through my workout. Verdict: the Ultras are far superior to the AirPods Pro 3 if you work out hard enough to break much of a sweat.

I posted a similar message as a reply on another thread but thought it might be of enough interest to some people to deserve its own thread: I just got my AirPods Pro 3 yesterday. I worked out with them for the first time today. I am coming from the Bose QC Ultra Ear Buds. After about 24 hours, I'd say the AirPods Pro 3 are better for everyday use. However, the Bose Ultra's are much better for working out (esp if you work out with intensity). The major disadvantage of the Bose is that the microphone picks up a ton of outside noise. I work in a busy, crowded place. When I talk to people on the phone with the Ultras while I'm at work, they constantly complain that they have a lot of trouble hearing and understanding me due to the interference from background noise. It made having conversations in that sort of environment very tedious and almost impossible. Today, walking along a busy six-lane road (and crossing it) with the AirPods Pro 3 on, the person I was talking to didn't even notice the loud traffic noises at all as I talked to them. Verdict: the AirPods Pro 3 microphone is much better than the Ultras. The major disadvantage of the AirPods Pro 3 is that once I started sweating very much during my workout, they started falling out of my ear. That caused me to have to break off my set and catch the AirPod before it fell to the ground. That sort of thing almost never happened while wearing the Ultras. A decent set of workout ear buds needs to stay in the ear despite lots of sweat and movement. The AirPods Pro 3 aren't a decent pair of workout ear buds. They might work for light workouts but won't work for anything greater than light intensity. Also, the AirPods, despite fiddling with the very limited noise cancellation settings (compared to the Ultras) let in WAY more background noise at the gym than the Ultras do. In fact, until today, I didn't even notice that my gym blares super loud, pretty annoying rap music all day long. I didn't notice it because the Ultras cancelled it all out. With the AirPods Pro 3, the noise mixes in with the music I'm playing from my phone. That lets me retreat into my own little wokout bubble much more so than do the AirPods Pro 3. I ended up switching back to the Ultras (I brought them along today just in case) midway through my workout. Verdict: the Ultras are far superior to the AirPods Pro 3 if you work out hard enough to break much of a sweat. As far as comfort goes, both the AirPods Pro 3 and the Ultras are both very comfortable. The AirPods Pro 3 might be a little lighter feeling if I really think to draw a distinction. But I often forgot I had the Ultras in my ears. In fact, one time, I destroyed a pair of Ultras accidentally because I got in the shower while listening to a podcast, completely forgetting that they were in my ears. I like the touch controls better on the AirPods Pro 3. On the Ultras, it's much easier to accidentally stop a song during the middle of a set by accidentally brushing the side of an ear bud. I don't see something like that happening very often while wearing the AirPods. The ultimate ear bud would a combination of the Bose Ultras with the microphone and touch controls of the AirPods Pro 3. Unfortunately, those don't exist right now. I guess I'm going to have to use two pairs of ear buds now: one for the gym (the Ultras) and one for everyday use (the AirPods Pro 3).

Yes. But not while working out. Yesterday, after getting the new AirPods Pro 3, I tried three different sizes, the S, M, and L. The S started slipping out of my ear just from talking. The M and L didn’t do that. I ran the acoustic seal test in the AirPods settings with both the M and L several times with both of those sizes. While wearing the M’s, the test failed several times. It passed almost every time while wearing the L’s.

I fly airplanes for a living. I fly ALL the time. The Ultras are excellent when I have to "deadhead," or fly as a passenger. I haven't used the APP3's yet while deadheading so I can't comment on that. However, I will often use ear buds during "walkarounds" for their ANC capabilities. Walkarounds are when we're out on the ramp, looking over the jet before and after we fly. It's super loud out there: jet engines, APU's, jetway air conditioning packs, etc. Sometimes, I'll take a call while I'm still out on the ramp before or after a walkaround. Interestingly, the Ultras' microphone seems to perform better during phone calls when I'm out on the ramp than when I'm inside the airport with loud PA's blasting on the airport speakers and passengers talking all around me. It's when I'm inside the airport that people have trouble understanding me. Surprisingly, they have less trouble understanding me on the Ultras when I'm out on the ramp despite even louder noise levels than inside the airport. I used the APP3's during a walkaround a couple of days ago. The ANC was decent in that scenario, but the Ultras are better. As far as the APP3's mic goes, I did make a quick call from the ramp while wearing the APP3's. The person I was talking to could understand me just fine. Finally, the APP3's microphone performed much better than the Ultras while talking on the phone inside the airport, though there were still a couple of instances when the person I was talking to couldn't understand me, but very minor. I guess the "inside a crowded, busy airport environment" is an enormous challenge for ear buds' microphones to handle.

Update: my Bose Ultras (Gen 1) started broadcasting a crackle and developed a volume mismatch between the two ear buds. I still had a few days left on my 2-yr warranty, so I was able to get a refund. With the refund, I bought the Bose Ultras Gen 2 after reading reviews that said the Gen 2’s had fixed many of the problems that had been reported with the Gen 1’s. In terms of noise cancellation and audio quality, there is simply no comparison between the Ultra 2’s and the APP3’s. The Ultra 2’s are levels above the APP3’s. It’s a night and day difference. On those important measures, the Ultra 2’s are hands-down much better. Also, the Ultra 2’s are similarly that much better in terms of being workout ear buds. I did a long, intense, sweaty workout today with the Ultra 2’s. They stayed in my ear even better than the Ultra 1’s. Compared to the APP3’s, it’s a joke to compare the two. The APP3’s are terrible for workouts in terms of staying in the ear (call it a 3 out of 10) while the Ultra 2’s are a 9.5 out of 10. When I have used the APP3’s during workouts, I constantly have to fiddle with them in between sets and quite a few times, I’ve had to interrupt a set so that my APP3 bud didn’t fall out onto the nasty gym floor. A couple of times, I haven’t been quick enough, and my APP3 bud hit the floor. Gross. Also, I’ve used the APP3’s in a wide variety of noisy environments now (the gym while it’s pumping loud music, airline cabins, airports, walking along a busy road). Compared to the Ultra 2’s, it seems like the APP3’s don’t even cancel noise at all (and yes, I checked the settings). It almost seems like they amplify outside noise, esp when contrasted against the Ultra 2’s. I’d rate the APP3’s noise cancellation ability as a 2 or 3 out of 10 - and I feel like that’s being generous. OTOH, I’d say the Ultra 2’s are a 9 out of 10. The one major flaw with the Ultras (Gen 1) had been their microphone. Today, I made some test calls with my new Gen 2’s and everyone I talked to said they could hear me fine even when I was talking to them walking along a busy road or in the gym. My son is sort of a technophile and an Apple fan boi. He said that the mic sounded good but not quite as good as the APP3. So, there you go. Given the choice between the two, I’d go with the Ultra 2’s over the APP3’s every day and twice on Sunday. The APP3’s are slightly smaller and lighter and seem to have a bit better of a microphone. But in every other way, the Ultra 2’s trounce the APP3’s.

Keep your airpods pro 2. I returned my AP3 as they are shaped at a different angle that makes them fall out of my ears constantly.

Agreed. Love the APP3’s overall sound. My favorite part is ANC and transparency. It connects instantly as well better than APP2. I think it’s the best AirPods out of all them.

Completely agree, I'm going to try to get a refund and go back to the Airpods Pro 2, I feel like I'm losing so much information with the Airpods Pro 3, it's also very tiring over time to listen to... very disappointed

Went from beats fit pros to APP3. Enjoying them. Seem secure when running. ANC is way better.

Idk I’m a pro audio engineer whose been around to hear about every system possible and I think u ppl gotta get new ears because the app3 are actually very impressive

I own all three generations and the app3 sound miles better to my ears.

I upgraded from app2 to 3 and I’d say it’s worth the upgrade the anc seems better the fit is better for me anyway and the heart rate sensor makes it a no brainer for me I can now leave the watch at home

To be honest I’m not really an audiophile and they are mainly used to speak to my missus when working😂 but bass does sound abit more substantial and vocals on a call are a lot clearer

AirPod pro 3’s. Just got rtings. First ever 10 rating for anc

Keeping the buds clean is key for the ANC mics to do their job. I really enjoyed the ANC of the Airpods Pro 2 but they would constantly be falling/popping out of my ears. I find that the new Airpods Pro 3 have a more secure fit, at least on my ears, and the ANC performance was better compared to the Airpods Pro 2. Some people in our lab had the opposite experience, especially if the Airpods Pro 2 design would better fit their ear concha shape.

They are actually so fucking good. I work in a machine shop, and if you didnt know they are pretty loud. But these made it so i could barely hear anything. I lean sure i could hear a very loud tool from someone elses machine, but its just so loud. And that was with my music off. With it on low to medium volume i could only hear my music.

I’ve just bought the pro 3, replacing my OG air pods. Looking forward to experiencing how good they’ll be

Definitely better sound quality and noise cancellation and the batteries a lot better. From the 2s to the 3s seems like an incremental change

Switching between APP 2 and 3 I can barley hear a difference. I am really disappointed.

Using Apple Music and Spotify. Tried Spatial. Used different fittings. Found it to be marginally better than APP2

I brought the airpods pro 3. Recording and call quality are noticeably better than AirPods Pro 2. Voice sounds more natural. ANC is also stronger than AirPods Pro 2, though Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 remains the kind of ANC. Sound quality isn’t better than the last generation and the noise cancelling isn’t mind-blowing as they were marketing.

I have owned the 4 ANC since April, had the APP2 for a couple of years and just got the APP3.  The ANC in the AirPods 4 definitely has a place, and it is effective against some parts of the frequency spectrum. But as they lack the physical barrier they have no chance against the Pro2, let alone the even better Pro3. For example, all of them do an excellent job at muting the dishwasher and AC in my home. But if I go to the gym with lots of music playing, the APP3 blocks almost all of it whereas the open design of the AirPods 4 is helpless.  That said, I use my 4s more than my Pros. They are more comfortable (than both the APP2 and 3) and have a more hifi tuning and a very laid back presentation of the mid range.  (and I also have expensive planar magnetic headphones at home so for music enjoyment the AirPods are merely a backup solution with barely acceptable performance). 

I have both the APP3 and the Airpods 4 ANC (which are not exactly "new" anymore, btw). First of all, both of these earbuds are completely useless if they dont fit you and your ears. Try them if you can. Secondly, the Airpods 4 ANC will be more comfortable and less intrusive in your ears IF they fit you perfectly. They fit me live a glove an I can barely feel them, and they also dont fall out or move if i run or shake my head. The APP3 come with a few different tips and may fit you well or even better, but they will most likely feel more like something is in your ear canal. ANC and noise isolation overall is of course MUCH better with the APP3 which has the advantage of an actual physical ear plug. But the ANC of Airpods 4 is not useless, it does a nice job of tuning out HVAC drone or similar background noise, it is just not on the same level. On the other hand, while transparency mode is good on APP3, it is much better on the open Airpods 4. Sound quality is a matter of preference. None of these buds are tuned for audiophiles or offering a detailed hifi sound, they are tuned for a fun and enjoyabe sound on the go in environments with background noise. As such, they are quite v-shaped. Some might prefer the more powerful bass on the APP3, but I actually like the Airpods 4 a bit better. The mids are more natural and they feel less boomy. Both are fine for what they are though. If I didnt need ANC, I would probalby use my Airpods 4 ANC 100% of the time.

they sound like shit lmao, dirty and shitty. anc is very nice tho

anc - amazing fit - amazing work with many devices and all that - amazing sound - dirty bass muddy shit with missing sounds 😂

I was testing my Sony noise cancelling over the ears headphones and my AirPod Pros 3 against each other on an airplane this week (trying to see if I should even pack my Sonys anymore when I travel) and at one point I wore both with noise cancelling on and it was like a sound deprivation chamber. Like so quiet it was concerning and confusing. Sounded fine with music playing but odd with nothing playing. Overall my feel was that the ANC was almost identical, which is a great feat for the APP3. I’ll still probably pack the headphones because it was more comfortable to wear for hours on a long flight and to doze off wearing. Also easier to connect to inflight entertainment system when needed (although my United flight did support Bluetooth, but for some reason I was getting sound only in one APP3 until I disconnected and reconnected a few times.)

wtf, I’ve had my first gen AirPod pros that long? I didn’t even realise the twos came out that long ago. Day one buy on the threes. Such a great product.

Try sizing down. I had to put the XS tips on mine to get them comfortable. Totally changed the sound, they still fit securely in my ears, too. I also re-ran personalized sound. That seemed to fix a L-R balance issue I was having.

Ya I agree. I’m using them right now and I feel like they took a step back in sound quality. I remember going from the pro 1 to the pro 2 and thinking how much of an improvement it was. A bummer but I’ll still keep them.

Fr I feel like these are a downgrade from the 2’s that I’m coming from. The sound quality is subjective but I personally feel like the 2’s sounded better. But I could get over that if they fit well. I am wearing them rn and I constantly have to push them back in my ears regardless of which size earbuds I’ve tried. I think I’m going to exchange for a fresh pair of 2’s.

The only uplift is a slight improvement with the ANC. Everything else is a downgrade.

Yes recency bias got people convincing themselves the 3’s sound quality is light years better. But TBF your average consumer automatically thinks more bass = better sq.

Try going one size smaller than before with the ear tips. I went from a medium to a small, cleaned up the bass and restored the midrange sound that the APP2s had. ANC was the same for both tips pleasingly.  

I think saying it sounds awful seems like a bit much to me, the sound isn’t that different from the 2. My mids are slightly pushed back, but I wouldn’t called it scooped. You do have to push them much further into the ear canal than the 2 though. 

AirPod Pro 2 fit me great with the default size. APP 3 I had to size down to small

Airpods pro are good to use all the time but Ap max are mess u can’t wear in gym its keep slipping all the time. If u want sound quality and ease to use app3 is only the option.

Its best as its come with latest chip and tech

AirPods Max I have with USB-C first can do lossless which AirPods Pro can’t. For comfort standpoint they’re way more comfortable to have in for a longer period of time. The battery lasts way longer, the noise cancellation on an airplane sounds way better. They’re a different product, I have AirPods Pro 3 and had AirPods Pro 2 and the first AirPods Pro and also first AirPods Max. I use both. When I’m in the office, I have my AirPods Max on the entire time. When I’m on the go, I bring my AirPods Pro. If I’m on an airplane, I use the AirPods Max. If u can only buy one, then I would get the pro’s. That doesn’t mean the AirPods Max aren’t great for over ear headphones. I would just get the first generation AirPods Max if you don’t care about usb-c or lossless really it’s half the price. And for $300 or less I think they’re worth it. The highest end product Apple sells for a product line is always expensive. The Apple Watch ultra costs what $800, even though I own it you could argue the same thing buying that vs. the regular Apple Watch series.

Thats exactly what i experienced as well. Will return them as well

If you have an iPhone the air pods pro 3 are the best for anc hands down. If that's really your number one requirement then look no further.

If you're using an iPhone you're going to be limited because their audio code doesn't go beyond AAC. I used the airpods pro 3 on my iPhone and compared to my az100 on my Samsung with ldac enabled and it's not even close in terms of quality sure airpods take the anc and transparency win but not even by miles or anything like that.

I got mine yesterday, huge upgrade in fit, anc, transparency and sound quality. Apple hit the home run with these, I could not ask for anything more for an upcoming generation.

If you’re on iPhone and want the smoothest experience, AirPods Pro 3 are the convenience king (great ANC, seamless controls, spatial audio, easy switching). If you want the strongest ANC and call quality with very comfy fit, Bose QC Ultra is the safe, travel-friendly pick. For pure sound quality, Technics AZ100 is the standout, clean detail, excellent layering, and tons of EQ control while still having solid ANC. Liberty 4 Pro is the value play (good sound/features for less), but it’s not quite at the level of the other three. Try checking them out on [audiotones.co](http://audiotones.co) to check their sound

I don’t understand the overhype. I purchased the 3s and I could really not tell much of a difference in both ANC and sound quality from the 2s. They are slightly less comfortable but fit better. I’m honestly thinking about returning them.

I have listened to my pro 3s since launch and I am convinced that most people would not pay the $100 price difference between the 2s and 3s in a blind test.

You just have to mess with the settings a bit. It doesn’t matter what audio purists are going to say honestly it just matters what sounds good to YOU. I might not keep it, but for now I just wanted to test it out and it honestly sounds crazy good 😂 I set my Headphone Accommodations to vocal range-medium & Apple Music EQ to Latin. Don’t even listen to Latin music but somehow this opens up the soundstage for me while keeping that deep sub bass. Again this is all PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

Also turn OFF sound check. It helps Dolby Atmos a little but honestly makes everything else super quiet.

I switched from Pro 2’s (Lightning) to the Pro 3’s. Only real reason I switched was because I was able to sell my Pro 2’s to a family member and I only had to pay £80 for the upgrade, so USB C, better sound (in my opinion) and the ANC is decent although I’m not convinced it’s 2x better. The Sound stage is definitely an upgrade over the Pro 2’s in my opinion and I listen to a lot of Metal 🤘

I agree 100% with this, idk what i was expecting but I think I will be returning my AP3, thankfully still have my Pro2

I thought it was just me since all the excitement around release mentioned these fit better. I'm going to play with the different tips this weekend, but I'm leaning towards returning them and keeping my 2s. I find the 3s uncomfortable after a while.

Pode ser TOC, mas eu percebo voz do cantor mais no centro nos AirPods comuns ou no pro 2 do que no pro 3 que acabo de receber da Apple online. Som de qualidade, cristalino mas meu TOC percebe na mesma música testada nos outros, o som da voz do cantor levemente direcionado para a esquerda. Coisa de doido, talvez.

I use sound core space A40s and have tried on my friend's airport pro 3s and to be honest the ANC is much better on the Airpods but the sound quality is identical, I can't tell the difference, I've had my pair for almost 2 years now and they still last me days without needing to charge. I feel like you can get 90% of the Airpods for under £50 but if that 10% really matters to you, go ahead and get them!

In the box they give you 4 tips to swap out. The first ones that were on there hurt my ears ALOT then after swap it’s perfect

I love my AirPod 3s so worth the extra price. These are my first but they are incredible. Best purchase I’ve made in years

Apple has clearly been cost cutting to keep the price the same as prior gen despite tariffs and cost increases for materials… same old H2 chip, no more charging cable, case looks and feels cheaper…. Cannot wait for the WF1000XM6 from Sony which should come out later this year or early next year. They are ~$70 more but the sound (going by the XM5s) is superior to the APP3 and the ANC doesn’t have the white noise issue the APP3 suffer from

I got app2 with comply foams. It's still worse than app3. I also tried some random tips that happened to fit app3, result the same. So no, it's not the stupidly tiny foam, but the anc mic has much lower self noise allowing better anc performance

I’ve tried both and I genuinely feel the APP2 out of the box were a better fit. The new design of the 3s stick out in an unflattering way and it makes it feel less secure. I tried them with silicone and foam and still couldn’t feel as comfortable as my 2’s. So I got a pair of foam tips for my 2s and they did improve the NC a bit but I don’t think the comfort (feels like pressure in my ear) is worth the trade off so I’m back to stock silicone on my 2s and I think I’ll buy a backup pair at Costco for when these inevitably wear down in a few years

i have the airpods 4, the pro 2 and the pro 3... best one is the 4 with ANC.. then app2 and last app3.. the app3 is uncomfortable ASF.. they shpuld never change the app2 design..

Idk if my airpods pro 1s are an anomaly ad they work mostly fine but after trying the pro 3s for a week i dont feel like its worth the upgrade so ill be returning mine

The connectivity issues are a pain with my iPhone and not with pods 3

There are no wireless headphones that are twice as good as the Airpods Pro 3 regardless. Whether the upgrade is worth the money is up to you. Law of diminishing returns.

I own the Pro 3 and the Max. The Max has way better sound quality and noise cancelling. It’s not even close. Pro 3’s are easier to grab though and definitely superior for gym use.

Yeah I saw that claim. They have better anc than other earbuds, but compared to the APM it’s not even close. I highly recommend you to try it out yourself.

I fall asleep wearing APP2 for past 1.5yrs. the APP3 are definitely larger (the portion that rests inside the ear) and a bit less comfortable but they have substantially longer battery life. I would say APP2 are 10s as far as comfort and the APP3 are 8s. But only differ when I am side-sleeping.

I don’t have any complaints about the ANC. It’s more the overall sound that sounds way less punchy than my AirPods Pro 3 and also too dominant mids and highly. Too bad the AirPods are not good for gym as they keep getting loose. I have very small ear canals. For AirPods I use the smallest tips. Don’t know if I should try larger tips for my Powerbeats

I have both, and I use both. Think of it more like a feature set upgrade. I wanted the heart rate tracking (no smartwatch) better ANC and water resistance. Super handy for the gym, cycling etc. plus the sound signature isnt a yawning chasm like people are implying. I use my APP2s in bed. They’re still good, and APP3 are still good too. Ultimately if you think the features are worth the price, they’re a really good pair of earbuds.

I have pro 1, 2, and 3. Use them primarily for phone calls, working out, music (but don’t know any audiophile things) and I fall asleep in them nightly. Overall they feel a little different but not that discernible to me. Noise cancelling definitely seems better. Case feels slightly flimsier compared to pro 1 and pro 2 and maybe needs charging more frequently? Never had issues with any pair not staying in my ear, including the 3s. They’re a great product. Leaps and bounds better than the pro 2? Not to me, but the HRM was a game changer for me as I use kettlebells frequently and hated turning my watch around. Hope this helps someone!

Allright i gave it a few days. And actually they are great. When inserted right the mids come back a bit. It’s more of a “twist and fit” kind of deal putting them in now. Once you put m in correctly they are comfortable and sound great. Different from app2 but still great.

I had to test them to believe it. Switching from APP2 to QC1 was night and day at the gym and on the plane. But ANC indeed is much better on the APP3 than on the QC1 and 2. I just borrowed them from a friend for half a day though, I'll buy them before flying to visit my family for Christmas so I can do some on-field testing. But I'm also not a fan of Apple playing with the ANC quality and strength with their updates. It really feels like they mess the old ones up intentionally to make the new ones look more desirable. So I may end up sticking with Bose/Sony

I have the 3s and Max and just came back from flight last week. I prefer the Max since it’s more comfortable but the APP3 is more convenient. So for flights that are 2 hours or less I don’t even pack the Max (it doesn’t help that they take up a lot of precious space in a backpack too). Over ear is the best fit and as much hate the APP3 is getting for fit issues, I kind of have to agree that it’s almost too tight (but not as bad as everyone says) especially for long flights. The noise cancellation is great though.

I like that the bass is more pronounced in the APP3

Yes compared to max. I can't comment too much on the sound stage as I haven't really used the APP3s that much to tell.

I can tell that my AirPods Pro 1st gen died a couple of months ago and the battery life was still great even if I used them a lot I just bought the 3rd gen and ANC has improved beyond what I thought it was possible to get with this kind of earbuds, and it's almost on the same level of SonyXM5 (that in comparison have the size of a petrol tanker) I would say to anybody looking for very good earbuds for ANC for an iphone that it's the way to go. It's beyond /OP budget range, but you can save and get it later on and never regret it

I'm glad you love them so much, I'm not hating on that at all. But I have had and used extensively every single airpods model apple has released. I was so excited about the Claire "2x improvement" in an but I just don't hear it. I'm going to return mine and keep using the series 2. I find the new fitment to be a step in the wrong direction, they're much less comfortable for me, and the ANC is only equivalent if not a little less effective in my opinion. I dislike when companies lie to prop up the new thing. I've left the apple eco system over the last several years except for the airpods because I do the the pro 2's and the Gen 4s with anc are great products, but the pro 3's are a huge miss for me. :/

I upgraded yesterday from pro 2 to pro 3. Having LOVED my 2’s, I feel the 3’s do have better ANC but aren’t as comfortable to wear.

APP3 would be good for you. They have a good sound signature for audiobooks and the ANC and Transparency are top tier.👍

Apple AirPod Pro 3✌️

Do you really mean with ANC on? With it on I can’t hear anything going on outside, but with it off, I can. There’s no chance I could ride with both headphones and ANC on. I usually just use one earbud so I still hear everything.

It's tricky to find stuff that doesn't clip. Airpod pro 2 and 3 are your best pure anc options. I had a similar experience with my commute that was on bike, potentially five different ferries, and a train every day. The 1more Evo was the only tws set I tried that never ever fell out of phase with the thrumming engines and became constructive interference, but still sounded good enough that I felt the extra price was worth it. I don't like the airpods sound profile, and I hate apple as a company, Sony still hasn't addressed their battery problems, and Samsung has just not supported their customers either. And I don't like that the bose can't just become no anc. But I'm tired of disposable TWS buds that cant be repaired. My 1more evo's just keep going and going and they're all I ever need, but I do try other stuff, and genuinely I just commuted with the rosetechnics ceramics x using jbl cloud foam tips on my bicycle and for 30 bucks they actually have a real, honest to God great anc, not only that, they have a wind noise algorithm that works great, even though I was doing 25 on my bike this morning. The transparency is good, not robotic, but just a bit muffled. They do need foam tips, but I use the generic Sony xm4 foam tips on all my TWS stuff since they're shallow and fit insanely well, the extra earplug effect really helps the anc work even better and most buds can get silence out of that. But I just put them in and started clapping as hard as I could right next to them and no clipping at all. Surprisingly no ambient anc pressure either. And with ldac, they sound pretty stellar. Small case, small size with no stems. I honestly am not going back to expensive TWS or wireless stuff, unless 1more releases a sequel to the Evo, because the Evo are the only wireless headphone I've ever tried that make me actually want to listen to music on the over some of my wired stuff. Just enough anc to get me through my commute, then when I get to campus, I use one pair of nice iems (moondrop kadenz or apevoix Grit) and one pair of open earbuds for when my ear canals get tired (for years was the nicehck eb2s, but the kz duet just blew every open earbuds I've ever tried out of the water) I'd maybe try the rosetechnics ceramic x with some foam eartips (jlabs cloud or the generic Sony xm4 foam tips, I go a size down for the sony xm4 tips) as a $30 test while you look for the xm5's, and if they work, great, if not, you can have them as a backup (they do just sound good) and get some airpod pro 2 or 3's. If you do get the ceramics, install the app, set the eq to rock, and change the language from Chinese to English. You can also fully program the touch controls.

I have an Airpods Pro 3, Pro 2 and Oneplus buds 4. AP3 is the best on ANC, but to be fair the difference with Oneplus 4 is very small. Oneplus costs $99 compared to AP3’s $245 price tag. On the other hand, Oneplus’ microphone is not great and using it with Comply foam tops hurts my ears if I wear it over an hour.

Again, it's a completely different category of product. What do you wish to use for your future audio companion? If you do a lot of workout, I will say getting an AirPods Pro 3 should be a wiser choice, especially if it fits your ears well. But if you're going to use it casually with minimal sweats (it ruins the cushions overtime) & make the Headphone (1) as your fashion statement, go for Headphone (1).

Got these as a gift for someone else and had the chance to use them for a week. I'm annoyed by how much better the fit was than my Buds 3 Pro , they stay in way better, the ANC is better (maybe because of the fit) and the volume is louder and sound quality seemed better (again maybe cause of the fit). They also played louder. It was such a difference I ended up ordering the AZLA SednaEarfit Crystal tips, hope they help me match the experience from the Airpods, getting them Saturday. And I guess these are the top two choices when it comes to wireless earbuds, makes me wonder if I shouldn't go down the deep rabbit hole of Chinese IEMs. I don't know at what price point the IEMs start outperforming the buds 3 pro though

Agreed regarding the comfort of the Pro 2 vs Pro 3. I hate to return them but they just aren't as comfortable.

Not a fan of the Pro 3’s at all I’m going to return mine. Almost mysterious as to why they are so much worse than the Pro 2’s (I returned my first pair thinking I got a bad pair but the replacement pair wasn’t better - noise canceling, sound quality, comfort were all significantly worse than my Pro 2’s) However, my sister has them and loves them, so maybe it’s me? Love my Max’s for travel - they are bulky but worth it for long flights. I got the silicone insert for my headband and that helps with the long-term comfort, which was my only gripe with them.

Definitely not. I have both. The noise cancelling on the Pro 3 is significantly better if you find a good fit. The advice I got was to start small, and once you find a seal, then go one larger than that and stop.

Yeah they pushed up the sub-bass and then moved back the treble as well. Feels bright. Worth it for me for the noise cancellation, but I was expecting these to offer good value sound as well like the previous gen, they're pretty mid in that regard. Rest of the product is an upgrade over the 2nd gen, cancels out the shrieks from the subway tracks, genuinely full day battery life, good fit, its a fine product. Excited to see if Samsung goes for something neutral or not next time around

for me i need full foam tips , silicone just doesnt stay for me,i have to refit them like every 30 mins or so

dood for me it is better but i still hear alot pass through , as in fact i still can comunicate while noice cancel is on , good no , better maby , every hearing is diffrent and can not be compared with graphs that are made with digital hearing and not the actual human ears

get used to it , its always like that when enhanced noicecanceling

its strong but it was the same when going from xm2 to xm4 for me

it depents per person hearing ,

going hifi on wireless ? dood get iem instead wireless is never as good as wired , and it never will be

you cant base “good” on digital hearing, graphs are unrelated to actual human hearing, for me example a 10 ? nope , its a upgrade for sure but not a perfect 10 , as i stated i can comunicate fine with colleagues while its on noice cancel, the fact i hear them better when its on instead using abient, noice cancel made me nuts in my old car , as it makes rumble and humming more noticeable specially the difrencial of mycar, and i dont make this up , if i had the tools to record what i hear i would sample it

if noice cancelation is top dont get pro3’s fr, it make me nuts in my car and emulate humming rattiling noices , no joke here, if i could record how i hear it i would sample it but i cant to prove it, graphs dont tell entire storry, my car its difrencial makes abit noice and noice cancel for some reason makes it worse

If you can only get one and will be using them at the gym, APP3. Simple as that.

If you have fitting issue you're definitely not using the right tips and fins. So your noise cancellation experience is not really effective as well. They are by far the best fitting I've ever seen. I didn't realize it until I got a xm5 and ap3. Returned both because I've got spoiled by Bose.

definitely give yourself a few days with the APP3 if they feel uncomfortable at first, in my case I was upgrading from the APP2 and the APP3 were borderline painful to wear for the first 3-4 days to the point where I was considering returning them, but after some fidgeting around with how I put them in I managed to get a very good fit and they feel even more comfortable than my APP2 now if I do a quick comparison. take advantage of the 14 day return policy 👍 also, it is likely you might have to size down on the APP3 eartips size to get a similar fit to the APP2

Coming from app2 this is exactly how I feel, while the price isn't an issue for me, the reason I got it is cause I expected better NC, unfortunately that's where it doesn't deliver. I feel the sound is a bit clearer for voices especially, but that maybe cause mine are over 3 years old. Anyways I'll keep them, and while they are not disappointing as a whole, they are definitely not a major improvement over previous despite whatever reviewers are saying. In fact any YouTuber who is excited over this upgrade is untrustworthy IMO.

I kinda don't understand where it was improved so far compared to my app2, it blocks out background NYC hum just as much as my old ones. if I put larger tips, then it blocks a little better, but then they are not as comfortable in the ears. If there is an improvement I would say it's about 10% or so, literally indistinguishable from previous model. They do sound better, not sure if its cause my older one are almost 3 years old now.

For comfort, go with the AirPods Pro 3. I have both the APP2 and the AirPods Max, and sadly, my Max went in for a replacement after just 7 months, while my APP2 has been going strong for 11 months. The only drawback with the Pros is the battery life. Since I’m on calls all day, I’m forced to recharge them about 4–5 hours into my workday, whereas the Max can easily last me two full workdays.

I own 2 pairs of APP2 and 1 APP3. I am also in the gym 4-5 days a week and will honestly say I like the APP3 better. Pluses: Better ANC Better fit so they don’t fall out. Although I had to go down in tip size Heart rate sensor works in conjunction with my Apple Watch. When I get too sweaty sometimes the watch needs a second for the heart rate. Negatives: Charging case has a smaller battery Different fit for APP2 that is more comfortable when just sitting Price Both are great and I still use both.

APP3 definitely have better noise cancellation, but I find that they hurt my ears and don’t take kindly to abrupt sounds. I returned mine and decided to get two more pair of APP2 before they get discontinued

It may sound like hyperbole, but I’ve tried most buds that are supposed to have good ANC, and QC Ultras are unmatched. Connectivity can be flaky but they always connect the second time. :-). AirPods Pro 3 have definitely gotten closer in terms of ANC. But I had to use the larger tips to get the best seal, which makes them less comfortable than QC Ultras while still not matching the QC Ultras ANC. It’s wild to me that with all of Apple’s money and expertise they still can’t quite match Bose’s ANC.

Based on your needs, pony up and get the APP3. The fact you work out so much and mention the HR tracking puts it over in my book. My experience has been that the ANC for the 3 is so much better. I can listen at lower volumes while blocking out more outside noise. If you’re buying through Apple you can always get the 2, try it for 14 days and return. Then get the 3 - you can do the same and then repurchase the 2. Apple doesn’t give a shit.

Yesss this! They are ridiculously loud like by far the loudest mainstream headphones out there

Same issue man switched over from pro 1’s and cannot make out a difference in terms of anc I kinda feel they are same if not worse off.

Bro how are people experiencing this, I switched from pro 1’s to pro 3’s and the anc to my ears is same if not worse I could literally even hear the electric bicycles that went by me, people’s conversation on the next table and everything. Is the ANC really this good as people are making it out to be. I thought my piece was faulty so got in touch with apple for a replacement.

You are able to adjust the adaptive mode to allow more or less background noise. Even better is they have conversation awareness etc. What else do you want from them?

I have all 3 AirPod pros. Do you like bass in your songs? If you do they have cleaner bass than app2. They have better ANC by quite a bit. Their transparency is basically the same. They have V shape eq tuning so if you don’t like the higher bass and treble you may prefer the app2 but in a blind test on most songs I can’t tell the difference between them, certain songs it’s obvious. While the app3 have boosted bass it’s much cleaner it feels like it’s separate from the music like a sound system and the buds handle the bass without drowning out the music much better. I have owned all 3 AirPod pros, nothing ear 3, sound core liberty 3 pros, Bose quite comfort and the Sony xm3s and I put the AirPod pro 3s on top overal but I like bass in my music.

I don’t mind the sound, ANC is improved but the fit for me is a real problem. The Pro 2s are the most comfortable buds I’ve owned, to the point I’d forget I had them in. These aren’t uncomfortable but I can tell I have something in my ears. Also I can hear a clicking noise every so often as I’m walking and constant clicking as I’m talking on a call. Tried Large Medium and Small tips so far. I’ll persist with them over the weekend before deciding whether to return them or not.

Yeah I’ll be a bit gutted if have to return them I can’t lie. I’ve been following the rumours and waiting for these for months. I guess I was hoping for a some kind of new H3 chip wizardry to produce the improvements rather than messing with fit.

If it helps, I still haven’t made my mind up but I’m leaning towards keeping the APP3. I changed down to the small tips ( I use medium on APP2 ) and they’re now fine comfort wise. Not quite the same as the APP2 but I do forget I’m wearing them at times.

Its kind of scray how good the ANC is, its like legit turning off all sound, I kinda miss the pro 2 for the little bit of sound that got through. I feel naked and scared with the level of ANC they provide.

>when going to the gym and doing intense workouts Get the Airpods Pro 3 I have Pro 2 and Max, you can't really use the Max on workouts

From a tech perspective (adaptive EQ etc) the Pro 3 are definitely more advanced but I would rate them as comparable as far as music and noise canceling. The key aspect to consider IMHO is the usage scenario: my Pros win as they are always with me and I don’t have to think about how much space they take or how much weight they add to my bag and I am very comfortable with the fit. Some people might actually want over the ear headphones rather than in-ear for comfort or other reasons than the Max are a very solid choice. In my case they almost always stay in the drawer…

I feel like the sound is improved compared to the Pro 2s. This is my first of Airpods again since the first Gen that I will be keeping. The convenience is unbeatable and for me the sound quality is now good enough to have these be in my pocket at all times. If I am home and really want the maximum Quality I'll still be sticking to my Sennheiser IE200 or IE600.

Oh I didn't mean the first gen pros, I meant the first Airpods. I only got the Gen 2 Pros and I didn't like the audio quality on those. They sounded a bit tinny. So far I am loving the transparency feature, as soon as I start speaking I can hear almost as good as without anything in my ears. Since the airpods generally dont have the greatest audio quality I do like that they have better bass now, it doesnt make up any quality but it brings out the fun parts of most songs I listen to. I am not too picky about eartips. I like most silicone tips and the stock ones seem like pretty good quality tips and have solid isolation. Another Plus for me is the heart rate monitor, I don't like smart watches so I like the option of tracking my workouts with earbuds. I was happy to see that it occasionally monitored my heart rate even without an ongoing workout. If all you want is quality music, stick to something wired at a fraction of the cost. If you want convenience then these might be the best option right now.

Just got the new AirPods, and this is my first impression after 30 minutes of listening and playing around. Sound: way much more of a V shape. Don’t get me wrong, I love my bass extension; however, that is for when it stays flat rather than raise up like in the 3s. That, along with the more V shape, allows people who only care about how loud it can be to have fun, but as someone who listens to everything at around 45db this isn’t fun for me. The 2s were getting on their time with battery and scratches; however, their sound was really good, especially for the convenience and portability rather than bringing some of my wired IEMs with a wireless adapter. What I’ve felt is that this is just too distracting now with the V shape. Death & Romance by Magdalena Bay no longer is the perfect mix, where every instrument is fully meshed together, and is instead a V, which is sad and rather disappointing. Hopefully, Apple is able to fix this by either firmware or a 10-band EQ like on the Mac. Everything else: comfort. The new tips (at least right now) grip so much better and sit fuller in my ears. My 2s would slip out while talking as my earwax is more viscous. The noise canceling is noticeably better and more natural sounding with a lower noise floor. Transparency is marketable better with now a truly pass-through I can describe as invisible. What I’m looking forward to is the extended battery life in the buds themselves as that is always my limiting feature now. Might do a more in depth review later. Let me know if you want me to test anything!

I wouldn't say there is "virtually no latency", but I think most people wouldn't mind the very small delay. I play all of my games using the Airpods Pro 3, the noise cancelling is too good even if the latency isn't perfect. It's not possible to play rhythm games with this very short delay, so keep that in mind if you wanted to play music games on the Deck.

I just picked them up. The V-shaped sound is right up my alley

Max is superior in terms of audio. Both spatial and sound are next level compared to any other AirPods. AirPods Pro 3 is superior in terms of portability and durability in most cases as it’s pocket sized and you don’t need to be extremely delicate with them. If I had to choose personally, I’d pick the Max simply because being able to enjoy music at this level of goodness is just worth the trade of portability, durability and other factors that get often mentioned.

I use my Max for dedicated entertainment time and my AirPods Pro (formerly 2, now 3) when I’m doing something additional — like working on my Mac and needing to divide attention without having to worry about fatigue.

Interested to see how the APP3 would fair with ANC on airplane. I like you, have both the APP3 and Bose and switch between them for the same reason. But I ALWAYS use my Bose on airplanes simply because of the superior noise cancelling. I was hoping these new AirPods Pro would be equivalent, if not superior with noise cancellation feature as that is the only reason I still use the Bose. The conversation is way better on APP2 and people can hear me better as well.

I have AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, Powerbeats Pro 2, Powerbeats Fit and Beats Fit Pro.  I do think a lot of Beats Fit Pro users will end up really liking AirPods Pro 3 if they give them a chance. I’m not an audiophile, but AirPods Pro 3 sound noticeably better than all the other earbuds I own. They have a fun sound signature, punchy bass without sacrificing clarity and without painful treble. The new design and foam infused ear tips make them by far the most secure and comfortable fitting AirPods I’ve ever used. ANC is ridiculously good. At least one order of magnitude better than any Beats product I’ve ever used. Probably two orders of magnitude better.  Only bad thing I can say about AirPods Pro 3 is that it’s shockingly difficult to remove the ear tips. I was struggling for over 5 minutes. I’ve heard people have damaged the ear tips while removing them. Thankfully installing new ear tips is shockingly easy. Ironically, with Powerbeats Fit I had the opposite issue. Very easy to remove the ear tips, shockingly difficult to install different ones.  To be clear, I think Powerbeats Fit still sound very good and have good enough ANC for most situations. I love the smaller case. Still a bit larger than the AirPods Pro 3 case, but no longer feels offensively large. Power pink is a fun color. But they’re definitely not worth $199 since AirPods Pro 3 have noticeably better sound quality, way more features for Apple users, and way way way better ANC for only $50 more. I think Powerbeats Fit would be outstanding earbuds for Apple users at $129. 

I think by far the biggest issue with Powerbeats Pro 2 is that they simply don’t fit that well for a lot of people. I’m one of those people where they fit me just okay at best. And you’re never gonna get great sound quality out of earbuds if you don’t have a great fit.  While the ear hook does provide the most secure fitting earbuds in the Beats lineup, I wouldn’t call the fit “stable” at all. Normal movements and exercise cause the earbuds to very frequently shift around inside my ears which can cause the seal to break, and they sound horrendous when the seal is broken.  A lot of common exercises cause the seal to break for me, especially those that involve lying on the floor. So ironically the Powerbeats Pro 2 are not very good at their primary intended use case (working out) for me.  It such a shame because I love the look and colors of the Powerbeats Pro 2. They have excellent battery life and I love the physical volume rocker. And with the H2 chip inside they’re by far the most technologically advanced Beats product in the lineup today. But they simply don’t fit me well, whereas Beats Fit Pro, Powerbeats Fit, and AirPods Pro 3 all fit my ears extremely well. 

I think, like all speakers, it’s subjective. Personally I just upgraded from Pro2 to Pro3 on the promise of improved noise cancelling and they certainly deliver on that front. I find them equally as comfortable once you find the right size tip. To my ears, the acoustics are overall an improvement, I find bass to be smoother, deeper and faster. Phone call quality is probably about the same at my end, obviously I can’t comment on the mic quality… looking in the mirror the 3’s “stick out” from my ears further than the 2’s did. Hopefully this helps a little.

I own all three AirPods Pro and fit is game changing for me, 1st gen could not get a proper seal even with 3rd party tips. 2nd gen fits better with large tips and 3rd gen fits well with medium and didn’t need to try out the other sizes. I’m not an audiophile so I can’t tell a difference in audio between 2nd and 3rd gen. The ANC on the other hand is much better than 2nd gen and would block most and maybe all sound with and without audio. Transparency seemed to improved because I would always use transparency when I’m at work but for some reason before the hearing aids feature on 2nd gen, transparency became worst and everything became muffled and now need to remove an AirPod just to hear the person talking. With 3rd gen, there is more clarity in voices.

I've been running them for a week and I bloody love them. It's pretty hilarious standing on the sidelines watching this subreddit argue about the tuning. Like yeah I'm definitely super worried about the tuning and slightly pronounced treble while I'm using them to listen exclusively to audiobooks and podcasts.

Compared to APP2, the APP3 have less middle, more treble and slightly more bass. Overall much clearer sound, but this can be grating with rock music (think: cymbals). It can’t be overstated how good they sound for pop, electronic etc. Sound stage is about 20% wider/ more spacious. I still don’t think Dolby Atmos is great on these, but it’s ok and a bit better than APP2. I was mostly using APP2 with comply foam which was increased bass, slightly reduced treble. I expect Comply foam tips for APP3 (when released) to have the same benefits, which will make them perfect. The tips supplied with APP3 are firmer than APP2. Think firmer silicone rather than a foam feeling. I think this means fit can be challenging as less tolerance than the softer silicone of APP2. ANC is very very good. The claim of 2x APP2 is about right. Certainly will be enough for most use cases. Summary: buy them for the detailed, punchy sound and the ANC. Be wary if you listen to lots of rock music. Does this help?

So far the 3’s seem to fit a lot better in my ears, so I’m gonna stick with them. The ANC still isn’t “perfect,” I can faintly hear voices still. Also the transparency mode I don’t like as much on the 2’s, it sounds more tinny and robotic, like it’s being processed - it doesn’t sound as natural. But overall I really like the 3’s and like I said the fit is the most important thing to me.

To be fair, when I wrote the comment I realized I was thinking about it when I’m not playing any audio at all. If I have music or background sounds on the rest of the world is basically invisible audio-wise.

I’m not used to it yet I’m sure, but yeah it sounds more tinny and artificial than with the 2’s. Not a big deal though IMO

I liked them after getting different tips and some of the updates they received. The AirPods Pro 3 have almost entirely replaced all my headphones, though, including these. They actually stay in my ear during workouts which honestly have killed almost all of the point of the PBP2 for me.

So I took my pro 3s back. I just couldn’t justify keeping them when I like the 2s better. For me it was the way they stuck out away from my head. They sounded good but as far as I can tell it was pretty much the same as the 2s. But I also listen mostly to podcasts, so bass and treble and whatever are kind of lost on me. The 3s fell out more than a couple times too. I probably could have played with them more and made them work, but there are other things that I would rather spend that money on.

I like how the 3s fit too. I grew up wearing hearing aids with custom ear molds so I held out on earbuds because I hated how they felt. The 3s feel more natural in my ear than the 2s. I can chew and talk without worrying about them falling out.

They are still fantastic. However not better than 3s

Yeah I have AirPods Pro 3, Powerbeats pro 2 and the beats fit pro 1st gen and nothing compares to APP3 noise cancelling

I already returned my pro 3’s and went back to my pro 2’s. Much happier with them and the fit.

I returned my AP3. Most won’t care, but the sound is too V shaped. I like the AP2 better

I tried them as the new Airpods Pro 3 caused me pain. Found a decent open box deal at Best Buy. My take is that my ears are too tall and the hook yanks the tip up. I usually wear the large tips so I went to XL and that was the only way to pass the fit test. I ended up buying another set of APP2 thanks to all the sales on them, it’s a great thing there are so many options, and it’s really hard to compete in this space as there are lots of really great options for under $100. My experience is that the Powerbeats pro had adjustable ear hooks letting you get a better fit, whereas these new models HAVE to hang, with no adjustment so you better be the median of that ear that Apple designed them for.

Yes I returned mine especially since I kept my APP2 for my work computer. I tried to force use of the 3 for the max time in the return period. Each time I went back to the 2s they felt so good. Costco had the 2s for sale and I got another pair at staples for 149. I tried to go down a size but then ANC was super compromised and I failed the fit test. We lost the ear lottery this generation! Maybe the aftermarket will make softer tips without the foam but I don’t want to bet on that. I could go with less ANC but more comfort. The fact that the 2s still get translation makes it even easier for me to decide this way.

I use my AirPod Pro 3s for the gym and everyday use. I use my Airpod Pro Max for home, work (usually when I'm trying to flow state). More isolating feeling, great sound quality (personally I use them wired). On the subway, I alternate between the two. Usually depends where my destination is. I will say though, sometimes if I'm already using my Maxes at home and then go to walk or go to the gym I'll just keep them on and use them there.

Going from the pro 2 to these pro 3’s I see better battery life and better noise cancellation. The translation feature is cool, I only used it a few times.

There’s no world where I can keep the pro 3s when the 2s are leagues more comfortable. I hope third parties release aftermarket earbuds though.

I love the AirPods 4. They are comfortable and sound great. The anc is just okay, but impressive giving there is no passive NC. I use mine for work and when I go on walks with my partner so I can still communicate easily. But for travel and the best immersion I get the APP3. They are amazing. But either way I like both and like some people mentioned APP2 are a great choice at the discount.

I got mine yesterday but the case turned out to be faulty. Had to return them today. With medium eartips they were extremely well fit to me. I don’t have Apple Watch either so the heart rate measuring is very useful for my runs. Very good product

If you have an iPhone, get airpods pro 2 or 3. 3 for anc, 2 for sound quality.

i also upgraded form pro 1s to pro 3s and my ears would become sore once i wore them for a while with the 1s (esp on planes) but i don’t have this issue with the 3s

100% worth even paying double for the app3s over the 2s. They are miles better

My experience with the APP 3 was quite unfortunate and I’m hoping it was just a faulty model I’d received but the transparency mode was a significant step down from the same mode on the APP 2. The sound transmitted through to my ears with transparency mode on the APP 3 seemed to accentuate higher frequencies and sounds like clothes rubbing against each other which resulted in a noticeable decrease in quality over the APP 2. I’ve since sent them back and returned to my pair of APP 2 for the time being.

ANC and a good grip while running are very important to me. I currently have the AirPods Pro 3 and will be returning them because they don´t stay in my ear very long while running. Which Earbuds should i buy? Earfun Air Pro 4 or Google Pixel Buds 2

I have both and from medical point of view it's better to have airpods max for longer sessions. You're not supposed to have earbuds for long periods to keep your ear canal hygiene in check and allow for better airflow. (Even though AirPods Max cover your ears). When it comes to audio quality, I would say they are sort of similar. AirPods Pro 3 might be even more bassy But that's thanks to modern chip and having them in your ear canal.

Same opinion after receiving my AirPods today …. All better but sound sucks … too much between middle and base freq

Ok - i reset all settings in Apple Music sound settings (which probably I made long time ago) and now AP P3 sounds much better. Maybe too much of highs but in general good. On flat profile it’s better than 2s.

This bass is horrid on these. This is coming from someone who uses Sennheiser HD800s on a daily. I switched between the 2 and 3. While the sound stage is slightly improved, the bass is bad. Especially since the sub bass is so powerful that the bass sounds distant. This is bad EQ for Apple imo.

Apple is not offering EQ because it would "destroy" the sound quality. It is Apple's design philosophy.  Apple opts for a "computational audio" approach, where the device automatically adjusts the sound for you in real-time. They believe their automatic systems can provide a more consistent and high-quality experience for most users than manual controls would. AirPods Pro 3 have variable EQ that adjusts to your ear channel biology (it is a magic, I recommend read about it). They call it Adaptive EQ The Pro 3 have an inward-facing microphone that measures what you're hearing. It then tunes the low and mid-frequencies in real-time to account for the unique shape of your ear and the fit of the ear tips, ensuring consistent sound. At least that's how I understand it. Similarly the EQ is also based on Adaptive Audio, it intelligently blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, adjusting the level of noise control automatically as you move between different environments. The EQ is also affected by your current volume level. For example, at low volumes, the EQ curve resembles a happy smile, gradually flattening out and becoming a sad smile shape as you increase the volume. Algorithm uses machine learning to understand your listening preferences over time and automatically fine-tunes the media volume based on your surroundings. So in short, Apple is being Apple, they want to create a great experience on all devices, without exceptions, and they want the experience to be exactly the same. They believe that their approach is good, they don't want users to mess with the settings and potentially create a "bad experience" for themselves. They fine tune all settings for you so you can enjoy their version of great music. Why? Because they create product for general audience not for niches that want to adjust every fibre of the existence. For that, I would recommend you to get something different. And I must say, they do it right, Pro 3 have amazing sound quality. Especially compared to Pro 1.

Pro 2s sound better, pro 3s have better ergonomics and better battery life, I’ll keep the 3s but it was pretty noticeable from the 2 to the 3 on the sound stage.

The only part of this that surprises me is what you said about the ANC. When I had my Bose I could mow my lawn and I wasn't even sure if my lawnmower was running. I just mowed my lawn with the AirPod 3 and I could hear my podcast perfectly, but I still hurt my lawnmower running even though it was very faint. The AirPods are better in every other category to me, but to be fair I barely listen to music. Mostly podcasts and I use earbuds to talk on the phone almost exclusively

Same, I tried the trick of turning it towards my mouth, but it still makes my ears hot, maybe it will pass, I hope you have to get used to it

I also owned the pro 1 they were the best wireless noise canceling earbuds for me I wore them all the time the sound was perfect and the noise canceling amazing. Then I switched to the pro 2, it was less comfortable than pro 1 I don't know if they changed something, I think the tip but it gave me a little pain in my left ear, but very minimal. Then I switched to the pro 3 it doesn't fit me at all as soon as I put it on, I have a huge pain in my ears, the noise canceling doesn't really work for me. Now I'm back to the pro 2, it's much better than the pro 3 for me and I also have an pair of airpods 4 anc version, it's a good compromise for those who don't like the tips

I don’t have both; I have the new USB-C version of the AirPods Max. However, I have tried the APP2 and recently the APP3. The APP2 didn’t fit my right ear very well, but with the new geometry and better fit of the APP3, I can honestly say it’s improved for me. Not perfect. My uses for headphones are work (office job), exercise, and relaxing at home while consuming media. My reasons for having two are as follows: **Work** Pro: Even though I work in an office that doesn’t mind you wearing headphones at all, you still need to engage with people. That’s easier with earbuds. No hassle, and they’re compact for travel. My AirPods Max wouldn’t work for me in this setting. Con: They can be uncomfortable and tiring on your ears after a couple of hours. Also, the buildup of oils and wax means you’ll need to adjust and wipe them down. **Exercise** Pro: APP3 has higher water resistance. They can now be submerged in water briefly without issue. APP2 only had sweat resistance. Whether outside or indoors, my exercise options aren’t limited. AirPods Max are not water or sweat resistant at all. My wife learned that the hard way with her last pair, which she took to the gym regularly. Con: Same issue as above — the earbuds tend to slip, fall out, or need adjustment when your workout intensifies. Apple’s silicon tips aren’t ideal for every situation. Third-party tips are slow to update, so you may be stuck for a while. **Home** Pro: AirPods are versatile. I can use them at home with good ANC and sound quality. Con: When I’m home, I like to give my ears a rest, especially my ear canals. After a day of fiddling, I experience slight discomfort from wearing earbuds for hours. That’s where my AirPods Max come in. Although I prefer over-ear headphones, it just feels so good not to worry about the fit. Just put them on, relax, and zone out. It’s nice to feel a solid seal — no ear fatigue. My AirPods Max are my first choice for plane, car, and train rides. Also, when my wife is sleeping, I can watch movies and anime comfortably. If the AirPods Max were waterproof, I would use them way more, and they would easily replace two or three of my use cases.

I don’t have both; I have the new USB-C version of the AirPods Max. However, I have tried the APP2 and recently the APP3. The APP2 didn’t fit my right ear very well, but with the new geometry and better fit of the APP3, I can honestly say it’s improved for me. Not perfect. My uses for headphones are work (office job), exercise, and relaxing at home while consuming media. My reasons for having two are as follows: **Work** Pro: Even though I work in an office that doesn’t mind you wearing headphones at all, you still need to engage with people. That’s easier with earbuds. No hassle, and they’re compact for travel. My AirPods Max wouldn’t work for me in this setting. Con: They can be uncomfortable and tiring on your ears after a couple of hours. Also, the buildup of oils and wax means you’ll need to adjust and wipe them down. **Exercise** Pro: APP3 has higher water resistance. They can now be submerged in water briefly without issue. APP2 only had sweat resistance. Whether outside or indoors, my exercise options aren’t limited. AirPods Max are not water or sweat resistant at all. My wife learned that the hard way with her last pair, which she took to the gym regularly. Con: Same issue as above — the earbuds tend to slip, fall out, or need adjustment when your workout intensifies. Apple’s silicon tips aren’t ideal for every situation. Third-party tips are slow to update, so you may be stuck for a while. **Home** Pro: AirPods are versatile. I can use them at home with good ANC and sound quality. Con: When I’m home, I like to give my ears a rest, especially my ear canals. After a day of fiddling, I experience slight discomfort from wearing earbuds for hours. That’s where my AirPods Max come in. Although I prefer over-ear headphones, it just feels so good not to worry about the fit. Just put them on, relax, and zone out. It’s nice to feel a solid seal — no ear fatigue. My AirPods Max are my first choice for plane, car, and train rides. Also, when my wife is sleeping, I can watch movies and anime comfortably. If the AirPods Max were waterproof, I would use them way more, and they would easily replace two or three of my use cases.

Prefer them of my 3 pro’s. If they had a heart rate sensor lol I’d wear these over them

I’ve used both for the gym, and either are fine. The fit is the most important part. But for me, I LOVE the ANC, even in the gym, so I prefer the APP 3.

2x the ANC performance and 8h battery life alone make this an instant buy for me. Curious about the sound quality improvements -- they did seem to emphasize "spaciousness".

If it’s not too late try this, it worked for me. Settings > accessibility > audio and visual > Headphone Accommodations > under the option to tune audio for; select vocal range (boost mid frequencies). Underneath this is a slider slight/moderate/strong, set to moderate or slight if you prefer less mids. It’s basically a slider to boost the mid range now. Doing this has totally fixed the missing mids for me and they sound incredible now.

Could also try balanced, I am running that currently, might be a flatter and more rounded overall sound but think that’s genuinely dependent on your ears I guess.

Settings > accessibility > audio and visual > Headphone Accommodations > under the option to tune audio for; select vocal range (boost mid frequencies). Underneath this is a slider slight/moderate/strong, set to moderate or slight if you prefer less mids. It’s basically a slider to boost the mid range now. Doing this has totally fixed the missing mids for me and they sound incredible now.

For anyone struggling with the “v shape” or “scooped mids” try this. Settings > accessibility > audio and visual > Headphone Accommodations > under the option to tune audio for; select vocal range (boost mid frequencies). Underneath this is a slider slight/moderate/strong, set to moderate or slight if you prefer less mids. It’s basically a slider to boost the mid range now. Doing this has totally fixed the mids for me and they sound incredible now. This basically just applies across the board in all apps. Edit: It also seems that the mid range is only scooped below about 60%ish volume, if you crank them, this no longer seems to have any effect. It appears that there is some kind of dynamic EQ that exaggerates this “V shape” EQ at lower volumes probably to keep the bass presence, idk, I don’t know dick about audio. I just wanted to hear the guitar riffs in my favourite metal songs.

Yep, that’s true, i’ve got Buds 3 Pro from launch and their ANC is bad. Using them at gym and to cover gym music i need to ramp up the volume. Switched to Airpods Pro 3 and they’re miles ahead, can barely heard anything from gym.

Have Pro 2 but based on the ANC got the Pro 3 specifically for the gym. 2 hours everyday, big sweater as well ANC is so good that sometimes I feel not in the place, like if I was watching a video lol. It’s amazing how I can just listen to podcasts or music at low volume without issue. Fit is also way better imo but you gotta try them Personally I’d get 3 if you like the tip feel

The best improvement: I have Beats Fit Pro and even with improved ear tips they become unpleasant to wear after 1 hour. Yesterday I wore the Air Pods Pro 3 for approx 4 hours with zero (z-e-r-o) issues!

Probably the air pods pro 3's. I'll probably get some hate for this but I think this is one product where apple shines above anyone else even on android. I guess it depends on how important the more gimmicky features are to you but as far as feel, design, and sound they are the best most complete well designed buds imo. I have the galaxy bud pro 3 and while they sound nice they just have certain design elements that put them below air pods. Like for example one minor thing I notice with a lot of this android buds is it's more unnatural to put them in the case. With the air pods you take them off and put them straight in. While on these other ones you often have to flip them in a different direction. It's just a design choice that elevates the product a little more. If you are on a budget you could always get the air pod pro 2s as well. Btw there is apps that bring some of the more gimmicky stuff back that works really well so it will feel more like it belongs on android. Like the pop up notification at the bottom when connecting, ability to mess with the controls a little, assign voice assistant, etc. Clearly a lot of these buds are inspired by apples design.

APP2 vs 3 on sound quality and fit is debatable and varies by ear & preference. But both are definitely ahead of other earbuds

That’s the only flaw I’ve noticed, I wear my AirPods to sleep, they definitely stick out more, not comfortable laying on my side.

Honestly I think fit is the most importantly aspect here. Some people LOVE the fit of the APP3 and some hate it. I would go into the Apple Store and ask to try them on to see if they fit your ears. If it fits well, it’s hard to say whether the extra price is worth it. For me yes, because I love the improved ANC, but more a majority of people I would recommend the APP2 at the lower price. I don’t think future proofing is a huge problem with the APP2 since the two share the same processor. Your battery will probably degrade before the device stops getting supported.

I've just got these as my first Air Pods, upgrading from some 2019 over-the-ear Sony's, and I was blown away by the NC on them.

Yup, was excited until I heard…the bass is muddy & overly bloated. Any of us that are audiophile adjacent (which on reddit past novice is skeptical lol) are going to likely hate it. Contemplating a return…and just purchased

another take: they sound worse than the 2 (boomy bass and harsh treble) and the noise cancelling isn’t noticeably better in the gym for example. I’m going to try different tip sizes but i’m considering returning them

No, the pro 3s were my first airpods to buy. I did try my wife's pro 1s and they felt more comfortable.

Eh, bigly disagree. When I run with the Ultra’s, the seal breaks and I get horrendous occlusion “popping”. It’s so bad that I only use the QC on weights, and even then only as a backup. It’s a known issue for a lot of people. Some of the Sony XM models have the same problem. I’d also say the APP3 have better ANC. But at the level they're both at, I could care less. Both are excellent. Bose tuning kinda sucks though. They did much better with their over-ear Ultras.

So far they sound awesome. Metal, some asmr, subway noise cancellation, high end lossless audio, and a video game. Very pleased out of the box. Will take a little to get used to the fuller fit in the ear but overall very happy so far.

**Update on My APP3 Impressions (Bold)** **Thanks to everyone here and the wonderful comments, I thought I should update my impressions to reflect better judgment.** **Firstly: I do use AI to clean up my grammar and refine some of my thoughts. Sometimes the refinements express things better than my original wording, sometimes not.** **My Preferred Sound Signature (based on my friend’s feedback)** **Warm vocals** **Slightly laid-back instruments** **Less bright overall** **Forward vocals** **He described it as being closer to a natural sound.** **I’m not perfect pitch nor a sound engineer, so please take this with a pinch of salt.** **For reference, my taste is mainly shaped by Futuresonic, copper cables and HiFiman 901.** **Disclaimer** **This is my first Apple audio product. I’ve only tried the original AirPods and AirPods Pro 2, which my brother owns. I tested those mainly for game latency (since I play music games, and the AirPods line is known for having the lowest latency).** **I was never really an Apple Audio fan, but the APP3 didn’t disappoint me. That said, I wouldn’t call it a “must-buy.”** **If you want good sound quality → don’t expect it from TWS.** **If you want nice sound → APP3 isn’t the best option; there are better choices, and I personally prefer Moondrop.** **If you want good ANC → APP3 is solid, and maybe Sony’s XM5 or the upcoming XM6 are also worth considering.** **If you want Apple features → go for the AirPods series. But don’t ask me which model — the fit comes before the sound.** **How Long I’ve Used Them** **Moondrop ST1 → 1 year.** **Gave me listening fatigue.** **Moondrop ST2 → 1 month.** **Fun, better string control, still missing micro details, but hey, it’s budget TWS.** **AirPods Pro 3 → 1 week (so far).** **Acceptable. The biggest plus is ANC and Spatial Audio. Nothing fancy, but no fatigue — so that’s a win.** **My Ratings** **(Scoring out of 10. Note: my Future Sonics + HiFiMAN 901 setup with “snake oil” copper cable is unfair to compare against wireless buds, but it gives perspective. Also, don’t recommend silver cables to me — my ears reject them instantly.)** **Future Sonics + HiFiMAN 901 (reference)** **Vocals: 9.4** **Strings: 8.7** **Bass: 9.2 (tight thanks to HiFiMAN)** **Other instruments: 9** **Fun sound: 9.99** **Wireless Buds** **Moondrop Space Travel 1** **Vocals: 6** **Strings: 4** **Bass: 4.7** **Other instruments: 4.3** **Fun sound: 6** **Fun features: none** **Moondrop Space Travel 2** **Vocals: 7** **Strings: 6** **Bass: 5.5** **Other instruments: 5.3** **Fun sound: 7** **Fun features: none** **Apple AirPods Pro 3** **Vocals: 7.5** **Strings: 7** **Bass: 6.7** **Other instruments: 6.94** **Fun sound: 5** **Fun features: 7** If I’m being rational, I probably wouldn’t have bought them. But with a blatant discount on a brand-new product FROM APPLE @ "almost a quarter off" I thought, why not give it a try! This isn’t a deep technical review. I don’t dive into that stuff, as I feel it takes away from the joy of simply enjoying music. I don’t have “normal ears.” As someone who’s extremely picky because of listening fatigue, it’s always been a struggle to find something that feels “right.” My ears can’t handle certain tunings !especially Japanese ones! and I usually lean toward a warmer sound, which is what Western and Chinese tunings often provide. I came from the DAP user group, owning a HiFiMAN, custom cable, and CIEMs (custom in-ear monitors). My favorite was Future Sonics, and honestly, it was a tough battle to go TWS. To be blunt, if you’re going wireless, lossless quality shouldn’t be your main requirement. When I’m on the move, I don’t listen for micro-details; I just want to enjoy the overall sound. If you really care about true lossless quality, go get a USB DAC or a dedicated DAP with CIEMs. They’ll do a much better job — if you’re willing to pay the price. But at this point, going back down that rabbit hole isn’t something I want. I left the DAP world because carrying extra gear, fiddling with cables, and the general hassle just isn’t for me anymore. If I want enjoy lossless, I preferred a proper speaker setup. My current chain is a NAD D3045 with Dynaudio BM5P monitors, paired with some rather ridiculous DIY cables to reduce fatigue and give me a smoother, more melodious sound. So — did Apple win me over? I’ve tried a few wireless earbuds before. Some Skullcandy models, a Genshin Poco, and others, ehh all of which my ears and brain screamed @ me to take off. The first one I truly accepted was the Moondrop Space Travel 2 (ST2), it has some crazy tuning for a affordable earbuds. I had the ST1, but the ST2 really impressed me! On the go, I don’t expect studio-level details. For travel, it’s more about enjoying a decent sound over rattling train tracks or the chatter of people around me. The ST2 sounded good, but it was on the softer side, and the lack of solid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) cut the enjoyment down by about 40%. That’s why CIEMs are so great, a proper seal is all you need. But since earbuds are made for everyone, ANC becomes really important. A lot of people complained that the new APP3 doesn’t fit their ears well. For me, it was the opposite. Most TWS don’t fit me at all — I was constantly readjusting my ST2. But the APP3 fit me perfectly right out of the box! After some time listening and playing around with the controls, I’d say the APP3 sounds decent enough. Nothing too fancy, but for everyday use, it does the job. If I want “fancy,” I’ll fire up my NAD and Dynaudio setup instead. As for sound quality: as long as it doesn’t sound weird, muffled, or fatiguing, that’s already a good sign for me. So yes, I think I’ll be able to enjoy these for a long time — staying cable-free while also enjoying all the clever features Apple baked into the AirPods series. And yeah, O.o — now I finally get why Apple AirPods are expensive. All that ANC and smart integration doesn’t come cheap. The R&D alone must be costly.

I can't say I am saying must buy, but I am rather surprised how APP3 sounded, including the fit. I have never been a supporter of AP/APP series. This is my first AP in their series, and I brought it to try out the auto live translation LOL.

To be fair, I enjoyed the ST2 a lot more than APP3. If not for the ANC and fit, anytime I'll pick the ST2 because it was more fun. ST1 vs ST2, I find the sound of ST2, warmer vocals and better at picking up strings, the bass also improves. ST1 has the tuning of a sub-300ish IEM. ST2 likely between 500ish IEM but minus all the super benefits those expensive iems can give. APP3 vs ST2. I would say... is sort of a -1 compared to ST2, but you can hear the micro details better. It is more pronounced on the APP3. I wanted to go for their golden age 2 or the ST 2 ultra, but since APP3 was on discount. I decided to pick and try to see if I will return it.

APP3 are supposed to have insane active noise cancelling. The APP2 were already very very good, nearly the same as the Airpod Max's on a plane which is crazy since those are a closed back over ear headphone with ANC.

Pi8 sound great when they connect , which is 50% of the time. Often times taking them out of box they will lose connection or just not connect to my phone. Happend with my 15 pro and now my 17 PM. I also have the AirPod pro 3, sony xm5, AirPod pro 2. If you can get the Pi8 under $250 or $200 then do it, it’s not worth $399 or whatever it’s costing now.

I've always used AirPods 2 and was afraid to switch to the pro because of the discomfort of the silicone tip, given that I use them for many hours a day. However, I got the APP3 and I wonder why I didn't switch to the pro one before... it's more comfortable and hurts less over time than the conventional ones, and of course, they have an incomparable ANC quality.

Airpod Pro 3s. Just moved from the 2s. I like the seal. The 3s fit better. You can do a seal check, which I like because I use them when cutting grass, using a chainsaw, and on my tractor for hearing protection too. And no...I don't notice much difference in the audio quality on the 3s. I prefer them for sure.

I concur same as my experience with regards to sound. I am happy with the differences. The song will make a big difference if there a lot bass you will fit hit better in APP3. I love that they are usb-C as my APP2 where lightning connection. Now I just need one type of cable The fit is different on them vs my APP2 but I am using an aftermarket tip that increase comfort from CharjenPro. I will get the new tip for APP3 when it comes out. I think a lot people expected the fit to be the same. The shape of APP3 makes insertion different which is not a bad thing.

Love my Airpods Pro 2, tried a pair of Pro 3. Honestly I dont see a reason to upgrade.

Just tested them and I was disappointed. A friend bought APP3 and I had my APP2, testing in the same busy area. I felt the ANC was worse than my APP2. They have some kind of constant woooosh that bothered me and the ANC is weird. It was better than my APP2 for distant noise but worse for nearby noises like people chatting at a nearby table. When moving the head, at first some sounds were even amplified. I hesitate to buy the APP3 because I travel by train everyday and my APP2 are good in this context except for people chatting nearby and rattling sounds from the train, but it seems APP3 are no better for this.

I’d go for Pro 3 as in-ear and Sony XM5 for headphones.

I'm about to return the 3s to try bose because of this. After a few days of use, I can't get the 3s to fit as well as much 2s did.

I can compare against the APP2 and the JBL Tour Pro 3. I’m just a random idiot listening to tunes from his iPhone. To me the APP3 definitely provide more bass than the APP2. The bass is not extremely punchy, but it goes pretty deep. Compared to the JBL the bass is less detailed and more a one note drone. The APP2 and APP3 both have delicious and clear mids. The JBL sound more recessed in that regard. Overall the JBL sound more detailed, resolving more “little noises” like piano pedals, string noises, sighs etc. The APP3 sound more present and lively, but less “hifi”.

Honestly? I have both. The AirPods Pro 3 produce almost as good sound quality. For 95% of the time it’s negligible. ANC is better on Max, by maybe 10%. Transparency is better on AirPods. Comfort is better on AirPods. The maxes are heavy and the mesh cups can cause you to sweat and warm up your ears. I rarely touch my AirPods Max anymore. Battery life is 20 hours but without the case they die within one day. You have to carry case around, no way to manually turn off. It’s stupid. AirPods Max also has a mesh headband that gets dirty and hard to clean. If it rips or breaks apple doesn’t have replacement and you have to find alternatives online. AirPods have stellar battery life. Get the AirPods, I’m just angry right now thinking about how bad the AirPods Max are still to this day. If their immersive audio wasn’t as good I would think they are the worst apple product ever made considering the price.

I have been using the Pro 2 for over a year and upgraded to Pro 3 to have a set to leave at work. Sound quality and noise cancellation is noticeable better but unless you have money to burn not worth the upgrade. If I had pro 1s I think they are worth the upgrade if you’re not going into debt for them. I’ve tried all sorts of brands out there as had a habit of losing them all the time and would only buy pros going forward.

Really enjoyed mine last night, but today the left earbud stoppped working. Took them back to Best Buy and I won’t get another set until Tuesday. Loved the ANC when it worked. 

I went from AP1 to AP3 and I'll say yeah, it's a massive upgrade. I listen to music a lot with planar IEMs so AP1 always sounded extremely muddy. Not the Pro 3s. They're about on par with my IEMs in sound quality. It's really impressive for sure. But yeah the glazing is really excessive. How impressive is this, exactly? I'm in Canada and paid $150 for my IEMs but $300 for AP3, lol...

dont get the xm5, i bought them with heavy discount and still im unsatisfied. i would get airpods pro 3 if you can, otherwise bose ultra 2

Having the AirPods Pro 3 and oneplus buds 4. The oneplus buds for 99 bucks is the best deal I’ve seen

So I got the AirPods Pro 3s and they are crazy good. Noise cancellation is on another level. Whoever I got my dad the oneplus buds 4. Holy shit these things are just as good, not in noise cancellation though they are still amazing at that too. The sound quality in my opinion is better. Way better customization and I feel the their 3D audio (spatial) is better than apples. Also the app is so smooth. They are also so light they are practically weightless when in the ear. Very impressed.

No not certain frequencies its all frequencies from low to high. APM beat both the pro 3 and 2s with ANC and sound quality its undeniable

I had AirPods Pro 1. Which I lost a month ago. Was planning to get the new AirPods Pro 3 after they were announced. I work in a mall ,next to Apple Store. We are a similar store. But don’t sell Apple products. Like Samsung etc. I tested the AirPods Pro 3. They’re great. But we sell one pair of earbuds that sounds literally identical and are fully customisable. Noise cancelling isn’t on par with AirPods tho. But they have something called Aurocast and the EarPods casing can be used to plug to any device like TV, or computer etc. they actually sounded better than AirPods after customising. Mic is great. And they’re more expensive than AirPods. But I bought them like 5 days ago. Because of one very important reason. I can plug the case to my ps5. And use my buds in my bed. I hate headphones while in bed. Also I got like 30 percent employee discount on them. They’re called JBL Tour Pro 3 https://preview.redd.it/qvbmyirqnbrf1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fea8abf0aa46930a27cdfd316beaf262f7a25dd8

I lost my Buds 3 Pro right earbud a little while ago, decided to go with the Airpods Pro 3 and they're the comfiest earbuds I have ever worn. They work well enough with my S23FE and I can switch between the ANC/Transparency using the physical controls. ANC is better on the Airpods aswell (next Galaxy Buds would be a fairer comparison tho). If I am looking for more Airpods settings I use my iPad. I liked my Buds 3 Pro and they served me well but the Airpods are on another level in terms of comfort.

I just got them. I mean they are ok. Pretty good. But nothing to wet my pants over especially given the price. First AirPods in a while and damn I hate the Force Touch bs.

My AirPod pro3s arrived Friday, I put them on, they fit well, i charged them and I went back to living my life. Are they better? Who cares! They are new and I like them, especially when listening to Mike Patton.

APM sound better. APP 3 are most vercitile. Bang for buck, APP 3 are better value but, they are also different products. I have both and enjoy them both in different ways. In ear for too long is uncomfortable, over ear is kinda cozy. In ear doesn't make you look like a prat in public, over ear don't fit in your pocket.

Huh! In my case everything is better except comfort. The Pro 2 are super comfortable for hours, but the Pro 3’s new tips are firmer and go deeper (probably why the ANC is so much better since they still use the same chip). Bass is stronger but not muddy, and they sound clearer too. The problem is they hurt my left ear, which makes it really sad to think about returning them. and I tried smaller tips , S made no difference. XS gave slightly better comfort, but the seal wasn’t as good and the ANC took a noticeable hit.

Yeah, these tips aren’t going to work for everyone, even with the variety of sizes. Sadly, I’ve already decided to return them, despite the ANC and sound quality being noticeably superior to my Pro 2s.

They’re amazing. I was skeptical about upgrading from the Pro 2, but damn! Both the ANC and sound quality (especially the bass) are a huge improvement. They fit much better too. Honestly, there’s no comparison—these are peak. Easily the best in-ear ANC earbuds I’ve tried. I’ve owned Sony, Sennheiser, and Bose, but these are exceptional.

I agree they sound really bad for me. Been comparing back and forth with the pro 2 for a while now and they make my favorite songs really flat. The only improvement is when I listen to the modern saucy commercial garbage that labels pump out these days… i guess it’s tuned for that. Even the bass heavy songs aren’t better for example Even “move it” from Valentino Khan doesn’t make me want to move it anymore. Also they manage to take the fun out of Free Bird! Didn’t know that was even possible guess you need more mids to appreciate all the subtlety of the guitar. I know other features are supposed to be better but I can’t keep earbuds that sound like that and take the fun out of my music, it defeats the purpose. For a product to be better it needs to improve on fundamentals and all i get here is a downgrade. Never returned an apple product so far (and I’m a guy who even kept the vision pro) but I’ll return these because I don’t see a scenario where I’ll pick these ones up over the pro 2. If apple fixes the sound in an update I’ll give it another try. Very disappointed. Also I don’t get why they added heart rate monitoring when it’s already on the watch, it makes everything bulkier and eats up battery. Not sure if that’s what led to compromising the sound but if so then it’s a very stupid decision. Was really looking fwd to these and they suck 😢

This is how I had mine set up exactly too, but I can’t figure out literally any combination of settings that make the APP3 listenable. Way way way too bright to the point where they hurt my ears. Unfortunately returning to go back to our mutual MO.

Pro 3 - ear bud Max - headphones. Totally different devices. Depends on your case and if you don’t care about portability. I have both and they have different use cases.

That's my struggle lol I just pre-ordered the 3s but not sure what to do with the 2s yet. I'll probably clean them and sell them on marketplace

Yea I have both and the APP3 finally have better ANC than Bose

For me, the fit is worth upgrading alone. They don’t slowly slide out after 20 min

I’ve been using them in the gym daily since day 1 and they haven’t fallen out and I sweat like a mofo during my 90 min workouts.

The 3’s are way better

I think the base is absolutely ridiculous. They completely fucked them up.

I think they sound absolutely horrible. They are so scooped out as to make rock music or anything with guitars a disaster. And the sibilants is unbearable. A shame.

Nah, changing tips doesn’t work. They’re just bass, vocal and treble with scooped mids. Sounds awful without any eq. Great fit and anc though.

They are pushed further in, quite user to iems in general hehe. I just don’t like the sound i dunno. Listening to male vocals are quite thin, the sound is clear but alot seems hollow. I get a headache of how bright they are without eq. Just listening to a guy talk on youtube bothers me because the ”deepness” of the voice is just gone. Probably because of the reduced midbass. Sounds like a sore throat kinda? App2 delivers crunch from guitars perfectly but they are just gone with the app3. The dynamics of the punch on drums seems to be reduced as well in comparison to app2. However they are probably great with some genres that are in general not my cup of tea. Great fit otherwise with great transparency and anc but i think in my opinion the sound is a downgrade with it’s current tuning. If apple only had system eq then i would’ve kept them. I feel like spotify eq is not enough.

Question: What exactly do you use spatial audio for? I use my AirPods Pro 3 and Max almost exclusively for music. With the exception of Apple Music, music is always in stereo anyway, right?

I hate them. The 2’s are the most comfortable buds I’ve ever used and they never fall out as other people complain about. The 3’s tips are way less comfortable and it’s work to get them in. None of them felt comfortable. All I’m left with now is paranoia that if my 2 pros fail now that I won’t be able to replace them. After an hour of fucking around with the 3’s they’re going back. If the 2 pros are the best experience you’ve had with buds then I’d wouldn’t bother with the new ones.

Got mine in the mail last night and yeah, they're pretty freaking good. Huge sound quality/clarity improvements - the noise canceling is kinda unnerving, makes you feel a lot more isolated from the outside world, way more effective than the last generation.

If you have an iPhone, I suggest trying the AirPods Pro 3. They have more bass now and their ANC is the best of any pair of earbuds on the market. It also depends on your budget and what features you want. You could also buy a pair of Apple EarPods with a USB C end if that’s your thing. But your request is vague other than wanting bass.

They gave a reason for it, not enough bass, which is not an issue with the AirPods Pro 3.

The only things the Max give are longer battery life, nothing in your ear, and a more neutral sound signature with less bass. The APP3 have measurably better ANC, are more travel friendly, have proper case and not some dumb bra thing that protects against nothing, precise location, better microphones, and better audio quality of you like bass.

Are you pushing them in hard? This is my first time using Airpods 3 pro. I insert them in an angle and then adjust it, but I don’t force them in. I hate the silicone as the memory foams are not available yet. 

The sound quality is good, and if you can't use the inear of the AirPod Pros then they are the way to go. The ANC is so so. It does work to an extent but it is not amazing or on the level on the pros, but it does muffle some outsides sounds. I will say that the Pros are really good. You can find Pro 2's on sale now with the 3's being out. Some people like the sound profile of the Pro 2's better, but for me the fit of the 3's feels much better.

Counterpoint: they’re nice, but an unconvincing upgrade from the 2. If you have the 1s? Get the 3s no brainer. But if you have the 2s, hold off. They’re good for sure, but I’m not sure I heard that much of a difference in the ANC. I did find the sound better though. 

Hi Protomize. Indeed it is the best performance so far in ANC for common scenario. That said, it got to show how fast the tech improve across the board. I'll be fully honest, we don't really like giving perfect 10, even for extremely competent noise canceling like what Apple accomplished. It is a tough one since it suggest "perfect", can't do better than that, which is not fully something we'd commit to. Apple got the perfect 10 but some others are very very close too. We'll admit we may be a bit generous here and sooner than later i believe this scale will need some adjustment as the technology get's better.

https://preview.redd.it/6287p28cqxsf1.png?width=1179&format=png&auto=webp&s=8d9c75c5259d69ea74dea1caa7051e8622edbf24 Thanks for the Kudos. In fact we measured close to the same, , Linus measurements are compensated against the JM-1 Target, which is simply a different way to view the same frequency response. We do not include the JM-1 but you can see the response compensated to the 5128 HRTF, that would get you closer to this representation, i just wanted to add the precision since they are not directly comparable:

The AirPods Pro 3 are pretty well-rounded especially if you use an iPhone.

For me the Pro 3 are less comfortable than the Pro 2. I would say buy them and if you don't like them, [Apple.com](http://Apple.com) offers free returns. I am on the fence of returning and keeping the Pro 2.

The upgrade is really small, and you’re better off adding foam tips to AirPods Pro 2. Im returning my AirPods Pro 3, everything that is changed is a downgrade for me, the fit is horrible, the sound is stretched and ANC on AirPods Pro 2 is better (for me with foam tips).

It's very boomy, I returned mine

Airpods pro 3 desperately need custom eq, everyone hears different so to not be able to customize your sound to your hearing on 250 dollar earpods is insane

I have APP2 and just got the APP3. I usually use my APP2 for 100% of my Zoom calls for 8 hours every single day. With APP3 having better battery life (outside of the case), I figured it would make sense to keep these. The microphone is not dramatically better, and with Zoom's compression it is negligible at best. I am thinking very hard about returning them, as they do not add $250 value over the APP2, in my opinion. Sound is essentially the same, slightly different (I wouldn't say better or worse than the APP2). The tips are objectively better though, but you can get better 3rd party tips anyway. Sound quality is "different". Maybe slightly more bass than APP2, slightly more treble than APP2, AKA just a bigger V curve. The bass COULD be from the tips though, and not from the EQ/drivers.

You can use these with parametric EQ on Android. I used the APP2 with Poweramp EQ on my S23 for two years before upgrading to an iPhone 16 and I was very pleasantly impressed by how nicely the Airpods worked with it. Everyone online was making it seem like you need an iPhone to use them.

You can’t configure anything and you need a third party app to have battery levels neatly displayed. But they work as wireless headphones straight out of the box. Pretty sure firmware updates and stuff like Find My requires an Apple device as well. Multipoint connection also isn’t a thing unless you’re using them to switch between Apple devices, but connecting to them after the initial pairing on new devices was super fast. I got mine when my XM4 battery cooked itself to the point where a full charge would only last 30 minutes. Took a 30 minute walk to my local Apple retailer, bought the Airpods, took them out, paired them with my S23 and walked back home listening to them. You can use the controls to pause/play, adjust volume and switch between ANC and Transparency with no setup needed. You do miss out on some quality of life features, but people here spend a lot more than $250 on worse sound signatures without any of the wireless/ANC convenience so I still think they’re genuinely a good deal. Edit: just noticed who I’m replying to, thanks for all the great work, feels good to be me informing YOU about audio products for once

I own them and enjoy them but the treble is way too much, bordering on sibilant. The guy you’re responding to is being ignorant but he’s right on that one.

Inferior to the AirPods Pro 3.

Yea their ranking system is odd but the AirPods Pro 3 are the most feature packed, have the best ANC/Transparency, excellent battery life and sound is subjective. They’re the best earbud.

After using the AirPods Pro 3, you couldn’t pay me to downgrade to the AirPods Pro 2.

Definitely, but I’m sure it’ll mirror. From my own subjective experience, the ANC on these is incredible and approaches levels of disorientation from how quiet it makes everything.

Cause this comparison shows the text in which SoundGuys declares the AirPods Pro 3 the best ANC performers they’ve ever measured. But to answer your question, these also outperform any of the Sony models, including the recently released WH-1000XM6.

The reason the passive isolation of the AirPods Pro 3 seems weak is because of the large air vents that help with the speaker’s tuning and improved soundstage.

No product has better ANC than the AirPods Pro 3. Headphones or earphones.

https://preview.redd.it/uwux4sdbwwsf1.png?width=2334&format=png&auto=webp&s=a85935a05d02557c97d01bed2f6b081785ba0edd That’s a *big deal*, because RTINGS doesn’t hand out perfect scores like candy. Most good ANC earbuds hover around the 8–9 range, and even top over-ear headphones like Sony’s XM6s or Bose QC Ultra Headphones don’t hit a clean 10. What makes this crazy is that Apple managed to nail cancellation across the whole frequency range. Usually ANC is really good with low rumbles (like airplane engines) but weaker with mid/high noises (voices, clinks, random background stuff). The Pro 3s somehow cover it all—so whether you’re on a plane, in a coffee shop, or walking down a noisy street, they block it out better than anything else tested. **Bottom line:** the AirPods Pro 3 just set the new gold standard for ANC. If noise cancelling is your top priority, nothing else out there right now measures up.

Yes, the ANC is a significant step up if you get a good fit.

They stay in my ears during my weight training or jogs.

According to the objective measurements from RTINGS, the treble response of the AirPods Pro 3 is actually slightly underemphasized from their target. So I don’t know where you got harsh treble from. Also, AAC is indistinguishable from lossless as demonstrated by Apple. A generic IEM will have far less features (worse mic, no auto switching between Apple devices, no spatial audio with head tracking, no clinical grade hearing aide functionality, no transparency modes, etc…). Massive downgrade compared to AirPods Pro 3.

That frequency response looks nothing like what RTINGS measured. RTINGS is far more reputable than a random YouTube channel. RTINGS measurements of the AirPods Pro 3 shows a sound that is balanced with a slight warm tilting treble.

And objectively balanced sound is derived from gathering the subjective analysis from various individuals. The RTINGS target sound is supposed to mimic a flat stereo speaker in a well treated room. The AirPods Pro 3 come very close to that with a slight treble de-emphasis.

The AirPods Pro 3 are actually receiving stellar reviews across the board. Don’t let Reddit and random YouTube tech channels blind you into thinking they are even remotely the majority. They are so insignificant to the amount of people who enjoy the new AirPods it’s hilarious.

I think the sound quality is excellent- definitely an improvement over the Pro 2

Apple AirPod Pro 3 has incredible noise reduction

The fit and comfort for me is so much worse than AAP2 . I was genuinely disappointed by the AAP3 in all aspects, aesthetically they look horrible and stick out of your ears, ANC is overrated and not much better than AAP2 , sound quality is very similar. Returning them

yes, they in fact are if enough people are turned away by this lmao. they also are probably not enjoying the massive amount of returns for the pro 3s, but i’m sure you’re not one of them because you’re enjoying that apple cock and bought more pairs to compensate.

They are amazing and a huge step up in fit and quality for me... in my left ear. For some reason the right pod is very loose in my ear and slowlyy wiggles out. I have tried different ear tips but they are too big/small. The medium is right for my ears and always has been this still happens. I tried my Airpod Pro 1's to make sure my right ear didn't widen and have no issues with those.

AirPods Pro 3 . Everything becomes a whisper and you are truly in your own zone . The only thing is that with awesome noise canceling your spacial awareness may need recalibration. Like you forgot there were things around you if you don’t consciously remind yourself . I hit the barbell after I bent over to reach my phone twice already, which had never happened before.

I’ve had all, airpods max take it for me personally. But app3 come close with the anc - with the right fit. For studying, shows, music, definitely the apm. For walking, i’d say app3 just because of condensation and the fact apm might feel heavy after a while. Gym, definitely app3 because of the same thing. Overall apm

I returned mine because of this, anc was no different to the app2 for me and I see a lot of people say the same

Add AppleCare+ to whichever model you buy. It will add peace of mind for those long gym workouts. Also, the AirPods Pro 3 have a better IP rating which will help as you sweat during workouts.

If I didnt end up giving my Airpods pro 2 to my mom I would’ve never bought the pro 3

For me I don’t use ANC a whole lot but I can honestly say the ANC on the 3’s is crazy good. Huge difference from the 2’s for me. I really do believe it’s the fit in my particular case, because while I loved my 2’s, they didn’t fit me great. My right ear always dislodged after a while. These 3’s fit securely in my ear and comfortably and I think that, along with the small bit of foam in the ear tips now, contributes to a crazy good ANC. It’s actually kinda weird how much of the noise it blocks.

They’re available to order literally right now to be delivered on the 19th. I already ordered a pair through the Apple Store app a few hours ago. My card was charged and I have a confirmation email. I don’t know why you’re making stuff up.

I mean, the battery life does eventually start to get bad on these just due to basic physics around how batteries work. Given that the battery is not replaceable due to packaging constraints, this was always a product category that would need to be replaced every 3-5 years. That’s also likely the usable lifespan for most people after wear and tear since these are meant to be used on the go. Just like how old wired headphones also wore out over time. This also isn’t the first new gen of AirPods, so I’m really confused what new information you’re upset about here.

As an owner of both… APM for watching movies. APP3 for everything else.

i had every Pro Generation and i think the 3s are the best...from the sound quality i coudln't hear any difference, but the 3s have more bass and i love bass.. the ANC is better, the battery life is better.. i don't care about the HR tracking feature, since i have a Garmin Fenix 8, a Whoop MG and a Amazfit Helio Strap...

I mean yes they are, but not much better than the 2s.. i switched and regret it.. not because i don’t like them, but the from 2 to 3 isn’t worth 250€…

of course 100%! the switch from 1 to 2 was even phenomenal… but from 2 to 3 naah

yes like i said above.. from 1 to 3 go for it, worth every penny! even the switch from 1 to 2 was already great..

Fk JBL they used to last. I just finally caved and got the AirPod pro3. They stay in pretty good and they’re supposed to be waterproof. 

APP2 with Comply Foam > APP3 with OEM tips. Sadly.

Sold mine, happy af with APP3

not completely. My gf uses them and she told me she could hear me snore. Its muffled tho but the sound still bleeds through. The ANC is good but dont expect miracles.

My two ¢… but them at Costco and when the new AirPods come out, return your old ones and upgrade for free! I bought the first pair of pros, retuned them, got the pros 2, returned them, got the usbc AirPods, back to pro 2, and just today picked up my 3s. I agree with what is said in this post… but you don’t HAVE to pay to upgrade ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Ive returned the pro 3 in favor of the ear 2024, they are much better than the pros to me in sound quality, just talking about sound. Also 150 cheaper

Just put my new APP3 in today at the gym and it was night and day vs my APP2s. Sound - on par with the 2s, which I thought already sounded good. One thing new is I didn’t have to have the volume as high on the 3s due to a great fit ANC - putting them in knocked out most of the noise as is. ANC turned on and the gym was completely silent Fit - I found the fit straight out the box perfect for me on the 3s. My 2s I had some Amazon foam tips and needed to replace those every 6 months or so. Didn’t move at all during my session I had AppleCare on the 2s and never used it. Debating on adding it on the 3s, it’s cheap enough I might as well.

I just got the pros 3 and they are the best. I have Samsung for my personal and iPhone for work. The Samsung pro 3 are pretty good but not as good as the airpods pro 3. After that you sacrifice transparency or NC for premium buds. I use mine for calls all day so the mic is really important to me too and the airpods pro 3 are the best at that too.

Bought them straight away - have had AirPod Pro 2 since launch… …have put hundreds of hours on home treadmill so I know the ambient noise well…it’s always the same. ..wore AirPod Pro 3 this morning and literally second guessed the entire run if they were worse or maybe as good at best as the AirPod Pro 2. I figured if the improvements were even half as good as Apple claims them to be over prior gen, they’d be insta-no regret purchase. Now I plan to have to do a side by side test and try to wear both pairs for a while during my next run to compare. How someone could come up with that glowing a review and my experience be polar opposite - I have no idea.

I just wonder if some of the other changes will end up being improvements - angle of earbud, different ear pieces, HR (who knows what that’ll be useful for?..as I wear my watch!24/7), etc. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I use mine for work calls on my windows 11 desktop. I just connect through my desktop Bluetooth settings and I’m good to go. After a call I manually disconnect and they automatically connect back to my iPhone where I stream my music and media from. Even though there’s some manual connecting and disconnecting of the desktop it’s pretty straightforward for me. Hope this helps.

To have the AirPods Pro 3 and the wf1000xm5 I find the xm5 much more effective in noise reduction, it must be thanks to the foam tips

Best for Apple users: AirPods Pro 3, they compete with all of the best while being super convenient for Apple users. Otherwise: AZ100 (best sound), JBL Tour Pro 3 (overall champ with great sound, ANC, etc) imo. The Denon Perl Pro are fabulous sounding earbuds but are kinda decent-to-good at most other aspects, the aforementioned two are better overall packages.

Honestly because you said you use iPhone and Mac the AirPods Pro 3 perform really well (competing in this sound quality bracket) and to my ears sound very good listening to the music you provided. If the ones you tested have 10/10 sound, the AirPods Pro 3 would be a 9/10, but would have an unbeatable 10/10 in convenience. But from your list if you do decide sound quality to be the most important factor; the AZ100s or the Denon Pearl Pros, whichever fits your budget better.

For me the big thing was how it fit vs my 2s, and despite switching the tips on my 2s I could never get them to fit properly. They would always start coming out. I finally don’t have that problem with the 3. So I find that worth it.

I agree - the pro 2 are tuned way better - amazing sound. ANC is better on pro 3s.

I agree - do not fit as well, and bass is way too overemphasied to the point it sounds artifical and muddies the mix. They do have more seperation but it sounds artifical / not how the artist intended the music to sound.

For gym, APP3 is probably your best bet. I took both on a recent flight, and this was the first time I used the APPs exclusively. I haven’t had them long enough yet, but I still think I might be going APP3 exclusively.

Haven’t used the Bose. The ANC was great, couldn’t hear a thing. I was genuinely surprised how loud it was when I took them off mid flight.

Dude, just get the 3’s if you can justify spending the money.

The appp3 have the best fit I’ve ever seen on a in ear bud. And I own app2 and pixel buds pro 2. These are amazing how well they stay in the ear.

I bought them, returned them due to left ear discomfort, saw a post on here about inserting them differently, got them again and now they feel comfortable. The trick for me was pushing them in slightly instead of pushing them in far like with the 2s. I just do a easy push while twisting back and forth to get them in comfortable.

It’s not all about sour grapes. There were legitimate criticisms about AP3 that don’t boil down to “I don’t have one” or “I’m an Apple fanboy so it’s amazing.” For one, the lack of proper EQ settings is disappointing, they have some of the best audio engineers in the world yet they couldn’t implement that, just to keep things idiot proof? Another is that the sound is barely improved, the increased bass is hardly better than the previous version and it doesn’t automatically make it better. And though the ANC is better I wouldn’t say it’s literally twice as good like they claim. Overall there’s some good QoL improvements but the his one seems more like a side grade instead of a no brainer upgrade like going from AirPods to the pro or pro 2.

I prefer the tuning of the APP3, and now with the improved ANC the XM5's will likely get added to the retirement drawer, as that was the only other feature where they performed better than the APP2. The XM5s or AZ100s became my default travel TWS; I may be able to leave both of them behind now if the APP3's battery life delivers. I'd be very curious what Sony does with the XM6, consider the WH model got a 10-band EQ. Still no access to Q values and filter types, but it does go a long way toward being able to improve on Sony's typically darker, warmer tuning. Further still, I'd like to see them incorporate planars and ESTs ins the XM6s, like they did with some of their gaming earbuds.

I had similar issues with the XM5s; the other thing I ran into consistently, was that the left earbud only charges half the time. When I place them back in the case, I have to ensure I see the amber light turn on every time in order to know I have a good connection with the contacts. Can't tell you how many times I went to use them and the left bud was dead. Same issue with the AZ100s, as it's pretty common with these stemless style buds. I've had the APP3s since roughly the time of this post, and so far they're delivering on almost all of my expectations. The one caveat is fit, which is still hit or miss for me. I discussed that a bit [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/1nl6gpg/comment/nfa6j1x/), in case you run into a similar issue. Considering your preferences, I would almost advise waiting for the XM6s. The APP3 are much more V-shaped, but they lack the warmth of the Sony's, with very forward mids and bright treble. They are very "in your face." It's one of the reasons I'm enjoying them as much as I am, but I can also see why someone that prefers warmer tunings, like the XM5s, might have a tougher time adapting. And because there's no way to EQ, you're essentially in for a penny, in for a pound.

Exactly the same for me OP. Tried all the tip sizes and they were still aching my ears. Have returned and am going to upgrade to the 2s instead

The objective measurements of the frequency response don't look that good either... They predict the issues that people are subjectively hearing. Not sure what you are trying to argue here lol.

Then RTINGS did a poor job objectively measuring, because they do not have a balanced sound. I have listened to them myself and they are quite V shaped especially at comfortable listening volume. Definitely not as balanced as the APP2.

APP3 are worth the extra monies.

Despite the OP sounding a little like something that was written using chat gpt, I can agree 1000% I’ve just got the AirPods pro3 and the sound quality in comparison to the AirPods Pro is massively improved , not to mention connectivity is instant when pairing , crisp sound and clean thumping bass , just what i needed , very happy 👍

Dude, Pro 1s suck and should’ve been upgraded to Pro 2s long ago. Only reason I have Pro 1s are as a backup for it Pro 2s, and of course the Pro 1s were my old pair. This time I orders two pairs of Pro 3s because I was finding the Pro 1s not good enough, and figured I need to alternate pairs often enough that I just wanted them to be the same. I didn’t even think twice about ordering them and I assumed they would be nothing other than a massive improvement. As usual, I think 90% of people on Reddit are broke losers- so I will be the judge and determine if the new AirPods are better or worse. If they indeed are worse I’ll return them and buy another set of Pro 2s, but I doubt they will be worse.

I'm probably still going keep them but total battery life is down 6 hours back to original pro battery life.

looking at compare Im shocked to see AirPods Pro 3 has 6 less battery hours in case then previous. so we get 2 hours more in pods at cost of 6 less total hours.

I find their sound a lot better than the 2’s. Be sure you play with the spatial audio, or outright turn it off. It brightens the sound considerably on some tracks even when not listening to atmos.

The sound is wider and more immersive; better instrument separation and clarity; stronger bass and more crispy treble. However, it is lacking in the beef you get from mid-range, and the treble is a touch too crispy (for me). I could see why people think it is an improvement. For me personally they sound overall "better" but feel a lot less natural. I suppose it depends on your preference.

Overall, I’ve been really satisfied with the AirPods Pro 3 and use them daily. However, I’m disappointed that the left earbud recently developed a persistent whistling noise, which is quite distracting during use.

OP is right! APP3 blocked all my negative thoughts when ANC is on

I have the Samsung Buds Pro 3 and had to get 3rd party tips to make it fit properly. Airpods fit perfectly out of box and more secure.

I have the Buds Pro 3 and the fit is crap and ANC still nowhere near Sony or Apple i have to admit (and I own everything Galaxy). I got the Airpod Pro 3 to use with my iPad Mini (my travel tablet) and I was blown away by the fit and ANC, played some music and because of ANC you dont have to push volume too high too.

I've got iPad Mini as my travel tablet plus use to have iPhone as secondary device so I'm familiar with function. Actually left my Airpod Pro 3 with my mum to be used as hearing aid. Her medical ones were on a frizz when I was visiting last week. So I use the hearing test to upload the audiogram report and it works like charm. She loves the fit and sound quality. So I need to buy another pair.

As for battery life... The AirPods Pro 3 earbuds have an 8hr battery life and has a 24hr battery reserve in the case = 32 hrs total. Whereas the AirPods Pro 2 had a 6hr battery life on the earbuds, but a 30hr battery reserve in the case = 36hrs total. I would suspect not too many people use up both the battery on the earbuds and the case together before recharging, but it does not seem like an upgrade, but more a marketing spin on things to make it look better than it is... I do have the Airpods pro 2 currently. https://preview.redd.it/ia7wy9qkq7of1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=f94cde0b5c00e0f66f963750cf4f07596adbb589

I own a pair of APP3, never owned APP2 but did own Sony WF-1000XM5. The APP3's ANC is a thousand fold better, quite unbelievable really. But I still get a little bit of issues with sealing sometimes and have to keep adjusting, I can ONLY get a seal with L anything below 0 seal. What happens then it's quite bad as only sub-bass frequencies come in, like a "wooshhwoosh" and sub-bass from weights dropping etc which can be quite disconcerting

I just got them yesterday and love them. The sound is definitely different from the 2’s, but I haven’t decided if its better. I do think the bass is better.

I own a pair of $1K iems, and a pair of $2k headphones.  Obviously the APP3 do not compare in terms of sound quality, but they are fun to listen to, they are super convenient, the ANC works great on an air plane, and they are great for calls.  Love my pair. 

I pre-ordered the AirPods Pro 3. I know it’s a frugal sub and I am an extremely frugal guy but I splurge on tech.

I switched from the APP 2 to APP 3. The biggest thing for me was how it fit. The 2’s never quite fit me right regardless of ear tip size so they’d always fall out. With the 3’s they fit perfectly(after downsizing ear tip). TBH that alone was worth the upgrade since anc actually worked for me with a good seal and they didn’t fall out by slightly touching them. For reference, I was practicing some power shots on my aqua bag and they surprisingly didn’t fall out. But If your 2’s fit and sound great I’d just keep them

Same with me bought the pro 1 in August 2020 I saw the pro 3 as a necessary upgrade and all the features just as extras

I switched from the first gen AirPods Pro, and the difference in sound quality is night and day. The bass, mids, highs on the AirPods Pro 3 are more defined and crisper, and the bass has a lot more depth as well. For me, the bass on the APP 3 is equal to that of something much larger like an headphone. The fit (although I never had any issues with fit with the AirPods Pro 1st gen) is a lot more secure, and I find that even with no noise cancellation in use, that the improved fit, and the different type of silicone tips goes a long way to block out, outside noise, but putting the noise cancellation on was a massive improvement from that of the APP 1. I use the APP 3 in my gym, and you have the usual chatter, clanging of weights and noise from the Treadmills, but I could not hear any of it. Sound quality is subjective, but the best advice is to try them out for yourself and see what you think. Apple have a good returns policy in most countries so you haven't anything to lose if you do not like them.

The AirPods Pro 3s last 8 hours before you have to put them back in the case

\- Roost v3 Laptop stand + Touch ID Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2 \- AirPods Pro 3 (worth the upgrade from the Pro 2) - great for NC, as earplugs at a loud venue etc \- Small portable flat fan with battery, great for taking the edge off in a office, cafe, room etc - [https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CTGZ3TPC](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CTGZ3TPC) \- GL-iNet Wifi router/extender - life saver for needing to repeat wifi, upgrade an old router in room etc. I'd buy the Beryl AX if I was buying today \- Recently got a Apple Vision Pro, and wow - amazing for flights, been great for a monitor when one isn't around, way better than crappy TV in hotel, AirBNB etc.. \- Powerbar from Thailand that has 4 universal receptacles to plug into with a 2.5m cord (cheap, basic version). Fantastic for being able to plug anything into an any country, and have multiple outlets left and plug whatever I had to unplug in the wall into it (ie lamp, clock etc). \- LaserLite LL-1 Earplugs - work great \- Minaal backpacks (lightweight, minimal pockets, well designed) \- Merino Wool hoodie in packing cube. Thin, light, warm/cool and in the cube it can be a pillow too \- Wise/Revolut account

I don’t notice a difference at all in the ANC from my 2’s. I’m starting to wonder if this pair is defective.

Definitely wasn’t worth it the ANC sounds exactly the same to me

I know the reviews had me really excited but I’m very disappointed with the ANC. I literally can’t tell a difference, atleast not so far. The sound quality is good though.

You could always try them and return them, some people seem to really enjoy them. I just personally don’t notice a difference in anc from my AirPods Pro 2 and that was the main thing I was excited about. I also found that the tips don’t stay in my ear as well BUT a lot of people say the opposite that’s very dependent on the the person.

See that’s half the reason I upgraded, my pro 2s were just worn out. I use them all day everyday at work and at the gym so for me a new pair is always really nice. But I just don’t notice a difference in ANC at all. The mic however is better and sound quality slightly improved. If you’re in the market for a new pair, I’d say go for it

A lot of people find the APP3 to have superior ANC, personally, this has not been my experience, as the large tips in the APP3 are slightly smaller, and my ear canals are big. The tips in the APP2 were already slightly loose.

See for me the biggest issue lies here for me with the Pro 3s. The Pro 2s exist. The ANC may be second to none and the heart rate sensor a good addition, but the ANC to me was already great on the Pro 2s and I have an Apple Watch, I don’t know if I’d need the heart rate sensor in a set of earbuds. This really feels more like an incremental update that really didn’t feel needed than an actual upgrade that is dire to get because that much about them is better from what I’ve been reading. And seeing as I’ve seen the Pro 2s on sale for as low as $150…it’s really hard to feel compelled into any argument they’re the better offer here. But that’s me.

HUGE upgrade coming from the 1st gen Pros. Defenitely worth the upgrade imo. So far I dont like the fit as much but ill get used to it

I read this as I’m sitting on a plane, blissfully unaware of any conversation going on around me. I liked the AirPods Pro 2s, but always brought my Sonys on flights because the ANC was better. This time, I’m flying with just my AirPod Pros 3, and I don’t think I’ll miss anything from the Sonys. The sound on the 3s is a little more hyped, but still good to listen to (and probably less hyped than my Sonys).

I tried pro 3 and regular 3. For pro 3, they fit even deeper and while they were more stable, they immediately started to make my ear canals itch. I’m not allergic to silicone, but my ear canals hate things going in too deep. As for regular 3, those to me were just a step below 4s in comfort and sound, but their complete lack of noise isolation was a dealbreaker.

I bought them, coming from Pro 1’s, and I hate the new sound profile and comfort of the Pro 3’s, nothing about flaunting or hating on others, everyone has their own experience and opinion, especially for such a subjective experience

Went from Pro 1 to Pro 3 and the difference is pretty drastic. ANC is NUTS but it does slip from time to time to allow noise in. Foam added to the tips is nice and make them fit really well, but make it really hard to switch the tips out when testing figment. Overall happy with them.

I just bought a pair today. Coming from Sony WF1000-XM3 I have to say I’m not super impressed with the sound. The AirPods are way more comfortable but the Sonys sounded substantially better. I did have a custom eq on them through the Sony app so that might be a factor.

I'm sending mine back. They sound brighter and cleaner, however I feel the same as the Dave 2D review: I prefer the sound of the AP2 80% of the time - they sound a bit more meaty / earthy (apologies for the lack of technical terms). The AP3 sound a bit over produced and artificial, a bit too shiny. Decided I'll get the £220 back, and be naughty by spending £140 extra to get some refurb Sony WH-1000XM6 to go alongside my AirPods Pro 2 :)

Found the sound better than Powerbeats pro 2 (which I returned) but way behind APP 2 and 3.

Well the other reason I hate these is the sound... The new APP3 are very tinny and weirdly balanced. APP1 and 2 are so much more immersive. Sucks I was waiting for these for a while to get rid of my last device with a lightning port and I did not expect such a downgrade. Like OP I am hoping there might be a firmware update or something because this is terrible.

Just upgraded from my OG Airpods Max to the APP3. While I like the sound quality improvements, the ANC feels waaaaay off/worse than with the Max. :(

Man, I just went from $20 xiaomi earbuds to Air Pods Pro 3.. and its the best thing Ive bought in many years x Trully life changing

I got the cmf headphones pro for around 70 bucks on Amazon and they are the best headphones I ever had, and way more comfortable than the airpods pro max. I would get the airpods pro 3 for your question though.

The 3’s fit and feel way better, I got them day 1, worth it for something that I use daily.

the treble isn't balanced at all. there's a weird peak and there's no mids at all either. idk what ur hearing but its not that

I have really oily ears, I can't wear the Pro 2's for more than an hour at a time, every time I smile or chew food they slowly comes out and if I wipe them down to continue using them, a part of my pinna starts to hurt around the 2 hour mark. I got the 3's and right after taking them out the box I did a 3 hour working session and they didn't even get loose or uncomfortable. Even in the gym, I have to readjust the 2s like 10 times during my session, that becomes 1-2 now. The fit is much upgraded, assuming they work for your ears cuz i've seen many returning them for being uncomfortable. Edit: It's crazy to see someone who has my exact experience lol. It seems like everyone in this hobby has desert dry ears that can handle IEMs all day, i'm so jealous T\_T

Adaptive mode in the 3s is pretty useless compared to the 2s in my experience so far. The 2s felt like actual steps in between anc and transparency like a 75,50,25% noise cancellation. The 3s slider all feels the same and like only a 10% noise cancellation. 

I am liking the Pro 3s as well. Haven’t really tried out all their new features yet.

The AirPods Pro 3 sound very bright to me. They may have better clarity but they are definitely bright and seem to lack low mids. Long listening sessions seem like they would get tiring fast. I’ve never written any reviews or returned any headphones. Big Apple fan. Pro 2s are great. These are probably going back.

Airpod Pro 3 ANC is insanely good. APP2 transparency mode was already the best on the market. 3s transparency is considerably better than 2s even. Just too bad Apple ruined the sound of the 3s. They kind of sound like shit to me. Almost unlistenable bright. The mid and subbass is even more emphasized than the 2s were. It also sounds thinner overall too. I also find the APP2 a little more comfy in the ear.

Yeah. If anything I think the APP3 needed overall less bass to sound better. APP3 mids I think will be improved from the 2 for many people. Treble will definitely depend on the person. I find APP3 unreasonably bright. I actually wanted APP3 to have more refined treble than 2s but if anything 3s treble is now rather bright and even less refined.

I never use spatial audio on the Airpods for music. Never liked how it sounded. Also most of the Dolby Atmos mixes on apple music sound worse than the non Dolby mixes. APP3 sound doesn't work for me at all. Where as I found the APP2 to sound better than 95% of iems to me. Everyone will have their preference and there is nothing wrong with that.

I bought Pro version 1 in 2020 and just bought Pro 3 last week. I'm not sure they are that much better. ANC is better. Certainly the battery life is better since mine were old. And mine did go through the washer and dryer three times so there is that. But I feel like I should've bought the Pro 2s for $150 instead.

APP3’s are literally an order of magnitude better then the 2’s. I just picked mine up today and cannot believe how superior the sound is to last-gen. I am skipping the 17 this year but the APP3’s absolutely SLAPS.

Dunno, I’ve now flown 3 times/8 hours total with the APP2’s (with foam tips) and the new APP3’s. I’m ready to hand me down my used APP2’s to one of the kids. The APP3’s are worlds better to me in terms of fit, comfort, sound quality and (most importantly to my needs) ANC quality. I’ll likely buy some foam tips when available as I liked them on the APP2’s for getting a little better seal but out of the box the APP3’s stock tips are awesome. Reviews are subjective, always are. I’m happy I upgraded And won’t go backwards to the APP2’s again.

I wanted to love them as I love the APP2 except my right ear just doesn’t fit exactly right in any size. The APP3 have a little better noise cancellation but the tips are harder and same as before I’m between sizes and the only one that fits hurts my ear after wearing for a while so unfortunately I’m returning them.

Not all noise cancelling headphones are equal. Low tones and voices are usually the most difficult sounds to block. Rtings actually rated the new AirPod 3 pros super well in this regard.

Food for thought, I tested my own Pro 2 and the store demo Pro 3 with the exact question in mind. I did not find the audio quality to be noticeably better in the 3. If anything I found the 2 to be more clear. 3 does have slightly more base. In all, if you have Pro 2, I wouldn’t upgrade just for audio quality. If I were to make use of the translate feature I think it could be a good upgrade. And I own an apple watch the the HR feature is null for me (unless it does more by having both devices which I’m mot aware of)

I absolutely hated the APP1 and 2. The APP3 are the best earphones I’ve ever used, period. The fit, seal, ANC and sound quality are sensational. I’ve no idea how APP1 and 2 did so well with their fundamentally flawed fit design. The 3 is so completely different in terms of fit that it’s like somehow Apple only recently discovered ears.

I respectfully disagree. I’ve used basically every pair of noise cancelling headphones ever made, and none of them come close to the performance of the Bose QC Ultra earbuds in terms of ANC, - well, until now with the APP3. Headphones inherently can’t block noise as well as they rely on the seal around your ears to be perfect - which isn’t possible. Ear plugs literally fill the ear canal and provide passive noise canceling before you even turn them on.

I just upgraded from first gen pros to the 3s and the difference is noticeable across the board. Better audio, fit, noise cancellation is amazing. I had the gen 1 pair for 5 years so they are quite durable.

Same!! I love it 

I have the pros 3 and I’ve noticed a huge  difference in sound so ..

My pro 3’s work great with my oled

I was just wondering cause I bought the 3s, waiting for them to come, but worried about the change in fit as the 2s were great for me!

I bought the 3s and didn’t like them, returned!

They changed the battery for the actual buds because they also target the "People with hearing issues" to use it as their daily driver, so they don't need to charge the buds every 4 hours. It's not because they just want to change it.

Yeah the total hours dropping is weird, but the bigger case isn’t just for battery this time. Apple shoved in a new UWB chip for longer-range Precision Finding and a built-in speaker so you can actually ping the case itself. So even though the capacity went down a bit, the case is doing more than just holding a charge now. The next generation might be smaller.

I have both and would never bring my APMs to the gym. They’re way too heavy for that. Based on what you’ve said your use cases are if you can only get one then the earbuds would suit you best. 

Have you noticed a more audible noise floor? Especially in a quiet environment? I’m on my second set of APP3 and they both have an issue of audible “white noise” when no media is playing (except when the listening mode is switched to “OFF).

I appreciate it! Most noticeable in a quiet room and if you switch the mode from “OFF” to transparency and especially ANC it is very evident.

Yes that’s exactly it. Compared to the APP2 it is a huge difference. I like to wear the APP and use the ANC to just tone things out and after a few minutes with the APP3 it becoming annoying to hear that constant sound. When i first noticed it, I thought a fan was on in the room or it was raining outside only to realize it was the APP. Some other reviewers also said that the way it handles ANC makes it less isolating in airplanes compared to the APP2.

I had the AirPods Pro 2. They fell out all the time. I would be on a FaceTime call and just talking made them fall out. I tried everything to get them to work for me. Talking, eating, walking... they always slipped out. I used the AirPods Pro 3 all weekend. They never fell out. Chewing, talking, walking... still stay put. Tonight I went on a walk and intentionally did not adjust them and moved my head all around and did some talking. When I got home 30 minutes later, I did a fit test (still without touching them) and the seal was still intact.

Just a quick reply to say I have been using them all week. They have yet to come loose, let alone fall out.

The thing about that is this website actually gave the AZ100's a higher rating (8.1) than the APP3's (7.8). Though they seem to have left them off this list completely? So by this publication's own criteria, they're not inferior, but they're not included here for some reason? In fact multiple earbuds that do show up on this list have higher review scores than the APP3's -- Pi8's, AZ80's, WF1000xm5's. I don't really understand how they chose these 'winners' I say this as someone who's likely keeping their APP3's... this whole ranking is just extremely odd

I’ve had the Pros, Pro 2, Pro 2 with USB C, and now the Pro 3s. ANC is noticeably better. The rest seems about the same.

I just received my AirPod Pro 3's today, and find the noise cancelling to be quite impressive compared to my AirPod Pro 2's (I've owned these in the lightning version ever since their initial release, and it's also possible that I need to clean my Pro 2 microphones to see if that makes any difference). The new earbuds seem to fit better and create a great seal for me. That said, they're not uncomfortable, but definitely feel noticeable while in-ear, whereas the previous Pro 2 was less noticeable for me while wearing for extended periods.

I only bought the APP3’s because the APP2’s keep wiggling slowly out of my ears, especially when working out. The 3’s stay in securely and are more comfy for me. I use the 2’s now at work when I’m at my desk.

Your ears. Most people found the original design to fit well enough as evidenced by their runaway success. I own all 3 generations and have found every design to fit well enough. For me, the old design is definitely more comfortable - even if I have to periodically work them back in a bit. The new ones also fit fine, but it's much more noticeable that I'm wearing them.

I have the B & Ws as well as the Bose and the AZ100, and of those at least, I would go AZ100s over the others. The B & Ws sound really nice, but noise cancelling and transparency leave a lot to be desired. They do have the equalizer but it’s only minimal improvements (for me). Bose will be Bose, and you already know what to expect. The AZ100s have been my go-tos for the last year. Transparency is just ok (I have the APP3s and the noise cancelling/transparency is awesome) and sound metallic and forced. NC is good but the seal in your ear makes the difference. The EQ gives a lot of options, which I particularly like.

Had the APP2s a while ago before switching back to Android. Thought I'd give the APP3s a try. Coming from Vivo TWS 4 Hi-Fi. Absolutely hate the V-shaped sound. The separation is really good. But these sound way to bright for my ears and I just don't feel immersed when listening to music. Instant turn off and will sell them.

AZ-100's, Airpod Pro 2/3 if i'm getting sweaty/dirty.

Still using my Pro gen1 in the gym every morning. I only need to charge them once every two weeks or so and they deliver excellent sound. Upgrading to gen3 will be a no brainer for me. I had considered replacing them with the new Powerbeats pro but the reviews were disappointing

the Apple - AirPod Pro Series is still the best when it comes to ANC,  users described it as effective and often superior to competitors. Bose - QuietComfort Ultra's also good. It effectively blocks out various types of noise, great for working around heavy machinery. FWIW my mate and I recently did an analysis on reddit data on earbuds. Basically ranked them according to aggregated sentiment. Maybe you'll find the results helpful (Google redditrecs) You can filter for models with ANC and get a breakdown of what ppl have said about 'ANC' for the most often recommended ones (disclaimer some links are affiliate they help fund the analyses)

well Apple is a reliable brand so try the AirPod Pro Series. its highly praised for its active noise cancellation and transparency if you like those features. another is the Sony- WF-1000XM5 if you value great sound quality. FWIW my mate and I recently did an analysis on reddit data on earbuds. Basically ranked them according to aggregated sentiment. Maybe you'll find the results helpful (Google redditrecs) You can filter by price and features like ANC, and get a breakdown of what ppl have said about the most often recommended ones (disclaimer some links are affiliate they help fund the analyses)

thats frustrating. imagine if you were on a meeting or an interview and that happens. Try AirPods Pro Series. No problems so far. Havent heard a single problem although there are issues with the tips with some users (but i heard they had more tips available on the new releases). FWIW my mate and I recently did an analysis on reddit data on earbuds. Basically ranked them according to aggregated sentiment. Maybe you'll find the results helpful (Google redditrecs) You can filter by topics like 'Calls' and get a breakdown of what ppl have said about the most often recommended ones (disclaimer some links are affiliate they help fund the analyses)

That's not apple fanboy stuff unfortunately. They are indeed in another league compared to anything else with open design. The rule of thumb is if it's open, it's somewhat ass. New airpods are downright decent