Apple AirPods Pro
The Apple AirPods Pros have come along at a time when one would think that performance was pretty much at its apogee. The bivouac has been fortunate to use in-ear and on-ear noise-canceling headphones from manufacturers such as Bose, Sony, Bang & Olufsen. Apple’s newest AirPods Pro represent a genuine change in comfort and performance over the competition.
Apple’s noise-canceling technology does an excellent job of providing a private sanctuary, regardless of where you are. The technology works surprisingly well in busy open-plan offices, commuter trains, or airplane flights with fussy infants. The audio quality is excellent. New nuances of songs can be heard when listening to favorite tracks. This is the case at the high end and at the low end of the bass range, allowing you to enjoy your music collection anew.
Long-term wearability has been an issue with other in-ear headphones, with some causing chaffing, but there are no signs of that with Apple’s new AirPods Pro. Fit is remarkably comfortable. The shape of the ear covering is “squircular”, or rectangular with rounded corners, which, depending upon the shape of your ear, aids in seamless sealing. This provides the first line of defense from unwanted ambient noise. Aesthetics are better with these headphones as well. The earphones are a bit more subtle. The descending microphone elements are shorter, and angle slightly inward to more naturally follow the profile of the outer ear.
Apple has fit an impressive amount of technology into these tiny but powerful headphones. With the AirPods Pro, Apple has pushed the packaging envelope even further to accommodate the active noise-canceling technology. Controls are well thought out, providing an intuitive haptic sensation associated with clicking the headphones. One-click pauses playback. Two clicks advance a track. A long hold toggles through “active noise canceling,” “transparency,” and “off” modes.
While familiar, the case takes a bit of getting used to. Grasping the AirPods Pro to take them out of the case can be tricky, and placing them back into their recesses is more involved. Thankfully, there are still magnets assisting the AirPods Pro in finding their place. That said, if the case is dropped, they are not strong enough to keep the AirPods Pro anchored, and they will most likely launch out of the case. Another nice touch is the subtle yet distinctly pleasant scent of the AirPods Pro ear pads. There is no funky plastic or rubber scent here. It smells more like how one might imagine a desirable blue-sky future smelling.
Charge levels seem fine for use throughout the day, and topping up the charge in the case is quick and straightforward. Pairing is also straightforward, similar to the method used with the original AirPods case.
Transparency mode gives one a sense of almost having superhuman powers. Reminiscent of The Bionic Man, conversations or announcements around you come through clearly. They made the presenters at a conference, compromised by ambient noise, easier to hear. In summary, Apple’s AirPods Pro are much more than an incremental innovation.
