О наушниках AirPods Pro мы рассказывали не раз, теперь хочу поделиться впечатлениями, которые накопились за время многомесячного использования этих наушников.
To begin with, I did not use regular AirPods – they are not firmly fixed in my ears, fall out and do not hold well. Therefore, I belong to that small category of users for whom only “plugs” are suitable, but it is impossible to get along with in-ear headphones.
Первоначально к AirPods Pro я отнёсся скептически: первые впечатления от звука оказались смазанными, восторга не было. Но потом я полюбил AirPods Pro и подсел на них так плотно, что это уже мой фаворит на несколько месяцев.
Noise suppression
Начну с одной из главных для меня причин нежных чувств к AirPods Pro — шумодав работает очень хорошо, помогает сконцентрироваться на мыслях, убирает окружающий шум и дарит покой. Это не первые наушники с шумодавом, но у Apple раньше таких вещей не было.
There are three operating modes in the headphones: normal, noise canceling and transparency effect. The latter is convenient in that you can hear sounds around, and at the same time listen to music. I will specially highlight this moment, because there are headphones where, when you turn on this mode, the music can pause, or it just sounds quieter. There is no such thing here.
Hi iCloud
Headphones enter the Apple ecosystem the first time, just open the cover and connect AirPods to a sound source. Then comes the idyll: headphones can be connected to any device – be it an iPhone, MacBook, iPad or watch – without unnecessary gestures. No dreary pairing, disconnecting from an old device, connecting to a new one with the press of keys and other witchcraft.
Interchangeable nozzles
The set comes with three sets of ear caps of different sizes. The default ones, the medium ones, were perfect for me. They are fixed very tightly, how they can be lost, I can’t imagine, unless you make additional physical efforts.
It would be cool to get extra foam lances as an option, but Apple is not offering one yet.
Some problems
I have been using headphones since November, everything was fine until the very end of winter. In mid-February, I noticed an unpleasant crackling sound in the left earpiece. If you turn off the noise reduction, the effect disappeared, but this state of affairs did not suit me. I thought that the problem was in the attachments: maybe it didn’t fit tightly, maybe some kind of debris was clogged. As a result, I read about the situation on the Internet, it turned out that the problem is solved by a visit to the service. I went to B2X on Nikolskaya, gave away the earpiece on Monday, and received a new one on Wednesday. I managed just a couple of days before the start of the self-isolation regime, when the services stopped working.
Sometimes it happens that the right earphone does not connect to the sound source, the problem is solved by immersing the earphone in the case and removing it back into the light. On the new firmware 2D15, the ailment has passed.
Sound quality
I really like the sound of the Sony WF-1000XM3, but I do not like the bulky case, as well as the large shape of the headphones. I tried to accustom myself to use them, but it did not work out, since then the headphones have been used to compare the sound with other devices.
But recently I tried the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, I really liked them. The sound is gorgeous, there is no feeling that these are small wireless earplugs, you can imagine that these are large on-ear headphones, the stage and volume are so good. In addition, the second generation has acquired a noise cancellation system, so now it is my favorite in the world of wireless sound. Against their background, AirPods Pro look modest, there is no such drive and delight from music.
Другое дело, что у каждого свой сценарий использования. Мне важнее простое переключение между разными устройствами, идеальное качество связи без обрывов и затыков звука, небольшие размеры и удобная посадка. Послушать подкасты, посмотреть сериал или запускать музыку для фона, а не для поиска новых эмоций — для этого AirPods Pro подходят идеально. Вдобавок и качество передачи голоса очень хорошее, в качестве гарнитуры наушники Apple тоже незаменимы, когда идёшь зимой в шапке и болтаешь, не доставая телефон на морозе.
cover
I really like the small case for recharging the headphones, I’ve tested a lot of wireless models, but it’s rare to find such a miniature case.
I like that a USB Type-C to Lightning cable is included with the headphones, it is convenient to use it together with powerful chargers.
The case is also charged from wireless charging, I talked about my Native Union station, where I regularly recharge my headphones.
Note that the glossy case is scratched very quickly, the dust also clogs up quickly, so you can either clean it regularly or hammer it in. Alternatively, you can buy a cover for the cover, showing the maximum love for the accessory.
Autonomy
The operating time has not changed, the batteries are normal and still hold a charge for about 4-4,5 hours. When there was no such scourge with the virus and quarantine, I, like everyone else, went to the office. The scenario for using headphones turned out like this: you leave the house, headphones in your ears, turn on some serene Lo-Fi collection on Spotify and walk towards the studio.
Then, while working, you sit with headphones or without them, it already depends on the situation, the main thing is that the charging case quickly solves all issues with power. I have never had a case when I took the headphones, and they turned out to be discharged or I did not have enough energy from the battery case.
Если оценивать автономность AirPods Pro относительно конкурентов за те же деньги, то наушники Apple не самые долгоиграющие в своём роде. Скорее, они выдают средние по рынку результаты, но учтите, что сами по себе AirPods Pro достаточно компактные и маленькие. Бывает так, что наушники работают ощутимо дольше, но громоздкая штуковина в ухе отталкивает от покупки и дальнейшего использования.
I would also like to remind you that if you do not need complete isolation from the outside world, you can turn off active noise cancellation, then the operating time will slightly increase.
Take it now or wait?
In the case of AirPods Pro, I will have a simple recommendation: buy and do not wait for the weather by the sea. People periodically write to me by mail [email protected] и спрашивают, стоит ли покупать AirPods Pro сейчас или подождать, пока появится модель нового поколения.
Во-первых, ждать улучшенных вещей можно всю жизнь и бесконечно выбирать. Во-вторых, лучше пользоваться сейчас, чем жить надеждами на эфемерное будущее. В-третьих, про сроки появления AirPods Pro второго поколения вообще ничего не известно.
Alternatives
Among the wireless headphones, AirPods Pro are some of the most expensive, they cost 20 rubles. Here are some more active noise canceling TWS earbuds.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 – 25 rubles:
Sony WF-1000XM3 – 14 rubles:
Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus — 25 990 рублей:
I’ll also add the AirPods Pro review to the list, just in case:
Let me summarize
Apple’s art is that it creates convenient and useful things like AirPods, which have become a hit and a locomotive in the world of wireless headphones. It’s the same story with AirPods Pro: compact size, splash-proof, quiet and pleasant sound, convenient charging case, noise isolation to calm your nerves, and easy syncing with the world of iCloud.
Yes, these are not the best earbuds when judged by sound quality or battery life, especially if you use Android and are considering buying AirPods Pro. In this case, this is a strange choice and it is better to look towards competitors. But if you use an iPhone and other Apple devices, then you will love AirPods Pro with all your heart.
