Review of Apple AirPods Pro 2 headphones. Apple made such good headphones that they can be safely sold for another ten years – which is why it is almost impossible to distinguish Pro from Pro 2 from afar. That is why I say that there is not much point in updating – but if you carefully choose fancy TWS, you won’t be able to find something better than Pro 2. This is true. Now let’s see what’s up here.
Apple Watch Ultra, underwater test of the Depth app
Design
As I wrote, everything remains as it was: the shape of the headphones is successful and fits almost everyone, the tips are cool, the case is small. By the way, the nozzles of the first and second Pro are incompatible, one more, the smallest size, was added to the Pro 2 kit. The pads are very comfortable, I like them. The strange method of fixing the nozzles has not changed – I am always afraid that they will break.
Another mesh appeared on the top of the cup – apparently, for better operation of the microphone system, and this whole bundle works both for the noise reduction system and for better voice transmission. With this and the previous AirPods Pro was in order, everything is fine here too, I can hear perfectly even on the street next to cars and pedestrians. The microphones and the driver are controlled by the new H2 chip – we must say thanks to him for all the innovations and for the pleasant time of work.
The main feature is adjusting the sound by stroking the legs. Works great! Swipe down or up to gradually change the volume. No need to get a smartphone or ask for Siri, buzz. At first, you get confused and iron the headphones in the wrong place – you need to iron the flat part of the leg. You learn in a couple of minutes and then you start stroking any AirPods.
Each cup contains an H2 chip and a new driver. The noise reduction system has been redesigned and, according to Apple, has become twice as effective. And the music is much better too! Let’s talk about noise reduction first – for me, the first AirPods Pro are the benchmark among other models with ANC. I put it on, pressed the leg, immediately all the noise around seemed to go far, far away. In Pro 2, the situation is exactly the same – no matter how I tried, I did not notice much difference. Perhaps we should try it in flight – as soon as I try, I will immediately report to you.
I liked the adaptive transparency – if suddenly someone starts talking loudly nearby, the headphones themselves will make you quieter. Left the option enabled and it works great. But the spatial audio setting is crooked – to remove the ears, it’s easier to ask someone than to do it yourself. I managed to correctly shape the left ear from the fifth time – this can hardly be called a typical Apple convenience.
But I want to say thanks for the separate AirPods settings menu in iOS 16, that’s great. I advise you to make the control, like mine, so that you can turn off all the options altogether.
New case
Once I had to look for AirPods Pro in Find My, and I was surprised how cleverly everything works here. First, I immediately saw their location and calmed down: they were in the office. Secondly, for the first time in my life, I used the sound playback on the headphones, asked my colleagues to be quiet and began to walk around the rooms – everyone was very funny, but in the end I heard a distant squeal. The headphones were in my bag, just not in my usual pocket.
The magic U1 chip and the driver built into the case allow you to simplify the procedure: here you will not beep, but PILICAN. But in Russia, the function does not work, because UWB does not work. And when it will work is not clear.
But there was something else. For example, Apple suddenly broke the entire industry of cases for AirPods – a bunch of models with straps for wearing around the neck came out and come out, I use one myself. Now they are not needed: there is a loop right on the case. The Japanese will say a special thank you, they love to attach various accessories to smartphones and other gadgets.
On the other hand, add-on manufacturers will now be able to make straps specifically for the Pro 2 – so Apple broke one, gave the other as a gift. Thank you!
There is another important innovation: now the case is in the MagSafe family – you can magnetize the Apple Watch charging tablet, and this is convenient, now I only charge the case this way. And then I’ll tell you about the operating time, they promise 6 hours of work for the headphones, the battery of the case gives a few more charges. Naturally, the operating time is highly dependent on the operation of the noise reduction system, the operation of adaptive transparency, and the volume level. In my mode, the headphones live for about five hours – I guess most people will have the same situation. Is it good? Let’s just say that this is the average temperature in the hospital – it’s just that in the case of all other AirPods headphones, they behave more or less predictably. But for other manufacturers, the declared six hours sometimes turn into three.
If you order headphones at an Apple store, you can ask for a free engraving – a cool option! We constantly confuse AirPods in the office, and families sometimes have several of them.
Sound
I think the first AirPods Pro have excellent sound quality, and the second model boasts the same. A huge dynamic driver perfectly conveys all the shades of your favorite track, and the sounds in games, YouTube videos or movies. I love watching TV series and movies on iPad with Pro 2 / Pro.
Many people have some strange position about the sound of AirPods, they say, well, yes, a cool headset and everything is convenient, cool, BUT it’s such a sound in terms of sound. I try all the expensive TWS on the market and I can tell you for sure: for Apple technology, there is NOTHING better than AirPods in terms of convenience, sound and joint integration. Turn on Lossless, set up spatial audio, enjoy and don’t listen to any audiophiles.
Regarding the changes – I tried to compare the same tracks on Pro and Pro 2, there is a difference. The Pro 2 has a much more interesting bass, a larger stage, overtones and all sorts of previously unnoticed little things are heard – in general, this applies to everything related to sound in general.
There are no delays in games, I already talked about the quality of speech transmission – everything is perfect here.
- Well, in general, everything is predictable. Apple is developing devices with a very long life cycle, now the AirPods line is harmonious and covers any needs. Over time, all headphone models will be re-equipped with H2, they will add the U1 chip, a few other chips, and let them continue to be sold in hundreds of thousands.
