[Bob24]

I was saying to you all a few posts back on this thread (see page 24), especially to some so called audiophiles like Bob24, but there was a general denial about AirPods’ audio quality, mainly due to the classic misconceptions and bias. Yes I agree with you, AirPods are quite good in everything! A very big creativity moment for Apple!!

Personal attack a little? (I never called myself audiophile nor did anyone else I think but I gather in your mind "so called audiophiles" is an derogatory term for people you disagree with?)

And if you summarise what people are saying here it is not much different from what we were saying a few pages back: they are an excellent product for their simplicity and sound better than most people expected based on the EarPods, but audio quality is of course nothing near similarly priced wired earphones and the lack of isolation is a problem in some situations.

 

[Jajo]

I love the AirPods. But while I was experimenting with other wireless earphones, my wife claimed the AirPods as her own!

I tried the Bose Free. They are good, but lots of left drop outs and they are huge. Currently I have in B&O E8. So far so good.

If these don’t work, I’ll probably just get another set of AirPods. I just wish they had a better fit for me. Edit: I even lost one in the snow while running. I was gutted, but ended up paying $70 for a replacement.

For reference, my daily wired headphones are JH16, and I am pretty pleased with the sound from AirPods.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Personal attack a little? (I never called myself audiophile nor did anyone else I think but I gather in your mind "so called audiophiles" is an derogatory term for people you disagree with?)

And if you summarise what people are saying here it is not much different from what we were saying a few pages back: they are an excellent product for their simplicity and sound better than most people expected based on the EarPods, but audio quality is of course nothing near similarly priced wired earphones and the lack of isolation is a problem in some situations.

Actually, I think when properly-fitted they can rival some wired ~ $149-$199 IEM’s.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Case in point: Sennheiser Momentum wired in-ear (left) vs AirPods (right)

 

[RiseFall123]

Case in point: Sennheiser Momentum wired in-ear (left) vs AirPods (right)

AirPods are totally without bass??

 

[MICHAELSD]

AirPods are totally without bass??

Rolls off low bass like many audiophile headphones ironically, but retains the more audible bass range over 60Hz. This may be more due to fit since a tighter seal will result in more low bass. It does have a solid mid-bass punch, but I do wish it got deeper. Bass performance compares to my ATH-AD700.

 

[Michial]

The more I listen, the better they sound. Call it burn-in, call it a better fit, or just a mental adjustment but AirPods can certainly play with the better IEMs I’ve heard. Still not absolutely perfect, but you’re not losing as much as you’d think for the convenience. I think considering all the significant improvements Apple has been making to their device speakers, the R&D into HomePod, and the popularity of AirPods that Apple is capable of producing AirPods that any audiophile can appreciate — and we’ll see that product within five years.

I bought some old school white foam covers. They fit a bit more snug with a tiny bit more of a seal. Got a 50 pack on Amazon for like 5 bucks. Plus they fit in the case and close and charge while still on.

 

[RiseFall123]

Got a 50 pack on Amazon

Link please!

 

[Michial]

The resale on these is ridiculous. Avg selling price is like 75% of what they cost new after a year of ownership.

 

[Michial]

Link please!

Here another one like what I got.
12 Pack(24pcs) Foam Earbud Earpad Replacement Sponge Covers for Earphone (White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073319RJZ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

 

[RiseFall123]

Thanks, what I like is that they even fit in the case!

 

[Michial]

Thanks, what I like is that they even fit in the case!

They’re a pain in the sense you have to cut holes to keep the sensors working. A guy on YouTube posted a video how he used a lighter to heat a metal tool burn holes and cut outs into the foam to be more precise.

 

[SparkOnShore]

Personal attack a little? (I never called myself audiophile nor did anyone else I think but I gather in your mind "so called audiophiles" is an derogatory term for people you disagree with?)

And if you summarise what people are saying here it is not much different from what we were saying a few pages back: they are an excellent product for their simplicity and sound better than most people expected based on the EarPods, but audio quality is of course nothing near similarly priced wired earphones and the lack of isolation is a problem in some situations.

I think you got your answer below;

Actually, I think when properly-fitted they can rival many wired ~ $149-$199 IEM’s.

Case in point: Sennheiser Momentum wired in-ear (left) vs AirPods (right)

 

[AlwaysForward]

I've found the Bose Soundsport Free to be the audiophile set I was looking for, for workouts. But then just fell in love with the overall sound quality. Awesome imaging, bass, mids, highs. The shallow insert reminds me more of overear than in ear. In a lot of ways, they sound and feel like the Audeze iSine and QC35 had a baby. They knocked it out right out of the park with these. Both for workouts and general listening. Calls are good too.

I now use my airpods mostly for calls or times when the smaller charging case makes more sense to bring with me.

 

[AlwaysForward]

Actually, I think when properly-fitted they can rival many wired ~ $149-$199 IEM’s.

Disagree. Perhaps more accurately, factually incorrect. This is a similarly bold claim to when Jude called out your post exaggerating the performance post in the Studio 3 thread. Airpods are cool and sound good but they don't compete at all with even $100 IEM like the triple driver. Go the quoted range includes LZ A4, Quad Driver (which I own), Pinnacle P1 or FiiO F9.

You've stated many times on head-fi that you don't like IEM in the first place. I'm commenting for posterity so that anyone who reads this in the future won't be confused by the post here.