Ok, is only few minutes since the previous post when I taking a photo before even pairing the new AirPods 4 ANC (AP4) to my iPhone and MacBook Pro. And I'm thinking that I will waiting maybe a couple of hours for some initial impressions and comparisons, BUT I really must saying this only after few minutes of testing.
First thing I must mentioning is that now is many years that I try avoiding in-ear monitors after using them for several years before. I don't know why my ears one day simply starting saying "NO more in-ears except if is absolutely necessary!"
So, in last 8-9 years I'm using principally full-size BT or ANC headphones even when I have some very good wired only headphones (HD800 and HD600) and the excellent wired custom IEM UERM.
BUT in my life, and for many years, I keep using EVERY SINGLE DAY (sometimes several hours) the open style BT earphones, principally for podcasts, telephone calls and sometimes for films -- never for music, except for quickly testing the quality of the music (NOT the sound) of a track in YouTube or other platform.
I loving the original first Gen AirPods principally because of the wonderful convenience (I quickly forgetting I have them in my ears). Then the AP2 adding wireless charging but same sound. Then is the 1st Gen AirPods Pro (APP1) and I'm impressed with the sound quality AND the ANC performance, but, unfortunately, already in this time in my life in-ears aren't for me anymore.
Then is coming the AirPods 3rd Gen (AP3) in September 2021. I'm waiting excitedly for this release, and isn't a disappointment. The sound is clearly better than AP1 & AP2 but isn't so good like the APP1, but this isn't a problem because I have my headphones for music. BUT the AP3 is offering spatial audio that I really LOVE with podcasts --this difference is very substantial from AP1 and AP2--, and sometimes when using my Apple TV also with spatial audio. But spatial audio isn't for me with music but isn't a problem because I have good headphones.
Then AirPods Pro 2 Gen (APP2) is coming out and, even when in-ears aren't for me, I want testing this knowing I can sending back to Apple if I'm not happy. I decide keeping the APP2 because even when I don't using very much, when I need using them, they are really fantastic in several aspects (GREAT ANC, VERY decent/good sound, volume control in the earpieces (great!!) AND is still very pocketable).
BUT, The reason that I'm writing this post very soon after my previous and before doing more slow tests is this:
The AP4 is, like the Americans say, "the real deal" ---- at least for me, and I know this already only after literally couple of minutes.
I know very well that sound and ANC performance will depending in the fit for each person. BUT, my very quick --really quick-- comparisons, specially between AP3, AP4 and APP2, is that sound quality on the AP4 is VERY clearly better than in the AP3. One thing that I always missing in the AP3 is better bass performance. Even when AP3 isn't sounding tinny like the AP2 (for the way they fit my ears), the AP3 is still lacking bass amplitude, specially when comparing with the APP2.
Not only is bass level (amplitude) really VERY more close to APP2 bass levels in the AP4, but isn't sounding so bright like my AP3 (again, with my personal fit). This is sometimes little problematic when testing some music quickly in Internet. In fact, maybe the AP4 is a little doing the reverse, and is sounding maybe little more warm than I like, but I don't have a problem AT ALL -- I know that the difference is very substantial in favour of the AP4 than in the AP3.
Also, volume level is more loud in the AP4 than the AP3, and more similar to APP2's volume. This is very good.
My super quick ANC test with ANC on with the AP4 --- is very impressive!....but isn't so good/strong like the ANC in the APP2, but VERY, VERY impressive for an open style earphone. The ANC in the AP4 isn't like the rubbish ANC others manufactures advertising in their products -- the ANC of the AP4 is very real and very good. More testing will coming later.
Excellent job by Apple......and even the case is so small!