Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) ​​​​​​​

I have found AirPods the most ergonomic of the earbud offerings and use them for phone (extensively), audiobook and music. There is a lot of emphasis across all kit on display quality for eyes but sound quality can be overlooked. The value of privacy and not disturbing other people means that comfort when used for long periods is also important.I moved up from AirPods to AirPod Pro after finding that the former tended to fall out when walking (regardless of cup fitting) and the greater sound quality was an incidental benefit.The first generation of the Pro have been excellent and I would probably not have upgraded but the holder and pods inside did not survive a cotton hot wash when left in a jeans pocket (don’t try this at home). I tried drying them by putting them in a bowl of rice but no luck.Generation 2 was imminent and I made do with a different make for a month. Although not inexpensive, the stand ins fell well short of AirPods in terms of comfort, staying in the ear, weight and simplicity of use. I had to refer to a manual because the design was not intuitive.AirPod 2 prompted an upgrade to my Iphone OS for full functionality (you can proceed without but don’t benefit from all the enhancements). Once done, pairing completed in seconds and a brief tour popped up explaining ‘on stalk’ controls.There are all sorts of jargon reviews about spatial sound field depth and so on. All I know is that, from recollection after a month’s gap, the sound quality and immersive sense was better. This could be partly the stand ins but I used them far less because they were not up to AirPod user friendliness. I used the pro 1 for a long time and I can identify a material improvement to an already good sound stage. Phone calls and audiobooks are not much of a challenge and to put the new generation through its paces I chose a few tracks that would test out bass, high notes, quiet and wall of sound music. To my ear, these very light earbuds are high quality hi fi and on a par with a Bose unit we use. The difference with the Pro 2 seems to be a sense of openness - more akin to listening to 3D sound versus an enclosed headphone experience.Noise cancellation - good in generation 1, it is dramatic for its ability to negate external sounds in the new incarnation. It also seems to be less artificial. Rather than a cotton wool effect, it is more as if external sounds are removed and that the degree of cancellation in some way takes account of the level of ambient noise rather than a blanket effect.There is no noticeable difference in size, weight or mass of the kit and the stalk seems to be much the same. One change is a further ear cup size, accommodating to a wider range of fitting needs.Most controls (volume, pause, skip) are available on the stalks. I have always found it easier to operate these from the phone and it took a degree of practice to test out ‘stalk control’. It works and may be useful for the gym and running.I think generation 1 AirPods were waterproof but not the charging case. Both are now certified water (rather than splash) proof. I wouldn’t risk them in a long boil wash again but a waterproof case reduces the need to safeguard it when out and about. Not tried them in the shower or swimming and will leave this to anyone prepared to risk new kit in the interests of reviewing.Charging is, as per previously, possible using a charging mat and the spec states markedly improved usage per charge - 6 hours listening/4.5 talk time for the AirPods and 30/24 for the case. Slightly less with spatial audio and head tracking (?! - think ‘cinema surround sound’).Important to note - AirPods can be used with non Mac devices but some of the advanced features are not available, requiring Mac OS.The one phenomenon that I will need to wait and see to know if it has been eliminated is ‘fade’. On all AirPods I have noticed after a while that phone callers report that my voice is fading out (random occurrence) for no accountable reason. I only notice this on calls, not listening and it seemed to be a function of the microphone and software because I could hear the caller fine. It was the only (and intermittent) issue I had with previous versions. I kept software up to date and the only other cause I have read up is ‘too many apps in use). iPhones don’t close apps and I have to periodically swipe and clear a dozen or so. Could be the issue and I have only discovered this as the possible culprit when looking for problems reported on line with generation 2. The only claimed problem was an apparently continued one - connectivity between multiple devices. I haven’t noticed this but I haven’t experienced a problem when switching between my Mac, IPad and phone or a Bluetooth enabled land line phone.And finally. All told I have probably spent 3 hours over the years searching for the case, which can easily get lost in pockets (thus the washing machine incident). The number of times I have been delayed going out or forced to take a call because I had misplaced them is legion. This has been solved by being able to ask the AirPod case to emit a ping to reveal where it is in hiding.Overall. I would have hesitated to buy these if I had not machine washed version 1 and then taken a backward step with another make. However, my subjective impression is that these are a significant step forward for an already good piece of kit. If you use AirPods on a daily basis for a fair while I consider that you will find these worthwhile the upgrade. Plenty are prepared to change smart phones at each launch (I usually wait three years) but to use an analogy, better tyres can improve driving experience for far less outlay than changing a car. AirPods support quite a lot of high end kit and the outlay enhances the overall utility of that ecosphere.

I had been looking at the 1st generation not long after they hit the market , did the research looked at many reviews etc but never committed to purchasing them .Earlier this year read that there would more than likely be an updated version coming out and as I travel a bit more these days , along with more hiking and outdoor activities I decided to get these which are my first pair of Bluetooth headphones. I am more than happy with them in the following areas .Fit - Having a selection of ear buds is excellent , that said the ones already attached fitted perfectly . There is also a text you are able to carry out to check if you have them fitted correctly , can be slightly fiddly but didn’t take long to sort it out .Set up - I am in the Apple eco system and these have seamlessly connected to all my other items without fail so far .Sound - Everyone everywhere can claim to be an audiophile , it’s not something anyone is ever going to have on their gravestone ( as far as I know ) and sound like many other things can and is subjective to the individual .I will say for me the sound is more or less spot on in terms of the highs and the bass is enough without being boomy .The spatial sound might be gimmicky for some but you can choose to have on / off as you wish . I found it worked rather well, the set up for this is pretty straightforwards using your phones camera.The fact you can control the volume directly from the AirPods is great especially if your phone is in a bag / rucksack so no looking like you’re having a spasm while trying to get your phone out of a tight pocket either should you need to turn the volume down .Transparency Mode / Noise Cancellation I have tested these out while on walks and in an internal environment when others are around me , TV’s on etc , they work extremely well and as with the volume you can toggle off/ on from the AirPods and can choose if you want to do this from the left or right AirPod .The Find My feature is good to have , the speaker on the case was louder than I expected .Charging - Great that you can use the Apple Watch charger to charge the case up and there is a charging cable included but no charger plug !I’m finding the battery life good so far but this will obviously differ depending on how often you use them and if the noise cancellation is engaged .Looking at what many have said about the previous generation I opted for the AppleCare in case of any future issues .I will say given the price of these Apple could have included the lanyard but I’ve got at protective case with one included arriving later for the same price they charge for their single lanyard !