For myself, headphones are all about audio quality. I will happily pay more to get the best listening experience and the sound quality is 100% where it's at for me. I own multiple headphones for different environments (home, travel, walking, gym) and different listening experienced (closed vs open design). My search is for the best in each category of headphone and therefore in each environment. Also after years of testing headphones and speakers, the ONLY WAY TO TEST in my opinion is a back and forth comparison with the same equipment and songs. Our ears forget what something sounds like and it's easy to get very excited with a new headphone or speaker and think "this is the best I've heard". We have to do a back and forth session to notice the differences. There is no other way to do it. This is why I write my reviews the way I do and why I think 90% of reviews out there are useless. People get excited with a new item and make exaggerated claims because its hard to compare using memory alone. Countless times I've gotten excited about headphones, speakers or food and thought "this is the best" and then am surprised when I do a back and forth comparison to realize that it really wasn't that good. So let's get started!
Airpods 3rd Generation vs Razer Hammerhead. These are my two best in-ear unsealed headphones. I've tried a lot and thought compare the best. The Airpds retail for $169 and the Razers were $99 (now $39).
Airpod audio sound more inside your head (more intimate). Razer audio sounds more outside your head (wider sound stage). Razer sounds more 3D.
Airpod audio is more balanced across the spectrum and sounds full and flattened. Razer audio has the vocals more forward with the instruments more in the background. Razer has a larger spacial quality to the audio.
Airpod audio has less texture and detail. Razer audio has more texture detail.
Airpod audio has a thicker rumble to the bass and the bass remains during the music. Razer audio has tighter, punchier bass. The difference is like a higher quality sub-woofer that is accurate, tight and strong versus a lower quality sub-woofer which extends the bass with a rumble rather than a tight punch. Razer audio sounds like a higher quality sub-woofer (less rumble, more punch).
Airpods secure better in my shaped ears and feel tucked in, while not sealing my ears. Razers feels like they are sitting on my ear and not tucked in like the Airpods.
Airpods 2nd Generation is inferior in every way to the 3rd Generation. 2nd Gen have noticeably less detail, sound very flat and do not fit the ear as well.
Final opinions: In my search for unsealed in-ear headphones, the Airpods 3rd Gen and Razer are the best I've heard. There aren't many competitors in this genre of headphone and these two are the best IMO. It's a toss up between which one is better because different people have different listening preferences, music styles and personal needs. I'll do my best to advise.
- If you constantly wear your headphones, walking with them, using them for calls, etc - the the Apple Airpods 3rd Gen are the way to go. They are more comfortable and secure much better in the ears. They won't fall out. I've had the Razers fall out on my walk numerous times that it's almost a daily occurrence.
- If you want a more audiophile grade experience with a Bluetooth in-ear unsealed headphone, the audio quality of the Razer is better IMO. More detail, more texture, wider sound stage, and tighter bass. The only draw back with the Razer is that the sound stage is artificially-enhanced by adding a echo-like effect. It's small but it's there.
- If you want a more forward sounding and someone intense audio experience the Airpods push the sound into your head and give an intimate but somewhat intense experience. People who want to be inside their music (like center-stage, front row seat) will prefer the Airpods 3rd Gen. This would be better for electronic music, hip hop, dance and most of the modern trends.
- If you prefer to sit in the middle or back of the venue and hear the instrument separation and a wider sound stage, the Razer is a better choice. It's not an intimate but it's more open and airy and has a more laid back quality. This is better for jazz, blues, and classic rock.
A little background: I prefer the open ear design to my over-the-ear headphones and I own or have owned many of the flagship (very best) headphones from brands like Sennheiser, AKG, Audio-Technica, Hifimann and Sony. I have owned the best wireless over-the-ear from Sony, B&O and Philips. I have owned the best wired in-ears from Sennhesier and Westone. I have owned the best wireless in-ears from Sony, B&O, Tozo, and too many to remember. I also own audiophile grade amplifiers and DACs costing costing well over $1,000 each. At present, wired headphones will always sound better than wireless. More information can pass through wires than airwaves. In the future, wireless will match wired but I think that will take a while to happen. For now, if you want the best listening experience, get a wired headphone.
Compare Apple AirPods
| Price | From: - | From: $249.00 | From: $79.99 | From: $519.00 |
| Ratings | (40,934) | (147,249) | (614,235) | (13,305) |
| Fit | Universal | Customizable | Universal | Customizable |
| Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode | - |
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| Chip | Apple H1 headphone chip | Apple H1 headphone chip | Apple H1 headphone chip | Apple H1 headphone chip (each ear cup) |
| Hey Siri | Always on | Always on | Always on | Always on |
| Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
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| Battery life (listening time on one charge) | Up to 6 hours of listening time | Up to 4.5 hours of listening time | Up to 5 hours of listening time | Up to 20 hours of listening time |
| Battery life (listening time with charging case) | Up to 30-hours | More than 24-hours | More than 24-hours | - |
| Bluetooth |
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| LED Charging Light Location | Front of Case | Front of Case | Top of Case | - |
| Qi Compatible |
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- | - |
| Adaptive EQ |
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Videos
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2:18
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Is the 3rd Gen airpods better than the first?
Reece Wheeler
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2:16
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Honest review of Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
Rebecca Sadhwani
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1:53
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Guide to buying wireless earphones #thisorthat
Accidental Adult
Reviews with images
A solid upgrade over the AIrPods 2
I don't understand why people feel the need to post their their non-verified purchase reviews(basically opinions) of new Apple products. But since I got mine today and all the reviews are from people who haven't even seen, let alone used the new 3rd gen AirPods, I will give my initial impressions.These are the successor to the standard, 2nd gen AirPods released in the spring of 2019. These keep the open design without eartips, but adopted the look and control system of the AirPods Pro. These also get wireless charging by default (like the AirPods Pro), as well as MagSafe charging (something that the AirPods Pro were updated with after these were announced). I am an Apple fan, for sure, and I own all versions of the AirPods that are currently sold as well as the Beats Studio Buds. Some people think that these aren't worth $180 because the Pro model already exists and sells for $180-200 usually, even though the list price is $250.These do not have the active noise cancellation feature that the AirPods Pro or Beats Studio Buds have, but I think people are forgetting that some people don't like using earbuds with tips that go into your ear canal. That is one of the the things that made AirPods so popular in the first place, plus the fact that they are made by Apple. There aren't a ton of options for premium, open true wireless earbuds with the universal fit that AirPods offer, they're just not as common as the kind with silicon eartips. And there is no way to use the AirPods Pro without also using the eartip, they won't stay in place like theses 3rd gen AirPods will.The bud itself is larger on these compared to the previous model with the longer stems, so these feel a bit different when you put them in your ear. I got used to it pretty quickly and they are really comfortable, they stay in place really well for my ear shape. These have the force squeeze controls that the Pros have and it is so much better to use than the old tap controls. If you haven't used this controls system before, you will most likely enjoy using it more because the bud doesn't get pressed into your ear when you need to pause the music and you get more options for controlling playback.The other big upgrade here is the sound quality along with Spatial Audio which works just as well as it does on the AirPods Pro. The sound quality now is pretty much on par with the AirPods Pro, some reviewers have even said it's better. It includes the Adaptive EQ feature where the earbuds are constantly re-adjusting the sound to give you the best quality audio based on your surroundings. There is an internal microphone dedicated just to analyzing the audio to make sure it sounds as good as possible.Spatial Audio is kind of hard to explain but I will try my best, instead of having a static left and right channel audio, the audio sounds like it's all around you. For Video, it makes the sound seem like it's coming from where the video is playing (your iPhone or iPad or Apple TV). Think about if you are listening to audio from a speaker that is in front of you, if you turn your head to the left, your right ear is going to be hearing more of the audio because your left ear is now facing away from the speaker. That is what spatial audio is like, using the new AirPods when you watch a video on your iPhone. The AirPods use the sensors(accelerometers and gyroscopes) in the earbuds as well as in your iPhone to calculate the position of your head in reference to the device playing the video. The end result is that the audio sounds like it is in front of you, coming from the device, even though it’s playing through the AirPods. It really is awesome and it's one of my favorite features of these AirPods, the older 2nd generation did not include this feature but the Pro model does. While originally it only worked on iPhone/iPad, it now works on Mac and Apple TV as well.The last thing to mention is these AirPods now have better sensors for detecting when they aren't in your ear, even the Pro model doesn't have the new skin detection sensors. This means that if you take out your earbuds and put them in your pocket or a dark place like a drawer, the AirPods will not be fooled and won't accidentally un-pause your music until you put them back in your ear. The old model used optical sensors that were good, but not this good.Pros+Wireless Charging+MagSafe charging comes standard (before you had to pay extra)Spatial Audio for watching videos and for supported songs through Apple MusicOpen design that doesn't require the use of eartips you have to put in your ear canalMuch improved sound quality over the previous generation (AirPods 2)New force touch sensors like the AirPods ProBetter in-ear detection thanks to skin detection sensorsImproved mic quality for voice calls, Apple is using a new codec for voice calls (AAC-ELD)Longer Battery Life (6 hours) [compared to 5 hours on Airpods 2 and 4.5 hours on AIrPods Pro]Better support from the Find My app, there is now a precision finding feature similar to AirTags and you can ring them while they are still in the case (only available on the new AirPods 3)Apple’s H1 chip and the strength of the ecosystem (Hey Siri, your messages and notifications will be announced to you, auto switching between devices signed into your iCloud account, audio sharing, etc). To be clear, these are not new or exclusive to AirPods 3, but still add to the value proposition.Cons-No Active Noise Cancellation because of the open designThe AIrPods Pro can sometimes be had for roughly the same priceUniversal shape might not fit everyone’s earsNot as compelling for people with Android phones and Windows computers. Apple’s OS and software is what makes these so magical
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
Style: Wireless Charging CaseVerified Purchase
For myself, headphones are all about audio quality. I will happily pay more to get the best listening experience and the sound quality is 100% where it's at for me. I own multiple headphones for different environments (home, travel, walking, gym) and different listening experienced (closed vs open design). My search is for the best in each category of headphone and therefore in each environment. Also after years of testing headphones and speakers, the ONLY WAY TO TEST in my opinion is a back and forth comparison with the same equipment and songs. Our ears forget what something sounds like and it's easy to get very excited with a new headphone or speaker and think "this is the best I've heard". We have to do a back and forth session to notice the differences. There is no other way to do it. This is why I write my reviews the way I do and why I think 90% of reviews out there are useless. People get excited with a new item and make exaggerated claims because its hard to compare using memory alone. Countless times I've gotten excited about headphones, speakers or food and thought "this is the best" and then am surprised when I do a back and forth comparison to realize that it really wasn't that good. So let's get started!
Airpods 3rd Generation vs Razer Hammerhead. These are my two best in-ear unsealed headphones. I've tried a lot and thought compare the best. The Airpds retail for $169 and the Razers were $99 (now $39).
Airpod audio sound more inside your head (more intimate). Razer audio sounds more outside your head (wider sound stage). Razer sounds more 3D.
Airpod audio is more balanced across the spectrum and sounds full and flattened. Razer audio has the vocals more forward with the instruments more in the background. Razer has a larger spacial quality to the audio.
Airpod audio has less texture and detail. Razer audio has more texture detail.
Airpod audio has a thicker rumble to the bass and the bass remains during the music. Razer audio has tighter, punchier bass. The difference is like a higher quality sub-woofer that is accurate, tight and strong versus a lower quality sub-woofer which extends the bass with a rumble rather than a tight punch. Razer audio sounds like a higher quality sub-woofer (less rumble, more punch).
Airpods secure better in my shaped ears and feel tucked in, while not sealing my ears. Razers feels like they are sitting on my ear and not tucked in like the Airpods.
Airpods 2nd Generation is inferior in every way to the 3rd Generation. 2nd Gen have noticeably less detail, sound very flat and do not fit the ear as well.
Final opinions: In my search for unsealed in-ear headphones, the Airpods 3rd Gen and Razer are the best I've heard. There aren't many competitors in this genre of headphone and these two are the best IMO. It's a toss up between which one is better because different people have different listening preferences, music styles and personal needs. I'll do my best to advise.
- If you constantly wear your headphones, walking with them, using them for calls, etc - the the Apple Airpods 3rd Gen are the way to go. They are more comfortable and secure much better in the ears. They won't fall out. I've had the Razers fall out on my walk numerous times that it's almost a daily occurrence.
- If you want a more audiophile grade experience with a Bluetooth in-ear unsealed headphone, the audio quality of the Razer is better IMO. More detail, more texture, wider sound stage, and tighter bass. The only draw back with the Razer is that the sound stage is artificially-enhanced by adding a echo-like effect. It's small but it's there.
- If you want a more forward sounding and someone intense audio experience the Airpods push the sound into your head and give an intimate but somewhat intense experience. People who want to be inside their music (like center-stage, front row seat) will prefer the Airpods 3rd Gen. This would be better for electronic music, hip hop, dance and most of the modern trends.
- If you prefer to sit in the middle or back of the venue and hear the instrument separation and a wider sound stage, the Razer is a better choice. It's not an intimate but it's more open and airy and has a more laid back quality. This is better for jazz, blues, and classic rock.
A little background: I prefer the open ear design to my over-the-ear headphones and I own or have owned many of the flagship (very best) headphones from brands like Sennheiser, AKG, Audio-Technica, Hifimann and Sony. I have owned the best wireless over-the-ear from Sony, B&O and Philips. I have owned the best wired in-ears from Sennhesier and Westone. I have owned the best wireless in-ears from Sony, B&O, Tozo, and too many to remember. I also own audiophile grade amplifiers and DACs costing costing well over $1,000 each. At present, wired headphones will always sound better than wireless. More information can pass through wires than airwaves. In the future, wireless will match wired but I think that will take a while to happen. For now, if you want the best listening experience, get a wired headphone.
Airpods 3rd Generation vs Razer Hammerhead. These are my two best in-ear unsealed headphones. I've tried a lot and thought compare the best. The Airpds retail for $169 and the Razers were $99 (now $39).
Airpod audio sound more inside your head (more intimate). Razer audio sounds more outside your head (wider sound stage). Razer sounds more 3D.
Airpod audio is more balanced across the spectrum and sounds full and flattened. Razer audio has the vocals more forward with the instruments more in the background. Razer has a larger spacial quality to the audio.
Airpod audio has less texture and detail. Razer audio has more texture detail.
Airpod audio has a thicker rumble to the bass and the bass remains during the music. Razer audio has tighter, punchier bass. The difference is like a higher quality sub-woofer that is accurate, tight and strong versus a lower quality sub-woofer which extends the bass with a rumble rather than a tight punch. Razer audio sounds like a higher quality sub-woofer (less rumble, more punch).
Airpods secure better in my shaped ears and feel tucked in, while not sealing my ears. Razers feels like they are sitting on my ear and not tucked in like the Airpods.
Airpods 2nd Generation is inferior in every way to the 3rd Generation. 2nd Gen have noticeably less detail, sound very flat and do not fit the ear as well.
Final opinions: In my search for unsealed in-ear headphones, the Airpods 3rd Gen and Razer are the best I've heard. There aren't many competitors in this genre of headphone and these two are the best IMO. It's a toss up between which one is better because different people have different listening preferences, music styles and personal needs. I'll do my best to advise.
- If you constantly wear your headphones, walking with them, using them for calls, etc - the the Apple Airpods 3rd Gen are the way to go. They are more comfortable and secure much better in the ears. They won't fall out. I've had the Razers fall out on my walk numerous times that it's almost a daily occurrence.
- If you want a more audiophile grade experience with a Bluetooth in-ear unsealed headphone, the audio quality of the Razer is better IMO. More detail, more texture, wider sound stage, and tighter bass. The only draw back with the Razer is that the sound stage is artificially-enhanced by adding a echo-like effect. It's small but it's there.
- If you want a more forward sounding and someone intense audio experience the Airpods push the sound into your head and give an intimate but somewhat intense experience. People who want to be inside their music (like center-stage, front row seat) will prefer the Airpods 3rd Gen. This would be better for electronic music, hip hop, dance and most of the modern trends.
- If you prefer to sit in the middle or back of the venue and hear the instrument separation and a wider sound stage, the Razer is a better choice. It's not an intimate but it's more open and airy and has a more laid back quality. This is better for jazz, blues, and classic rock.
A little background: I prefer the open ear design to my over-the-ear headphones and I own or have owned many of the flagship (very best) headphones from brands like Sennheiser, AKG, Audio-Technica, Hifimann and Sony. I have owned the best wireless over-the-ear from Sony, B&O and Philips. I have owned the best wired in-ears from Sennhesier and Westone. I have owned the best wireless in-ears from Sony, B&O, Tozo, and too many to remember. I also own audiophile grade amplifiers and DACs costing costing well over $1,000 each. At present, wired headphones will always sound better than wireless. More information can pass through wires than airwaves. In the future, wireless will match wired but I think that will take a while to happen. For now, if you want the best listening experience, get a wired headphone.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Julio
Muy buenos.
Reviewed in Mexico on March 21, 2024Style: Wireless Charging CaseVerified Purchase
Rayanne
Qualidade de som perfeita!
Reviewed in Brazil on March 31, 2022Style: Wireless Charging CaseVerified Purchase
Rayanne
Reviewed in Brazil on March 31, 2022
Produto chegou lacrado, demorou um pouco pois foi enviado via pac mas dentro do prazo. So não veio com a garantia de um ano, a data da compra e ativação da garantia foi quando o vendedor comprou o produto, então perdi uns 2 meses de garantia. Mas como eu peguei uma promoção não é um problema pra mim.
Images in this review
Fish
My go-to wireless earbuds
Reviewed in Canada on July 11, 2023Style: Wireless Charging CaseVerified Purchase
Sergio Moreno Martínez
Muy buenos y cómodos.
Reviewed in Mexico on April 22, 2024Style: Wireless Charging CaseVerified Purchase
Fernando
Boa qualidade, mas é caro.
Reviewed in Brazil on April 28, 2022Style: Wireless Charging CaseVerified Purchase
