Apple AirPods
5 h, Wireless
Apple AirPods - Search headphones, offer ear canal
24.3.2017
Translation: machine translated
They're finally here, the Apple AirPods. Apple fans have been waiting for the launch of the wireless earphones from Cupertino not only with impatience, but also with some concern. The main question is whether the PODs will stay in your ear or whether they will constantly fall out. Here are the answers to your questions.
Apple already knows how pretty packaging works. The AirPods box, and we're not even talking about the charging case, is small, deliberately boring and unobtrusively minimalist and - what makes me particularly happy - doesn't use any superfluous materials.
Well, the packaging isn't one of the main arguments in favour of a purchase, so let's leave that alone. I just find it a bit strange that some manufacturers produce a gigantic box and others provide practically no packaging at all.
Also here, the design is deliberately kept in boring white. In this context, boring should not be seen as a negative aspect, because the computer giant's decision to design its devices in an inconspicuous and bland way not only takes courage, but also deserves respect. After all, no other company has managed to attract so much attention with its daring design decisions, even if the devices are deliberate understatements.
Mobile phones are a prime example of this. When Apple launched the iPhone on the market in 2007, the company had a lasting impact on the shape and design of mobile phones. Even though the rectangular form factor with rounded corners and a few hard buttons was the obvious choice, Apple was the first manufacturer to really make a big splash with its design.
The design of the AirPods nevertheless has some weaknesses. Some are obvious, others less so. However, it is often not a design decision alone that leads to the flaw becoming apparent, but a combination of several factors, including the human factor.
- The actual headphones are held in the charging case by magnets. That's clever, because otherwise they would fall out when I hold the case upside down
- The headphones are made from the same slick material as the charging case
- The headphones are close together
If I now want to take the headphones out of the case, the grip along the long side of the opening is ideal. So one finger on the front and one behind the headphones, where the lid is attached to the case. But because the material of the earpiece is so smooth, I instinctively prefer to look for a place where I have more grip. So one finger between the earpieces, one on the left or right outside of the case. Because that's where the headphone speaker is and therefore an opening. The space between the earphones is not big enough for my fingers. However, my colleague Phil has only slightly smaller hands and narrower fingers than me and has no problem with this.
This problem, which has now been widely publicised, can be summarised as follows: If you have large and wide hands, then you may struggle to take the AirPods out of the case. On the other hand, pairing with the iPhone as well as with Android devices is easy, fast and pleasant.
The quality under the bonnet
The AirPods are an understatement. This means that they are not intended to impress visually. Because the quality of the little earbuds is clearly in the sound. And it's a stunner.
As small and dodgy as the actual headphones look, they sound great. As a lover of strong, muffled bass, I really get my money's worth here.
Not only is Method Man's voice warm and a little raspy, but the beat throbs wonderfully, even at a volume that is actually acceptable. This is exactly how headphones should sound. Sure, other products also offer beautiful sound, but the effect that the understatement in the design creates with the power in the sound is quite surprising.
The outside world only remains outside at high volume, so the sound insulation from the outside is quite poor depending on the shape of your ear canal. But the AirPods can be really loud. Where I can turn up the volume to the maximum with other headphones, my ears hurt with the AirPods when I turn them up to around 75 per cent of the maximum volume. What's more, the sound simply doesn't get any worse. The bass is always under control, the treble is always crystal clear. The reason why it's not so easy to block out the world is that the headphones' smooth material is not designed to seal off the ear canal. Instead, the AirPods are designed to simply drown out the outside world if that's what the user wants.
The justified concerns of critics
One of the main arguments against the AirPods is that they can easily fall out of your ears and get lost. So why should a customer decide in favour of the headphones if they can lose them again within a few seconds?
I have recently tested a large number of headphones and have never been able to understand this concern. All wireless headphones from underwhelming ones like the Bragi Dash to my favourites so far, the Jabra Elite Sport when we want to go completely wireless, have so far been great in the ear. Even when I've shaken my head in the best death metal style or sweated during training. No problem at all.
Nevertheless, statements like the following don't let up.
At this year's CES, I'm adopting all the AirPods I find on the floor as my own
.
David Ruddock, author of the tech blog AndroidPolice, isn't the only one who worries about lost AirPods. After all, the thought "But they're quite loose" was one of the first that popped into my head when I tested them. That was the first time I had to think about the fit of the headphones in practice.
For even more money than the headphones cost, you can buy the AirPod Strap from the manufacturer Spigen. The thin strap connects your AirPods and wraps around your charging case when not in use.
If you do lose your AirPods, you can search for them using Apple's "Find my iPhone" app. But only if the small devices are in the immediate vicinity.
This is a good thing, because the AirPods fall out of the ear really easily. This is because Apple has probably decided, for design reasons, to make the earphones as seamless and monotonous as possible. The result is slippery. A little slip resistance wouldn't have hurt the AirPods.
The bottom line
The Apple AirPods sound good, very good in fact. They sound about like decent headphones should sound: Rich, full sound anywhere, no matter what you like. But the workmanship leaves a lot to be desired. They are probably made for a certain average ear size, which of course won't suit everyone. If you have large hands, you may also have trouble with them, as the case is a little small.
The AirPods have the dubious distinction of being the first wireless headphones I've ever worried about losing. A little shake of the head and my left earpiece flies through the air.
But one thing is clear: Apple is setting new standards with the AirPods, even if not in terms of form factor. But the sound clearly speaks in favour of the purchase. Furthermore, the operation relies on Apple's old motto: "It just works", even with Android.
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