Apple AirPods
5 h, Wireless
Product rating for Apple AirPods
Good headset, but probably not for me in the long run.
I've had the Airpods since the 24th and have listened to a few hours of music with them so far. Here is my current conclusion:
- Sound: ok. Certainly not top class, but for a Bluetooth headset rather better than the competition that I have used so far.
- Workmanship (case and headphones): really great, nothing to complain about. However, it remains to be seen how they hold up in everyday use. For example, I'm not sure how well they handle sweat.
- Support: so far I've been jogging once and the support was perfect.
- Wearing comfort: I generally have problems with in-ear headphones. This is also the case here: after a few minutes in the ear, the pinna hurts. However, this is certainly very individual.
- Operation: takes some getting used to - I have to tap it several times each time.
- Battery: I have never worn them until the battery is completely dead. However, I have noticed that one of the two ear tips has a significantly higher battery consumption. I put this down to the fact that only one communicates directly with the mobile phone via Bluetooth and then passes the signal on to the other via Near Field Technology. Bluetooth consumes much more power for the direct connection with the mobile phone.
Overall, I would rate the Airpods higher if it weren't for one factor: I get a headache after about 30 minutes with them in my ear - every time so far. I don't know if this is due to the shape (i.e. physical pressure on the ear and / or the skull bone), or because the things shine like a Christmas tree. Unfortunately, Apple used Bluetooth class 1 for the W1 chip, which corresponds to a maximum transmission power of 100mw (the same as a WLAN access point). According to the FCC, the SAR value is 0.466 - rather higher than, for example, a Galaxy S7 EDGE phone or a Pixel XL. I find this rather alarming, especially since the competition from Jabra etc. manages with Class 2 (10x less transmission power).
Pro
- good workmanship
- Works perfectly and without fuss with the iPhone
- Good hold (also when jogging)
- Sound quality alright
Contra
- Wearing comfort
- High SAR value for a Bluetooth headset
I don't know if 3 stars is too few, but I have to agree: If they are uncomfortable, I would return them. For me they fit... but I've only had them in my ears for a short time. The rest I can only agree with.
As a small correction; the two AirPods both communicate independently directly with the iPhone. So no "harmful" radiation through the head ;-) Why they need different batteries could possibly be due to the stereo sound -- but I don't think it should make much difference.
OK, thanks - I was just guessing because of the different battery drain. Of course, the radiation at the head does not improve when both transmit at full power :-)
Do they want to sell their Airpods ?
Just to comment on your statement "radiates like a Christmas tree". Every mobile phone emits thousands of times more radiation than any Wi-Fi device. By the way, it has been proven that headaches, back pain and other symptoms that are supposedly caused by WLAN are a mental illness. So don't worry about it.
Dear Fabrice - I cannot make any statement on the harmfulness, I simply do not know. In the case of LTE, a mobile phone "radiates" exactly 1.25 times more than WLAN (125mw compared to 100mw for WLAN). 3G transmits with a maximum of 250 mw.
For all technical people: I have found an interesting, technical document on this topic (SAR): https://www.bag.admin.ch/dam...
The SAR value is a maximum possible value. The devices of the first Bluetooth class must regulate the consumption of energy. If the connection between the devices is good, then the device uses less energy for communication.
