Apple AirPods 3 in the test: in-ear highlight with tricks
Apple’s AirPods are hugely popular headphones. So it’s no wonder that Apple launched the AirPods 3 at the end of 2021, which visually position themselves between the direct predecessor and the Apple AirPods Pro. The “AirPods 3” test from COMPUTER BILD reveals what makes the audio technology stand out.
The best true wireless in-ear headphones
Sony
Details about the test
Per
good sound
Great noise cancellation
against
Only three sizes of eartips
KEF
Details about the test
Per
Very clear and precise sound
High resolution
against
Complicated relationship
Chunky transport box
Samsung
Details about the test
Per
First class sound
Active noise cancellation
against
Somewhat fiddly operation
Restrictions for iOS users
Samsung
Details about the test
Per
Outstanding sound quality
Useful automatic functions
JBL audio
Details about the test
Per
Clear and precise sound
Battery life of almost 8 hours
against
Touch operation reacts very sensitively
jabra
Details about the test
Per
good sound
Long battery life (7.5 hours)
against
Only three pairs of essays
Angry
Details about the test
Per
good sound
Very effective noise canceling
against
Press continuously
Few replacement ear pads
LG Electronics
Details about the test
Per
Balanced sound
Good battery life (6 hours 50 minutes)
JBL audio
Details about the test
Per
Great sound
Strong battery life (9 hours)
against
A little uncomfortable
Large and scratch-prone charging case
Complete list: The best true wireless earphones
New look, old look
The Apple AirPods (3rd gen) differ quite significantly from the previous models. The style-defining bars are now shorter and have Push buttons (force sensor) on the sides. The typing technology of the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) is obsolete, loyal Apple fans already know it from the AirPods Pro. In general, the Pro version and the AirPods 3 are optically twins. There are only two differences: a sensor is in a different place and the rubber seals that the Pro versions use to stick in the ear canals are missing. The current “normal” AirPods hang loosely in front of the ear canals, but are slightly different from their predecessors. In the long-term test, this did not always ensure the very high wearing comfort, because the technology occasionally slipped out of the ears, especially during conversations and corresponding jaw movements. One active noise cancellation (ANC, Active Noise-Cancelling) does not exist due to this placement.
AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro
The AirPods 3 emulate the AirPods Pro in many other respects. That’s how he determines Adaptive EQ with inward-facing microphones the sound in the ears and compensates for quality losses that may occur if the fit is not perfect. While normally loose-fitting in-ears hardly allow any bass to be heard, Adaptive EQ adjusts accordingly. The adjustment takes a few seconds and is extremely unobtrusive. In general, however, the two models differ little from each other.
AirPods 3 with Pro features
Thanks to Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos there is also 3D sound up and in your ears. This works, for example, with films and series from Apple TV and Netflix, as well as with some music titles from Apple Music. More and more music appears in the appropriate spatial sound mix. It doesn’t matter whether it’s film or music: with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, the sound doesn’t seem to be created in the middle of the head, as is usually the case with headphones. Instead, the sound builds up around the listener, which is more natural and often less strenuous. This also contributes to the natural sound impression head tracking at: It fixes the acoustic room division on the screen – this works with iPhones, iPads and with the Apple TV streaming box. A dialogue, for example, can always be heard from the direction of the screen, no matter where the user is looking. The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max already use this technology. Now it also works with video calls via Apple’s FaceTime service. Here, too, the voice of the interlocutor always comes from the direction of the screen. The AirPods 3 are now also protected against sweat and splash water (protection class IPX4). The battery life was a good six and a half hours in the test, after ten minutes of charging there is power for almost three more hours – great. With the compact case, the juice lasts for 30 hours.
This is what the AirPods 3 sound like
Overall, the sound of the Apple AirPods 3 is balanced and very clear, the bass is precise and clean – thanks to Adaptive EQ, it is also largely independent of the orientation in the ear. Depending on the recording and recording quality, the playback sometimes seems cool and sober – the AirPods 3 don’t sugarcoat anything and do without the otherwise widespread bass emphasis. If you like more bass, you can adjust it on your smartphone. Thanks to the placement in front of the ear canal, the sound often appears spacious and open. By the way: there is hardly any acoustic interference. Even in the Hamburg wind, there is little noise, and people on the phone are largely spared the noise.
Really good sound
Decent battery life
Volume cannot be controlled directly on the in-ears
AirPods 3 review: conclusion
From a purely visual point of view, the AirPods (3rd generation) are a mixture of the predecessor and the Pro version. That’s good, because it also includes many of the big brother’s functions, such as Adaptive EQ and 3D sound via Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. In terms of sound, the 3 Series are significantly better than their predecessors and on par with the Pro. The battery life of six and a half hours is also good. If you don’t like tight-fitting in-ears, but still want good sound, you should take a closer look at the AirPods 3 for just under 170 euros (as of March 2022). Test grade: 1.9.