AirPods (1st generation) - Specifications. EarPods headphones: photos, reviews, characteristics. Controlling EarPods. How to clean, how to disassemble? Wireless headphones apple earpods characteristics

Review

No wires. No difficulties. Pure magic.

AirPods are changing the way we use headphones. When you take your AirPods out of their case, they immediately connect to your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac. 1 Audio starts automatically when you put on the headphones and pauses when you take them off. Double-tap the earbuds to use Siri to change the volume, make calls, or even get directions.

AirPods use the W1 chip, specially designed by Apple, as well as optical sensors and an accelerometer that work together to help the headphones understand when you're wearing them. Depending on whether you're using one or two headphones, the W1 chip automatically distributes audio and turns on the microphone accordingly. And when you're on a call or using Siri, an additional accelerometer and variable-pattern microphones cancel out ambient noise and keep your voice clear. AirPods with the ultra-efficient W1 chip effectively consume battery power and allow you to listen to music for 5 hours without recharging. 2A with a wireless charging case that provides multiple additional charge cycles, they can last more than 24 hours. 3 Need a quick charge? Just 15 minutes of charging in the case allows you to listen to music for another 3 hours. 4

Peculiarities

• Designed by Apple
• Automatic power on and connection
• Set up all Apple devices with one touch 1
• Quickly access Siri with a double tap
• More than 24 hours of battery life when using Charging Case 2
• Fast charging in the case
• Amazing sound and voice quality
• Easily switch between devices

Contents of delivery

• Charging case
• Lightning to USB cable

Universal access

• Live listening support 8
• Assistive technology Switch Control

Weight

• AirPods (each earbud): 4g
• Charging case: 38g

Dimensions

• AirPods (each earbud): 16.5 x 18.0 x 40.5 mm
• Charging case: 44.3 x 21.3 x 53.5 mm

Connectivity

• AirPods: Bluetooth
• Charging case: Lightning connector

AirPods sensors (in each earphone):

• Dual directional microphones
• Dual optical sensors
• Motion accelerometer
• Voice accelerometer

Power and battery

• AirPods with Charging Case: More than 24 hours of playback, 3 to 11 hours of talk time 6
• AirPods (fully charged): up to 5 hours playback, 2 to 2 hours talk time 5
• 15 minutes of charging in the case allows you to listen to music for 3 hours, talk on the phone for 4 hours or more 7

System requirements

• iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models with iOS 10 or later
• Apple Watch models with watchOS 3 or later
• Mac models running macOS Sierra or later

Compatibility

iPhone models

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone X
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone SE
• iPhone 5s
• iPhone 5c
• iPhone 5

iPad models

• iPad Pro 11 inches
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5 inches
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad mini 4
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
• iPad Pro 9.7 inches
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini 3
• iPad mini 2
• iPad Air 2
• iPad Air

Mac models

• 12" MacBook
• MacBook Air 13 inches with Retina display
• 13-inch MacBook Air
• 11" MacBook Air
• 13-inch MacBook Pro, Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)
• 13" MacBook Pro
• 15-inch MacBook Pro, Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)
• 15" MacBook Pro
• 21.5-inch iMac with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
• 21.5-inch iMac with Thunderbolt 2 ports
• 27-inch iMac with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
• 27" iMac with Thunderbolt 2 ports
• iMac Pro
• Mac Pro
• Mac mini, Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C)
• Mac mini

Apple Watch Models

• Series 4
• Series 3
• Series 2
• Series 1
• 1st generation

Apple TV models

• Apple TV 4K
• Apple TV HD

iPod models

• iPod touch 6th generation

1. Requires an iCloud account and macOS Sierra, iOS 10, or watchOS 3.
2. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2016 using preproduction AirPods with pre-release software paired with preproduction iPhone 7 units and software. The playlist contained 358 different audio tracks (in AAC 256 kbps format) purchased from the iTunes Store. The volume level was set to 50%. Testing involved using AirPods to play audio until the battery was completely drained (until one of the headphones stopped playing). Battery life depends on device settings, usage conditions, and many other factors.
3. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2016 using preproduction AirPods with pre-release software paired with preproduction iPhone 7 units and software. The playlist contained 358 different audio tracks (in AAC 256 kbps format) purchased from the iTunes Store. The volume level was set to 50%. Testing involved using AirPods to play audio until the battery was completely drained (until one of the headphones stopped playing). After discharge, the AirPods were charged for 30 minutes, then audio playback continued until one of the headphones stopped playing. This cycle was repeated until both the AirPods themselves and the charging case were completely discharged. Battery life depends on device settings, usage conditions, and many other factors.
4. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2016 using preproduction AirPods with pre-release software paired with preproduction iPhone 7 units and software. The playlist contained 358 different audio tracks (in AAC 256 kbps format) purchased from the iTunes Store. The volume level was set to 50%. In the 15-minute charge test, completely drained AirPods were charged for 15 minutes, then continued playing audio until one earbud stopped playing. Battery life depends on device settings, usage conditions, and many other factors.
5. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2016 using preproduction AirPods with pre-release software paired with preproduction iPhone 7 units with pre-release software. The volume level was set to 50%. Testing involved using AirPods for a phone call until the battery was completely drained (until one of the headphones stopped playing). Battery life depends on device settings, usage conditions, and many other factors.
6. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2016 using preproduction AirPods with pre-release software paired with preproduction iPhone 7 units and software. The volume level was set to 50%. Testing involved using AirPods for a phone call until the battery was completely drained (until one of the headphones stopped playing). After discharge, the AirPods were charged for 30 minutes, then the phone conversation continued until one of the headphones stopped playing. This cycle was repeated until both the AirPods themselves and the charging case were completely discharged. Battery life depends on device settings, usage conditions, and many other factors.
7. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2016 using preproduction AirPods with pre-release software paired with preproduction iPhone 7 units and software. The volume level was set to 50%. In the 15-minute charge test, completely discharged AirPods were charged for 15 minutes, then the phone conversation continued until one of the headphones stopped playing. Battery life depends on device settings, usage conditions, and many other factors.
8. Requires iOS 12 or later.

Apple decided to get serious about creating a high-quality headset. She recently released wired headphones EarPods, which, due to their technical properties, can interest any buyer and make a tremendous impression on him.

In the process of creating them, the developers needed to study many other modern headphones, from which they managed to adopt all the best. The changes affected sound perception, fixation, design and much more.

Design

Technical characteristics of EarPods headphones have traditional parameters:

1. They have a reproducible frequency range from 5-21000 Hz.
2. The cable length is 1.2 meters.
3. The headphones have a standard 3.5 mm mini jack connector.

They also come with standard features that allow you to adjust the volume and answer calls. The basic package includes a case.

Packaging and equipment

The new headset comes with a special plastic box, painted white, with the Apple logo on the back. Its lower part has a rigid base, which is closed with a transparent lid. When opened, you can see how the headphones themselves are packaged, each part of which is placed in its own strictly designated sectors.

Some users note that with regular placement and removal of headphones, the hard plastic case will be extremely inconvenient.

EarPods review: appearance

The new wired headphones with the Apple EarPods microphone look very specific. Their design has a teardrop shape, which, according to the developers, is the most perfect. This conclusion was made after conducting a thorough study, during which the company was able to study 600 subjects with different morphological features of the ear structure.

The assembly is done with high quality. The headphones have a holistic appearance, in which there are almost completely no visible signs of connection of individual components. There is a seam between the body and the “lining”, which can only be seen from a very close distance. EarPods can be taken apart for repair or cleaning.

Sound

There have been dramatic changes in the sound. EarPods headphones are ready to please users with their characteristics, which have a number of positive advantages:

1. The addition of bass improved the previous sound quality, making it more spacious.
2. Special attention was also paid to the mid frequencies. Some critics felt that the vocals sounded less natural. However, on the other hand, it lacks harshness, sibilance and whistles, which is a definite plus.
3. Testing the EarPods on the Hifiman HM-801 player with the Prime Test CD1 showed that the low frequencies demonstrate excellent sound.
4. There are gaps at high frequencies. Some people complained that in certain compositions with pronounced musical accompaniment, the sounds began to mix with each other. The stereo panorama has weak volumes.

In general, these headphones can be described as universal, which provide decent sound in any musical genre.

Competitors

The average price of Apple EarPods in Russia varies from 2599 to 1250 rubles. This model can be called a budget option, and in relation to price and quality, it has quite a few similar analogues. And, nevertheless, the following models may act as the main competitors:

1. Xiaomi Hybrid.
2. Sennheiser CX 2.00i.
3. SoundMAGIC E10S.
4. Knowledge Zenith ED9.
5. Panasonic RP-TCM125E.

Compatibility

EarPods with a Lightning connector are suitable for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch with exactly the same output. It is important that these devices have iOS 10 versions. Apple EarPods will not work with iPod nano or any other device with an earlier version of iOS.

Exactly these headphones with a 3.5 mm jack will fit all Apple devices, as well as tablets or gadgets of other brands. However, if you connect the headphones to Android devices, some functions of the remote control may not work. First of all, this concerns:

• volume adjustment;
• reproduction;
• pauses;
• switch tracks.

EarPods Review: Everyday Use

EarPods are very convenient to use and very easy to use. The sound quality is high. The appearance of the headset attracts with its elegance. The headphones, despite the lack of rubber inserts, fit perfectly in the ears without creating any discomfort from rubbing.

The first discussions about Apple wireless headphones have already died down. After all, AirPods are no matter how high-tech, but still an absolutely utilitarian device. And the main questions that concern their potential buyers are: “Will they get lost?” and “How often will you have to charge?” - we have already found the answers. But this approach is not entirely fair to AirPods. Even the way Apple itself positions them makes it seem like they're just a wireless version of the EarPods.

As such, AirPods are, frankly, an expensive toy, especially in Russia, where they cost at least 12 thousand rubles. Moreover, this is the price in the Apple online store after a recent reduction, but for the sake of cheapness you will have to wait for delivery within six weeks. Other sellers are asking an average of 14,990 rubles for AirPods (according to market.yandex as of March 15).

But what if we mentally put AirPods on a par with other compact headphones (in-ear and in-ear) in their price category, no matter whether wired or wireless, and evaluate them by their main parameter - sound quality? It turned out that such information about AirPods from qualified sources on the Internet is not easy to find. For example, we found only one hardware test with measurements of frequency response, nonlinear distortion, etc. In the vast majority of AirPods reviews, sound quality research comes down to the subjective impressions of the author and does not follow a transparent, accurately reproducible methodology.

The phrase “we did a hardware test!” would be appropriate here, but alas, this is still not a core area for 3DNews. However, there is a viable alternative in the form of standardized testing protocols that are used in loudspeaker competitions. For example, the FSQ (Fast Sound Quality) technique, presented back in 2001 by the Acoustic Center of the Department of Broadcasting and Electroacoustics of the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUSI).

The FSQ was originally designed to evaluate automotive acoustics as an alternative to the International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) methodology and was subsequently adopted by the international AES (Audio Engineering Society). Quite quickly, FSQ began to be used in testing home speaker systems. Experienced readers will probably remember that in the mid-2000s, FSQ was also adopted by the computer press. Since then, however, the technique has lost popularity outside the automotive industry and, unfortunately, has been almost completely forgotten by Russian IT publications. It was FSQ that we turned to to clarify the vague and sometimes contradictory assessments of AirPods.

⇡ Apple AirPods: design and construction

Even though we decided to consider AirPods primarily from the standpoint of sound quality, first we will remind you about the design of the headphones and the functions embedded in them. In terms of design, AirPods replicate the standard headphones that come with the iPhone starting with the fifth model. It seems that Apple has found an ideal form from the point of view of its engineers, which it is not going to change. The key idea behind the design of EarPods and AirPods is to overcome the main disadvantage of these types of headphones - a narrow sound stage. The sound of each “drop” comes from two holes, one of which is directed inside the ear canal, and the second is directed forward in such a way that the wave is reflected from the curve of the auricle. An additional hole on the outside of the earpiece allows the speaker cone to vibrate freely and thus better reproduce low frequencies.

However, the new headphones are not an exact copy of the EarPods. The main difference is the thick leg of the AirPods, which houses the battery (with a capacity of 90 mWh) and the antenna. However, the shape of the drops themselves has changed. They were made a little larger to provide more room for additional electronics and a larger speaker (cone diameter is 7.5 mm instead of 7 mm in EarPods). By the way, Apple abandoned the paper membrane in favor of a transparent rubber-like material. How this affects the sound quality, we will find out later, but it is obvious that the headphones are now better protected from moisture. Gaskets glued to the grilles on the inside should also help. Officially, the device does not have an IP level of protection against environmental influences, but users have found that AirPods survive short-term immersion to a depth of three meters and a full cycle in a washing machine.

The black spots on the outside and inside of the “drop” are infrared sensors, through which the electronics determine that the earphone is inserted into the ear. There are a pair of accelerometers inside to trigger Siri in response to tapping on the body, but a single sensor would be enough for this. Using two AirPods, it registers skull vibrations during a call to better separate your voice from background noise.

Each earphone has two microphones: the main one at the end of the stem with a beamforming function and an auxiliary one under the pinhole - to exclude noise from sound recording (the headset does not have active noise cancellation). By the way, the edging of the main microphone is made of metal, not painted plastic, which means it will not wear out over time. It also has a utilitarian function: the headband is divided into two parts, through which the earphone is charged in the container.

Whether AirPods fit well in your ears depends on the shape of the ears themselves. The fact that AirPods are slightly larger than EarPods improves grip. In the author’s experience, you can shake your head as much as you like and the headphones won’t pop out. Another thing is the fear of loss, which can only be helped by a hat pulled tightly over the ears (we do not recommend a foil headdress - it will weaken the signal). Fortunately, as Apple reports, at authorized service centers you can buy individually any parts of the AirPods set (headphones and container) for a third of the official price. iOS version 10.3 will also feature a search function for AirPods - either by sound signal or on the map, but in the latter case, the headphones will not be found until they fall within the range of any of the owner’s devices.

The container itself contains a 1.52 Wh battery and is charged via the Lightning connector (a cable with a USB Type-A connector at the other end is included in the package). A three-color LED shows the current charge level of the headphones: red - charging, green - can be removed. The white color turns on if you press the button that starts the pairing process via Bluetooth (it is not needed for pairing with Apple devices, but more on that later). The container lid, like the headphones themselves, is held closed by a magnet, and a spring-loaded hinge instantly opens it. The container does not have its own radio interface.

⇡ Apple W1: Bluetooth of a healthy person

Bleutooth does not have a very good reputation among connoisseurs of high-quality sound, so many were disappointed in advance when it became known that AirPods use BT 4.2, and not any proprietary solution. But in the end, Apple did everything to reveal the advantages of the interface and avoid the troubles that are so familiar to anyone who has ever chosen Bluetooth headphones.

Contrary to popular belief, Bluetooth problems with audio transmission are not related to compression at all. AirPods transmit data using the standard Bluetooth A2DP profile, which has a throughput of up to 500 Kbps - more than enough for high-bitrate compression formats. For example, music in iTunes is encoded in AAC with a bitrate of 256 Kbps. AAC is also used directly when transferring data between Apple gadgets and certified Bluetooth devices. Judging by Apple's requirements for third-party peripheral manufacturers, the codec parameters are 264.63 Kbps constant bitrate and 44.1 KHz.

Thus, the software part of the interface does not in any way prevent AirPods from providing high-quality sound - at least when paired with Apple technology. If the signal is transmitted by a device from another manufacturer, certain restrictions apply. Apple has refused to license Qualcomm's aptX codec, which provides bitrates of up to 352 Kbps and is supported in a number of top Android smartphones. The latest AirPods communicate using the standard SBC protocol (bitrate up to 345 Kbps, but with relatively worse encoding quality).

The real problem with Bluetooth audio is the weak signal, which causes characteristic noise in the audio path. At the same time, a powerful transmitter and amplifier requires a battery of appropriate capacity. To find a balance between signal quality and power consumption, Apple went so far as to design a custom Apple W1 chip for AirPods. The full range of its functions is unknown to us, but it is easy to assume that they are audio signal encoding/decoding, background noise suppression during a call, charge consumption management and security key transfer.

Apple W1 chip (top) - photo iFixit

The radio channel in the Apple W1 operates according to the Bluetooth Class 1 power standard (while most consumer devices are Class 2). At least, judging by the specifications of the new Beats 3 Solo Wireless headphones in which it is installed. Whether this feature is used in AirPods is not entirely clear. However, in our tests, the headset transmitted audio from an iPhone 7 (which is known to be compatible with Class 1) at a distance of up to 25 meters - more than Class 2 (10m), but less than Class 1 (maximum 100m). and 20-30 m in most cases). Noise noticeable to the ear occurred at half of this distance. Despite this distance and, accordingly, a fairly powerful transmitter signal, the tiny battery in AirPods (90 mWh) is designed for 5 hours of continuous operation (at 50% of the maximum volume).

Another point: each earphone has a separate communication channel with a smartphone, and sound synchronization between the headphones is apparently carried out via the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) interface - just like pairing headphones with Apple devices.

⇡ Binding and control, battery life

Like any Bluetooth headphones, AirPods must first be paired with the main device. If you are logged into iCloud on your iPhone, just bring the open container with headphones to it and confirm pairing in the pop-up window. After this, all devices registered to the owner's Apple ID (including Macs) will be associated with AirPods. Multiple owners can take turns using the headphones without having to re-pair with a new Apple ID each time.

To connect to a tethered iPhone, just open the container. If you do this next to the device, the already familiar window will show the charge level of the components - each earphone and container. Once AirPods are in your ears, iOS automatically switches to them, and you can start listening to music or talking (this feature can be turned off in iOS settings if necessary). If you take one earphone out of your ear, the music will pause; if you take both out, the sound source will change to the phone speaker.

If you make calls from an iPhone, the application allows you to choose where the voice is sent - to the smartphone speaker or headset. Incoming connections automatically use AirPods if you have them in your ears. When talking, use the microphone of one of the headphones. Which one is determined automatically, but you can select the one you need in the iOS settings. Thanks to beamforming and noise reduction, the microphones are extremely sensitive. Siri is much better at recognizing commands through AirPods than the iPhone's microphone, and speech typing is more accurate.

A double tap on any earphone launches Siri or, depending on the settings, controls pause/play of music. You need to knock clearly, otherwise it may not work. Even better if you have an Apple Watch. On the watch, you can control your smartphone's player and adjust the volume in the headphones by rotating the crown. Apple Watch and AirPods communicate directly, so you can download music from your iPhone to your watch and not take your phone with you on a walk.

In MacOS, you need to manually switch to AirPods, and the headset is not detected and activated as quickly as in iOS.

For automatic pairing, instant activation and other joys based on Bluetooth LE, you need an iPhone no older than the fifth model. Owners of iPhone 4s and devices from other manufacturers will have to follow the standard procedure for finding and pairing Bluetooth accessories. Early iPhones are unlikely to be compatible with AirPods due to their Bluetooth version (2.1), although we haven't tested this feature. In addition, it is not clear what other gadgets, besides the iPhone 7, support Bluetooth Class 1 and how much the quality and distance of communication with headphones depends on this. On Android, double tapping the earphone only works as a pause button.

Apple claims that a single charge of the headphones is enough to play music continuously for 5 hours at 50% volume, and the case holds a charge for 24 hours. In 15 minutes in the container, the headphones should gain energy for 3 hours. Judging by our tests, this is absolutely correct data. At maximum volume, the headphones lasted 2 hours and 10 minutes. The microphone during a conversation reduces the operating time slightly - by 15 minutes.

⇡ Sound quality

The FSQ method in its standard version includes 14 test tracks, which evaluate the following characteristics of the speaker system:

1. sound path margin for undistorted volume level;
2. correct phasing of audio equipment;
3. the presence of extraneous sounds, noise and interference in the audio path;
4. the ability of the audio path to reproduce the lowest sound frequencies;
5. uneven frequency response of the audio path;
6. linearity of the stereo image across the width of the sound stage;
7. microdynamics and separation of the sound stage in depth;
8. position and focusing of the stereo image in the horizontal and vertical planes and the naturalness of the transmission of the musical attack;
9. musical and timbral balance of the sound of musical instruments and vocals;
10. linearity of the sound picture in terms of volume level and macrodynamics.

Those wishing to test their own audio system or headphones are advised to download the “Audio Doctor FSQ” test disc and testing instructions from the MTUSI Acoustic Center page. One of the advantages of this method is clear evaluation criteria that compensate for the subjective nature of testing. In many tests, the expert only needs to answer whether the sounds that should be in the recording are heard, or, conversely, those that should not be there.

Next, we will sequentially list the results of listening to FSQ test recordings on AirPods. Each test will be accompanied by a short description from the instructions for the FSQ Audio Doctor. For comparison, we also tested the EarPods that came with the iPhone connected to an iPhone 7. The FSQ test recordings were pre-converted from WAV to Apple Lossless (ALAC) format.

Based on the listening results, we can say that AirPods produce very good sound in the class of in-ear headphones. In particular, it is clearly better than Apple's wired headset.

AirPods and EarPods have common advantages. The strength of both models is their open design, which creates a wide-ranging soundscape. Of course, headphones of this type, and headphones in general, do not convey the depth of the scene well, but in EarPods and AirPods, at least there is no feeling that the sound source is in the listener’s head. Both models feature good speaker phasing, which is based on clear horizontal positioning of sound sources, although AirPods have a slight advantage due to active synchronization of the headphones over the radio channel.

EarPods and AirPods have a similar timbral balance, emphasizing mid-high and high frequencies, making the sound very “bright”, to the point of harshness. At the same time, the amplifiers in AirPods, like the amplifier in EarPods with the Lightning interface, are configured in such a way that at maximum volume no nonlinear distortion noticeable to the ear occurs. The volume reserve is relatively small. Because of this, and even because of the open design of Apple headphones, it is difficult to listen to music in noisy places.

In other aspects of sound, AirPods are significantly superior to their wired counterpart. Both models do the best job of reproducing mid-range frequencies, but in AirPods, sounds in this range are better articulated, much less “messy”. The sound of AirPods has a very distinct attack and microdynamics, and most importantly, bass, which is unusually deep for in-ear headphones, although not at all the same as in-ear headphones or a larger form factor.

An annoying problem with AirPods is noise in the low frequency range, which is not present in EarPods. It’s a shame that the fault for this is not the Bluetooth channel, which works brilliantly in the AirPods-iPhone combination, but the electronics of the headphones themselves. It’s good that people rarely listen to a “bare” sine wave, as in the corresponding FSQ test, and in real sound recordings the noise is already lost.

⇡ conclusions

At first glance, AirPods are a very simple thing: Apple simply removed the wires from the standard “earbuds” that come with the iPhone. But what sets this wireless headset apart from similar devices is how well it works with other Apple technology. While instant pairing (other manufacturers typically use NFC) is nothing new among Bluetooth accessories, very few headphones are then as quickly identified when they're needed, and only Apple allows the headset to be paired with all of the user's devices in one step . This does not use any proprietary radio channel, but only standard Bluetooth LE capabilities. What deserves special mention is that the headphones are automatically activated when they enter your ears.

AirPods are as compact as wireless headphones can be. At the same time, the battery life itself is quite modest, if not for the charging container. Thanks to it, Apple also solved another problem - how to store headphones so that they do not get lost.

The final factor that can tip the scales is sound. The radio channel in AirPods works perfectly, but it is perhaps more difficult to achieve high quality sound from the earbuds themselves based on a combination of characteristics than from any other type of headphones. Apple has done almost everything possible. Due to the orientation of the holes, the headphones create an open stage that extends beyond the listener's head. The sound has good dynamics and attack and, if you make allowance for the form factor, quite good bass. But in the end, whether you personally like AirPods depends on their tonal balance. Due to the accentuated high frequencies, they have a very “bright”, harsh sound, and truly deep bass, whatever one may say, needs to be looked for in a different type of headphones.

For a long time, Apple was reproached for the lack of truly high-quality headphones included with iOS devices. Those headphones that came with gadgets were downright bad. You can’t put them on a par with European models. This situation, of course, did not triple the manufacturer himself. As a result, the development of quite good earbuds with an unusual design and good sound. Today, EarPods are purchased not only as an addition to Apple technology, but also as a separate product for other smartphones. You will find a description of this product below.

At first glance at the accessory, it’s clear that the developers have put in the effort. This is not a template solution, but a very thoughtful one.

The headphones come in the shape of a drop. And on each side there are open speaker grids.

According to the Apple company, this shape is anatomically ideal and therefore the part does not cause discomfort when worn in the ear. By the way, owners of headphones 100% confirm that this is so.

Unusual control mechanisms are another feature of EarPods. If we compare them with the “appearance” of other mid-priced accessories, the headset remote control is somewhat elongated.

The product is made of plastic. Despite all the quality of the accessory, it is inexpensive - probably due to the low cost of materials. However, the technological component, as always with Apple, is at its best. Therefore, these headphones take a step forward purely in terms of appearance.

Sound quality

These headphones are the first product in its line to support bass frequencies. While playing melodies, pleasant vibrations are emitted. But in the high-frequency spectrum, the developers went too far, making them too saturated. There will probably be fans for this too, but it’s impossible to listen to dynamic tracks with these settings.

Alas, EarPods cannot cope with processing “heavy” compositions. The result is a chaotic set of sounds that does not give an idea of ​​the integrity of the work. There’s no need to even talk about highlighting the subtleties of vocals and other aspects.

The bass hasn't gone far either. But here at least there is a guarantee of clear sound and completeness.

Things are going great with rock compositions. Here the accessory shows itself to its fullest, and only from its positive sides. Guitar parts are played perfectly, vocals are divided into 2 channels, the efforts of the drummer are clearly audible, nothing is blurred.

However, you should not consider this product only for listening to your favorite music tracks. Its advantages lie in unusual approaches to control and spectacular design. That is, as a high-quality and functional headset, this accessory is the most attractive.

EarPods resistance

The accessory included with the iPhone has the following parameters:

• Resistance: 23 OHMS
• Sensitivity parameter: 109 DB
• Frequency range indicator: 5 – 21 Hz.

If we talk about resistance, is it a lot or a little? The developer himself resolves the doubt: using high-impedance accessories from iPhones without other accessories makes no sense.

Then how to get high-quality sound?

Achieving great portable sound

If you are serious about getting excellent sound on your iPhone, prepare funds to purchase an external portable amplifier. The resistance of accessories with high parameters allows them to be better than their low-resistance “brothers”. This is achieved due to the fact that the amplifier delivers much less current at high voltages. All this prevents the waves from being distorted at the cascade. In addition, high resistance gives more uniform amplitude frequencies.

Another option for achieving good sound is the use of single-driver accessories. They look like regular earbuds, but the mid- and high-frequency range is elevated. This provides high purity sound.

Control Features

This accessory can be called a full-fledged headset, and not ordinary headphones. It is multifunctional and has many options for interacting with a mobile device. There are not many control elements, but they are available.

The EarPods remote control is equipped with 4 components - a microphone jack, two volume controls, and a central element. The latter is the most important component; it is responsible for working with calls and music. To start playing a music track, you need to press the center button once. If you need to rewind the melody or select a different one, click the button two or three times, depending on the action.

It also depends on the type of action whether you need to hold the element or not after a series of clicks. Siri is a great help in communicating with headphones. You can give him any command or ask a question. And you don’t need to enter the device menu.

Impressions from EarPods

The accessory evokes diametrically opposed opinions. Positive reviews talk about the great functionality and endurance of the headset. With this product, the Apple company made an innovative breakthrough in terms of design, and also created an effective management system. All this added to the ergonomics of the headphones.

Negative reviews mainly talk about the lack of sound insulation. Oddly enough, in this parameter the product is inferior to even the most inexpensive models. And if you can come to terms with this drawback when interacting with an accessory at home, in outdoor conditions it manifests itself negatively.

Conclusion

When assessing the technical characteristics of the Apple EarPods MD827ZM, it is worth considering that headphones are not the company’s main product. Today, the market for innovative devices is divided into segments. Manufacturers producing highly targeted products achieve the greatest success.

That’s why EarPods and their parameters are best considered as a separate accessory with average capabilities. But the proprietary developments of the Apple company also cannot be ignored. They are precisely what distinguishes the models from the market giants. And first of all, this concerns “appearance”. The style and shape fits perfectly with all Apple devices. But the main feature is the developed control system. It makes using the accessory comfortable and ergonomic.

Apple tries to make any update to its products as revolutionary as possible, changing most of the characteristics and, of course, the appearance. Earpods headphones, the price of which is $29 (in Russia - 3-4 thousand rubles), clearly have not been particularly popular since their release, since they have not been improved since 2001. In this article we will take a closer look at the characteristics and reviews of the product. Separately, it should be emphasized that there are many fakes on the market, so you should look at the headphones you buy as carefully as possible.

Packaging and kit

If a consumer receives headphones as an addition to a purchased device, then the packaging is unlikely to confuse anyone. The owner will receive a small hard case directly used for transportation.

Due to the fact that the cost of headphones is average, almost none of the owners make any complaints about the packaging. It is made in minimalist notes, which are so characteristic of the American manufacturer. The fly in the ointment is the inconvenient case. It looks impressive, beautiful and interesting, but a very patient and stubborn person will be able to constantly remove the device from it and put it back. Next, we will find out whether Earpods are wireless or not.

Design and wearing comfort

The appearance of the headphones is interesting. It will suit any style of clothing. The body is made of milky plastic. The assembly is top notch, as expected. All details match each other perfectly. Some buyers (judging by the reviews) did not even notice that there was a seam between the body and the bell-shaped cover. It is visible only if you look closely.

What is a bell? Many people ask this question. This is an innovation from Apple, although sometimes it was already found as rubber attachments. These headphones use a plastic insert, which is equipped with a metal mesh. The manufacturer justified this decision in the following way: this will allow for maximum ease of use.

Of course, if we compare Earpods, which have good reviews, with the usual average (Chinese) earbuds, then the American ones clearly win. However, most owners notice that they do not hold up well due to the plastic case. If there were at least rubber inserts, then everything would be much better. You should not try to wait for any changes from the manufacturer, since it is unlikely that attachments and other additions will be released. Chinese companies will do this faster.

Noise isolation is low, so Earpods easily transmit any sound from the environment. They are even more or less suitable for listening to music on the bus, on the street, at work, at home, but you should not use them on the subway. The control panel is more than standard for an American manufacturer. It allows you to change the volume, switch songs, talk with your interlocutor. The built-in microphone is quite high quality. The headphone cable is good. After separating the wires, you can use a special slider. However, judging by the reviews, it makes virtually no sense.

Sound

Very often, consumers compare this device with expensive products from other brands. Therefore, the characteristics of Earpods headphones regarding playback quality will be quite appropriate. Low frequencies sound good. There is an occasional hum, but it is quiet and easy to get used to. Don't talk about beautiful and unique detail, because it isn't. The fact is that the amount of bass is a certain feature of these headphones. The bell is necessary to act as a resonator. This gives increased sound of low frequencies. If you listen to weak tracks, then this feature will be an advantage, but heavy compositions will only deteriorate. Many consumers note that the bass could be made smaller.

Mid frequencies are not very good. They are hidden under the rest of the range of reproduced details. The vocals are too unnatural. There are no sibilants, no whistles, no harshness. This can be considered a positive thing. There are very few high frequencies, but even with this, the Earpods are not dull and do not present compositions too dryly. If anyone is interested in a more detailed description of the sound, then you should read the information below. The attack shows itself on the good side, however, if it is not in the low-frequency segment. The stereo panorama has practically no volume, it is not wide. You shouldn't expect any particular help from her.

To summarize, we can say that the headphones are rather universal. Because all genres sound about the same. It is impossible to single out individual ones that would be better or worse.

Device Compatibility

Everyone advises using Earpods only with official equipment from the same American manufacturer. It is with them that the device works well, the volume has a considerable reserve, the microphone and remote control do not malfunction. Everything is perfect and there are no problems.

Cable

The thickness of the headphone cable is standard for such devices from Apple, but the length has been increased by 3 cm. It is 107 cm. The cover of the plug is made of hard plastic. It is difficult to damage, so there is no point in worrying about it. Even though the plastic is slippery, the plug is easy to use and can be inserted and removed instantly. Some claim that the company produces Earpods wireless headphones, but our article is about a different model.

The cable has a special inscription confirming the originality of the device. It is printed in a small font, followed by a number. There is a standard-shaped slider that allows you to change the length of the bifurcated wires. The inside is made of plastic and covered with rubber.

Remote control buttons and microphone

Like many other headphones from the American manufacturer, these are equipped with a remote control. It performs many useful and necessary functions. The buttons received a more modern and interesting design, which attracted buyers. Among the changes, we can note the abandonment of the sharp edges of the keys. Now the Earpods headphones will never catch the button on your collar or other item of clothing. This will not only not create discomfort, but will also extend the life of the key.

If we talk about branded players from an American manufacturer, then it should be noted that the included headphones do not have a control panel. If you wish, you can always purchase a headset separately and easily use it on any device.

What to do if only one earphone works?

Many people wonder what to do if their Earpods don't work. The most common problem is the presence of only one functioning speaker. Most consumers expect the second earphone to break down before they can buy a new product with a clear conscience. But the fact is that all devices of the American company reproduce melodies in stereo mode as standard. What does this mean? This solution signals to the phone that the instruments should be separated: some are fed to one earphone, the rest to the other. If only the left speaker is working, then the owner will hear only strings, but not keyboards, since they are fed into the right earphone.

To fully enjoy the melodies, you need to switch the playback mode to “mono”. This step will allow you to get high-quality sound even through one earphone. This can be done in “Settings”, “Universal Access” menu. This is where there will be a special column for changing the regime.

This procedure will help many people solve the problem with a non-working earphone. Although this will not correct the defect, all instruments will be fed into each speaker.

How to distinguish a fake from the original?

It is very important to take a closer look to see if the Earpods you are buying are original? That is why the question of how to identify a fake remains relevant and open. What signs and features will help you do this?

• Package. Most Chinese companies create terrible boxes all the time. Quite often, the bitten apple logo is poorly printed. The plastic is of poor quality, and the seal is as deep as possible. These factors should already make the consumer question whether it is genuine. It is best to compare the original packaging with the purchased one, having in hand the physical version, and not a photo.
• Weight. The weight of the original device including the case is 31 g, while the fake device weighs only 28 g.
• Products. Everyone has wondered when buying Earpods how to spot a fake. Everyone understands that important nuances lie in the assembly and materials of the product itself. The fake version has gaps, creaks, and play. The droplets most often lack a signature indicating which earphone is which. The speaker grilles are made of rags. This is not only a serious problem, but also a very important difference from the original. Since this material distorts the sound and reduces the service life of the device.

Results

Anyone who has read this review will be able to understand whether Earpods are worth purchasing. Their price is small, but not too small. All the pros and cons are described, which will help you decide on your upcoming choice. Not everyone likes the quality of playback of this product, which puts some buyers off. You should first listen for yourself, and only then draw conclusions. In addition, the design and build quality fully justify all the negative aspects of the headphones.