AirPods Pro (1st generation)

Source

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)

Key Takeaways

• Infamous hardware defect: internal acoustic mesh failure causes unbearable crackling and rattling when walking or chewing.
• Apple systematically weakened the ANC strength over successive firmware updates to mask defects, cutting isolation in half.
• Proprietary silicone eartip internal retaining clips are brittle, snapping cleanly when pulled off for hygiene cleaning.
• Glossy case scratches from pocket dust on day one, while the lid hinge develops sloppy lateral wobble over time.

✅ Pros

• Pioneering vent system prevents ear-canal occlusion and pressure buildup
• Transparency mode sets the benchmark for lifelike natural environmental passthrough
• Compact form factor with intuitive stem squeeze controls

❌ Cons

• Rattlegate defect introduces maddening crackling and popping sounds
• Successive firmware patches castrated active noise cancellation
• Fragile proprietary silicone tip clips tear during replacement
• Loose charging case hinge with highly scratch-susceptible plastic

📝 Verdict

"Plagued by incurable crackling defects and castrated firmware ANC, the 1st Gen is a retired relic."

Source

• Video: Apple AirPods Pro review: Finally good
• Channel: SoundGuys | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• He never liked the original AirPods (ugly, poor fit, bad sound), but the AirPods Pro made him a believer
• Comes with three sizes of silicone ear tips that are easy to swap, plus an Ear Tip Fit Test; they never fell out on two flights or at the gym, and IPX4 protects against sweat
• The press-to-control stems are reliable and less error-prone than touch swipes, without the issue of pushing them into your ear canal; the H1 chip lets him switch seamlessly between phone and iPad, but it's not as smooth on Android and Windows
• With noise cancellation on, continuous playback lasted 5 hours 6 minutes, on par with the original but not the best
• The sound isn't perfectly neutral, but the mids are good, and calls are fine; priced at US$249, the same as the Sony WF-1000XM3

✅ Pros

• Secure fit
• Noise cancellation and Transparency mode
• Reliable controls
• Seamless in the Apple ecosystem

❌ Cons

• High price
• Average battery life
• Worse experience on Android
• Still look a bit odd

📝 Verdict

You should buy them: better sound, a better fit and competitive features; they're still a luxury, but finally worth considering.

Source

• Video: Sometimes Apple just does it better - AirPods Pro Review
• Channel: Linus Tech Tips | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Apple finally made an in-ear design: once sealed, the sound improves dramatically, with fuller mids and more bass without overdoing it, on par with other wireless earbuds but still short of audiophile products like the Sennheiser Momentum
• Active noise cancellation adjusts by sampling 200 times per second through inward-facing microphones; there are pressure-relief vents, so the sense of pressure is very slight
• Comfort is a major strength; they're easier to wear than many wireless earbuds (including the Powerbeats Pro)
• Android users face inconveniences: no native battery display, and you can't remap a press to trigger Google Assistant, so you need third-party apps
• In terms of price, the Galaxy Buds are much cheaper (but have latency), and the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro is US$100 cheaper with better sound (but no noise cancellation)

✅ Pros

• Improved sound
• Effective noise cancellation with little pressure
• Extremely comfortable
• Smooth to use

❌ Cons

• On the expensive side
• Limited Android support
• Not audiophile-grade sound

📝 Verdict

He thinks they're the most refined combination of sound, comfort and ease of use, and they've become his go-to earbuds.

Source

• Video: AirPods Pro Review: Imperfectly Perfect!
• Channel: Marques Brownlee | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Used for about a week; priced at US$250, they sit alongside the AirPods 2 rather than replacing them
• Shorter stems with force sensors replace touch: press to play/pause, double-press to skip tracks, long-press to toggle noise cancellation; his biggest complaint is that you can't adjust volume on the earbuds themselves
• The charging case is now horizontal, bigger than the old one but still pocketable; the silicone ear tips are a big win—regular AirPods fall out of his ears in three minutes, but these stay in, and replacement tips cost just US$4
• Noise cancellation impressed him and works best with steady noise such as in coffee shops, cars or planes; Transparency mode sounds natural, like wearing no earbuds, with just a slight hiss; with noise cancellation off, the sound is like regular AirPods
• IPX4 means you can work out in them, but if he were specifically looking for workout earbuds he'd choose others; other earbuds have better sound, noise cancellation, battery life and app customization, but the AirPods Pro perfect everyday use

✅ Pros

• Excellent noise cancellation and Transparency mode
• More secure silicone ear tips
• Instant pairing with the H1 chip
• Compact charging case

❌ Cons

• Can't adjust volume on the earbuds
• Not audiophile-grade sound
• Not the longest battery life

📝 Verdict

They're not audiophile earbuds, nor specialized workout or flight earbuds, but if he could pick only one pair of earbuds for everything, he'd pick the AirPods Pro.