Apple Unveils AirPods Pro: A New Design with Active Noise Cancellation
by Anton Shilov on October 28, 2019 7:30 PM EST
Apple today has introduced a new version of its AirPods wireless earbuds, which the company is calling the AirPods Pro. Designed to be an even more premium version of Apple's earbuds, the AirPods Pro features a revamped design that is equipped with a custom high dynamic range amplifier, as well as adding support for active noise cancellation. And with a price tag of $249, Apple's high-end earbuds will carry a price premium to match its new premium features.
Apple’s AirPods Pro is based on the company’s H1 system-in-package, the same SiP that is used for the 2nd Generation AirPods introduced earlier this year. The new earbuds feature a new design with soft silicone ear tips (the company will ship AirPods Pro with three different tips) as well as new vent system that promises to minimize the discomfort of using the in-ear headphones. The earbuds come with a new custom high dynamic range amplifier, which is used to power a low-distortion speaker that can provide bass down to 20 Hz. Meanwhile, according to Apple the H1 SiP as well as the Adaptive EQ technology automatically tunes low- and mid-frequencies of the audio according to the shape of an individual’s ear.
The sweat and water resistant AirPods Pro comes with outward-facing and inward-facing microphones. These are able to detect external sounds, allowing the headset to support active noise cancellation. According to Apple, the AirPods sample the environment at 200Hz, allowing them to quickly respond to changes in outside noise. Meanwhile the new AirPods also add a new feature that Apple is calling transparency mode, which that allows the user to hear the environment around them while using the earbuds, essentially offering an option to reduce/eliminate the noise-blocking properties of the earbuds.
Meanwhile, the new AirPods also support an Ear Tip Fit Test, which can detect whether the headset has a good fit. And of course, the earbuds also fully support the usual AirPods features, including hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ functionality and everything that is derived from that.
Apple's AirPods Pro can work for up to 4.5 hours on one charge with ANC or Transparency mode activated, or for up to 5 hours without them. Talk time of the new headset is 3.5 hours.
The new AirPods Pro are compatible with a variety of Apple’s devices running iOS 13.2 or later, iPadOS 13.2 or later, watchOS 6.1 or later, tvOS 13.2 or later, or macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later.
Apple’s AirPods Pro with a wireless charging case will be available starting Wednesday, October 30 in the US and 25 other countries. In the US, the product will cost $249.
Related Reading:
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Source: Apple
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imaheadcase - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - link
You mean the ones that default get them and not counting those that ditch them? Imagine that!ZolaIII - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - link
Yes they are deluded. All do this year happened a lot of progress regarding TWS we still aren't there yet. Apple for instance delivered with Amp/DAC in this but drivers are subpar along with codec (while AAC actually ain't bad sound quality wise it is regarding latency) and transport protocol. I must admit avare or noise isolation switch is a clever & useful function. Cambridge Audio made a good sounding one's but used bad both BT chip and antenna. Edifier made a cheap budget friendly steep up with their TWS1 and while they did most things right I would still want to see larger 9/10mm more premium Foster drivers, more capable BT chip with costume LDAC implementation which would be a first really good true HiFi TWS. At least at Edifier you can put memory foom ear tips you prefer (all do it's questionable if they will fit in the box with those) & they are cheap enough that if you lose/brake them you won't cry. We did get a satisfactory BT receiver dongle & DAC also satisfactory DAP/DAC/BT mini player both with a clip & affordable enough (Shanlin UP2 & M0). So who knows me by next year someone actually deliver & truly good TWS.damianrobertjones - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - link
Eh?name99 - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - link
Or, maybe, like me, you care a lot more about ease of use than about some supposedly perfect sound reproduction?name99 - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - link
There is a general point here.MOST people obviously want perfect quality; but if they have to choose, that's a lot less important than many other things, from functionality to cost to convenience.
There is a reason MP3 won out over CDs.
There's a reason Pono no longer exists.
There is a reason most people take photos with their cell phones not a dedicated camera.
It's fine to say that YOUR requirements regarding listeningwear are so demanding that only $1000 headphones fit the bill. But extrapolating your requirements to the rest of humanity is not going to provide useful insight into the future of mass-market tech.
ZolaIII - Wednesday, October 30, 2019 - link
Try with VE Monk + that start from 5$ (catch is those are 50 Ohm's so you will need an amp for those) or Edifier H/P 180/190 (those are reference Foster one's) which are 10~20$. I will pay a reasonable margin for a design and better quality but not for a brand or hiped product. For example I am about to buy a portable headphone DAC/amp for 50$ on black Friday which is usually 70$. It's made by little known producing company that usually works for other OEM's (TempoTec) the same product did go for 2~2.5x higher price with Hidis name slamped on it. While it is not nothing special it's better than hiped products such as DragonFly Red/Black/Cobalt that go for 2~3x more money (compared to regular price).You just need to know what you want & what suits your needs. The whole "audiophile grade" story is just an commercial. Back in late 70's and first half of 80's much better audio equipment whose produced & people back then didn't even heard the word audiophile.
ZolaIII - Wednesday, October 30, 2019 - link
Well not that I paid much care about my hearing from numerous concerts, music rehearsals, mixing, mastering and of course listening for all of this year's. I do let them rest. Hearing is something you train & I always say to people that when ever they set laudnes to what they consider ideal turn it a tad down & pay more attention to what they are listening. Surprisingly I hear from 17 to 17000 Hz even I'm 40.reuthermonkey1 - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - link
This is a pretty daft argument.Let's just say that some terrible people have been democratically elected to office by millions of people. Also, how many people voted for Brexit without realizing what it meant?
BedfordTim - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - link
How many people voted for Remain without realising what Brexit meant?edzieba - Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - link
"In your imagination, are ~100 million mostly satisfied customers all deluding themselves?"Counterpoint: Beats headphones exist.