With its cutting-edge technology and stylish aesthetics, Apple has proven itself a top competitor in headsets. However, before making a purchase decision, it's essential to compare Apple's headset with its competitors to ensure you're getting the best value for your money. In this article, we'll examine the specifications, usability, and cost of Apple Bluetooth headphones compared to those of other well-known manufacturers. By examining the strengths and weaknesses of each option, you'll be equipped with the information you need to make an informed decision and find the perfect headset that suits your needs. So, let's dive in and compare Apple's headset with its competitors.
Read Less Read More Product List
1. Apple Air Pods Pro
Design and Fit: The AirPods Pro are designed to provide a more personalised and snug fit than the original AirPods. Customisable ear tips play a crucial role in achieving this. They help create a seal in the ear canal, which improves comfort and enhances sound quality by reducing ambient noise. The shorter stem of these Apple headsets contributes to their sleek and streamlined appearance. The stem still contains touch-sensitive controls for easy access to functions such as play/pause, skipping tracks, and activating Siri. The AirPods Pro's broader and more contoured body allows for additional features. Each earbud includes a force sensor that can control playback or switch between different listening modes.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): With the help of the AirPods Pro's powerful Active sounds Cancellation (ANC) technology, you can fully enjoy your music or podcasts by effectively blocking out outside sounds. Using a combination of external and internal microphones, these noise cancelling headphones can analyse and cancel out unwanted sounds in real-time. Whether you're in a noisy café, commuting in a bustling city, or simply seeking tranquillity, the ANC feature creates a peaceful audio environment by intelligently reducing background noise. It ensures that you can enjoy your audio content with exceptional clarity and focus without any distractions from the outside world.
Transparency Mode: A special function called transparency mode lets you listen to audio content while keeping an eye on your surroundings. When enabled, Transparency mode uses external microphones to capture and amplify the sounds around you, making them more audible in your ears. This feature is handy when you need to hear important announcements, engage in conversations, or want to be aware of your environment without removing the earbuds. Transparency mode is designed to provide a natural and realistic listening experience. By allowing external sounds to pass through, it maintains a sense of spatial awareness, making it easier to interact with people and stay connected to the world around you.
Adaptive EQ: The EQ feature enhances the audio quality by automatically adjusting the sound based on the unique shape of your ears. Analysing the fit and seal of the earbuds optimises the frequencies in real-time, resulting in a well-balanced and immersive listening experience. This feature ensures consistent audio fidelity across different users and allows you to enjoy your favourite content with greater clarity and accuracy. With Adaptive EQ, these Apple headsets latest model delivers a personalised sound tailored to your ear shape, enhancing overall audio enjoyment.
H1 Chip: The AirPods Pro utilises Apple's H1 chip, which provides seamless connectivity and efficient performance. This chip enables quick pairing with Apple devices and smooth switching between devices connected to your iCloud account. It also improves battery efficiency, enhances audio processing, and allows for hands-free voice commands with "Hey Siri." With the H1 chip, the AirPods Pro, one of the best headsets, deliver a seamless and user-friendly experience, ensuring hassle-free connectivity and optimal performance.
Controls and Sensors: The AirPods Pro have touch-sensitive controls on the earbud stem, allowing you to control audio playback, answer or end calls, switch between ANC and Transparency modes, and activate Siri with simple gestures. The earbuds also feature optical sensors and accelerometers that detect when they are inserted or removed from your ears, automatically pausing or resuming audio playback accordingly.
Sweat and Water Resistance: They are the perfect option for workouts and other activities that involve moisture exposure because they are built with an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance. While not fully waterproof, this rating indicates they can withstand splashes, light rain, and perspiration without damage. Whether you're hitting the gym, going for a jog, or simply working up a sweat, you can have peace of mind knowing that your Apple Bluetooth headset can handle the moisture associated with these activities. However, it's important to note that they are not designed for submersion in water, so caution should be exercised to avoid exposing them to excessive water. With their sweat and water resistance, the AirPods Pro allow you to enjoy your music and stay connected even during active and potentially wet situations.
Charging and Battery Life: The AirPods Pro, one of the best Bluetooth headphones, boast a commendable battery life, ensuring you stay immersed in your favourite audio content for extended periods. With Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) enabled you can enjoy up to 4.5 hours of continuous listening on a single charge, while disabling ANC extends the listening time to up to 5 hours. The accompanying charging case adds even more convenience, offering multiple extra charges to the earbuds. More than 24 hours of listening or more than 18 hours of talking can be done while the charging case is in use. Additionally, a quick 5-minute charge in the case can give you around 1 hour of listening time, making it easy to get back to your music or calls in a pinch. Whether on a long journey, a busy workday, or a workout session, the AirPods Pro's battery life ensures a seamless and uninterrupted audio experience.
Specifications
- Brand: Apple
- Model: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
- Colour: White
- Battery Life: 5 hours
- Chip: H1
2. Marshall Minor III Bluetooth Truly Wireless in-Ear Earbuds with Mic
These features make them a versatile and user-friendly choice for music lovers on the move.
Signature Marshall Sound and Wireless Design: The Minor III wireless headphones deliver the iconic Marshall signature sound, renowned for its rich, powerful, and dynamic audio experience. With a focus on providing an immersive listening experience, these headphones reproduce music with clarity, precision, and a balanced sound profile, ensuring that every detail of your favourite tracks is faithfully represented. In addition to their exceptional sound quality, the Minor III headphones provide the convenience of a wireless design. With no wires to hold you back, you can enjoy your music, podcasts, or any audio content without the restrictions of tangled cables. This wireless freedom allows you to move about, whether you're commuting, working out, or simply relaxing at home, without the hassle of wires getting in the way.
Bluetooth 5.2 Connectivity: These headphones utilise Bluetooth 5.2 technology, ensuring a robust and reliable connection between the earbuds and your device. With Bluetooth 5.2, you can experience enhanced stability in wireless audio transmission, minimising interruptions and dropouts. This improved stability allows you to enjoy your music, podcasts, and calls without disruptions, providing a seamless and uninterrupted listening experience. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.2 offers increased range, allowing you to move around freely without worrying about signal loss. Whether you're in a crowded area or moving away from your device, the Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity of the Minor III headphones ensures a consistent and reliable wireless connection, so you can fully immerse yourself in your audio content.
12 mm Custom-Tuned Drivers: The Minor III headphones feature specially engineered 12 mm custom-tuned drivers optimised to deliver an exceptional audio experience. These drivers are designed to produce loud and crisp sound, allowing you to enjoy your music with clarity and precision. With their precise tuning, the drivers accurately reproduce music, ensuring that every note and detail is faithfully reproduced. Whether you're listening to your favourite tracks or podcasts or watching movies, the 12 mm custom-tuned drivers of the Minor III headphones bring your audio to life, providing an immersive and enjoyable listening experience. The combination of powerful drivers and expert tuning makes these headphones a great choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who seek high-quality sound reproduction.
Mirrored Touch-Sensitive Earbuds: These best Bluetooth headphones feature a sleek and modern design with mirrored touch-sensitive earbuds. These touch-sensitive surfaces offer a convenient and intuitive way to control your music playback and phone calls. With a simple tap or swipe on the earbud surface, you can easily play or pause your music, skip tracks, adjust the volume, and even answer or end phone calls. The mirrored touch-sensitive technology provides a seamless and effortless control experience, allowing you to stay in command of your audio without needing to reach for your device. Additionally, the touch-sensitive feature is available on both earbuds, giving you the flexibility to use either side for control. This user-friendly design ensures that you can easily navigate through your audio content, making the Minor III headphones a convenient and stylish choice for on-the-go music lovers.
25 Hours of Wireless Playtime: With the Minor III headphones, you can enjoy a remarkable 25 hours of wireless playtime, ensuring that your music keeps playing throughout the day. The earbuds provide up to 5 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. However, the convenience continues beyond there. The included portable charging case holds multiple additional charges, extending the total playtime to a remarkable 25 hours. It means you can recharge your earbuds numerous times while on the go, ensuring you always have a power source to keep your music going. Whether you're travelling, working, or simply enjoying your favourite tunes, the excellent battery life of the Minor III headphones allows for uninterrupted listening enjoyment without the need for frequent recharging.
Wireless and USB-C Charging: The charging case of the Minor III headphones can be charged wirelessly or with a USB-C cable. It gives you flexibility in how you choose to recharge the case, ensuring you can always keep your headphones powered up.
Specifications
- Brand: Marshall
- Model: Marshall Minor III Bluetooth
- Colour: Burgandy
- Battery Life: 5 hours
- Drivers: 12mm
Best overall product
TheApple headset AirPods Pro may be the better choice if you value active noise cancellation, seamless integration with Apple devices, and a compact form factor. On the other hand, if you prioritise sound quality, design aesthetics, and longer battery life, the Marshall Minor III headphones might be more appealing. Bothwireless headphones have their strengths and features. But as both are available at almost the same price, Apple AirPods Pro is a better choice.
Best value for money
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), available at only Rs. 24,990, offers exceptional value for money through advanced features, seamless integration, and impressive audio quality. With their active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, these earbuds allow you to immerse yourself in your favourite music or podcasts by blocking out external distractions. The added Transparency Mode provides the flexibility to hear your surroundings when needed, striking a perfect balance between isolation and awareness. The AirPods Pro also prioritise comfort with customisable fit options, ensuring a secure and comfortable experience even during extended use.
How to find the best among the two?
To choose between the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) and the Marshall Minor III Bluetooth headphones, consider the following:
- Sound Quality: AirPods Pro for balanced sound, Minor III for bass-heavy sound.
- Noise Cancellation: AirPods Pro have ANC, Minor III does not.
- Comfort and Fit: AirPods Pro offer a customisable fit, and Minor III has a traditional in-ear design.
- Integration: AirPods Pro integrate seamlessly with Apple devices.
- Design: AirPods Pro have a sleek look, and Minor III has a retro-inspired design.
- Battery Life: AirPods Pro offer around 4.5 hours, and Minor III offers up to 12 hours.
- Price: Consider the price difference and your budget.