Apple AirPods Pro (Open Box)

I have had the original and second generation AirPods and loved them, I bought a pair each for my husband and me as the batteries on the ones we had were not the best after almost two years. There is some getting used to with these as the controls are different, extra steps with the noise cancellation, and of course the different ear tips. The iPhone will guide you through picking the correct tip, though after a few weeks I’m going to see if I can play with a different size. The regular AirPods fit like a charm and are perfectly comfortable. The Pros leave a little discomfort, but I’m guessing, for now anyway, it’s because of the different shape that I’m not used to and I’m playing with them. The sound is very good. It’s a wireless set, so you’re not ever getting studio sound, but I loved the sound from the AirPods and the Pro takes it up a level. Depending on the environment you’re in (noise level, how aware you need to be to outside sounds like traffic) the noise cancellation can be on and block a majority of sound out, off which blocks a surprising amount out or transparency which allows you to hear what’s going on around you very well. Having said that because the sound is coming into your ears from the microphones it still is strange to speak with them in. I bought these a few days before the announcement of Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio coming to Apple Music. When I first used the Pros I tried some of the sample audio on the phone and it was pretty cool, but the new content from Apple Music wasn’t out yet. It is now, and wow! I expected some extreme change in how the music sounded. Something like the Maxell commercials sitting in a chair and the music pushing me backward. Because my expectation was so grand, I didn’t really notice at first. It was subtle, but only because I was listening for something else. Not all tracks are engineered the same, some are okay others will give you goosebumps, as if you’re hearing it for the first time. It’s not sound that is gimmicky, turning your head and the music direction changed. The music is all around you. You can feel it. The track that got me was “Here Comes the Sun, 2019 Remix” by The Beatles. Don’t let remix fool you, it's more a remaster. I have been a fan of The Beatles for a long time. Hearing this song with these headphones made me feel as if I was in the studio with John, Paul, George, and Ringo. But this is not about Apple Music but the AirPods Pro. I am in a noisy environment for work one day per week and have conference calls I need to attend. I can use the AirPods in noise cancellation mode and not only can I hear, but my colleagues can hear me with little to no background noise. Despite the smaller size the battery life to me seems even better than the originals, and with the case as a charger I can get them charged up quickly, but in my use I haven’t run out of juice yet. To be fair I do take breaks from music somewhat frequently so they are charging a little throughout the day. The case is a different design and the pods go into the case differently, but the size of the case feels the same as the original despite a different layout. I can slip the case in my pocket with no issues. With iOS 14, watchOS 7, and macOS Big Sur the switching between my phone, watch, and two laptops is seamless, and the only thing easier is the setup. Are there better wireless headphones out there? Maybe, I didn’t really look. I knew these would work with all of my devices. The AirPods were a big leap in sound and function from the EarPods that came with iPhones. The AirPods Pro are a big leap from the original. Now with Dolby Atmos/ Spatial Audio on Music, these give you a multifunctional headphone that produces quality sound and an entirely new way of experiencing music that has the potential to redefine how we experience music. These were a great purchase and for me, worth the additional cost.