AirPods have become incredibly popular wireless earbuds since their introduction in 2016. With their ease of use, seamless connectivity, and iconic design, AirPods are the go-to wireless earbuds for many Apple device owners. But with multiple generations of AirPods now available, which model actually provides the best sound quality?
AirPods Generations
There have been three main generations of AirPods released so far:
- 1st generation AirPods – Released in 2016
- 2nd generation AirPods – Released in 2019
- AirPods Pro – Released in 2019
Each new generation has brought improvements in sound quality, battery life, and features. Let’s take a closer look at how the sound quality differs across these models.
Sound Quality Factors
When evaluating sound quality, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Frequency response – The range of bass, mids, and treble the earbuds can reproduce.
- Drivers – The speakers inside the earbuds that produce the sound.
- Active noise cancellation – Technology that counters outside noise to improve audio clarity.
- Eartip seal – How well the eartips seal in your ear canal to passively block noise.
- Connectivity – Bluetooth version affects bandwidth for wireless audio transmission.
With these metrics in mind, let’s compare the AirPods generations.
1st Generation AirPods
The original AirPods have a relatively limited frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. This leaves out some deep bass and higher treble. The drivers are fairly small at just 5.3mm. There is no active noise cancellation and the hard plastic design doesn’t form a tight seal in most ears.
However, the Apple W1 chip inside the AirPods provides highly efficient wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 4.2. Overall, the sound quality is decent for truly wireless earbuds at the time but not outstanding.
2nd Generation AirPods
The 2nd generation AirPods improve upon the originals in a few ways. The frequency response is slightly wider at 20Hz to 20kHz. The drivers remain the same size at 5.3mm. However, the H1 chip enables even lower wireless latency when using AAC codec audio.
The 2nd gen also supports “Hey Siri” hands-free activation. But there is still no active noise cancellation or improved eartip seal. The sound quality gets a mild improvement but isn’t radically different than the 1st gen.
AirPods Pro
This is where we finally see a major jump in AirPods audio quality. The AirPods Pro have a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz plus an extended range up to 10kHz for brighter treble. The drivers are now dual drivers at 10.8mm and 7.2mm for richer sound.
Most importantly, Apple includes active noise cancellation technology for the first time in AirPods Pro. The flexible silicone eartips also seal the ear canal for improved passive noise blocking. The H1 chip enables low latency wireless audio over Bluetooth 5.0.
Taken together, these advances make the AirPods Pro a serious audio upgrade over previous models. The sound has noticeably better clarity, bass, and detail.
Sound Quality Comparison
Here is a breakdown of how the key sound quality specifications compare between AirPods generations:
| Model | Frequency Response | Drivers | Noise Cancellation? | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Gen AirPods | 20Hz – 20kHz | 5.3mm | No | Bluetooth 4.2, Apple W1 chip |
| 2nd Gen AirPods | 20Hz – 20kHz | 5.3mm | No | Bluetooth 5.0, Apple H1 chip |
| AirPods Pro | 20Hz – 20kHz, extended highs up to 10kHz | Dual 10.8mm and 7.2mm | Yes, Active Noise Cancellation | Bluetooth 5.0, Apple H1 chip |
Based on these specs, the AirPods Pro are the clear winner for sound quality. The extended frequency response, dual drivers, and active noise cancellation make audio clarity much better than 1st and 2nd gen AirPods.
Real-World Performance
Lab measurements only tell part of the story. Here’s how users and experts describe the sound quality difference in real-world usage:
- “The AirPods Pro sound astonishingly superior to the standard AirPods. The clarity and presence is immediately noticeable.”
- “With the AirPods Pro, Apple has built a truly wireless earbud that sounds far better than the original AirPods.”
- “Overall, the sound quality is very impressive. The sound is fuller, clearer, and more natural than my AirPods.”
Reviewers and users consistently praise the improved audio fidelity of the AirPods Pro, especially compared to the 1st and 2nd generation AirPods. The sound has more detail, warm bass, and crisp highs.
Which AirPods fit your needs?
While the AirPods Pro deliver the best overall sound quality, other factors like price and features may guide your decision between models. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- AirPods Pro – Best sound quality, noise cancellation. Most expensive.
- 2nd Gen AirPods – Marginal upgrade over 1st gen. Wireless charging case option.
- 1st Gen AirPods – Decent sound for the time. Most affordable now.
If sound quality is your top priority and budget allows, the AirPods Pro are the definite choice. Otherwise, weigh factors like price and extra features to choose what fits your needs.
Conclusion
When it comes to sound quality, the AirPods Pro come out on top. Key improvements like active noise cancellation, dual drivers, and extended frequency response enable noticeably better audio fidelity. While the 1st and 2nd gen AirPods sounded decent for their time, the AirPods Pro deliver a real audio upgrade.
That said, factors like price, fit, and features may still make earlier AirPods a good choice for some users. But for those who want the very best sound from Apple’s wireless earbuds, the AirPods Pro are the clear winners.