With the arrival of the third generation of its AirPods, Apple has chosen to increase the price to £170. To be fair, the revamped AirPods boast a sleeker design, along with a number of other new features. And if the price doesn’t suit you, the previous second generation has had its price reduced from £160 to £120.
The trademark ‘stalk’ that protrudes from your ears has been reduced in size while the earpieces are slightly larger to house a new custom driver. This is now angled downwards in order to rest more comfortably in the ear and to direct sound directly into the canal.
The AirPods are now rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance, so they’ll be able to cope with a spot of exercise in the great outdoors. The main microphone now includes a ‘wind mesh’ to reduce noise for voice calls, while a second internal mic monitors the sound inside your ears to provide ‘adaptive EQ’ settings based on the shape of your ears. Battery life is improved from five to six hours, although the charging case allows you to recharge the AirPods for a more respectable total of 30 hours.
Denne historien er fra February 2022-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2022-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Old boys network
As the lineups start to emerge for this summer's festivals, Nigel Williamson investigates where the problem lies for the continuing dearth of female headliners
DESTINATION: LEITH
Welcome to a friendly haven of Californian cool in the creative heart of a former Edinburgh port. Simon Berkovitch samples the sunshine on Leith
Core values
Apple’s revamped HomePod smart speaker off ers attractive sound quality, but its Apple-centric focus remains frustrating for Cliff Joseph
Forty something
Creek Audio is celebrating its big four-o with the release of the new 4040 A integrated. Nick Tate lights the candles and listens in
One for all
German high-ender AVM wants to make top all-in-one performers. David Vivian takes a listen to its all-singing integrated amp
Three for all
The 700 Series receives a helping of tech from the flagship 800 models. Ed Selley sees how the smallest speaker fares
All in one
DAP, DAC, amplifier and streaming device, is there anything A&K’s new Acro can’t do? Cliff Joseph finds out
Wooden wonder
Better known for its speakers, ELAC’s range of electronics now has a new flagship turntable. Ed Selley takes it for a spin
System matching
Why finding the perfect synergy between your chosen integrated amplifier and favourite speakers holds the key to maximising your system’s potential
Game on!
At times the hi-fi and gaming industries might seem like they’re worlds apart, but Cliff Joseph reckons they both share a love of high-quality sound