Video summary

The Truth About AirPods Pro 3 Sound — From a Music Producer

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Apple AirPods Pro (likely “AirPods Pro 3,” as referenced in the video title), evaluated by a professional composer/music producer/mixer.

Key features mentioned

  • Improved noise cancellation (ANC): described as a “different level,” with a “crazy difference” when switching ANC on vs off.
  • Transparency mode improvements:
    • Claimed to be better than anything the reviewer has heard (“by a mile”).
    • The transparency EQ is engineered to keep highs from being overly hyped (unlike older AirPods Pro transparency).
    • Helps enable clean one-on-one conversation.
    • Older transparency is said to have been effectively louder than the real world, creating a bigger perceived jump when switching to noise cancellation.
  • New physical design elements for seal/bass:
    • “Bigger intake fans” for better bass response (as attributed to Apple).
    • Tips stick out a little more than before.
    • Foam added near the top of the tips to improve seal.
  • Adaptive EQ behavior (volume-dependent):
    • At lower volume: a “smiley face” EQ that boosts bass and treble to keep music lively.
    • At higher volume: shifts toward a “frowny face”, reducing emphasis so high frequencies don’t become harsh.
  • Real-time personalization using a microphone inside the audio path:
    • Microphone measures pressure in the ear channel and adapts EQ in real time.
    • The reviewer claims the EQ curve can differ person to person, making measurements difficult.

Sound / performance impressions (from the reviewer)

  • Bass: “bayy but punchy and transparent”—praised for avoiding typical consumer-bass problems (muddy/woolly bass).
  • Treble: described as balanced (not ear-bleed harsh when volume increases due to adaptive EQ).
  • Overall listening quality:
    • Surprisingly close to big-speaker sound, despite earbuds lacking “room” for low-end build-up.
    • Suggested “wizardry” / DSP is doing a lot to achieve this.
  • Music at lower volumes:
    • Strong ANC + adaptive EQ make the sound feel more hyped/alive at low volume without losing kick impact.

Pros

  • Exceptional noise cancellation
  • Top-tier transparency mode (especially for natural conversation)
  • Good bass quality (punchy, not muddy)
  • Adaptive EQ makes quiet listening more enjoyable and loud listening less fatiguing
  • Strong reference experience for playback on phones/laptops and “bad systems” (used to sanity-check mixes)

Cons / limitations

  • Not recommended for mixing decisions:
    • Reviewer explicitly: “Are they good enough to mix on them? No, I wouldn’t do that.”
  • Measurement difficulty / unpredictability:
    • With adaptive EQ + ear-pressure personalization, they’re “almost impossible to measure at home,” and online measurements can be misleading.
  • Mentions a small ~2 kHz bump (for transparency/voice clarity).

Comparisons / discussion vs other approaches

  • Versus older AirPods transparency:
    • Older models allegedly had overly hyped highs and may have sounded louder than reality.
  • Versus typical consumer headphone measurements:
    • Reviewer argues many tech YouTubers over-trust measurement curves; perception + adaptive EQ make measurements less directly predictive.
  • Versus big speakers / full-range setups:
    • Despite the tiny form factor, reviewer says it gets surprisingly close to low-end performance—uncommon for earbuds.

User experience / workflow notes (producer perspective)

  • Used as a final listen-back tool before sending work to clients.
  • Rationale:
    • Many clients listen on laptops with weak audio and then ask for “not enough bass.”
    • Sending a mix reference on AirPods Pro helps align expectations with what clients will actually hear.
  • Practical benefit:
    • Could prevent multiple revision rounds.
  • Cost/value:
    • Reviewer says it’s “worth the $250.”
  • Notes they share as a “gift”:
    • Same reference setup as a client gift—name printed on the case.

Numerical / rating info

  • Price mentioned: “worth the 250 bucks.”
  • Frequency reference: transparency has a bump around ~2 kHz.

(No star ratings or numerical review scores provided.)

Unique points mentioned about the product (consolidated)

  1. Bigger intake fans for improved bass response (per Apple attribution).
  2. Tips protrude more than before.
  3. Foam added at the top of the tips for better seal.
  4. ANC difference (on/off) is extremely noticeable.
  5. Transparency mode is dramatically improved vs older AirPods.
  6. Older transparency allegedly had overly hyped highs and potentially louder-than-real-world output.
  7. Transparency EQ supports clean voice listening and one-on-one conversation.
  8. Transparency likely contains a ~2 kHz bump.
  9. Adaptive EQ: “smiley face” at low volume; “frowny face” at higher volume.
  10. With ANC + adaptive EQ, low-volume music remains lively with kick present.
  11. Bass is tight/punchy and avoids typical muddy consumer-earbud bass.
  12. Sound is surprisingly close to big speakers despite tiny form factor.
  13. Reviewer disputes the reliability of many online measurement-based conclusions.
  14. Adaptive curve + ear-pressure-based real-time EQ personalization makes measurements difficult.
  15. Output is flatter than what simple tube/mic measurement might show.
  16. Not good enough for mixing decisions, but good as a client playback reference.
  17. Addresses client complaints about “not enough bass” from poor playback systems.
  18. Claimed value: could save revision rounds; “worth $250.”
  19. Included/mentioned use as a client gift/reference.

Speakers

  • Lo (single speaker): all impressions, comparisons, and workflow usage come from the same reviewer (composer/mixer).

Concise verdict / recommendation

Strong recommendation for casual listening and as a reference playback tool—especially for top-tier ANC and notably improved transparency.

Not recommended as a primary mixing tool, but the reviewer says it’s excellent for final listen-back before delivering to clients.

Original video