So when I first tried adaptive mode awhile ago I thought this is the dumbest thing ever. I can’t tell the difference between this and transparency mode.
Well I have been finishing my basement so often times I use airpods while working. I have custom tips that basically are earplugs so I use that when using the saw and the added benefit I get to listen to music.
Well I decided to give adaptive mode a chance again and I finally get it. It blocks all the white noise, and will dynamically lower and “loud” noise.
So you hitting a hammer? Nothing happens, the noise is filtered through unaffected. You running the table saw? You’ll almost immediately hear it lower in overall noise while keeping all other sound available to you.
I decided to go for a run with them in adaptive mode. It’s genius, all traffic white noise is lowered but you can still hear individual cars, foot steps, etc to stay alert.
I’ve completely removed transparency mode from my toggle and only use full NC and adaptive as you can hear people talking perfectly with it on.
I have no idea how it knows exactly what to pass through and what to block but it’s easily become my new favourite setting.
TLDR: It’s transparency mode that blocks white noise and extremely loud noises while allowing contextual sounds through.
I was wearing them on a flight, which was great as it totally drowns out the sound of the plane, but you can hear conversations just fine.
I got up to go to the bathroom at the front of the plane when the fasten seatbelt sign was off. The flight attendant totally startled me when she shouted at me to sit down because the pilot was out of the cockpit.
I love it. I wish the Maxes had it too, I wear mine for 12+ hours a day due to sensory issues and having Adaptive Mode on them would be legitimately life changing for me. I like my Pros but the tiny batteries die way too fast. Hopefully when the Maxes get refreshed…eventually.
I have tinnitus and it’s allowed me to enjoy concerts without the muffled sound of earplugs. As a huge music guy, I would have paid for these if that was the only thing they do.
Do not use AirPods in place of proper hearing protection gear. You can cause permanent damage to yourself.
I just can’t get used to it.
It’s really really good.
anyone know how it works in concerts?
what do you want to go with airpods to a concert of smh
To protect your hearing?
I would still probably just use earplugs instead.
I’ve been to 17 concert occasions this last year, ranging from 100 people crowds to 65k crowds and sound levels from around 95-100 dB but occasionally upwards of 110 dB (according to Apple Watch Series 8). I’ve tried using musicians hearing protection plugs from $20 to $150 that are supposed to be “transparent” and “balanced”. Despite trying a multitude of different tips (the last set came with like 15 options). they’ve all let me down either in comfort or sound quality/muffling of frequencies. My AirPods Pro (1st gen) have been the most comfortable, and have provided the best sound quality overall. My ears seem really picky when it comes to the fit of the tips (and this has been my general experience for the last 25 years or so). For me the AirPods Pro just work. Way better than the “real” ones. My SO recently got AirPods Pro Gen2, and her experience for the last couple of concerts we’ve been to mirrors mine (we’ve been to all of these concerts together, and have both tried using “musicians” ear plugs before eventually switching over to AirPods)
So what do you set them to noise cancelling while at the concert?
Yup. And with the overall sound level being so high, what is being let through still sounds great., but “appropriately” loud rather than deafening.
Sitting in the office during teams meetings, I’ve turned it on and off while in a call, and noticed a huge difference.
Never realized how much I can hear the hvac and computers in the office running. Until ANC is turned on
Wow I didn’t know they could do that. That’s actually cool!
Yes adaptive mode is amazing. I commute into the city via walking and train a couple days a week and it is fantastic. I’ve removed regular transparency as well and just use adaptive when I need to hear. I feel like the people that complain that it “doesn’t do anything” aren’t in the environments it was made for so they don’t see much of a difference, but if you’re in the city or noisy environments it’s a game changer.
So the foam tips are interesting. I originally thought they were nothing special… just a different material which some people might like better than silicone. (There have long been foam and silicone options for in ear headphones)
I’m wondering if the foam actually gives you better sound isolation though? (The theory being that the sound attenuation through the foam is greater than a single flap of silicone.
Anyways, yes… the most annoying thing about transparency mode is turning on a faucet to wash your hands! God damn it’s annoying!
Adaptive mode fixes that quicker than turning on noise cancellation would take me. Within a second or so of the faucet being on, it takes the edge off.
I also noticed Transparency mode improved. Or it could be some kind of placebo.
In the past, transparency mode would make the music a bit too quiet in an environment with a lot of white noise.
Now, even with transparency I can hear the music clearly while also being able to hear my surroundings.
Transparency mode was great while I was at the airport this week. Was able to hear all of the boarding information and my music. I started the day with my Sony WH-XM5 but ended with the AirPods Pro.
Literally what i do haha
I use mine with transparency at work and don’t feel the need to remove them at all (unless someone is talking to me obviously not to be rude).
I sometimes even forget they’re there tbh. They fit me perfectly out of the box.
Last night I was at a loud Friendsgiving party and I was so so thankful to have my adaptive noise control. It’s barely noticeable but that’s actually a good thing for its functionality. It completely eliminated the really annoying fan noise and when the crowd got rowdy it didn’t hurt my ears. Huge QOL improvement. And don’t even get me started on walking around near cars
A little off topic, but why were you wearing headphones at a party?
If I was invited to a party through my SO or someone else but I don’t know anyone, I try to avoid going there. But if I cannot, phone + music helps me to not feel awkwardness.
Sorry you got downvoted for expressing this. It is a valid perspective.
Well, I don’t care about imaginary internet points, don’t worry. But thanks for understanding the perspective. I definitely experienced that twice and iphone + airpod + Apple One service saved the evening for me from boredom.
For that exact reason I just described! People who know me know that I have sensitive ears and I’ve long set the precedent of wearing headphones in social situations. People know I’m paying attention.
They complemented his Vision Pro AR headset spatial 3D recording his memories
To compliment his meta raybans
Because it was loud?
You don’t use earplugs for concerts? Same principle.
Sure, but at a house for a dinner with your friends?
I’m guessing it wasn’t that type of party.
The comment explains exactly why they used headphones at a party. Are you trying to be judgmental?
Did the same thing talking to a customer near some diesel motors going full tilt, for which I had toggled to what I thought was transparency before I approached. I was wondering if he was hard of hearing; had no idea what I was saying but I could hear him fine. I finish up and remove an AirPod as I’m walking away and get shocked by how loud it suddenly is. Turns out I was talking about 40db too inappropriately.
I do wish it was more customisable