毫无疑问， Apple(Apple)是世界上最令人向往的科技品牌之一。每当他们发布新产品时，即使是他们以前从未尝试过的产品，您都可以确定人们会排队等候。
这种崇拜也不是不应该的。我们非常喜欢库比蒂诺(Cupertino)奇才的许多产品。然而，这并不意味着苹果(Apple)是不可触碰的。特别是因为他们的产品具有高昂的价格溢价。当他们加入耳机制造商行列时，入门价格（并且仍然）很高。
那么，AirPods值得吗？让我们将其分解为基础知识。
Apple 家庭福利
在我们查看您可以单独购买的三种AirPods型号之前，无论您选择哪种选项，您都可以享受一些普遍的好处。
AirPods价值等式中的主要因素取决于您对Apple生态系统的投资。如果您将AirPods与任何支持它的Apple设备一起使用，您将获得卓越的性能和功能。得益于AirPods中先进的音频处理芯片，它们几乎可以立即与(AirPods)Apple设备 配对。
例如，您可以在Mac和 iPhone 之间无缝切换。将 AirPods 与Apple(Apple)硬件一起使用时，音频延迟量也非常低。如果您想将您的 AirPods 与任何非Apple设备一起使用，您会失去大部分的光彩，使体验更加平庸。
不要忘记空间音频
AirPods Pro和AirPods Max还采用了Apple全新的空间音频技术。遗憾的是，基本模型缺少此功能。对我们来说，这是AirPods(AirPods)最令人兴奋的功能之一，但您需要硬件和软件的正确组合才能享受它。
基本上，此功能使用AirPods中的硬件和您使用的设备来确定它们彼此的相对位置。如果您正在收听通常通过环绕声扬声器播放的多声道音频，系统会创建虚拟扬声器。
这些虚拟声源相对于您的头部位置保持不变。因此，如果您转过头，您会听到环绕扬声器声道保持在原位。最终结果是一种非常类似于多扬声器剧院设置的体验。
目前它仅适用于 iPhone 7 及更高版本。它还适用于第 3 代 iPad Pro 12.9英寸和更新的平板电脑。它适用于 11 英寸 iPad Pro和第 6 代 iPad 及更新版本。甚至包括第 5 代 iPad Mini。
遗憾的是，目前没有Apple TV 型号或任何Mac(Macs)支持该功能。可能是因为他们缺乏使其发挥作用的定位技术。最后，应用程序本身需要支持空间音频功能。兼容的第三方应用程序列表很小，但它正在增长。
入门级的AirPods产品现在已经是第二代了，但两代之间的差异可以忽略不计。它们听起来和看起来完全一样，由于芯片升级，大多数改进都在引擎盖下。
至于AirPods本身，这些已被证明是(AirPods)Apple有史以来最受欢迎的产品之一。人们真的很喜欢它们，而且设计与外面的任何东西都不一样。
您应该知道的第一件事是播放质量非常中等。由于AirPods不会与您的耳道形成密封，因此您可以听到周围发生的一切。从安全角度来看，这(Which)是一个很好的功能。
当然，诸如Galaxy Buds +和其他类似产品的无线耳塞提供了透明模式。当您选择时，它可以让您听到周围发生的事情。
AirPods的电池续航时间也适中，为 5 小时，并且不具备防水或防汗功能。AirPods的基本型号值得吗？我们不这么认为。
我们建议的非 Apple 替代品：(Our suggested non-Apple alternative:) Samsung Galaxy Buds +（149 美元）
AirPods Pro是苹果(Apple)应该一开始就发布的耳机。它们的价格也应该更接近基本型号，但至少在AirPods Pro 中，Apple(AirPods Pro Apple)解决了我们在AirPods上遇到的大部分问题。
因为AirPods Pro采用了更传统的硅胶尖头设计，所以可以很好地密封耳道。这本身就确保了更好的音频体验。AirPods Pro还具有主动降噪、透明模式和防水功能。
这些是提供与竞争对手同等功能的无线芽。然而，与其他品牌的其他非常相似的设备相比，这仍然留下了高昂的价格溢价。AirPods Pro(AirPods Pro)的音频质量对于非发烧友的听众来说已经足够好。然而，我们可以对大多数竞争芽说同样的话。索尼 WF-1000XM3(Sony WF-1000XM3s)等产品以更低的价格提供更好的音频和更好的噪音消除。
那么为什么要购买AirPods Pro呢？低水平的音频延迟、Apple空间音频以及与 iOS 的集成将是我们最大的卖点。如果这些因素对你来说并不重要，那么AirPods Pro就不值得了。
我们建议的非 Apple 替代品：(Our suggested non-Apple alternative:)Samsung Galaxy Buds +（149 美元）
现在我们到了大Kahuna。Apple 最近发布的AirPods Max是一种耳挂式设计，提供了很多创新。例如，耳罩可以很容易地取下，因为它们是由磁铁固定在一起的。所以安装新的需要几秒钟，没有任何挫败感。
全金属设计保证了多年的运行。触觉金属控制表冠是个好主意。耳机上的触摸控制通常很糟糕，拥有可以通过感觉操作的东西是一个很大的好处。
我们还没有机会真正听过AirPods Max，但每个听过的人都对声音充满了抒情。这些不是高端参考耳机，但作为无线耳机，它们确实占据了非常优质的空间。问题是索尼的WH-1000XM4提供了惊人的噪音消除和可比的音质，而价格却便宜了 200 美元。
然而，对于耐用的设计、可更换的耳罩和所有Apple生态系统的好处，还是有理由的。我们不喜欢Max需要的“手提包”保护套，希望能尽快推出更好的第三方选择。我们也没有出售奇怪的网状头带，但这是个人品味的问题。在所有三款AirPods型号中，这是我们认为值得的Airpod 。假设它在比赛中提供的东西对你来说价值 200 美元。
我们建议的非 Apple 替代品：(Our suggested non-Apple alternative:) Sony WH-1000XM4 349 美元
苹果可以做得更好
这是苹果首次尝试制作耳机。如果你牢记这一点，他们已经完成了一项非常了不起的工作。我们认为任何人都不会对任何AirPods型号的性能感到失望，但如果它们的价格便宜一点，它们会更容易推荐。
就目前而言，AirPods不值得，因为它的价格似乎不合理。但是，如果钱对您来说并不重要，并且您沉浸在Apple生态系统中，他们肯定会丰富体验。
我们预计苹果(Apple)将在 2021 年推出新一代AirPods。这些很可能是得到的，所以如果你能坚持到闪亮的新产品到来，你应该。毕竟，历史表明，Apple通常会在第二次尝试时就将其产品做好，我们预计AirPods也会如此。
Are AirPods Worth It?
Apple is one of the most desіrable technology brands in the world, there’s no doubt. Whenever they release a new product, even one they’ve never trіed before, you can be sure people will line up for it.
This adoration isn’t undeserved either. There are plenty of products from the wizards in Cupertino we absolutely adore. However, that doesn’t mean Apple is untouchable. Especially since their products carry a hefty price premium. When they joined the ranks of headphone makers, the price of entry was (and remains) high.
So, are AirPods worth it? Let’s break it down to basics.
The Apple Family Benefits
Before we look at each of the three models of AirPods you can buy individually, there are some universal benefits you can enjoy regardless of which option you choose.
The prime factor in the AirPods value equation depends on your investment in the Apple ecosystem. If you use AirPods with any Apple device that supports it, you’re getting superior performance and functionality. Thanks to the advanced audio processing chips in AirPods, they pair almost instantly with Apple devices.
You can switch seamlessly between, for example, your Mac and iPhone. The amount of audio latency is also very low when using AirPods with Apple hardware. If you want to use your AirPods with anything non-Apple, you lose most of that shine, making the experience a little more mediocre.
Don’t Forget About Spatial Audio
The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max also feature a new spatial audio technology from Apple. The base model, sadly, lacks this feature. To us this is one of the most exciting features of AirPods, but you need the right combination of hardware and software to enjoy it.
Basically, this feature uses hardware in the AirPods and the device you’re using to determine their relative position to each other. If you’re listening to multi-channel audio which would usually be played through surround-sound speakers, the system creates virtual speakers.
Those virtual sound sources stay put relative to your head position. So if you turn your head you’ll hear the surround speaker channels stay where they are. The end result is an experience very similar to a multi-speaker theater setup.
Right now it only works with iPhone 7 and up. It also works with 3rd-generation iPad Pro 12.9” and newer tablets. It works with the 11” iPad Pro and the 6th-generation iPad and newer. Even the 5th-generation iPad Mini is included.
Sadly no current Apple TV model or any Macs supports the feature. Probably because they lack the positional technology to make it work. Lastly, the apps themselves need to support the spatial audio function. The list of compatible third-party apps is small, but it’s growing.
The entry-level AirPods product is now in its second generation, but the difference between the two generations is negligible. They sound and look exactly the same, with most improvements being under the hood, thanks to a chip upgrade.
As for the AirPods themselves, well these have proven to be one of the most popular products Apple have ever made. People really do like them and the design isn’t really like anything else out there.
The first thing you should know is that the playback quality is very middle of the road. Because the AirPods don’t create a seal with your ear canal, you can hear everything that’s going on around you. Which is a good feature from a safety perspective.
Of course, wireless earbuds such as the Galaxy Buds + and other similar products offer a transparency mode. Which lets you hear what’s going on around you when you choose.
AirPods also have middling battery life at 5 hours and do not feature water or sweat resistance. Is the base model of AirPods worth it? We don’t think so.
Our suggested non-Apple alternative: Samsung Galaxy Buds + ($149)
The AirPods Pro are the buds that Apple should have released to begin with. They also should be priced closer to the base model, but at least with the AirPods Pro Apple has fixed most of the issues we have with the AirPods.
Because the AirPods Pro uses a more traditional silicon-tip design, you get a good seal with the ear canal. This by itself ensures a much better audio experience. The AirPods Pro also features active noise cancellation, a transparency mode and liquid resistance.
These are then wireless buds that offer feature parity with the competition. However, that still leaves the stiff price premium over other very similar devices from other brands.The audio quality from the AirPods Pro will come across as more than good enough for non-audiophile listeners. Yet we can say the same thing for most competing buds. Products like the Sony WF-1000XM3s offer better audio and better noise cancellation at a much lower price.
So why buy the AirPods Pro? The low level of audio latency, Apple spatial audio and integration with iOS would be the biggest selling point for us. If those factors don’t matter to you, then the AirPods Pro is not worth it.
Our suggested non-Apple alternative: Still the Samsung Galaxy Buds + ($149)
Now we get to the big Kahuna. Apple’s recently-released AirPods Max is an over-ear design with quite a few innovations on offer. For example, the ear cups can be removed easily, since they are held together by magnets. So installing new ones takes seconds without any frustration.
The all-metal design promises years of operation. The tactile metal control crown is a great idea. Touch controls on headphones are generally awful and having something you can operate by feel is a big bonus.
We haven’t had the chance to actually listen to AirPods Max, but everyone who has is lyrical about the sound. These are not not high-end reference headphones, but as wireless headphones they do occupy a very premium space. The problem is that Sony’s WH-1000XM4 offers amazing noise cancellation and comparable sound quality at $200 less.
However, there’s a case to be made for the durable design, swappable ear cups and all the Apple ecosystem benefits. We don’t like the “handbag” case the Max needs and hope better third-party options come soon. We’re also not sold on the weird mesh headband, but that’s a matter of personal taste. Of all three AirPods models, this is the Airpod we think is worth it. Assuming that what it offers over the competition is worth $200 to you.
Our suggested non-Apple alternative: Sony WH-1000XM4 $349
Apple Can Do Better
This is Apple’s first attempt at making headphones. If you keep that in mind, they’ve done a pretty amazing job. We don’t think anyone would be disappointed with the performance of any AirPods model, but they’d be easier to recommend if they were a little less expensive.
As it stands, AirPods aren’t worth it in the sense that the price doesn’t seem justified. However, if the money doesn’t matter to you and you’re steeped in the Apple ecosystem, they’ll definitely enrich the experience.
In 2021 we expect Apple to roll out a new generation of AirPods. These will likely be the ones to get, so if you can hang on until the shiny new products arrive, you should. After all, history has shown that Apple usually gets their products right on the second try and we expect AirPods to be the same.
