Macworld - USA (2022-01)

JANUARY 2022 MACWORLD 67

Apple uses a new driver in its new
design, which makes a big difference to
clarity and the punch of bass-heavy tracks.
You also get software features like
Adaptive EQ and spatial audio with head
tracking while watching videos in
supported apps.
Listening to my playlist of audio test
tracks—a diverse set from classical to rock,
modern pop to remastered classics—is a
totally different experience than it is on
second-gen AirPods. I would go so far as
to say the new AirPods sound nearly as
good as the AirPods Pro when you listen
in a quiet environment.
In particular, bass response is greatly
improved and overall clarity is enhanced.
Busy, heavy tracks such as Foo Fighters’
“These Days” or Mötley Crüe’s “Kickstart
My Heart” manage to avoid turning into a
muddy mess, which is more than I can
say for listening with
second-generation
AirPods. C Lo Green’s
“Bright Lights Bigger
City” keeps its clean
stereo separation and
holds on to those
subtle background
crowd noises, both of
which are easily lost on
lesser earbuds.
Spatial audio is a
treat when it’s well

supported. On stereo tracks, enabling the

feature in Control Panel (long-press the

volume slider) definitely provides a more

open sound space, but it can sometimes

lose subtle cues. Tracks mixed in Dolby

Atmos, of which Apple Music now has

quite a few, sound fantastic.

Spatial Audio adds a whole new sense

of space and position to surround-sound

movies and TV shows. If you use AirPods

to watch streaming video, third-

generation AirPods are a massive

improvement over the second generation

for this reason alone.

A NEW DESIGN,

A DIFFERENT FIT

It’s no stretch to say that the third-gen

AirPods look like the AirPods Pro. The

short stems and large black pressure-

equalization grilles on both the pod and

Third-gen AirPods (center) are more compact than second-gen

(left), and resemble AirPods Pro (right) without the rubberized tips.