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.
Is it better now? I remember after the update I couldn’t figure out why transparency was such shit and it’s because it switched the toggle to adaptive.
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.
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.
It’s amazing for walking and commuting
slightly hear things coming your way or interacting really close to you while removing all the shit hawks from far away
Do not use AirPods in place of proper hearing protection gear. You can cause permanent damage to yourself.
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.
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.
And why tf do the airpod maxes not have it…
Works as advertised
Recommendations for custom AirPods (3rd Gen) tips?
They don’t use tips
I tried adaptive mode and found it drains the battery of my AirPod Pros a lot faster. Have others experienced this too?
I’m confused, what do you mean it still allows contextual sound in?
You just convinced me to give it a go.
I’m a woodworker and adaptive mode is huge when I’m running my bigger machines for a long time. It doesn’t eliminate the sound completely but it is a huge reduction and it’s less cumbersome than wearing bulky earmuffs.