Category: Audio

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An Alternative Take on the Apple AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 are getting rave reviews, and I get it—the sound quality improvements are real, and the ANC is noticeably better. But after wearing them for over a week, I returned them, and here’s why: they’re less comfortable for me.

AirPods Pro 3

Apple made them slightly heavier and bigger, which may play some part in making them less comfortable. But it’s clearly the new foam-tipped ear tips that add more pressure to my ear canal. I could wear the Pro 2s for hours without thinking about them. The Pro 3s? They start to feel annoying after extended wear. And yes, I tried different size ear tips.

I’m not alone in this. Some of my friends love them, but others have had the same experience. It’s like the AirPods Max problem all over again—yes, they sound great, but they made a trade-off that doesn’t work for everyone. The Max are too heavy to wear comfortably for long periods. The Pro 3s aren’t as extreme, but they’re moving in that same direction.

For a product you wear, comfort should be the most important attribute. Sometimes the older version is better at the things that actually matter for daily use. For me, that’s the Pro 2s.

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Why I’ll Never Go to Another Concert Without My Musician’s Earplugs

I go to several concerts a year, and I enjoy them so much more now that I have musician’s earplugs. Yes, it’s important to protect your hearing from tinnitus and hearing damage. But I mainly just love how they make the music sound so much better.

Normal foam earplugs muffle the sound, as if you put pillows over your ears. You lose all the clarity and detail that makes live music special. Musician’s earplugs keep perfect fidelity across all frequencies. It’s a night and day difference.

Getting Custom Earplugs

You pay around $100 for ear impressions from a local audiologist or hearing doctor. I went to Dr. Elizabeth Hoehl, who does this work frequently and knows exactly what musicians and concert-goers need.

Dr. Elizabeth Hoehl
124 Park Street, SE
Suite 202
Vienna, VA 22180
(703) 791-1072

My Setup

I ordered from Sensaphonics in Chicago and got their ER Series plugs in translucent. I personally went with -15 decibel filters, which work great for most concerts. You can talk to the people at Sensaphonics to see what would be best for you – if you go to heavy metal shows, you might want stronger filters.

I also got filter locks to make sure they stay secure. The total cost was around $210.

The Learning Curve

Custom earplugs do take some effort to learn how to put in your ears properly. But once you get the technique down, they fit perfectly and make the concert experience super enjoyable. You can actually hear the music better, talk to friends between sets, and walk out without that ringing in your ears.

Trust me – if you’re a regular concert-goer, this is one of the best investments you’ll make.