Noise Cancellation is a Game Changer

The first reviews of Apple’s new AirPods 4 are out, and while there are some reservations and disagreements, all of the reviewers have criticized Apple for its surprisingly effective noise cancellation. They also all note that while the extra $50 for the most expensive version is worth it, Apple has now made the choice between models more difficult.

To be clear, Apple has released two versions of the AirPods 4 at $129 and $179. Neither will have the health features that will be offered on the updated AirPods Pro, but they will both benefit from improved audio.

The physical design of both editions is the same, and in general, reviewers praise the models’ in-ear fit as at least better than the previous model.

But it’s the $179 AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation that have gotten the most attention.

“I was really impressed with the noise cancellation,” wrote David Carnoy for CNET. “The reality is, it’s not that great compared to what you get with the AirPods Pro 2 and the best noise-canceling headphones like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or the Sony WF-1000XM5.

“But the fact that it works and is reasonably effective is kind of crazy because, as I said, noise canceling and open-back headphones don’t generally mix,” he continued. “I would say the noise canceling is a little less than half of what you get with the AirPods Pro, which also offer some passive noise isolation through their ear tips.”

“But again, the fact that noise cancellation worked as well as it did seems like a major technological feat,” Carnoy concludes, in a review titled “Noise Cancellation Is a Real Game Changer.”

“Apple AirPods 4 deliver powerful sound quality and the best active noise cancellation we’ve ever seen in an open-ear design,” Tim Gideon wrote in PC Magazine“It’s an impressive technical feat, given that they don’t close off your ear canal… letting in more outside sounds.”

“In addition to the best noise cancellation we’ve ever seen in an open-ear design,” Gideon continued, “AirPods 4 deliver rich sound, advanced adaptive audio features, and tight iPhone integration.”

Gideon had one criticism about the new head gestures which mean you should be able to nod or shake your head in response to Siri notifications.

“In practice, even if it works, these gestures have to be a bit more dramatic than what’s natural, so you risk looking weird in public,” he wrote. “However, Siri is supposed to learn from your movements over time… (so eventually) you may not have to move your head as much.”

Chris Welch from The Verge Welch disagrees about the head nods and shakes. “I’m not someone who likes my headphones to pester me with notifications, but in my brief testing, my head movements were accurately detected, even when they were quite small,” Welch wrote.

Welch is one tester who has no plans to continue using the AirPods 4, instead saying “I’m going to go straight back to regular earbuds” to get as much noise cancellation as possible.

“But the AirPods 4 with ANC are by far Apple’s most compelling take on this open-back design,” Welch writes. “The noise cancellation isn’t on par with more expensive in-ear alternatives, but it’s more than enough to let you enjoy your music at a normal volume no matter where you are.”

British GQ summed up the new AirPods by saying they’re “the failsafe option” when giving a gift, and that the noise cancellation is “better than I thought, honestly.”

“With these changes and Apple’s usual extras, AirPods 4 live up to their reputation as an everyday luxury,” he concludes.

“Apple has just given you a very difficult choice to make,” the UK president said. The Daily Express (paywall).

“The improvements across the board make these two AirPods very appealing,” saidForbes“In fact, the entry-level model adds so much over the identically priced second-generation model that I would say it’s the best value option of any AirPods ever made.”

Then, in a typically low-key YouTube video, iJustine concluded that “the noise cancellation on these headphones just doesn’t seem to work as well as it does.”

“I also like using them with Vision Pro because they have spatial audio and with that head tracking and everything enabled,” she continued, “it really makes you feel like you’re right where Vision Pro (is showing you).”

AppleInsider also believes that it’s the noise cancellation that might make a user decide which model to buy. Read a comparison between the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2.