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CT scans of AirPods evolution

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Re: CT scans of AirPods evolution

#21

Post by skavi »

ProfessorLayton wrote: post #7

Not an audio expert, but I really wonder why they need a microphone for their adaptive EQ. I understand home speakers/theatre systems need to compensate for a room's shape and contents, but do human ear canals vary that much to need a mic? I think it's pretty neat how sophisticated this adaptive EQ system is, but tbh, I haven't noticed much difference between this mic system and the "dumb" adaptive EQ that companies…

Bose definitely also uses a mic for their adaptive EQ. I wouldn't be surprised if Ikea did as well. IIRC they use Sonos tech.

Re: CT scans of AirPods evolution

#22

Post by lpasselin »

ProfessorLayton wrote: post #7

Not an audio expert, but I really wonder why they need a microphone for their adaptive EQ. I understand home speakers/theatre systems need to compensate for a room's shape and contents, but do human ear canals vary that much to need a mic? I think it's pretty neat how sophisticated this adaptive EQ system is, but tbh, I haven't noticed much difference between this mic system and the "dumb" adaptive EQ that companies…

Maybe slight variations of position in the ear can be compensated?

Re: CT scans of AirPods evolution

#23

Post by reaperducer »

rootusrootus wrote: post #10

I'm curious how the newest airpods compare to the pros when it comes to bass. I had first gen airpods, then I bought a set of pros, but the bass was so weak I thought they had to be broken. Turns out it's just an artifact of how they were designed. Some people are okay, but a lot of people feel the same way I do. I ended up returning them and now I'd like to know if the g3 airpods are comparable to the pros, or compa…

Interestingly, some people had the opposite complaint about HomePods — that they had too much bass. Apple now has an option in the Home app to reduce bass on HomePods.

Not everyone had the complaint, and I think I know the reason for that: The configuration of the room. At my last place, my HomePods were way too bassy for my ears. At my new place, they're fine. Same gear. Different room geometry.

Re: CT scans of AirPods evolution

#24

Post by Talanes »

skavi wrote: post #20
rootusrootus wrote: post #10

I'm curious how the newest airpods compare to the pros when it comes to bass. I had first gen airpods, then I bought a set of pros, but the bass was so weak I thought they had to be broken. Turns out it's just an artifact of how they were designed. Some people are okay, but a lot of people feel the same way I do. I ended up returning them and now I'd like to know if the g3 airpods are comparable to the pros, or compa…

You need a seal to get significant bass from earbuds. the non pro airpods do not make a seal (by design).

If they experienced better bass on the G1/G2 Airbuds, it's not a seal issue.

Re: CT scans of AirPods evolution

#26

Post by reaperducer »

GhettoComputers wrote: post #4
qeternity wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find it super interesting how they have gone back and forth on different approaches. I wonder how much user data they collect from the wild (not even sure how one would go about it).

Telemetry logs can be sniffed, with a good firewall and as long as you're on your wifi with a wifi only device you can learn a lot. I jailbreak to use this: http://cydia.saurik.com/package/ca.btraas.appfirewall/ Amazing how much analytics I block from every app.

If you drill down far enough in the settings, most Apple products are happy to show you the telemetry that's sent back to Cupertino. I've seen the HomePod data while poking around in the Home app.

Re: CT scans of AirPods evolution

#28

Post by reaperducer »

ProfessorLayton wrote: post #7

Not an audio expert, but I really wonder why they need a microphone for their adaptive EQ. I understand home speakers/theatre systems need to compensate for a room's shape and contents, but do human ear canals vary that much to need a mic? I think it's pretty neat how sophisticated this adaptive EQ system is, but tbh, I haven't noticed much difference between this mic system and the "dumb" adaptive EQ that companies…

do human ear canals vary that much to need a mic?

Based on the number of online complaints that AirPods slip out of people's ears, and the equal number of people saying they're rock solid, even while working out, I think the answer is "yes."

Re: CT scans of AirPods evolution

#29

Post by veb »

This was SUPER interesting to see! I actually (for once) signed up for their next newsletter/scan. It asked me what they should scan next and I suggested cochlear implant processors. It'd be pretty cool to see!

The tech on those processors are pretty insane - and remember, Apple did partner up with Cochlear for the Nucleus 7 I believe for wireless streaming from the processor to an iPhone.

Re: CT scans of AirPods evolution

#30

Post by baybal2 »

gruez wrote: post #14
roody15 wrote: post #9

But somehow they cannot figure out how to make a replaceable battery. hmm

They can, it's just that the trade-off isn't worth appeasing a few HN readers. >The reason earbud companies use non-replaceable rechargeable batteries is simple: It makes the earbuds smaller. Earbud buyers generally prefer more compact devices, but that means the earbuds have less room inside for all the necessary components. Designers need to cram a Bluetooth chip and processor, an antenna, a battery, drivers, contr…

The reason is simpler than that. Battery will inevitably wear out, and it is a very deliberate planned obsolescence move.
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