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.
anyone know how it works in concerts?
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.