The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize excellent sound quality and are willing to use a wired connection, the 7hz Timeless would be a better option, especially for music, as it's highly regarded for sound reproduction. However, the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) offer a more convenient wireless experience with good all-around performance, including for calls and meetings. The Airpods also support features like ear/head detection and are optimized for Apple devices. The 7hz Timeless lacks a microphone, making them unsuitable for taking calls. The Airpods provide great portability and ease of use, especially with their charging case, but if sound quality is your utmost priority and you don't mind a cable, the 7hz Timeless may justify its higher price. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the 7hz Timeless
Very good for music
Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
Good for phone calls
Good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.6/10
7.1/10
The 7hz Timeless is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Gaming
6.6/10
5.4/10
The 7hz Timeless is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3/10
7.6/10
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the 7hz Timeless is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8/10
8.6/10
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the 7hz Timeless is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8/10
5.5/10
The 7hz Timeless is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
2.5/10
The 7hz Timeless and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for noise reduction, though the 7hz Timeless is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The 7hz Timeless does not have a battery. The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$200
$179
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The 7hz Timeless has a price of $200 and the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) costs $179.
Build Quality
8.5/10
9.0/10
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the 7hz Timeless has very good build quality.
"7Hz picked a bold name for the Timeless and frankly, got very close to justifying their word choice. Most importantly, the Timeless are good to go in stock form, so you don’t have to worry about source-matching and such. I can recommend the 7Hz Timeless to those who do not mind a dash of brightness up top, want a taste of planar in IEM form, and want one of the most resolving pair of earphones in the $150 - $300 price range."
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Get a great deal on the 7hz Timeless or the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.