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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) are suitable if you favor portability, wireless convenience, and exercise use, with good performance in calls and listening to music. They have a compact design, are sweatproof, support wireless charging, and work seamlessly with Apple devices, but offer limited noise isolation. In contrast, the EPOS PC38X headphones excel in overall sound quality, particularly for immersive gaming and movie experiences, thanks to their superior soundstage and microphone quality. They are better for home use due to their size and open-back design, which doesn't isolate noise well, making them less ideal for noisy environments or exercise. Choose the AirPods for on-the-go use and compatibility with Apple products or the PC38X for high-fidelity sound in gaming and at-home listening. 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 Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.1
9.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Gaming
5.4
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
7.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the EPOS PC38X is good.
TV and Video
5.5
9.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery.
Cost
$179
$139
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the EPOS PC38X costs $139.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and EPOS PC38X are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the EPOS PC38X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | EPOS PC38X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $139 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | EPOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 10/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"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."
EPOS PC38X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the EPOS PC38X
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.
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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Why trust us
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.
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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.
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