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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize convenience and portability, the Apple AirPods Pro with their compact design, active noise cancellation, and seamless integration with Apple devices are a great pick. However, if you are looking for headphones for gaming or a more expansive soundstage for listening to music, the EPOS PC38X with their open-back design may provide a more immersive experience. The PC38X will likely have a better microphone for voice chat during gaming as well. Note that AirPods Pro are more versatile for use on the go due to their wireless nature, while the EPOS will be better suited for home or stationary use with better positional audio accuracy, which is vital for gaming. 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 Pro
- Excellent 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
6.8
9.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.4
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Pro is good.
TV and Video
5.7
9.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery.
Cost
$260
$125
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the EPOS PC38X costs $125.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Pro to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the EPOS PC38X is good.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro and the EPOS PC38X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | EPOS PC38X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $125 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | EPOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 10/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | 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 | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
EPOS PC38X
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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 Pro 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.
By the numbers
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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
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.
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