The Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation) are best suited for users who prioritize portability, wireless convenience, and integration with Apple devices, offering features like active noise cancellation and a comfortable design for everyday use. The Shure SM7dB, on the other hand, is ideal for audio professionals and enthusiasts who require exceptional sound quality and durability in a studio setting, with features like a built-in preamp and EQ controls for superior audio capture and manipulation.
| Attribute | Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation) | Shure SM7dB |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation) | Shure SM7dB |
| Noise Cancellation Effectiveness | Improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) due to a new H3 chip, customizable noise isolation settings. | Cardioid polar pattern, effective in controlled environments, better than condenser mics at rejecting background noise. |
| Sound Quality (Frequency Response) | 10 Hz (Min) - 20 kHz (Max), lossless audio streaming, clearer sound with better bass definition. | Smooth, flat, wide-range frequency response (50 Hz to 20 kHz), clear, natural sound, captures a full range of human vocal frequencies, warmer, fuller version of reality. |
| Microphone Quality (Voice Clarity) | Enhanced microphones capture voice with greater clarity, upgraded voice-calling performance. | Exceptional clarity and warm tones, suitable for podcasting and music production, captures voices with remarkable clarity and warmth, delivers a radio-ready tone, built-in preamp delivers transparent gain. |
| Comfort and Fit | Sleeker, more comfortable design inspired by the AirPods 4, modern aesthetics and improved ergonomics. | Designed to be stationary in a studio, attached to a collar that allows it to rotate and tilt when affixed to a boom or microphone arm. |
| Battery Life (Playback Time) | Up to 4.5 hours of listening time with a single charge (up to 5 hours with Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency off), up to 3.5 hours of talk time with a single charge. More than 24 hours of listening time and more than 18 hours of talk time with the MagSafe Charging Case. 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time or around 1 hour of talk time. | Wired microphone, does not have a battery, requires phantom power to operate the built-in preamp. |
| Wireless Connectivity (Bluetooth Version) | Bluetooth 5.4 integration, Bluetooth range: 10 m. | Not a wireless microphone, does not have Bluetooth connectivity, wired microphone that connects via XLR cable. |
| Wired Connectivity | Not applicable | Connects via an XLR connector. |
| Portability and Size | Height: 1.78 inches (45.2 mm), Width: 2.39 inches (60.6 mm), Depth: 0.85 inch (21.7 mm), Weight: 1.61 ounces (45.6 grams). | Not particularly portable, dimensions approximately 206 x 97 x 149 mm, weighs 837g, designed for studio use. |
| Durability and Build Quality | Water and sweat resistant. | Rugged, all-metal construction, feels substantial and well-built. |
| Compatibility with Devices | Supporting Operating System (OS) Android, Windows And IOS. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Mac models. | Compatible with any audio interface or mixer that provides +48V phantom power. May need additional parts like the Shure MVX2U adapter to use with a computer. |
| Onboard Controls and Functionality | Camera Remote feature allows starting/stopping video recordings from a distance. | Built-in preamp with selectable gain levels (+18dB or +28dB), bass roll-off and presence boost EQ controls, bypass switch to deactivate the preamp. |
| Price | $249 (expected), potentially $269-$279 | $499 |