Just got a pair of Apple AirPod Pro 2’s for my birthday

I have had several AirPods ones... and now 2 USBC. The new ones sound notably better... more bass than earlier models.  I use them two to five hours a day. I listen while walking the dogs and my daily bike rides as well as yard work. Typically books, the Great Courses, and lectures. Not usually music, but I have occasionally listened to music. AirPods have been my constant companion for many years. 

Through Audible I have listened to a couple hundred books. Anna Kareninna was fantastic... but at long last I finished  War and Peace. It was so worth it! I had  tried to read it so many times and failed within the first few pages... but listening, it is amazing. 

I have listened to hundreds of two hour interviews by Sam Harris on topic of consciousness, freewill, AI, Israeli - Palestine conflict, metaphysics. I can go on and on. 

They can accelerate learning by and order of magnitude. I have a great headphone system and main system for music. 

Also, sometimes I just wear them with the noise cancelling on and no content. Quiets down the world! Highly recommended. 

I think I have three pair. I actually sent one pair through the cloths washer... they survived!

@curiousjim well Apple inasmuch as I don't like their business practices are one of the few conglomerates that actually does research into human hearing, physics of sound, HRTF modeling and psychoacoustic phenomenon.

So no I'm not surprised. The headphones people know about how good the Pro2 is and have for years now.

This review is a great watch - https://youtu.be/9kTOvdo_6RU?feature=shared

@ghdprentice 

so far I’ve used them for over three hours at a time and I have no discomfort.  As far as listening to music, depending on the recording I sometimes have to have the volume up to get the best out of them. I have another pair of LG buds that I’ve been using for years and these new Pro2’s just plain blow them away!

@kofibaffour 

I’m not sure they’ve had many new ideas since Jobs, but they can sure take someone else’s and greatly improved on them.

Oh and I have a model 8 (no phone). It can walk your dog and burp your baby,  but I sure wish the battery would last longer. My wife has a Fitbit that does almost everything the same, but she only charges it a couple times a week.

For much less $ Jabbra sound better and have better noise cancellation.  You pay extra $ for the Apple Factor 

Technics AZ80. Far better sound for music, excellent for calls etc. 

@mahler123 

I’m not sure what Model/generation of AirPods you listened to, but the noise cancellation is excellent and the SQ on the Pro 2’s is as good as any wireless earbuds @ the price range.  It’s amazing how the AC fan noise disappears.  I tried then while mowing the lawn and the almost removed the sound of the lawnmower. 
 

@julie_priest 

I haven’t tried the AZ80’s to compare them to the newest Pro2’s.  

While it’s normally bad form to ask what someone paid for a gift,  my wife volunteered that she paid $149.00 on Prime Day. She was also happy to share that they were $100 off.

I've the latest airpods pro 2. If ANC is your only goal (why?) then sure you'll be happy. if you want a well rounded pair that holds charge, is easy to operate, has excellent music and calls sound, and then also does ANC well.. then you're looking elsewhere. 

I have the Pro 2s and they are my “end game” as far as bluetooth earbuds are concerned. Like you stated, they are not “spectacular,” but the sound quality is more than respectable. Combined with the perfect iPhone integration/connection, battery life and comfort, they are well worth the asking price. 

Perhaps their best feature is the automatic pausing of music/video if I remove one to scratch an ear or such. 

if you want a well rounded pair that holds charge, is easy to operate, has excellent music and calls sound, and then also does ANC well.. then you're looking elsewhere. 
 

And where is that? Examples?