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1 / 16@mellow_wren_32 · Owner-reported
Owned 1–6 months · Still using it: sometimes · Posted
The sound was extremely bright in my ears. Way too much emphasis from 8kHz up, clear as day on music but also on voice content. I had to jump into the eq settings (iOS 27) and draw a severe curve, but with only three parameters to tweak it's still not perfect. Otherwise great.
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Apple AirPods 4 Standard Edition
A 2.3 puts its noise isolation in the bottom quarter of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 128 of the 252 we've cataloged.
A 3.6 puts its audio quality in the bottom 10% of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 59 of the 252 we've cataloged.
Would buy it again; still uses it sometimes.
Owned 1–6 months.
below average for wireless earbuds — based on 235 of 252 we've cataloged.
below average for wireless earbuds — based on 232 of 252 we've cataloged.
IP54 appears on 16% of the 232 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 252).
5.3 is the most common — on 30% of the 235 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 252).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -17.8 |
| 25 | -10.6 |
| 32 | -5.3 |
| 40 | -1.9 |
| 50 | -0.0 |
| 63 | 1.5 |
| 80 | 2.8 |
| 100 | 2.7 |
| 125 | 1.5 |
| 160 | -0.8 |
| 200 | -0.7 |
| 250 | -0.2 |
| 315 | -0.5 |
| 400 | -1.0 |
| 500 | -1.5 |
| 630 | -1.3 |
| 800 | -0.6 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 2.2 |
| 1600 | 6.2 |
| 2000 | 8.4 |
| 2500 | 7.5 |
| 3150 | 5.1 |
| 4000 | 3.2 |
| 5000 | 2.0 |
| 6300 | 3.0 |
| 8000 | 4.2 |
| 10000 | 4.1 |
| 12500 | 2.8 |
| 16000 | -1.5 |
| 20000 | -22.7 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -3.0 |
| 26 | -7.3 |
| 33 | -0.1 |
| 41 | -0.1 |
| 52 | -0.1 |
| 65 | -0.1 |
| 82 | -0.1 |
| 103 | -0.1 |
| 130 | -0.1 |
| 163 | -0.2 |
| 205 | -0.3 |
| 259 | -0.4 |
| 325 | -0.5 |
| 410 | -0.9 |
| 516 | -0.8 |
| 613 | -1.3 |
| 772 | -1.7 |
| 972 | -1.9 |
| 1220 | -2.5 |
| 1540 | -2.3 |
| 1940 | 2.2 |
| 2440 | 9.7 |
| 3070 | 13.8 |
| 3870 | 10.9 |
| 4870 | 10.2 |
| 6130 | 11.8 |
| 7720 | 16.0 |
| 9720 | 14.7 |
| 12200 | -0.5 |
| 15400 | 12.1 |
| 19400 | 28.0 |
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
The AirPods 4 are a noticeable upgrade over their predecessors. If possible, try them on before buying, as your experience will be heavily dependent on whether or not the new shape of the AirPods fits your ears.
✓Liked: Improved fit and comfort, H2 chip, Portable, Good sound quality
✕Could be better: One-size-fits-all design, No isolation, No ANC/Transparency, Features limited to iOS
What a reader who owns the Apple AirPods 4 reports after living with it. Owner-reported, checked before publishing; ordered photo-verified first, then newest.
Owner reviews are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not rewritten by us: at most we proofread typos, which is shown on the review’s own page and which the author can undo. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from owner reviews.
1 owner review
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned 1–6 months · Still using it: sometimes · Posted
Would buy againThe sound was extremely bright in my ears. Way too much emphasis from 8kHz up, clear as day on music but also on voice content. I had to jump into the eq settings (iOS 27) and draw a severe curve, but with only three parameters to tweak it's still not perfect. Otherwise great.
What readers ask about the Apple AirPods 4, answered by the people who own it.
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Ask the first question →Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeAirPods' three-band EQ may not be so badIt may be baby's first EQ, but it has potential.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeAll the new AirPods features you probably didn't know aboutApple's been quietly turning your AirPods into hearing aids, real-time translators, and way more through free software updates. Here's everything you're missing.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorDear Apple: The shape of AirPods wasn't the issueIt's time to stop.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeThese $69 earbuds beat AirPods across the board—Here’s the dataIt no longer makes sense to pay Apple prices.Adam BirneyManaging Editor3 earbuds you should buy instead of AirPods 5I wouldn't buy the AirPods 5, but I would pick these earbuds instead.
Brady SnyderContributorDo we really need two AirPods 5? It all comes down to $20Apple made the AirPods 5 cheaper, so why am I still complaining about $20?
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe Beats 360 fix the one thing AirPods Max owners can't replaceThe Beats 360 leak is packed with specs, but one detail stands out to anyone whose AirPods Max headband has worn out.Adam BirneyManaging EditorI fixed my AirPods Max headband for pennies after Apple quoted me hundredsI can't believe Apple shipped over-ears with a flawed headband... twice. Brady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The battery beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Expected more from the noise cancelling
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The battery beat their expectations
