Yamaha TW-E5B
Apple AirPods Pro 3
What Buyers Say
Yamaha TW-E5B
The Yamaha TW-E5B earbuds receive mostly positive feedback for their excellent sound quality, comfortable fit, and impressive battery life. Many users appreciate the physical buttons and the companion app for customization. However, a significant number of reviews report reliability issues, such as one earbud failing to charge or connect, and some find the earbuds bulky or uncomfortable for smaller ears.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable fit
- Impressive battery life
- Physical buttons
- Companion app with EQ
Cons
- Reliability issues (charging/connecting)
- Bulky design
- Uncomfortable for small ears
- No active noise cancellation
- Microphone picks up wind
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 receive high praise for their exceptional active noise cancellation, improved sound quality with deep bass and clear vocals, and comfortable secure fit. Users highlight the new heart-rate sensor, adaptive audio, and live translation as valuable upgrades. However, a few reviewers report discomfort due to the hard plastic shape or fit issues, and some note the case battery could be stronger. Overall, they are seen as a premium but worthwhile upgrade for daily use.
Pros
- Exceptional active noise cancellation
- Improved sound quality with deep bass
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Useful heart-rate sensor
- Adaptive audio and transparency mode
Cons
- Uncomfortable hard plastic shape for some
- Fit issues causing earbuds to fall out
- Case battery could be stronger
- High price point
- Different fit compared to previous generations
Scores
Specifications
| Yamaha TW-E5B | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | XS, S, M, L | XXS, XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.19 kg | 0.09 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 7 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | — | 1★ |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz★ | — |
| Freq Max | 20 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | — | 140 Ω |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Spatial Audio |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✗ | ✓★ |
| ANC Type | — | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3★ |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | — | USB-C |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 8.5 hrs★ | 8 hrs |
| Charge Time | 1.5 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 10 Minutes for 1 Hour | 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 21.5 hrs | 24 hrs★ |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 2 | 2 |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant | Voice assistant |
| Touch Controls | ✗ | ✓★ |
| App | Yamaha | Apple |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | — |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | Water-Resistant |
Pros & Cons
Yamaha TW-E5B
- Strong sound (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong connectivity (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong mic (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average affordability (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (34th percentile)
Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Strong social proof (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong connectivity (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Below average affordability (11th percentile)11th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 82 overall, wins 6 of 7 usage categories and 7 of 37 specs.