Which headphones are best for use with Apple Vision Pro?

Main points

• Apple Vision Pro supports a variety of headphones, not just the latest AirPods, for an immersive audio experience.
• The ultra-low latency feature of AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) enhances audio synchronization in Vision Pro headphones.
• Vision Pro is compatible with a variety of Bluetooth devices, such as keyboards, controllers, and certain headsets.

Apple Vision Pro has arrived, and with it comes a storm of possibilities, from space-based camera systems to immersive cinematic experiences. Although the Vision Pro devices have built-in headphones, they function more as speakers. So if you plan on taking the Vision Pro with you everywhere, or you’re looking for the enhanced spatial audio capabilities Apple promises, you’ll want a handy pair of headphones.

Luckily, Apple’s latest USB-C-equipped AirPods Pro 2 aren’t the only earbuds that work with them. People are already taking to the streets with Vision Pros, wearing them on planes, trains, and even running marathons — like Instagram user Brooks Bash. Here’s what you need to know about what you can and can’t use with Apple’s new headphones.

Specification

Vision Pro doesn’t just work with Apple’s AirPods

According to Apple, all current AirPods and Beats headphone models will connect to the Vision Pro. It’s not just Apple devices that can work with your headphones. Third-party Bluetooth devices and other accessories will connect to Vision Pro. Nonetheless, Apple clarified that users must contact third-party device manufacturers directly if connectivity issues arise.

For all non-Apple headphone users, products including the Sony WH-1000XM5, Sennheiser Momentum 4, and Bowers & Wilkins PX7se will reportedly work with the Vision Pro.

But you may not get the same results

Still, not all models produce the same results. For the best experience, especially with the Vision Pro’s lossless audio and ultra-low latency capabilities, Apple claims its latest AirPods are the best.

In early listening sessions, Cipriani noticed little difference between the two AirPods.

When we tested the Vision Pro, Pocket-lint’s Jason Cipriani connected his second-generation AirPods Pro with a MagSafe/Lightning case to a pair of his second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C case. Apple says the USB-C case will have lower latency and Vision Pro for a better overall experience. However, during early listening sessions, Cipriani noticed little difference between the two AirPods.

What ultra-low latency means for Vision Pro audio performance

Broadly speaking, latency is the time that elapses between when a user makes a request and when that request is completed. It’s like the time it takes to press a number on your cell phone’s dialing screen and have it appear. Ideally, these processes appear to be instantaneous, so reducing delays is important for new product launches.

Think of it like the time it takes to press a number on your phone’s dialing screen and have it appear.

User requests, applications, and systems quickly aggregate into a vast network of information, from network to server to system. As network traffic grows, latency tends to increase for all users, which can cause backups and delays.

So when Apple touts ultra-low latency capabilities, it’s referring to the Vision Pro’s ability to withstand these network delays. Unlike low latency, which is measured in milliseconds, ultra-low latency is measured in nanoseconds. If you want to get super technical, the Vision Pro has 12 milliseconds of photo-to-photon latency.

When Apple touts ultra-low latency capabilities, it’s referring to the Vision Pro’s ability to withstand these network delays.

Low latency technical aspects

In order to experience H2 to H2 ultra-low latency connection, you need to make sure you have AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe charging case (USB-C). Because Apple used H2 chips to design AirPods Pro, the headphones “dramatically reduce audio latency.”

Low audio latency is important for devices like the Vision Pro, as the visuals you see when wearing the headphones need to be as synchronized with the audio quality as possible to create an immersive, enhanced experience.

FAQ

Q: Can Vision Pro be used with older AirPods?

Yes. Note, however, that only the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) feature ultra-low latency, which means older models don’t allow for features like adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and personalized volume.

In short, your older-generation AirPods, Apple products, or other products will still work with the Vision Pro – but if you’re looking for the full, highest-quality experience that Apple promises with its virtual headphones, then you might want to consider audio upgrade.

Q: Do I need wireless headphones?

Like many of Apple’s recent devices, the Vision Pro doesn’t include an audio jack. Since Apple launched the iPhone 7 in 2016, the company has slowly removed headphone jacks from its products, and other companies soon followed suit.

Q: Is Vision Pro compatible with other Bluetooth devices?

The Vision Pro is compatible with a variety of Bluetooth devices, not just AirPods. In addition to headphones, the Vision Pro can connect to Bluetooth keyboards and trackpads, controllers, and other hearing devices. Note that the Vision Pro cannot connect to older Apple keyboards or trackpads that use removable batteries.

The headset also doesn’t work with a Bluetooth mouse. As for your controllers, anything labeled MFi (Made for iPhone) should connect to the Vision Pro—according to Apple, this includes controllers made by Xbox, PlayStation, and other iPadOS-compatible products.