Galaxy Buds3 Pro: The Audiophile's Perspective

Summary

In this review, Chronicle dives deep into the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, comparing them to their predecessor, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and the Apple AirPods Pro 2. While the Buds 3 Pro impresses with its premium build quality and improved microphone performance, it falls short in areas like ANC and sound quality. The earbuds feature a bass-heavy, V-shaped sound signature, which may appeal to some, but lacks the balance and refinement of the Buds 2 Pro. Despite offering some advancements, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro does not live up to expectations in terms of performance, especially for those seeking superior ANC and natural sound quality.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have solid build quality with metal shells and stems, but some initial units had production issues that delayed the review.
• 😀 Battery life on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is disappointing, lasting only about 4 hours compared to the advertised 6 hours and shorter than the Buds 2 Pro or AirPods Pro 2.
• 😀 The fit and comfort of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are decent, especially for a stem-style design, though they tend to sit shallow in the ear, which may cause discomfort for some users.
• 😀 Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is underwhelming, especially in blocking low frequencies like engine noise, and is not as effective as its predecessor, the Buds 2 Pro.
• 😀 The microphone performance of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is significantly improved, thanks to the new stem design, providing clearer audio in both quiet and noisy settings.
• 😀 Sound quality on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is more V-shaped, with boosted bass and treble, resulting in a more energetic but less natural sound compared to the Buds 2 Pro.
• 😀 Despite using a 10.5mm dynamic driver and a 6.1mm planar magnetic tweeter, the sound quality of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is only marginally better than the Buds 2 Pro and lacks noticeable improvements in detail.
• 😀 When ANC is turned off, the sound of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro becomes more natural and balanced, which is preferred by some users over the ANC-enabled sound.
• 😀 Comparing the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro to the Buds 2 Pro, the latter is preferred due to its more balanced tuning and superior ANC performance, especially in isolating low frequencies.
• 😀 The AirPods Pro 2 provide better sound quality, ANC, and microphone performance than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, though the Buds 3 Pro's metal build offers a slight advantage in terms of durability.

Q & A

What is the main difference in build quality between the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro features a more premium build with metal components for both the earbuds and the charging case, while the Buds 2 Pro has a more basic design with plastic components. The Buds 3 Pro's build quality is considered superior to its predecessor.

Why did the reviewer initially hold off on reviewing the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?

The reviewer delayed the review due to a pseudo recall of the early Galaxy Buds 3 Pro units, which had issues like ear tips tearing off and inconsistencies with panel gaps. The reviewer received a replacement unit but couldn't provide feedback until the issue was resolved.

How does the battery life of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro compare to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and other competitors?

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro falls short with a battery life of around 4 hours, significantly below the advertised 6 hours. In comparison, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers around 5 hours, while the Apple AirPods Pro 2 also performs better in this regard.

What is the reviewer's main issue with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro's Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)?

The reviewer finds the ANC performance of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro disappointing, particularly in low-frequency attenuation. While the mid-frequency isolation has slightly improved, the lack of noise cancellation for engine noise and rumbles is a major downside compared to the Buds 2 Pro and other competitors.

How does the microphone performance of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro compare to the Buds 2 Pro?

The microphone performance on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is significantly improved due to the new stem design, offering better audio pickup than the Buds 2 Pro. However, it still doesn't reach the level of the Apple AirPods Pro 2, which excels in this area.

What sound signature does the reviewer prefer, and how does it relate to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?

The reviewer prefers a more neutral sound signature, which the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro does not provide. Instead, the Buds 3 Pro has a heavily V-shaped sound profile with boosted bass and treble, which the reviewer finds less natural and too energetic compared to the more balanced sound of the Buds 2 Pro.

What improvements does the reviewer note in the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro over the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro?

The reviewer acknowledges that the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has a better build quality with metal construction and improved microphone performance due to the new stem design. However, these improvements don't make up for the shortcomings in battery life, ANC, and overall sound quality.

How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro compare to the Apple AirPods Pro 2 in terms of sound quality and ANC?

In terms of sound quality, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are considered superior, with a more natural and balanced sound compared to the exaggerated bass and treble of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. When it comes to ANC, the AirPods Pro 2 also perform better, particularly in low-frequency noise isolation.

Why does the reviewer consider the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro's tuning to be problematic?

The reviewer finds the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro's tuning problematic because of its excessively boosted bass and treble, which result in a less natural sound. This V-shaped tuning sacrifices balance, making the overall listening experience less enjoyable for the reviewer.

What does the reviewer suggest if you're seeking better sound isolation and sound quality?

The reviewer recommends sticking with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro or considering the Apple AirPods Pro 2 if your priorities are better sound isolation and a more natural sound quality. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, while offering some improvements, does not meet the reviewer's standards in these areas.