Hello there, Hope! We appreciate you sharing your feedback and comparing these to the AirPods experience. We want every product we carry to meet a high standard of audio performance, and it is clear the Beats Studio Buds did not hit the mark for you. If the sound quality is due to a technical glitch or a poor acoustic seal, we recommend trying the different ear tip sizes included in the box, as a snug fit is essential for the bass performance Beats are known for. You may also want to check for a firmware update via the Beats app or your Bluetooth settings. Thanks again for your feedback. We hope this helps so you can enjoy your Beats earbuds.