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Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to A macOS app to prevent sound quality degradation on AirPods

Right, here's the thing: If you are using AirPods(or any Bluetooth headphones with a mic in fact) on Mac and something activates the mic(i.e. you Shazam a song), the sound will be interrupted momentarily and will return in very low quality. This is happening because Bluetooth can't handle both way high quality streaming and the bandwidth is decreased to make it work. It's a known issue and here's what Apple recommends to fix it: https://support.apple.com/en-hk/102217 Most of the time(unless you are on a Mac Mini/Studio/Pro), you have much higher quality…

This macOS app prevents sound quality degradation that occurs when using AirPods or Bluetooth headphones with a microphone on Mac. When the mic activates—such as during a Shazam search—Bluetooth bandwidth limitations… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Prices are shown for the 3 we have checked on their own sites, 1 of them free or with a free tier. A macOS app to prevent sound quality degradation on AirPods launched in 2024; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

  1. 1

    AirPods mic sounds terrible in calls

    2022 · its alternatives →

  2. 2

    Mute your mic in any app—with your AirPods

    2024 · getmicdrop.com · its alternatives →

  3. 3

    New AirPods with active noise cancellation

    2019 · apple.com · its alternatives →

  4. 4

    Mic configuration issues are no more.

    2024 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

  5. 5

    Full control over audio devices priority on macOS

    2025 · apps.kopiro.me · its alternatives →

  6. 6

    The latest flagship AirPods from Apple

    2024 · apple.com · its alternatives →

  7. 7

    The next generation of AirPods Pro

    2022 · apple.com · its alternatives →

  8. 8
    AirBar▲497

    Connect to your AirPods in a click

    2018 · tiivik.github.io · its alternatives →

  9. 9CY

    Liberate your Headphones

    2021 · boze.app · its alternatives →

  10. 10
    AirPods 5from $129/mo▲220

    1.5x Active Noise Cancellation, AI Siri, Live Translation

    Sep 2026 · apple.com · its alternatives →

  11. 11

    Wireless earphones from Apple

    2016 · apple.com · its alternatives →

  12. 12

    Talk and listen to music like you’re side by side

    2022 · multi.app · its alternatives →

  13. 13
    AirBuddyfrom $20/mo▲509

    Bring the same AirPods experience from iOS to Mac

    2019 · v3.airbuddy.app · its alternatives →

  14. 14

    Connect accessories to your Mac with a single click

    2018 · c-command.com · its alternatives →

  15. 15
    VolumeHub▲195

    Per-app volume control for macOS with no driver installs

    Feb 2026 · volumehub.app · its alternatives →

  16. 16

    Now with 50% more talk time, hands-free Siri, and more 🎧

    2019 · apple.com · its alternatives →

  17. 17
    PairPods▲170

    Easily share audio on macOS

    2025 · pairpods.app · its alternatives →

  18. 18
    AirPods 4▲216

    Now with active noise cancellation

    2024 · apple.com · its alternatives →

  19. 19

    I made AirAP because I wanted a simple way to play sound from my Mac Mini when my speaker broke. But it’s got a ton of other uses too, like testing how audio sounds like on different devices, or repurposing old wired speakers. This was incredibly fun to make - can’t wait for you all to see it!

    2025 · github.com · its alternatives →

  20. 20
    Cuefree▲157

    Put your AirPods in, your Mac starts focusing

    16d ago · wearcue.top · its alternatives →

  21. 21
    hRemote▲70

    The AirPods App.

    2017 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

  22. 22

    The Unofficial SoundCloud App for macOS

    2017 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

  23. 23
    Jam-Pod▲114

    A player for people who keep their own music collection

    Jul 2026 · testflight.apple.com · its alternatives →

  24. 24

    Select different audio outputs per app, mix & add AU effects

    2020 · rogueamoeba.com · its alternatives →

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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →