43 Comments
 

I use PowerBeats3 wireless, and the thing is the sound quality is definitely better than the AirPods. Having had both, I don't use the AirPods anymore.

thots & prayers
 

Whether or not you think Air Pods specifically are worth it, I would definitely recommend wireless earphones. I hate the idea of using wired headphones now, mostly at the gym. Just feels much more comfortable to me even though the wire itself isn't that intrusive, but there's definitely a noticeable difference personally

 

Recently bought a pair of Air Pods after borrowing a friend's for a couple workouts. I was originally a doubter but I am very happy with them.

There is a lot of valuable functionality in Air Pods that I didn't realize until I bought them. For example, when you take one of the pods out of your ear to talk to someone, the music automatically pauses (and resumes automatically when you put the pod back in your ear).

Pretty cool, would recommend if they are in your budget.

 
Most Helpful
"Irishfox13" after borrowing a friend's for a couple workouts.

Pretty gross, IMO

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
"Lloyd BIankfein"I see everyone in the gym and on planes with Air Pods. Are they really worth the $200 bucks?

Sure

"Lloyd BIankfein"Will they CHANGE MY LIFE?

No

"Lloyd BIankfein"Will they make me HIV NEGATIVE?

Yes

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Not fantastic music quality but easiest to use and most versatile. As an audiophile, I hate myself for loving them so much in the office. IMO: * Best for office: Airpods (due to being able to hear what's going on and taking one ear off, which I have to do all the time to answer phones and chat with colleagues) * Best for gym: Bose Soundsport, they are more sweatproof than Airpods * Best for home: I like the Shure wired headphones, or if wireless the Bose QC35 * Worst: the Beats / PowerBeats are not my favorite, I don't think top quality in any of the above use cases. Can't recommend them even on sale

Disclaimer: I own all of the above headphones + more.

Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes.
 

They are honestly just the same quality as Ear-Pods you receive with a new iPhone. I would recommend Bose or Sennheiser. Depends if you want headphones or something similar. After owning them, are they convenient? Yes, they, are. Are they actually quality good, up to debate.

"It's okay, I'll see you on the other side"
 

Current intern here. Occasionally (on slow days, usually when MD+ aren't around much or not too many people popping into their office) have ONE in (on the side the other interns sit + at a very low volume to the point I can hear footsteps coming from 15 feet away still). Even after everyone leaves at night, I only keep one in and just turn the volume up. MonopolyMoney think that's an accurate reason not to give returns

 

It seems that for most people, AirPods tend to stay in your ear even when you run. But if you have stupid shaped ears like me, then I've heard about them often falling out, so I'm planning to buy the Beats PowerBeats Pro True Wireless Earbuds. More expensive, yes, but longer battery life, faster charge time, aesthetics are far better, and it has an adjustable fit (with a loop along the back of your ear to keep it from falling out)

 

I originally thought they were garbage, then was given a pair at my new job.

They’re absolutely the best for office and while driving (on the road a lot; I can now plug in my phone while using Waze and talk to clients without having to switch between one lightning port).

Music quality - I have the bose sound sport for the gym and other music stuff (as well as some old Qc15s for when working in my home office). Bose does a superior job there.

Overall was happy enough with them i bought them for my wife (who was also a doubter) - she’s converted for the same reasons above (uses them while working and driving, bose for gym and other stuff)

Director of Finance and Corporate Development: 2020 - Present Manager of FP&A and Corporate Development: 2019 - 2020 Corporate Finance, Strategy and Development: 2011 - 2019 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
 

I mostly listen to podcasts while commuting on the train, music while lifting and podcasts again on the elliptical. I strongly prefer wired headsets, and the fact that we basically have a giant pile of old give-away knockoff earpods available makes replacements very easy. I've kept from updating my work phone because of this, and strongly prefer not having to worry about charging when commuting and on the elliptical. The case while lifting is less strong, but I think it is still preferable to the work of having to deal with/charge wireless headphones.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

Most people I know that have them got them through work, myself included. If I were to get wireless earbuds, I'd probably opt for something else with better sound quality. They're not bad, but there definitely are better ones available.

Quant (ˈkwänt) n: An expert, someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.
 

Love mine but would NEVER wear them to work out. I'm not bringing my $200 earbuds to a sweatfest at the gym. I use cheap $15 Sketch BluePulse headphones at the gym. Terrible audio quality but I really don't give a crap about how much bass I hear when I'm running on a treadmill.

I'm also one of those folks with weird shaped ears so I had to buy silicone covers for mine (you should do this anyways, keeps your nasty earwax off the buds) and only wear them when I'm not overly active.

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

I am an Audiophile, so I have an array of headphones. They all aren't really that expensive, but I depend on them in workouts almost daily.

Running / Cycling: Plantronics BackBeat FIT https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Wireless-Bluetooth-Headphon…

Cycling training with race helmet (I needed small earbuds): Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.0 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MQQ6J1H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asi…

Gym / Running oversize: Skullcandy Hesh 2 Bluetooth Wireless https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013J7JM4K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asi…

These are decent Gym headphones too (cheap, not bad): Bluetooth Headphones, Sbode Wireless Earbuds with Microphone https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075GJ3DLH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asi…

I also have the waterproof Sony Walkman for swimming: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-NWWS413BM-Sports-Wearable-Player/dp/B01CQMN…

The Hesh 2 Wireless battery last me damn near or over 6 hours it seems, which is good for me. These are my favorite headphones. I previously had Hesh 2 and liked it so much I bought it again. I have Riff Wireless too, but find those headphones real shitty. The Plantronics Backbeat is a very good all around sport type headphone that sounds good.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

i actually hate my airpods... i just can't make them stay in my ears. if i start talking they fall out. if i bend down to tie my shoelaces they fall out. when i went skating and took a sharp turn on ice one of them just flew out and it took me quite a while to find them. plus i always forget to bring along the charging pod. they're kinda like bean boots everyone has a pair so if you and your friends/colleagues are traveling together it's hard to tell which is whose.

 

10/10 would not recommend Airpods. One of the worst purchases I've made recently. 4/10 comfort, 6/10 sound quality. Definitely not a gym headphone, as they do not stay in ears. Additionally, if you want to take one or both out of your ears while working out, there is nowhere "easy" to put them, while a pair of Beats or most other BT headphones with a cable will hang around your neck. This is an easily overlooked inconvenience IMO.

Airpods have a substantial "cool" factor right now, and sure, some of the tech convinences are interesting. but all-in-all my $28 VAVA MOOV headphones from Amazon outperform in every category.

TLDR Hardtake: Virtually any BT headphones > Airpods

 

Quos voluptas unde deserunt dignissimos nihil magni. Et tempore rerum sed vero optio molestias neque. Maxime nam ut vel laborum commodi ea et. Esse aut dolor doloribus non et. Voluptatum omnis non repellat minima.

In consequatur reprehenderit aut laboriosam ad quia in iure. Aspernatur voluptas cum nobis voluptate quo voluptates molestiae. Consequuntur ut accusamus autem id quia magni eligendi. Eos et totam rerum. Sint dicta in quos excepturi.

Atque fuga sed ullam. Corrupti et quasi inventore nihil ex et. A consequatur accusantium possimus omnis ut unde voluptatibus perferendis. Soluta consequatur distinctio reiciendis magnam omnis est magni. Dolores velit ullam reiciendis. Magni aut vero provident.

Ad praesentium earum modi sed minima officiis. Magnam cumque fuga magni. Id est qui assumenda nam id ipsa consequuntur.

 

Fugit temporibus culpa et debitis neque illum temporibus. Enim dolorem possimus eum quod. Accusantium corrupti et tenetur ut eveniet repudiandae. Nostrum consequuntur amet et omnis nesciunt praesentium ut. Et vel autem saepe atque nam in delectus consequatur. Ipsum dolor sint quia quidem sequi sit velit.

Autem esse impedit iste sit quam repellendus praesentium ad. Aliquid amet id facere non consequuntur voluptas quia omnis. Sit aperiam et cum. Eos et odio amet porro iure. Illo facilis dignissimos voluptatem enim a qui illum.

[Comment removed by mod team]

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”