AirPods Max 2: Everything We Know One Year After the High-End Headphones Launched

[michaeljk]

Much more imporant than price, sound quality, color, case is WEIGHT. I had a pair of these for a week, and promptly returned them in exchange for Bose NX700's. THE APM's sounded better, had better noise cancellation, better functionality and would have been worth the extra $100, but they were just too heavy to wear for more than 30 minutes. Aluminum? Stupid. Sure, cool, but stupid on headphones. I still have the Sonys and can wear them (like my Beyerdynamic Studio headphones) for a few hours and (mostly) forget I have them on.

 

[SAIRUS]

I myself like my Sennheiser's but the XM4 can be tuned to sound better than their default config. They are lighter and feel better on my head after a few hours, which with the AirPods Max I have to take off after an hour.

Yes some people don't mind the weight...good for you.

 

[guzhogi]

What I want from AirPods Max 2:

2) Support lossless audio

3) Replace lightning with USB C. USB C is now the standard on the computers and iPads, lets get rid of the last holdouts please - it was good for its time, but that time ended 3 years ago

I don't understand the USB-C obsession either. For some devices that need fast file transfer I can understand but here it's just for charging. If you're not in the Apple ecosystem I can also understand but for someone like me I'm much more likely to have a Lightning cable nearby than USB-C. I have an iPad Air and USB-C is the one thing I don't like about it.

They just were released so I don't see a redesign anytime soon. This is a niche product that isn't going to get high sales like regular in ear AirPods. It would not make financial sense for a redesign so soon.

For USB-C, it also comes down to lossless support. Bluetooth doesn't support lossless. Wifi might. If these were to support wired lossless, Apple would either need to create a lightning to lightning cable, or switch the AirPods Max to USB-C so that they can connect to iPhones/iPads.

 

[ToxicBlue]

The blues are the cooler of the bunch, the green ones looks quite ugly.

 

[NightFlight]

Lol — Thiz is WAY much better than ANY sony headphone

No, they're really not and I own both. The build quality of the Max is better (as it should be) but nothing about it is $200+ better than my XM4's.

 

[FreedomPenguin]

Yeah, nobody's paying $550 for this **** again.

Drop price to $399 or kill the product. It's clearly a dud because retailers keep slashing prices on it.

I buy it full price and will continue. Can’t afford it don’t buy it. That easy

 

[poematik13]

I buy it full price and will continue. Can’t afford it don’t buy it. That easy

I got one for christmas 2020 and felt bad for my parents who spent almost $600 after tax for it.

I still use it almost every day, but it's definitely not a $600 product. Should have been $399. And the smart case is ridiculously clumsy.

Oh I forgot, had to spend $24 for the OEM lightning to 3.5mm cable because Apple's too cheap to provide one in the box

 

[bootz]

Overpriced maybe but personally I found it to be much better than the XM4s. Sound is more balanced and not as bass heavy. Noise cancellation has been just a bit better. Transparency mode is miles ahead of anything I’ve tried. The build quality is much much better with no plastic squeaks and the ear cups are much more comfortable and breathable. The hardware buttons and iOS controls are also way better than the touch controls on the XM4 and Sony’s barely usable app. I wouldn’t buy it for the original price but I think it was definitely worth the $380 I paid on eBay.

What is the consensus on its Dolby Atmos & Spatial Audio performance? How does the virtualization compare to Dolby Atmos for Headphones on Windows?

 

[SirSpuitElf]

This! Exactly.

Overpriced maybe but personally I found it to be much better than the XM4s. Sound is more balanced and not as bass heavy. Noise cancellation has been just a bit better. Transparency mode is miles ahead of anything I’ve tried. The build quality is much much better with no plastic squeaks and the ear cups are much more comfortable and breathable. The hardware buttons and iOS controls are also way better than the touch controls on the XM4 and Sony’s barely usable app. I wouldn’t buy it for the original price but I think it was definitely worth the $380 I paid on eBay.

 

[Gator5000e]

Figure out how to deliver and play true Dolby Surround Sound or even Atmos sound for shows and movies through them as opposed to the meh spatial audio (spatial is ok for music, but not for movies). I'd pay $550 for that.

 

[MrRom92]

A new AirPods Max need to be able to do 24/192 HI RES completely losslessly and wirelessly. And the wired connection has to completely bypass all the device electronics and turn the headphones into normal, passive cans that can be driven by an appropriate amplifier. Not a glorified line-in like the current implementation.


They are not worth taking seriously as a product unless these things happen.

 

[Lerenard3000]

The ugly case should AT LEAST have been able to charge the thing!!!! Even wired. SERIOUSLY.

Who wants to charge that thing with a cable all the time !! All the AirPods line up charges wirelessly now.

 

[xyz01]

For USB-C, it also comes down to lossless support. Bluetooth doesn't support lossless. Wifi might. If these were to support wired lossless, Apple would either need to create a lightning to lightning cable, or switch the AirPods Max to USB-C so that they can connect to iPhones/iPads.

There are some good Bluetooth codecs that support lossless, and graceful degradation when needed. They could also just use ad hoc wireless, as used for Airdrop.

For me, the biggest thing for USB C is one less kind of connector. If I can just bring along one charger for MBP, ipad and iphone, that's progress.

Lightning was great when launched - omnidirectional, and more solid than micro-USB. Now it's slower and non-standard, with no extra value.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Make them lighter and less expensive please

 

[jyhash]

The amount of opinion not based on facts in this comment section is staggering. It's obvious that the price point on these were too high for normal consumers, because half this comment section has no idea what they're talking about, probably because they don't actually own a pair.

The comparison to the Sony and Bose headsets is laughable, as most comparison reviews I've seen (as well, as heard in person) all show the Sony's and Bose's to be of inferior sound quality comparatively. Also, the build quality is far superior on the Airpods Max.

That being said, these cans are not without their flaws and foibles:

• Too heavy/tight: this is a big flaw with these headphones. Though they are solidly built, they are prone to give people headaches from the torque when in extended use. This however cam be solved with a newer headband accessory that gives more flex if they are too tight. The mix of the heft with the headband makes them problematic, but if you swap the headband, I'm pretty sure the heft issue will disappear if it makes the soundboxes weight be redistributed to the top of the head as opposed to on the sides.
• The Lossless audio issue: this is something that can easily be achieved with a firmware update for the OEM 3.5mm/Lightning cable, they just need to want to do it.
• The price: yeah, these are expensive. I get it that you want them to be cheaper so you can grab a pair. But, in Apple’s defense: they are audiophile headphones. Go and take a look at the pricing on Audiophile electrostatic headphones and come back when you see how inexpensive these are comparatively. $549 for these cans is quite reasonable. Especially with their litany of features. Do I wish they had better drivers? Yes, but for the price, they are reasonable.
• The drivers: I'd like to see the drivers be planar magnetic drivers instead of everyday dynamic drivers powered by a standard neodymium magnet. You want to really entice me? Make them Planar Magnetic to give me cleaner bass response. The bass is already limited on the dynamic drivers, so why not go the extra step and make them Planars?

But beyond that, they are exceptional headphones, but Apple has never been great at backing their hi-def audio options, so I expect these to languish in obscurity because non-audiophiles won't spend the capital on them, and the features don't get updated enough for audiophiles to find them interesting. Plus, the fact that they need to be powered in order to fully operate was a mistake, as that limits their longevity and "heirloom" status. They have great sound, but if you can't use them 50 years from now, most audiophiles aren't interested.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Too heavy/tight: this is a big flaw with these headphones.

But beyond that, they are exceptional headphones

There really is no "beyond that" when a huge flaw is "too heavy/tight"
These are headphones. Comfort needed to be prioritized way more than it was.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The comparison to the Sony and Bose headsets is laughable, as most comparison reviews I've seen (as well, as heard in person) all show the Sony's and Bose's to be of inferior sound quality comparatively. Also, the build quality is far superior on the Airpods Max.

It's not "laughable" at all -- it's subjective.

What you call better build quality is alternatively "way too heavy and bulky" for a lot of us.

Re: Sound Quality. That one is also hard to pin down, particular with the Sony & Bose (particularly Sony) being tunable with EQ through their Apps. If anything, they are a touch more flexible. People rain all over Bose sound, but it's a default tuning that I generally enjoy personally. All very subjective for sure.

 

[Username: Required]

People are mixing up sound quality and sound signatures. I strong dislike Bose but I wouldn’t say it has poor sound quality, it’s just a matter of preference

The aluminium case of AirPod max is nice(B&O has aluminium frame too), not so much for those fragile fabric.

For normal use lossless or not is not a big deal(if heavy EQ applied that might make a difference) but if Apple Music advertise for lossless their premium headphone should support it.

Lightning port is PITA for DAC or direct USB connection for headphones. I have iPhone , iPad Air & Pro and MacBook, and I need a different cable for iPhone and iPadPro/Mac. iPad Mini/Air/Pro use USB-C and iPad cheap use lightning … clearly they knew USB-C is the superior one. Requiring a 3.5mm to lightning cable for analog input is completely pointless.

I first use DAC mode of my B&W when battery went flat but once I used it I find it quite nice.

 

[FreedomPenguin]

I recommend my fellow airpod max owners get a sleep dock. It’s a 3D printed thing w magnets I got mine off Etsy. Paid 25 for it or so

I Don’t use the silicone case. I just set my headphones on the dock and it goes instant low power sleep. It even lets you charge it w cord on the dock. Slots etc.

I hated leaving it draining battery on desk.

I don’t travel, this stays beside my iMac or around the house

 

[dampfnudel]

Lighter, way cheaper, still very good and gets good reviews…in other words, the HomePod mini of over the ear headphones.

 

[guzhogi]

There are some good Bluetooth codecs that support lossless, and graceful degradation when needed. They could also just use ad hoc wireless, as used for Airdrop.

For me, the biggest thing for USB C is one less kind of connector. If I can just bring along one charger for MBP, ipad and iphone, that's progress.

Lightning was great when launched - omnidirectional, and more solid than micro-USB. Now it's slower and non-standard, with no extra value.

While I understand the appeal of small, thin connectors, in my experience in IT, a lot of these thin connectors (lightning, micro-USB, etc.) break fairly easily in en elementary school setting. Plus, many kids (and staff) forget to charge the their device's battery, so wireless is annoying too. That's kind of why I like larger ports like USB-A: far less likely to break, and don't have to worry about charging. Only probable with that is less mobility. Oh, well, I guess.

 

[guzhogi]

Lightning port is PITA for DAC or direct USB connection for headphones. I have iPhone , iPad Air & Pro and MacBook, and I need a different cable for iPhone and iPadPro/Mac. iPad Mini/Air/Pro use USB-C and iPad cheap use lightning … clearly they knew USB-C is the superior one. Requiring a 3.5mm to lightning cable for analog input is completely pointless.

I really wish Apple would standardize the port, preferably to USB-C. That way, you just need one single kind of connection for all of your Apple devices. Plus, since it's an industry standard, not just Apple-proprietary, that'll help third party accessory makers, too. Add to that, how do lightning & USB-C transfer speeds compare? Considering we now live in the age of multi-terabyte drives, I expect USB-C to have much higher transfer rates. Honestly, I think I'd prefer Thunderbolt 3+ ports standard with the option of fallback to USB connection.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I really wish Apple would standardize the port, preferably to USB-C.

Me too - Unfortunately I think they are still addicted to Lightning licensing revenue juice..

 

[guzhogi]

Me too - Unfortunately I think they are still addicted to Lightning licensing revenue juice..

I can understand wanting enough money to cover costs, and also reinvest profits in order to improve itself and grow, but Apple makes BILLIONS in profits a year. It's not like they're hurting for every single cent and dollar.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I can understand wanting enough money to cover costs, and also reinvest profits in order to improve itself and grow, but Apple makes BILLIONS in profits a year. It's not like they're hurting for every single cent and dollar.

I agree with you!

The problem is .... no amount of money ever seems to be "enough", particularly with mega-corps and investors who just want more and more .... and then some more on top of the more..