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AirPods Max 2 Review: Better Sound and ANC, Same Design Frustrations
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DaniTheFox
macrumors 6502
As I understand it, the Max 2 only has a 5MHz chip. However, the Vision Pro uses 6MHz for better transmission.
Completely redesigned amplifier, so this is just not true.
Also a completely new audio equalization pipeline with H2.
uczcret
macrumors 6502
100%. It does a fine job protecting the aluminium cups which is what it was designed for. The headband being stainless steel doesn't need that protection.
I’m also a bit perplexed why anyone expected any massive changes to the design, especially the choices that were clearly made to set AirPods Max apart from many other ol’ over ear headphones you can get from any other brand.
The only one I really agree with is the heft, because that’s the reason I ended up selling my originals because they were just too uncomfortable after a while.
But when it comes to a lack of a power button, the way the case works, the over-all design and aesthetics of them… of course Apple wasn’t going to change any of that.
At that point they are just making a product you can already purchase from dozens of other companies.
These are clearly supposed to be exactly like AirPods, the actual buds, but over the ear, and that is exactly how they function.
The regular AirPods do not have a power button. The regular AirPods are instant on and then you put them in the case when you’re not using them. The regular AirPods are still the basic same design they were when they were first introduced in 2016, and have not really come down in price outside of the most basic version going down $30 in ten years.
I’m not saying these aren’t real complaints, I just don’t understand why anyone expected Apple to change them. They aren’t going to revert every single intentional decision they made with these headphones.
I wouldn’t really expect them to change with the Max 3 either, they might improve comfort and sound quality, but they aren’t going to make the power button packing, all plastic, completely EQ customizable, folding and flipping headphones people seem to be asking for.
You might get that from Beats, but not AirPods.
The only one I really agree with is the heft, because that’s the reason I ended up selling my originals because they were just too uncomfortable after a while.
But when it comes to a lack of a power button, the way the case works, the over-all design and aesthetics of them… of course Apple wasn’t going to change any of that.
At that point they are just making a product you can already purchase from dozens of other companies.
These are clearly supposed to be exactly like AirPods, the actual buds, but over the ear, and that is exactly how they function.
The regular AirPods do not have a power button. The regular AirPods are instant on and then you put them in the case when you’re not using them. The regular AirPods are still the basic same design they were when they were first introduced in 2016, and have not really come down in price outside of the most basic version going down $30 in ten years.
I’m not saying these aren’t real complaints, I just don’t understand why anyone expected Apple to change them. They aren’t going to revert every single intentional decision they made with these headphones.
I wouldn’t really expect them to change with the Max 3 either, they might improve comfort and sound quality, but they aren’t going to make the power button packing, all plastic, completely EQ customizable, folding and flipping headphones people seem to be asking for.
You might get that from Beats, but not AirPods.
mattaaron
macrumors member
Man I'm glad they didn't change the design, these are by far the most comfortable headphones I've tried, imo.
Glad to see all the other improvements all around too!
Glad to see all the other improvements all around too!
Same here. Both my wife and I feel the Max is very comfortable for in home music and movies entertainment. I particularly appreciate that whatever material Apple uses for the Max ear cushions doesn't turn into a hot box around my ears like some of the other popular headphones do.
jonnyb
macrumors 65816
Stop countering terrible hot takes with facts!
erikkfi
macrumors 68000
IMO these are the worst looking can headphones on the market. It has never looked like a finished design to me. More like they took the basic shape of the Watch (and even the digital crown) and brought it to headphones without much thought.
Anyway without a 3.5mm jack I'd never even consider them.
Anyway without a 3.5mm jack I'd never even consider them.
I'm curious as to what, if any, design modifications Apple may have made to deal with the persistent condensation issue that killed multiple pairs of these for me back in the 2020 model. I'd owned several generations of Bose and Sony ANC headphones before that and never had any problems with condensation. But just using the APM at my desk (not for exercise or in any humid environment) and the condensation eventually beaded up under the ear cushions and caused all manner of hardware problems. While I encountered many discussion about this online with others who had similar issues, it seemed there were just as many people who claimed they never had any problem at all. My theory was that the issue was worse in the Space Gray versions, as the darker metal absorbed heat differently.
But I eventually had multiple exchanges with Apple support senior techs who escalated this issue with Apple engineering and, after completing extensive questionnaires for them on the matter. the conclusion at the time was that they were aware of the issue but did not have a solve. I eventually divested of the final blue pair I had after a couple of incidents in which a spontaneous, ear-piercing tone came out of the APMs and I never went back. Pity though as the build, sound, and ANC quality was otherwise great.
But I eventually had multiple exchanges with Apple support senior techs who escalated this issue with Apple engineering and, after completing extensive questionnaires for them on the matter. the conclusion at the time was that they were aware of the issue but did not have a solve. I eventually divested of the final blue pair I had after a couple of incidents in which a spontaneous, ear-piercing tone came out of the APMs and I never went back. Pity though as the build, sound, and ANC quality was otherwise great.
Student of Life
macrumors 65816
When are they supposed to arrive in the Apple Store to try out? Reviews help but this is something that has to be tried in person since everyone hearing, ear shape etc is different.
klasma
macrumors G4
The bitrate of Bluetooth audio codecs doesn’t exceed 1000 kbps. CD quality uncompressed is 1411 kbps, at 48 kHz it’s 1536 kbps. While lossless compression can save up to 50%, depending on the material it cannot reliably go below 1000 kbps sustained. Lossless high-bitrate audio (which nobody can hear the difference, but some people still want it) is completely out of the question.
klasma
macrumors G4
The drivers and circuitry have a huge impact on the sound, though my understanding is that the drivers haven’t changed from the last model. Drivers always add distortion and a frequency-dependent delay. Your ears never get the “pure” signal. However, Apple applies DSP to shape the sound, and that may have changed for this model.
2 things I want. Lighter (carbon fiber would be cool or titanium) and a head band that does not stretch out it looks like crap at this point.
It seems like they may have designed the headband to be easily replacable (can be removed with a SIM card tool quite easily), but then never really made them available as a standalone item. Between that and the easily swappable ear pads, there was some speculation at first that they may have planned to let people customize color combos. But none of that ever happened.
I wish at least there was a way to replace the mesh, because that’s the first thing to go. It gets kinda saggy and never comes back. :/
I understand that some people are frustrated because it doesn't have an off button, but I think it's a good design/UX decision. Just like normal AirPods, there's no necessity to add friction to something where it's not needed. They're designed to be picked up and work.
Student of Life
macrumors 65816
But doesn’t the Max 2 use the same chip H2 chip as the Airpod pros that allow lossless with the Vision Pro? So in theory they should do lossless with the Vision Pro?
uczcret
macrumors 6502
Probably a stupid question but can you physically wear the AirPods Max and the Vision Pro at the same time?
Had a pair of the 1st Gen, kept them for 3 years & sold them at 60% what I paid - could've got more selling privately, insane pricing, yet insane lack of depreciation.
That said, they were too heavy, hardly got used & had a better sound from the APs, ymmv.
I'm hoping the Spatial Audio processing is improved and perhaps some improvements to various processing functions could lead to "better" sound. But I won't be buying this update anyway.
Kinda surprised Apple didn't address the band issues, especially the worthless mesh that stretches out and fails in short order. There are lots of flaws with the design that I would have hoped to be addressed. However, I still have to give props to Apple for the overall design and sizing of the AirPods Max. They are one of the very few over the ear phones I've ever used, at any price range, that actually have ear cups large enough and deep enough to not cause me ear pain. And the cushions are super comfy and I appreciate how they magnetically attach.