FWIW inflation means that they’re technically a touch cheaper than you think, $400 today would have been about $330 4 years ago, so a functional $220 price drop in 2020 dollars, or put another way they’re actually almost exactly 40% cheaper 4 years later, which isnt bad
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AirPods Max 2: What Rumors Say Ahead of the Apple Event Next Month
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The low latency lossless from the Vision Pro / APP2 USB-C would be a game changer for this product, even if the range is a few feet. Apparently the sending device needs an H2 (such as the Vision Pro). Not sure why that's the case.
That part I don't mind so much
What I do mind is the fact that they didn't design them to be able to fold up, but instead be put into some little thing where it still takes up a lot of space in whatever you're able to fit them in
I'm not looking
I don't have this kind of budget for over ear headphones because I'm not in the market for these kinds of headphones. I own a pair of AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 and it's all I want because they're so compact.
I was just saying that the AirPods Max are not worth their price and even a pai of upgraded AirPods Max as I described aren't worth it. They would be worth it if audio quality went up even more.
Agreed
And like I've been saying in some other posts recently, I would be much happier getting down to just 2 cables in USB-C and the watch charging cord as the former can charge both my phone and iPad (mini 6th gen) and the latter my watch and AirPods Pro case (as I have the 2nd gen Pro model)
Seriously, the fewer cables, the better. There are four devices that are keeping me from having everything USB-C: my Bluetooth Magic Keyboard and trackpad, AirPods Max, and Apple magsafe battery. I would love it if Apple would just update these already - it’s been a long time coming. For my Apple Watch, I actually have a magnetic ring holder for my iPhone that doubles as an Apple Watch charger and MagSafe charger for the phone, with USB-C. It lives on my phone all the time when I’m not otherwise using it so I consider my watch to have moved to USB-C too, basically.
Currently on vacation and I didn’t bring the bluetooth keyboard and trackpad or the Airpods Max so, between being able to charge the MagSafe battery via my phone and my watch via the ring holder, I just had to bring a USB-C cable and it’s been soooo nice. Come on, Apple!
I do not mind paying a premium for these at all. They feel and sound luxurious. I've used them almost all day every day since 2021 for work and have not had any issues at all, ever. I use the lightning to 3.5mm cable. Only thing I've done is replace the ear cushions late last year which did make a noticeable difference in comfort.
I'm really hoping for an H2 (or 3!), Bluetooth 5.3, and a better case. I do not mind or even want folding tbh, I love the stainless steel build now how it is.
I'm really hoping for an H2 (or 3!), Bluetooth 5.3, and a better case. I do not mind or even want folding tbh, I love the stainless steel build now how it is.
I do think we may see an upgrade with USB Type C connectors for charging and audio and putting in two H2 chips for much improved Bluetooth 5.3 audio.
Oooh, I actually use MagSafe as well to charge my phone since getting my 15 last year, so being able to have something that charges both that and my watch would be a game changer
Would love to have something like this, so think you could link me to this?
Of course! This is the one I have, but there are others on Amazon that look pretty much identical to me:
Magnetic charger
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I can't use the fake Leather or real leather in the alternatives. The Airpods Max ear cushions are the only thing I can use for an extended period of time. That is why I prefer these.
Have to agree. I ended up buying the Sony equivalent. I don’t like the fact they don’t play as well with devices as AirPods do, but the sound was noticeably better than the AirPods Max.
For the sound quality it is not reasonable. I don’t expect them to come anywhere near a good set of wired phones and they don’t. I expect them to be better than a cheaper Sony pair. They most definitely aren’t.
I was ready to pay the launch price. They just aren’t good enough. Hopefully v2 will sort this.
My maxes were out of service for three months. Apple told me that the battery had failed. What seems to have happened is what I told the genius is that their firmware update bricked my headphones. Now that my headphones are updated to the latest firmware the battery works just fine and I have no issues with my maxes at all.
From what I have read, there is not enough meat and potatoes on the new headphones to make them worth purchasing if you’ve got a good set of the first ones. Mine are out of Applecare and so the only reason I would be buying would be to get my headphones back under Applecare
From what I have read, there is not enough meat and potatoes on the new headphones to make them worth purchasing if you’ve got a good set of the first ones. Mine are out of Applecare and so the only reason I would be buying would be to get my headphones back under Applecare
FWIW I replaced the fake leather earcups on my Sony XM4s with a pair of third party foam earcups, so you dont need to stick with them. Just food for thought
It wouldn’t sell with just that. It would have to also do 3D audio and EQ in -gasp- Windows. Preferably with a DAC breakout box. Oh and multi-point for PC and phone simultaneously. I don’t think we have to worry since Apple doesn’t and has never understood gaming apart from “people do this on our devices.” But they’d have to make something that competes with the arctis nova pro wireless and they don’t have the institutional motivation to do so.
Don’t forget no power button. That’s just silly
Thanks for keeping us abreast of that.
I’ve had the Max since the 2nd month they were out. To me, they’re still the best sounding, best noise cancelIng headphones I own… That includes the Sony XM4’s and I tried the Bose for 2 weeks before sending them back, as they were NOT IMHO as good as either the Sony’s or Max’s.
I’ve been wanting to upgrade for the last 2 years… IF the only upgrade is USB C and Battery… I’ll be looking at the Sony XM5’s. I’ll keep the Max’s, buy this minimal improvement, and keeping the price at $550… Hard Pass… I’d like to see improved battery life, lighter in weight, better noise canceling and for the love of all that’s holy…please a better case… And Maybe MOST importantly, a power/on-off switch/button! New colors might be nice… I think rather than the satin they used on the V1’s, a matte would be cool
I’ve been wanting to upgrade for the last 2 years… IF the only upgrade is USB C and Battery… I’ll be looking at the Sony XM5’s. I’ll keep the Max’s, buy this minimal improvement, and keeping the price at $550… Hard Pass… I’d like to see improved battery life, lighter in weight, better noise canceling and for the love of all that’s holy…please a better case… And Maybe MOST importantly, a power/on-off switch/button! New colors might be nice… I think rather than the satin they used on the V1’s, a matte would be cool
Cerakote titanium for weight and color. But Apple would never do anything that cool
How about Bowers and Wilkins PX8?
Also Focal Bathys is another option, they also have a USB-DAC mode and a 3.5mm wired mode:
Focal unveils Bathys Dune | Focal
Focal presents a new finish, in addition to the Black Silver finish, for Bathys, its Bluetooth® noise-canceling headphones.
www.focal.com
Those can be tweaked through the Focal & Naim companion app. The illuminated logo is a bit of overkill but I'd be interested to try them.
My other wireless headphones are Sonus-Faber Pryma which are extremely beautiful but not noise cancelling and they have an inadequate microphone, but I like the sound they have.
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Never upgrading APM until they add:
USB-C port
Ability to use them while charging
Full headset support over USB-C on both Mac and Windows
Lossless audio over USB-C
Remove the faulty-by-design mesh headband and replace it with foam
Reduce weight by ~100 grams
BT 5.3
Additionally a foldable design is basically mandatory at this point, as is a well designed travel case. They really are a nightmare to travel with.
USB-C port
Ability to use them while charging
Full headset support over USB-C on both Mac and Windows
Lossless audio over USB-C
Remove the faulty-by-design mesh headband and replace it with foam
Reduce weight by ~100 grams
BT 5.3
Additionally a foldable design is basically mandatory at this point, as is a well designed travel case. They really are a nightmare to travel with.