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"Sold out"? More like they released the product before they setup the supply chain for it to see the hype first
I wonder how much of the sold out is from scalpers as the fleabay price for the blues is now hovering around $900!
 
iPads are not wearable, no reason in comparing the two.
Ok, if iPads are not a comparison for your liking, what about Apple Watches? Good enough comparison?

Apple Watches are also wearables, but they're not "fashion statement". People (including myself) are using them for the functions and the convenience.
Only people that I've seen who buy Apple Products as fashion statements have been my friends' teenage kids who want to impress other kids at school.
That's hardly a "market".
 
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I have the XM3s also. They're good headphones, in fact the best I've ever bought (comfort is unmatched, and they're the only headphones I've owned in years that haven't broken within a year or so!), but they're not perfect. The software is pokey. Some aspects of the UX aren't great (switching between devices. Nearly useless microphone. Stupid touch panel - arrgh!). And mine have developed a somewhat annoying hiss in one side when noise cancelling is on.

They also have that "plasticky" Sony build feel and annoying creak in the headband when they move around.

Some of this stuff might be fixed on the XM4s, but I'm seriously tempted to go for Apple's as my next purchase. The AirPods Max have some clear advantages over the XM4: 9 microphones, surround sound with huge suite of positioning sensors including gyroscope and accelerometer etc. Presumably the sound quality and NC will be at least as good as Sony's, and the software, UX and "build quality" are guaranteed to be significantly better.

The only unknown for me is whether the comfort matches the XM3s when worn for long periods. Weight is a concern. But I'm certainly willing to give Apple's a shot.
No they're not, but again half price and with included headphone jack, included hardshell, plastic is why they weigh less. More battery life too. Touch panel does suck, and so does switching devices. But I also like being able to use them with my Switch, use them on plane infotainment system, use them on a work Desktop PC without Bluetooth, etc. Not sure the ANC will be better when Airpod Pros have still been said to be worse than the Sony comparables.
 
Did I miss it or is there really no Apple logo on them?
Iconic designs don't need a logo to be recognized. The original iPod only had a logo on the back, and it was subtle as well. But anyone seeing the front immediately knew it was an iPod.

These things have a sufficiently distinct look that will be recognizable by most of the general public. Can that be said about the Sonys, Beats, and Boses? Probably not, hence the need for a huge logo so that everyone knows what brand they are.
 
Of course it is - and that's what I love most about these. That the biggest tech company in the world is willing to spend R&D making what is essential a niche device and will generate about 0.0001% of the iPhone income.

Even if I don't want the items, I'm very happy when Apple releases niche devices like the XDR display and to a lesser degree these -- because ultimately it's not making them anymore significant money and they could easily not bother.
Don't be fooled by the headphones alone, these are essential for anything AR and VR in the future. Especially the sound that is tracking head movement, this product is an early spinoff from ongoing sound and VR R&D.
 
You do realize they didn't sell out in any market because they didn't have any in stock to begin with?

Also not everybody wants to spend the money they don't have to buy a product they can't afford to impress people they don't like.
Go read a book on consumer habits and marketing instead of pulling stuff like that out of your you know where.

We live in a world primarily concerned with success and appearing successful(healthy, wealthy, attractive, “cool”).

Don’t tell me that your average consumer is deeply concerned and knowledgeable on the quality of products in general.
 
"Sold out"? More like they released the product before they setup the supply chain for it to see the hype first
Or, they realize that it’s a smaller market and prepared their supply chain appropriately so there wouldn’t be too much unsold stock on hand.

same story, different perspective. I feel like they may have had too many HomePods on hand at launch and learned a lesson.
 
I’m a niche use case. What if Apple consumers are niche? Then its big heavy embarrassing headphones sell like iPhones.
When I do need ANC it can’t disrupt my head space in claustrophobic heart beat silence. Most time transparency is necessary and desired use-case. Headphones must interchangeably “just work” with iPhone, iPad, Mac mini, TV and car play.
Then I see no obstacle to a headphone becoming a big revenue builder like iPhone.
 
Wearing noise canceling headphones at home can become hazardous when your significant other has to start yelling and waving arms at you to be heard. Not to mention the sneers and grimacing looks. I know this first hand.
You call that hazardous, I call that working perfectly as designed. ;)
 
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I would love to get these, but I can't afford them. Rather, I can afford them but would never pay this price, especially considering you can buy equally good (albeit not as styling IMO) competitors' headphones for half Apple's going rate.
 
Iconic designs don't need a logo to be recognized. The original iPod only had a logo on the back, and it was subtle as well. But anyone seeing the front immediately knew it was an iPod.

These things have a sufficiently distinct look that will be recognizable by most of the general public. Can that be said about the Sonys, Beats, and Boses? Probably not, hence the need for a huge logo so that everyone knows what brand they are.
Exactly. Both the product names and designs of most other brands are too generic and barely memorable.

To a lot of people, including myself, the original airpods are still somewhat ugly. But I can instantly tell them apart from other brands and even most copycat products simply because I’ve seen the AirPods when commuting for the last 2-3 years.
 
Go read a book on consumer habits and marketing instead of pulling stuff like that out of your you know where.

We live in a world primarily concerned with success and appearing successful(healthy, wealthy, attractive, “cool”).

Don’t tell me that your average consumer is deeply concerned and knowledgeable on the quality of products in general.

LOL
You must be one of those teenagers who uses parents' money to buy Apple products as "fashion statement".
I really wonder where you live if your entire world is concerned with success and appearing successful (wealthy, attractive, "cool").
If you had traveled anywhere outside your world you'd see that people have lives to live and they spend money consciously. Don't worry though, you can do that when you grow up.
 
That is kind of surprising, because for years we were hearing forum members whine that they really need an up to date iPhone at a smaller form factor.
I love my upgrade from the 11 Pro to the 12 Mini. Battery life isn’t bad at all, it’s just that reviewers have grown accustomed to the large batteries in gigantic phones.

I hope apple continues to build small, pro-level phones.
 
Or, they realize that it’s a smaller market and prepared their supply chain appropriately so there wouldn’t be too much unsold stock on hand.

same story, different perspective. I feel like they may have had too many HomePods on hand at launch and learned a lesson.
That's what I'm saying, we can't know the demand from the current situation because we don't know how many were for sale, how many were in production, and how many are now ordered.
 
You do realize they didn't sell out in any market because they didn't have any in stock to begin with?

Also not everybody wants to spend the money they don't have to buy a product they can't afford to impress people they don't like.

Edit: Nobody that I know who purchased Airpods Pro bought them as "fashion statement", they're all actively using the Airpods for function and convenience.

Even if they did I don't care for those peoples. These look great.
 
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Big, heavy, expensive, and lets robbers know exactly who to target. I would rather stick with my airpods. Maybe if future revisions can bring the cost down I might get one for home use only

Makes me think ... why didn't Apple integrate the AirPods Max into their FindMy network ... have them locked down if the owner reports them Lost/Stolen and locked to their iCloud account? That could potentially force less theft and more returns if stolen, don't you (or anyone else) think?
 
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Apple pricing always deserves a premium and seemingly every product has proved this to be true. I think this is the right price and they will sell like IHOP hotcakes (not McDonalds). Apple is good at creating demand. What seems to be niche will no longer be. I’ve never like headphones due to the heat and discomfort of wearing something that acts like a heat blanket around your ear and on your head. I’m intrigued by the breathable mesh. Also why didn’t anyone focus on the user interface before? No one wants to RTFM nor having to take anything off in order to interface with it. Apple’s digital crown will separate it from the pack.

I never could get myself to buy Airpods thinking they shouldn’t cost more than 30 bucks. I held out for a long time. What happened? I bought 2 sets (airpods v2 separated by several months) to alternate with when 1 runs out of battery and I can’t wait for a recharge (used for work and personal).

Early adopters always pay a little more, but the masses will buy when there’s a sale and/or get it from B&H to avoid the tax.

Just wait when the Airpods Pro Max come out at $749 in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold. Followed by a 4th color for v2. :cool:

Update: forgot to mention, I think I wouldn’t mind having one too. Maybe when I come off of unemployment 😢.
 
That's what I'm saying, we can't know the demand from the current situation because we don't know how many were for sale, how many were in production, and how many are now ordered.
But you know for sure that they didn't sell many because they didn't produce many?

Apple has a long history of creating and expanding market segments. Most of the time, they are very successful. Some times, they are only moderately successful. And very very seldom do they miss the mark.

Will the Airpods Max become an iPhone, iPod type success? Probably not. Will it become an Airpods, Apple Watch type of success? Probably. Will it become an iPod hifi type of success? Probably not.

We won't know until we start seeing these out in the wild. And depending on where you live/work/play, you may or may not see them at all.

I know that this is MacRumors and we all love dropping spicy hot-takes about anything and everything Apple. In a few months, we'll get a pretty good idea of what the truth really is.
 
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Being in the Apple ecosystem, airpod Pro’s have been convenient to use. Now I also have a Shure A50 and B&0 H95 (both wireless with ANC). For me the key to AirPod Max pricing is, what is the sound quality is like? If it’s anything like the H95 that is priced at £700, it will be a steal. Mind you the AirPod Max bluetooth codec is AAC/SBC, which is less than many much cheaper Bluetooth/ANC brands.
I have to ask you then ... with Apple's iTunes and Apple Music streaming audio codec being AAC/SBC ... how are you able to enjoy better music quality on your Shure A50 and B&0 H95's if you're still using those as your source music catalog? Are iPhone's capable of a better audio codec over bluetooth or via Lightning port for sound out?


PS: https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/headphones/beoplay-h95?variant=beoplay-h95-black
The design looks so much like the Jabra 85h's and the internal speaker design under the ear cup looks as if Apple completely stole the entire idea/design from.

But at $1100 CAN ... like that video in the link I posted above ... going to need a sugar daddy to afford them lol.
 
LOL
You must be one of those teenagers who uses parents' money to buy Apple products as "fashion statement".
I really wonder where you live if your entire world is concerned with success and appearing successful (wealthy, attractive, "cool").
If you had traveled anywhere outside your world you'd see that people have lives to live and they spend money consciously. Don't worry though, you can do that when you grow up.
We live in a World built on credit(loans, credit cards, payment plans, etc.). Exactly how are people spending consciously?
You do realize they didn't sell out in any market because they didn't have any in stock to begin with?

Also not everybody wants to spend the money they don't have to buy a product they can't afford to impress people they don't like.

Edit: Nobody that I know who purchased Airpods Pro bought them as "fashion statement", they're all actively using the Airpods for function and convenience.
So
Ok, if iPads are not a comparison for your liking, what about Apple Watches? Good enough comparison?

Apple Watches are also wearables, but they're not "fashion statement". People (including myself) are using them for the functions and the convenience.
Only people that I've seen who buy Apple Products as fashion statements have been my friends' teenage kids who want to impress other kids at school.
That's hardly a "market".
Teenagers are not a market? Where on Earth are you pulling that from? They are just about the best demographic to appeal to because they have next to no responsibilities but are easily influencing by advertising and get money and gifts left and right from their hard working parents and relatives.

And the Apple Watch is most definitely also a fashion statement even if it also offers great functionality. I don’t get why you insist that the two have to be mutually exclusive?
 
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Read the article: they were claiming that Apple didn't sell headphones in the price range of JBL, Sony, Bose...which is obviously completely wrong.
Perhaps you should read the article again. There's absolutely no claim in that article that Apple doesn't sell headphones in the price range of JBL, Sony, and Bose. I know exactly what you're misinterpreting and it definitely doesn't say what you think it does.
By this logic, Apple shouldn't sell the Mac Pro either, since that a niche of a niche market.
Who's logic are you refuting? The article isn't suggesting Apple shouldn't sell the headphones. It's saying they're too niche of a product to boost sales... ironically, just like the Mac Pro you mentioned. Now, whether or not their prediction turns out to be true is a matter of debate. The fact they aren't suggesting what you're comment is implying isn't.
 
"Too niche" yet sold out for 3 months?
Sold out doesn't mean much without numbers. If I painted a painting and sold it I've sold out after selling one item. In Apples case I'm sure they were not expecting iPhone numbers at launch and have produced significantly less Airpod Max's. So selling out of let's say a million Airpod Max's is less impressive than selling out 100's of millions of IPhones.
 
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