This argument is meaningless without actual numbers. There is zero evidence these are selling well. Sold out means nothing. The evidence is that supply was extremely limited based in the very late release date in the holiday season. Otherwise they would have been released sooner to make the holiday season.
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AirPods Max Market Segment Too Niche to Boost Sales, Say Apple Suppliers
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This one is hard... While yes the demand will be low at first, it is hard to say if this will catch on or not. The benefits of using gyroscopic syncing for virtual surround sound is really an innovative tech. It will eventually be in a lot of devices, as the base code to make it work is fairly simple with the addition of a gyroscope to the headphone SOC. The trick will be... If they can market this as an apple feature before it becomes industry standard for competitors. Coming from someone who has electrostats, and a few balanced planar cans. I find it hard to believe that a dynamic set of headphones can beat any Planar design(I have a pair of Audeze Mobius that I’m almost confident will outperform the AirPod Max cans, they cost me 325 on sale; these are my main choice for gaming and the head tracking is perfect, Apple has tough competition in this price range).
Even entry level Sennheisers are better than ANYTHING Bose sells - they've truly got the worst sound signature. In world where you've got Sennheiser, Beyer Dynamic, Focal, Grado, Audeze, Audio Technica and even NuraPhones only an idiot would buy Bose.
The only reasons these AirPod Max exist is because Apple needs to diversify its revenue. That's by the way why Apple Fitness+ was created and Apple TV+, and all these accessories and smaller products like the HomePod that Apple has started selling in the last few years. Apple wants to explore new markets and new categories and even if the revenue and market share they can achieve is not that significat, at least they get some fresh revenue which is not iPhone revenue. If currently the iPhone revenue represents a half of all Apple's revenue, in very few years, I expect it to account for less than 1/5 of Apple's revenue. Apple portfolio of product is expanding rapidly and will continue to expand. Imagine if someone have told you 10 years ago that Apple would be selling fitness instruction video courses...
We dont know the stock Apple had initially so the fact is sold out pretty fast does not necessarly means that it is selling good. Not many people would spend 500$+ for good sound quality unless you need it for professional use.
Easy time to make money. First AirPods released during December resold like hot cakes. This is one reason for sell outs. It just starts snowballing. Any stock you see now will be bought up.
Are these too expensive? Don’t care. I’ve already sold 3 of 5 sets and have easily more than paid for the set I’m keeping.
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Still have to wonder if Apple is encroaching into Beats over ear headphones sales, what's the future between the two product lines?
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Only a billionaire should feel free to spend $250? Wow. Now I understand your alias.
I used to think the same way and have used AirPods since the original through to the Pro’s and I have noticed 1 thing though.... ear infections.
Since using AirPods I noticed I’m always getting ear infections after weeks of using them on a daily basis and even with the AirPods Pro with their air vents that release pressure. There is something about the invasive element of having a small device inserted and kept inside the ear canal that I think makes people prone to building up bacteria or something which might lead to more infections to those prone or with low immune systems
if it is a widespread issue I’m sure apple will realise it in time and make necessary changes. So to conclude, a design like this is a breath of fresh air for people who no longer like sticking things invasively into the ear canal and disturbing whatever natural bacteria management system we have going on in there.
I recall watching a news story with my roommate in college on how a Picasso painting sold for 30 million USD. I said, "that's crazy. who has 30 million dollars to spend on a painting?" My roommate responded, "a lot of people."
So niches sell out immediately? All Apple does is niches... until it becomes not a niche. I want to be like, “sir, have you ever looked at a historical AAPL stock chart? I’m pretty sure these people don’t waste anyone’s time.” Lol
They can reintroduce the Time Machine and AirPort / AirPort Extreme while they are at it.
When the price of the AirPods Max is reduced to $300 I may buy a pair.
Out of curiosity, do you have access to Apple’s market data? Without that, you’re clearly not being objective. You sound angry, and I’m not sure why.
They look like metallic Moon Pies or very large macaroons individually dipped into one color at a Holi festival. I love these and fully anticipate being prey to a 3 AM spending high soon.
Warby Parker neo-70’s-style glasses plus these = you’re not even a thing, automatically cooler than you
Warby Parker neo-70’s-style glasses plus these = you’re not even a thing, automatically cooler than you
With all due respect, I’d question how broad your sample is. Also, a big differentiator in the price of Apple Watches is the strap. I’ve got 4 straps that range in price from $50 (included with the watch) to $450. And I’d readily admit the $100 braided loop and $450 space black link bracelet are personal style choices, and I don’t choose these caring a rats ass what anyone else thinks (most people won’t notice or care). I pick them because I like the look and/or feel and they’re beautiful to me.
I woudn't mind that, they were genuinely good products (in fact I still use two AirPort Extremes now just as dumb APs but they're finally soon to be replaced - I will however always keep one with everything turned off as a USB printer server - it's still cheaper than buying a USB printer server and it's more reliable!)
I think you underestimate how much of a draw the Apple brand and marketing will be.
I guarantee you that 90%+ of folk have never even heard of Audeze Mobius where everyone on the planet knows Apple.
Beats did not sound particularly good at all, and were VERY expensive compared to virtually everyone else in the same space. Yet they managed to sell more headphones than almost all other headphone manufacturers combined! I have a feeling Apple are going to end up being THE biggest wireless headphone manufacturer in the world following this release.
AirPods Max are going to be THE most sought after mid-range overear wireless headphones for the masses for a LONG time, just like the AirPods and Apple Watch are the most sought after in their respective areas despite there being competition from brands in existence much longer in their respective fields.
Therein lies the problem. Apples marketing muscle will cause people to pay 1.5 for a product when something like the Mobius or Drop Panda will outperform them for much less money. If you're an apple investor that's a win. If you're a consumer you may not even realize you just overpaid. I have Panda currently and the Hifiman Deva (a steal for 299) recently and I will be shocked of the Max sound as good as either. I guess you are buying the Apple experience which has value I suppose but for me, sound quality is the most important aspect of any headphone purchase.
Apple does not break out sales by model (or report sales numbers at all anymore), so I’m curious where you’re getting this information.
Exactly! They may have set the markup on these to exactly counteract the predicted sales volume. For example, they might make $100 profit on AirPods and $500 profit on these, so if they sell 1/5th as many the profit is the same.