Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

BB8

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 26, 2016
346
1,287
Anyone else noticing this? Idk if it's just the ANC or that they get louder, but it's really kinda insane to me.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: warnerve
I posted a thread a few days ago where I shared my thoughts comparing the two after using both of them for quite a long time.

The APMs definitely sound better, there's no contest. The ANC is better on them too.

BUT

I still prefer the APP2s - they sound great, and are more comfortable and easier to live with. I do agree with you that they sound louder than the APMs too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JSteele
I have AirPod Pro 2 and AirPod Max, and like them both.
But the Max definitely have the edge for me with regards to sound quality and noise cancellation.
Don’t get me wrong I think the Pro2’s are excellent and a good step up from previous generation, but the Max for me have the edge.
 
I have AirPod Pro 2 and AirPod Max, and like them both.
But the Max definitely have the edge for me with regards to sound quality and noise cancellation.
Don’t get me wrong I think the Pro2’s are excellent and a good step up from previous generation, but the Max for me have the edge.
I concur.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CyberDavis
I'd disagree. I have the APP, APP2 and Max. I liked the APP original, and have been pleasantly surprised by how much of an overall improvement the APP2 brings to the table. I've never tried Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, etc. counterparts but I'm really happy with the APP2. I'd choose the APP2 over the Max because of size, weight, portability ... All the ergonomic factors. But from a pure "which sound better perspective" I'd go for the Max. Not surprising. I also don't think comparing earbuds (any brand or model) to over ear headphones (any brand or model) is especially useful. I just see earbuds and over ear headphones as pretty different products.
 
I own both. The ANC is quite close on both. However in terms of sound quality the Aiprods max are much better.
What's your opinion on whether someone who owns the 1st gen AirPods Pro should upgrade to the 2nd generation AirPods Pro?
 
It’s close enough that I’ve been thinking about selling my Maxs.
No it’s not. You would be crazy to do that. I have both as well and the Max are better. As they should be being over the ear. It’s not really fair to compare the two because of that alone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CyberDavis
i am not sure if it’s my ears or music choices - i find both close enough, to the point i can say bass is the only differentiator. I use APP2 daily and APM on my way to gym everyday.
 
No it’s not. You would be crazy to do that. I have both as well and the Max are better. As they should be being over the ear. It’s not really fair to compare the two because of that alone.
I spent a lot of time comparing the APMs to APP2s and I decided to sell the APMs in favour of keeping the APP2s.

Yes the APMs are noticeably better in terms of sound and ANC, but whilst the improvement is noticeable it isn't night and day and the APP2s have certain plus points over the APMs (around half the price, more portable, more comfortable for longer sessions).

Comfort is a major factor too - I find the APMs make my ears too hot within an hour, and also has a "clamping" effect. The ANC is better on the APMs but the downside of that is the pressure "sensation" is stronger and my ear/head aches more after using them. The APP2s I could wear for hours no problems at all, they never get hot and the ANC 'pressure' is much more subtle.

Whilst I sometimes miss the deeper bass and higher clarity of the APMs, the APP2s feel a good compromise and balance in all factors.
 
No it’s not. You would be crazy to do that. I have both as well and the Max are better. As they should be being over the ear. It’s not really fair to compare the two because of that alone.
I don’t disagree with you. I’m just sayin’ that for me, the Pro 2s are finally getting to where they’re ”good enough” that I don’t really want over the ear headphones any more.

Over the ear cans are probably destined to go the way of big cameras with inter-changeable lenses. Only a few enthusiasts wear those big cameras around their neck any more because everyone else figures that their phone pictures are “good enough”. I can see Bluetooth ear buds eventually doing the same thing to big headphones.
 
Over the ear cans are probably destined to go the way of big cameras with inter-changeable lenses. Only a few enthusiasts wear those big cameras around their neck any more because everyone else figures that their phone pictures are “good enough”. I can see Bluetooth ear buds eventually doing the same thing to big headphones.
Big cameras with interchangeable lenses haven't disappeared — not by a long shot. They are essential for commercial photography. Just as over-the-ear headphones are essential equipment in recording studios.

APPs and other high-quality earphones do indeed sound amazing, and are an excellent choice for many people. But those who work with audio for a living will continue to rely upon professional-grade headphones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MajorFubar
I don’t own the APM, but I’m actually surprised that enough posters are claiming the difference between APM and APP are that close.
 
Over the ear cans are probably destined to go the way of big cameras with inter-changeable lenses. Only a few enthusiasts wear those big cameras around their neck any more because everyone else figures that their phone pictures are “good enough”. I can see Bluetooth ear buds eventually doing the same thing to big headphones.
Probably will for the vast majority of consumers who value convenience over sound quality. But it's no good telling someone who's spent a fortune on a pair of high-end headphones such as Senn HD800, Audese LCD-3 or Focal Utopia that they should just go buy some £200 bluetooth junk instead. The minority who value SQ first is always going to exist, even outside of a recording studio.
 
  • Like
Reactions: japanime
Big cameras with interchangeable lenses haven't disappeared — not by a long shot. They are essential for commercial photography. Just as over-the-ear headphones are essential equipment in recording studios.

APPs and other high-quality earphones do indeed sound amazing, and are an excellent choice for many people. But those who work with audio for a living will continue to rely upon professional-grade headphones.
I agree with everything you wrote. But the sales of big commercial grade cameras are way down. The prosumer is losing interest. The same thing is going to happen to big headphones if it hasn’t started already.
 
Noise cancellation should be superb on the Max because they’re over-the-ear headphones. Seems silly otherwise. However, I recently read a rumor about a firmware update tampering with the onboard ANC in the Max, so maybe that’s the culprit? If not, well, I can’t really say.

Edit: Forgot the rumor was a main page article. D’oh!
 
I don’t own the APM, but I’m actually surprised that enough posters are claiming the difference between APM and APP are that close.
The difference is not that close. The APM’s are significantly better than the APP2 in all areas, as you would expect. I own both, and the only area the APP2’s are better are their size and weight. They are my preference for every day usage, but the APM’s are a much better headphone

Jason
 
The difference is not that close. The APM’s are significantly better than the APP2 in all areas, as you would expect. I own both, and the only area the APP2’s are better are their size and weight. They are my preference for every day usage, but the APM’s are a much better headphone

Jason
I've also owned both and I wouldn't say the APMs are "significantly better" in all areas. They're better, yes, but not worth almost twice the price.

I keep hearing people describe the APMs as "luxury listening" and that sums them up perfectly. They're a luxury, and if I was watching a movie on a big screen for a couple of hours I'd go for the APMs, but for everything else I'd choose the APP2s.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rory76
If battery is failing.
Yeah, I was thinking that that that is a good point to upgrade to APP2, otherwise just keep it at APP1. I should have several more years with mine until the battery life isn't acceptable any more.
 
So I got the APM at Costco for a great price, $420, and they sound really good but are heavy and don't sit firm on the head like my older and lighter Bose did. Even traveling I am not sure it is worth dragging a carrying case with the APM on a flight when it is so easy to plop in the APP instead. I have the original APP which I use a lot!
If you have APP2 how good are they compared to the original? I am actually considering potentially to return the APM to Costco and pick up APP2 at a later point.

I can defiantly hear a significant improvement from APP to APM, volume not the least, but if the difference with APP2 is much smaller it might be worth to upgrade to APP2 instead. Although the APM do sound really really good. Decisions, decisions!
 
  • Like
Reactions: noshooz
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.