Amazon Takes $99 Off AirPods Max for First Time in 2024, Available for $449.99

[Harry Haller]

I love my AirPods Max, but buying a pair right now would be insanity. Feels like new ones have to be right around the corner.

I feel like if Apple could make a $300 "budget" version of these they would fly off the shelves...

Leaving $150 on the table is not Apple's MO.
They prefer high margins to flying off the shelves at lower margins.

 

[bigjnyc]

$99 off and still somehow grossly overpriced.

 

[oldwatery]

Still overpriced...especially given the age. So many better options out there that provide superior SQ.

 

[mac-imperator]

It's raining deals... too many tea leaves to read. Either new products coming out, or apple has too much inventory, or a new business model. Going to hope for new products for the win.

You're more optimistic than I am and there's nothing wrong with that. I think it's inventory.

 

[bradman83]

550 won't get you far in the audio world. The APM punch above there weight and have the best transparency in the business, with really good noise canceling which hopefully gets better in version 2.0 and are some of the best headphones for Spatial Audio using Apple Music. To get something better one would be looking at H95 and PX8 of the word and those retail for around 900+ and 700 and thats not even touching higher priced headphones for true audio lovers.

The tricky thing is that unlike visuals where we can all come to a respective standard, hearing and sound quality is unique because everyone ear, head shape and hearing ability is different. To some the APM would sound perfect while the H95 would sound muffled and visa versa. To some the Beats sound better. It's all subjective. It's one of those, you need to physically try them on to see if they click for you. For instance my wife loves her AirPods 3 but hate the APP because she doesn't like the in ear feeling. It's all subjective.

I’ve always viewed the APMs in the same category as the Sony XM5, which typically retail for $399 USD; similar audio quality, noise cancellation, and transparency. I’m sure Apple probably targeted the B&W and similar higher end headphones, but the $300-400 price range has a number of other excellent options which also punch above their weight. Given that Apple and Sony charge similar premiums for their products (and both are considered to be a premium consumer brand) I would think an ideal price point for the APM would be the $450 that they’re currently on sale for.

 

[G5isAlive]

You're more optimistic than I am and there's nothing wrong with that. I think it's inventory.

You're probably right. I do tend to be an optimist, but find life easier that way. In the meantime, as tempted as I am to pick up a second pair, I guess I will wait for that sweet sweet USB C

 

[bradman83]

I'm no audiophile, but to my ears they sound excellent. Not everyone loves Spatial Audio, and while not everything sounds better in spatial, I do really enjoy it when it works. Head-tracked spatial is quite amazing.

While head tracking requires a special chip any headphones can play surround sound spatial audio, at least out of Apple Music, by changing the Spatial Audio setting to Always On. Works great on my wired EarPods and Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I love my AirPods Max, but buying a pair right now would be insanity. Feels like new ones have to be right around the corner.

I feel like if Apple could make a $300 "budget" version of these they would fly off the shelves...

They’re called AirPods.


I get what you mean, and theoretically that’s the Beats Studio Pro from a feature standpoint.

 

[TechieTaco]

I was able to score a refurbished pair at my local Best Buy for $372! Thank you for the heads up!

Just picked up my AirPods Max!

 

[AlexJaye]

What a rip-off!

 

[3rdpath]

I recently purchased a lightly used (and still under warranty) Blue pair on eBay for $275. I work in audio and I think they're really good cans but not worth $449 or more. The used market is full of fakes but if you know what to look for and find a good seller, there's good deals to be had.

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

Yeah, mine aren't broken, but the white netting is worn and kinda grungy despite attempts to clean it (hence my lament for the price on the blue). They work fine otherwise, but after 3 years battery life obviously isn't what it once was.

Yeah I have had mine since 2021 and the battery life is really dragging now. Unfortunately no way to refresh/replace. Too expensive because too disposable.

worth maybe $300 right now. $449 is still way too much this long after release.

Yeah agreed.

No, they're just d*** people buying them. I was thinking about buying them too, when they were for roughly 300€ at AmazonIT, but no. I rather wait until fall instead of buying outdated HW. "Max" Headphones without real Lossless Support, just pathetic.

Yup. I got mine in 2021 at bestbuy when they had them on sale for 429. It was still over priced then, but I liked the original noise canceling a lot (before Apple got patent trolled).

Now I started to see a bunch of morons walk around the gym with them on. Smdh they’re not activewear and they’re not really fashionable. But they still dropped a ton of money on them anyway.

I paid $429 for my AirPods Max a couple of years ago in one of the sales. Totally worth it. They are not perfect and I prefer my XM3's for long-haul travel, but for a headset to wear while working from home they are peerless. The transparency mode and microphones for phone calls are excellent - as is the noise canceling.

The Sony XM3's are just a better travel headphone because they can fold, and they make a better seal. With AirPods Max, I find that when I lean my head against the headrest, the seal breaks and noise leaks in. The Sony's have a leather/pleather cup which doesn't do that.

I'm no audiophile, but to my ears they sound excellent. Not everyone loves Spatial Audio, and while not everything sounds better in spatial, I do really enjoy it when it works. Head-tracked spatial is quite amazing.

Yeah next time I think I’m going with the Sony. I’ll run my APM until they crap out, but I probably won’t buy another pair.

 

[DMG35]

Just picked up my AirPods Max! View attachment 2349458

Congrats! Regardless of age and price they really are some of the best if not the best wireless headphones on the market.

 

[svish]

Good to see discounts but it should be priced much lower.

 

[lindros2]

All of the Amazon ones I looked at via link are Amazon Warehouse used good or like new.
This is borderline scam bait link by MR.

 

[Student of Life]

All of the Amazon ones I looked at via link are Amazon Warehouse used good or like new.
This is borderline scam bait link by MR.

Its no a scam. The sale is an over now. Maybe they bring it back for Presidents' day?