Apple Announced AirPods Max Two Years Ago Today

[MacRumors]

Apple's AirPods Max were announced two years ago today, marking the company's first push into the high-end over-ear headphones market under its own brand name.

Rumors about Apple's work on a pair of high-end headphones, at the time believed to be called the "AirPods Studio," heated up throughout 2020. They were announced abruptly via an unexpected press release on December 8, 2020 and went on sale the same day. Orders started arriving to customers one week later on Tuesday, December 15.

The AirPods Max offer many popular AirPods features such as the H1 chip, easy pairing, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, automatic switching, Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, but in a premium over-ear design for the first time. They also offer a headband made of a flexible mesh canopy, replaceable magnetic earcups, a Digital Crown for volume control, a button for switching between ANC and Transparency, and a Smart Case for storage and to put the headphones into a low power state.

Demand for the AirPods Max was high immediately after launch, with shipping estimates that stretched out several months. Initial reviews of AirPods Max were favorable, applauding the headphones for being "more than enough to compete with other high-end headphones." While the recommended retail price remains at $549, the AirPods Max are often available with discounts up to around $100.

The AirPods Max have also been subject to criticism since their launch, including for their price relative to rival sets of high-end over-ear headphones, the design of the Smart Case, condensation inside the earcups, poor battery life (something that was later fixed via a software update), and, most recently, ANC strength being reduced over time.

• Ten Things AirPods Pro 2 Tell Us About AirPods Max 2

While the AirPods Max are now two years old, there is no sign of a new model despite a growing number of upgrades and features that could come to the headphones. In May 2021, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was not actively working on second-generation AirPods Max, and talk of a color options refresh for the device seems to have diminished. The most recent mention of a second-generation model was Gurman's claim in October that the next version of AirPods Max will feature USB-C and launch "by 2024."

Article Link: Apple Announced AirPods Max Two Years Ago Today

 

[ridgero]

By far my favorite headphones!

 

[jmho]

Mine that I bought on day 1 just died. Good to know they're under 2 years old.

 

[BvizioN]

Got them a year ago on Amazon for £100 less. Love using them with my Apple TV or when travelling.

 

[doolar]

I’ve had mine since January 8th -21, I use them for hours every day. The mesh is starting to lose its elasticity, I hope Apple will be able to replace the headband once this becomes more widespread. Apart from that - they are one of my better purchases over the last two years.

 

[jprmercado]

Every time an AirPods Max–related article comes out, it gets a lot of criticism for its price, and I honestly understand why. Its price is really the one thing I don’t like about it. Everything else is great.

Months after its initial release, a local reseller got one (yes, just one) unit in stock, and I decided to take the chance. It was instant satisfaction. The build, the sound, the ANC—all exceptional. It was hard to go back to my Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT.

I really do hope for a second-generation APM that addresses some minor issues like connectivity hiccups… and, more importantly, the price. 😅

 

[tcgjeukens]

Apple 'noise' cancelling

 

[pppppenguin]

would love to see an adjustable noise cancellation level and waterproofing on the next iteration

 

[vseera]

USB-C AirPods Max this year! Bring it on!

 

[JustSomebody12]

would love to see an adjustable noise cancellation level and waterproofing on the next iteration

I am looking forward to high-quality wireless streaming.

Codecs can be improved, but the bitrate is still the same with bluetooth (probably even reduced, if we consider how many bluetooth devices are available).

I don’t know how they could solve it, but they should.

 

[giggles]

Just like with the first gen Airpods Pro I’ve waited too long and now I’m afraid to buy them just before they’re updated to H2.

Good thing I got me a nice pair of second gen Airpods Pro while I wait for the second gen Airpods Max.

 

[cardfan]

One of apples worst products especially at msrp. Maybe worthwhile at 199 or so.

 

[SirRahikkala]

I rarely seen anyone use them. Would be interesting to see sales figures but we know that Apple wont release them.

 

[robertsammons]

I rarely seen anyone use them. Would be interesting to see sales figures but we know that Apple wont release them.

I've seen a few in airports and such. I think for walking around in every day life they're not that type of headphone

 

[AhRiHmAn]

Every time an AirPods Max–related article comes out, it gets a lot of criticism for its price, and I honestly understand why. Its price is really the one thing I don’t like about it. Everything else is great.

Months after its initial release, a local reseller got one (yes, just one) unit in stock, and I decided to take the chance. It was instant satisfaction. The build, the sound, the ANC—all exceptional. It was hard to go back to my Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT.

I really do hope for a second-generation APM that addresses some minor issues like connectivity hiccups… and, more importantly, the price. 😅

I agree with you , APM amazing.
As for price , we're talking about an Apple product here , so I wouldn't bet about a less expensive V2....

 

[WiiDSmoker]

It’ll be another year before an update.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

"Apple Announced Airpods Max Two..."

Yes, finally the long awaited second-

"...Years Ago Today."

Oh... 😐

 

[Htsi]

It’s been a great experience with mine. Only downside being the white headband yellows

 

[DMG35]

I think we will probably go another year before Apple updates these.

 

[MathersMahmood]

I've seen a few in airports and such. I think for walking around in every day life they're not that type of headphone

I own a pair and see a lot of them in London. Black and blue seem to be the most common colours.

 

[MathersMahmood]

It’s been a great experience with mine. Only downside being the white headband yellows

Man that sucks big time. They really should sell the band separately as from videos you can remove the band with a sim tool.

 

[David1964]

I think it will be the same as AirPods Pro,updated on a 3 year cycle.

 

[mdgm]

Just like with the first gen Airpods Pro I’ve waited too long and now I’m afraid to buy them just before they’re updated to H2.

They might skip the H2 and go straight to the H3.

 

[philcourage]

I'm waiting for version 2.

 

[emmab2006]

Been thinking of picking up a pair of these.