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Apple Announces AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation, Priced at $549
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To me, it’s a tad embarrassing to be selling these at $549 when they’re only capable of pushing 256 AAC to them. Hopefully they have something up their sleeves regarding a new audio codec for transmission of higher resolution audio. Might not be for everyone, but now that they’re playing in these price points (which admittedly are low by true audiophile standards) they really ought to have a higher quality audio quality transmission option.
I wouldn't say worst streaming quality. It's on par with most others, since 256 kbps AAC is on par with 320 kbps mp3.
I like how they look but when I saw them at first I assumed they'd be $350... they must be smoking something good if they think they can get away with selling these for $550. This is, like, actual "I'm getting a DAC and only listen to lossless" audiophile headphone territory.
I mean, I'd even get if Apple sold these for $400 (with the Apple tax and all)... but the only way these would sell is if celebrities or influencers wore them and made them a "cool" product. Even then, they'd still be exclusive.
Even for people who want a status symbol, I doubt, at least for now that they would choose $550 headphones over $550 exclusive Jordans or Yeezys but I could be wrong. No way audiophiles are even going to want to touch these things either.
I mean, I'd even get if Apple sold these for $400 (with the Apple tax and all)... but the only way these would sell is if celebrities or influencers wore them and made them a "cool" product. Even then, they'd still be exclusive.
Even for people who want a status symbol, I doubt, at least for now that they would choose $550 headphones over $550 exclusive Jordans or Yeezys but I could be wrong. No way audiophiles are even going to want to touch these things either.
The biggest evidence of feature cutting I can see is that the ear cup design remains 100% compatible with Apple's patents on using capacitance sensors to make a rough map of the user's ear in 3D for left / right detection and maybe more. The inward cavity is in fact the exact same shape as in this patent : https://www.patentlyapple.com/paten...via-machine-learning-use-siri-tap-inputs.html
I would think that this feature / these sensors weren't ready for prime time and that Apple simply cut the cord on releasing them for this generation. We may very well see them happening with the AirPods Max II in two or so years' time with the exact same general design.
To be frank I find the price a little steep in regards to the feature cutting. With these features maybe, without it I'm a lot more hesitant to try them at this price.
Personally I'm very curious to see how the different parts of the headband / earpads are going to age and for which colours. What happens for example if the headband's mesh gets torn apart ? How resistant is it in the first place ?
Somebody got so excited their fingers got ahead of their brain. Maybe that happened with the price too?
5 bucks apple gives influential celebrities these for free (top sports players, musicians, & influencers)
For wireless, I think they will end up at the top of the heap. Their engineering prowess with DSP is on full display w/ the Airpod Pros and homepod lines.
You can't even be serious putting a pair $550 headphones in the same category as the Pro Display XDR in terms of how Apple advertises them. That monitor is not in reach (price-wise) for many consumers. And where does Apple state that these new Air Pods Max are in comparison to headphones over 5 times it's price? I'm waiting? Because what it looks like to me is they are trying to compete with other headphones in it's price category such as the Bowers & Wilkins or the B&O Beoplay H9's which are $500. Not to mention that crap from Bose, the QC35's.
I got a Sennheiser wireless headphones for $379 5 years ago. Those still hold a charge for many hours. And this is battery tech 5 years ago in headphones.
I for one am looking forward to hearing these. If the price is relative to performance, being £200 more than Sony’s latest offering I’m expecting seriously good sound. If not they’ll be going back.
Apple have the ability to create some amazing products due to huge R&D budgets and borrowing incredible technology from other products in their lineup. £550 isn’t a lot for headphones if you’re joining the high end game and these could be in a class of their own.
I don’t see any other reason for Apple to release them at this price point without a big jump in performance over similarly priced headphones.
Apple don’t (intend) to release niche products either so chances are you’ll think it’s normal in 5 years to spend this much on a pair of good headphones.
Apple have the ability to create some amazing products due to huge R&D budgets and borrowing incredible technology from other products in their lineup. £550 isn’t a lot for headphones if you’re joining the high end game and these could be in a class of their own.
I don’t see any other reason for Apple to release them at this price point without a big jump in performance over similarly priced headphones.
Apple don’t (intend) to release niche products either so chances are you’ll think it’s normal in 5 years to spend this much on a pair of good headphones.
Ahhh good reminder. Apple has just leaked the release dates (not that these point OS releases were that secretive/significant anyways) but still very unlike and untypical of Apple of self leak things....
One of the impacts of legalized recreational weed in California$549?!? What are they smoking over at Apple Park.
Well then these will bomb like the HomePod did. But get a bunch of good reviews from trusted audiophiles and it might be a different story.
Pretty easy to criticize the price on this - audio enthusiasts can rattle off 5 alternatives that are cheaper and (most likely) will sound better to a trained ear. However... Apple, has never been about statistics but rather quality and experience. So you’re getting:
Audio purists, Apple haters, and fashion-scoffers will reject these. For everyone else in the room, Apple is making a sales pitch that they can deliver the best wireless over-the-ears audio experience for the money.
- The “Apple experience” (don’t underestimate the value of this!). In other words: I am paying a premium price but I know I’m getting brand reputation, product support, a premium product, and I don’t have to scour Internet forums to make a decision on what is the “right” headphone for me.
- Wireless headphones
- Instant sync/integration with iOS devices (pairing by proximity)
- Fancy design (so fancy!)
- Sound quality (I’m going to assume that for $550 they are going to be the best sounding thing that most consumers have heard. Despite what some think, most people just buy what’s appealing or what their trusted family member told them to purchase.)
- Audio processing - audio purists might gasp in horror, but I would be surprised if Apple didn’t have this dialed in to produce audio that’s pleasing to most ears (not necessarily the most accurate reproduction of sound)
Audio purists, Apple haters, and fashion-scoffers will reject these. For everyone else in the room, Apple is making a sales pitch that they can deliver the best wireless over-the-ears audio experience for the money.
They likely sound way better. But if you are happy with the Pro's there is no reason to upgrade...these are a completely different product.
Airpods/Pro are meant to be portable and always available. The max are the headphones you use at your desk.