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Apple Announces AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation, Priced at $549

So I tend to be a little financially irresponsible when it comes to Apple products. I've bought four MacBooks this year, both AirPods and AirPods Pro, and multiple iPads. But at 550USD, these headphones are overpriced even for me. Sorry Apple, but it's the HomePod issue again.
 
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I'm confused, the case has a battery? or the headphones just go into a power saving mode when they are in the case? the wording seems a bit misleading.
 
anthony13 said:
I'm confused, the case has a battery? or the headphones just go into a power saving mode when they are in the case? the wording seems a bit misleading.
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The latter. The case is just some fabric with an electronic tag to sense when it's put into the case. Case has no battery.
 
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TrueBlou said:
Not every situation calls for the absolute best in audio quality, sometimes convenience wins out.
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Absolutely true for me. My "expensive" cans are reserved for desktop and audio system usage and wireless are used exclusively for mobile situations where a cable is more bothersome than not. When on the road, audio quality is compromised anyways thanks to the environment so I'm fine with enjoying a lossy experience, just happy to be able to bring along my music.

When looking at the $549 price, I believe Apple is justifying it with the presence of the H1 chip that, through audio computation, appears to do much more than any ANC hardware found in products like the XM4. I suppose it remains to be seen if audio "tricks" produce enjoyment, un-natural sound and/or fatigue. At double the street price of the XM4, these cans need to produce some magic. The XM4's also have dual device pairing, 30 hour listening time, 5 hours after a 5 minute charge and support both AAC and LDAC; it's really quite the technical marvel at under $300.

I find the lack of a wired option to be the limiting feature for the price. Maybe these could have been both an audiophile and mobile headphone with the inclusion of that option. I don't see any mention of lossless AAC capability but perhaps the hardware is capable of it. The fine print mentions only the use of 256-Kbps AAC encoding for testing. If these can do lossless, and actually sound good via the H1, then suddenly the price is easier to swallow.
 
anthony13 said:
I'm confused, the case has a battery? or the headphones just go into a power saving mode when they are in the case? the wording seems a bit misleading.
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I assume that when you put them in the case, there is some type of sensor that recognizes such, and the Bluetooth effectively shuts off. Meaning they go to sleep.
 
anson42 said:
I find the lack of a wired option to be the limiting feature for the price. Maybe these could have been both an audiophile and mobile headphone with the inclusion of that option. I don't see any mention of lossless AAC capability but perhaps the hardware is capable of it. The fine print mentions only the use of 256-Kbps AAC encoding for testing. If these can do lossless, and actually sound good via the H1, then suddenly the price is easier to swallow.
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They can be "wired", but I think you're concerned about lack of pure-analog lossless connectivity.
 
I’d rather spend just a little more and get a set of Stax electrostatic headphones...REAL headphones
 
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Do these even support wireless charging? I would have considered getting them if it was available, but not this time around.
 
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I’ve read Sennheiser headphones are superior to these and still cost less and that’s an audiophile brand
 
Apple didn't go through all the trouble to make their own line of over-the-ear headphones, if they were going to release something only marginally better than existing Beats offerings. they wouldn't put a separate audio chip and all of the sensors into each ear if it wasn't going to deliver noticeably impressive improvements in the experience. it's a lot compared to $350, but I bet they over-engineered the hell out of it to create something better than all of you are expecting. when the reviews come in, the proof will likely be in the pudding. like the M1
 
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TrueBlou said:
And ‘audiophiles’ only ever buy expensive, audiophile products?

I’ve spent more than I could ever remember on good quality audio equipment in my time - I’m a particular fan of Arcam, among others.

But I’ll still buy a set of Bluetooth headphones, or buds, for when I’m gardening, or such. Because they’re convenient. I’d still like them to produce listenable music, of course, but I don’t expect them to perform the same as something five or ten times their price.

Not every situation calls for the absolute best in audio quality, sometimes convenience wins out.

That’s definitely not to say I’d buy these of course. If they surprised us all and produce an acceptable quality, for wireless cans, then maybe. But there’s some serious competition at that price point.
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I have cIEMs that I really don't use anymore, Beoplay H7 and Airpods Pro. Usage is like APP 90%, H7 10%, cIEMs 0%.
 
LOL so that’s probably 700+ in Canada. What a dumb price from a dumb company. I can’t say I want to support this behaviour anymore. Samsung or Google it is honestly, at least they don’t just make devices for the 0.1%
 
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