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

[Sounder206]

This makes the Bose and Sony NC headphones look like a bargain. They better sound amazing, but on paper these really should be at most $350. Even if these go on sale they are facing plenty of stiff competition.

Not the most expensive headphones at $549, there are some audiophiles out there who would gladly drop a ridiculous $68k on Sennheiser Orpheus and that isn't wireless. 🤨

 

[rafark]

Half a grand. That’s insane for a company that doesn’t specialize in audio products. If it was a $500+ Bang & olufsen or Bose product, maybe. But Apple makes computers and phones.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

$779 to be exact...and you can tack on an extra $79 for AC.

That works out to a 1.41x Forex over the USD. Well guess what Apple...the current exchange is 1.28...best its been in a long while. What a ripoff.

Lmao what a joke. Yeah I’m sorry I’ve been an apple diehard since 2007 but this might just kill it for me. Let me guess, they only ship with the left channel and you have to buy the right cup separately? This isn’t even close to a company that cares about its longtime loyal customer. How ironic how closely they’ve become what their 1984 ad was making fun of

 

[dumastudetto]

what color did you order?

Space Gray.

 

[BlueMoose]

There's idiots every where.

don't hate us idiots.... we are humans too!

 

[myrtlebee]

The design is absolutely beautiful, even though I have absolutely no use for them and would never buy them with the astronomical price. I don’t understand why they couldn’t figure out touch controls on the side of the huge earpieces or include wireless charging.

 

[Slash787]

So I am a little late to the party, I am still on the iPhone 7 and saving money to buy an iPhone mini as the price is $300 more where I live....

But this price is even WTF for US Standards, this same thing over here would be more $800, in that price people could buy an iPhone 11 here.

 

[anthony13]

Apple Logo costs extra.

 

[ericwn]

It's a lot of money, but it's not too expensive when you look at how much really good headphones cost.
And these come with all the connectivity goodies we like from Apple. I'm just not a fan of the design.

While they're not nearly "smart'' as these, I like the design on my MW60 much more:

View attachment 1689190

All leather and aluminium gives them a very, very sturdy and quality feel. The sound is pretty amazing too, just no noise cancelling. The newer MW65 has it, but I like the design a bit less and they reduced the driver size.

Just my two cents.

That’s certainly to my liking.

 

[TokMok3]

Sennheiser's marketing has been successful apparently. Reality is just a little bit more complicated than that.

It's a pleasure to listen music with the Sennheiser.

 

[coachingguy]

At least $200 too much... So glad I picked up the Sony WH-1000xm4's for $270! Big upgrade over the WH-1000XM3's IMHO

Coachingguy

 

[123]

A lot of Apple products seem overpriced but this one definitely takes the cake for me. Wow.

Let's assume they are really just way better than other ANC headphones in every aspect:

• Sound quality
• Noise cancellation
• Call quality (microphones)
• Comfort
• Interface / Usability

Then I would say the price is high but fair. But if it is a mixed bag... good sound but average ANC.. good UX but uncomfortable, then I immediately agree.

 

[Benjamid]

USD 550?

In Norway they cost 800$

 

[drzen]

SO it sounds like an interesting product - until you see the price point and they DON'T state the frequency response? No one markets headphones without stating the frequency response and other sound specs. At least, not until now. No way I'd consider buying those without hearing them myself. And noise cancelling....Sony is the leader. These would have to sound SO much better than their $3/400 set of headphones with better noise cancelling to make them worth $600.

The Sony XM4 were recently on sale for $274 which makes them an absolute steal in comparison. No they don’t have the fancy AI powered features, but the NC and comfort is second to none.

 

[Henry S]

I'm happy with my Bose, thanks. Can you connect a mini plug cable with a Lightning dongle? My HT receiver doesn't have Bluetooth output, and they won't work on a plane to listen to in-filght entertainment without a cable.

 

[gobenji]

Aside from their competitors having flagship products for way less, that Journey Into Sound ad is, hands-down, the worst advert they've ever made.

 

[rgbrock1]

Hey, I think I'm onto something here with the name of these headphones. Max? Or course! Because for many people, these headphones will Max out their credit card. /sarc

 

[happydude]

hahahahahaha, no...

that price is insane. they're prob marketing to the same people who bought the $10K gold Apple Watch.

 

[Xano]

overseas they will cost easily almost $700USD ... an hard sell, now SONY and BOSE have by far the advantage on ANC headphones.

 

[Ethosik]

Can't make any assessment unless you know how many are available. Classic apple move to constrain supply at launch to create hype

Or....you know....COVID causing delays in everything in the world right now.

 

[Apple_Robert]

At almost $600 after tax, tag, and title, I rather put that money towards a new super, duper M1.

 

[ericwn]

If you bought AirPods or AirPods Pro, I cringe on your behalf. You look ridiculous on the street and you overpaid by 90%. Earphones you can get from a dollar store are better quality and sound just as good. If you buy one of these things, I have no words for you. Seriously.

If you believe your dollar store crap has the same functionality and sound than some AirPod pros with spatial audio, the ability to share audio, the h1 chip I have no words for you. Seriously.

 

[thei3ug]

Sure seems like a great buy for the kids...

I buy them for myself, and let them use it in the car.

they’re 3 and 6, they don’t get their own electronics.

 

[clerkpalmer]

Or....you know....COVID causing delays in everything in the world right now.

Covid has been around for almost a year. Most giant companies have figured it out. Samsung has no problem getting products out the door for example.

 

[anthony13]

I’ve been holding out on over ear headphones for a while, waiting for Apple ones as I really am the typical fanboy most of the time. But this is a nonstarter for me. Now I’m looking at the Bose 700’s.