We, meaning the general MR population, aren't a good guide when it comes to determining what the masses will buy or not. These headphones seem expensive, to me, but they may fly off the shelves. And of course, reviews will be critical.
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Apple Announces AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation, Priced at $549
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I'm not sure I agree enthusiasm trumps experience. Enthusiasm and some new blood helps, but you need experience too - so part of this also is that Apple has the money to hire the experienced people away from elsewhere and combine that with the money to give them resources to work to their full potential (the latter is more of a lure to a lot of the experienced folks that they've been hiring than the extra pay). It's enthusiasm + massive budget + willingness to hire experience, pay for it properly, and give them their head in working on what they've been hired for in a way a lot of their previous employers couldnt.
Still waiting for that to happen to the HomePod on Canada. Doesn’t look too promising for price adjustments.
They’re probably not the target audience to be fair. Not everyone buys a Mac Pro either.
What are the disadvantages though? Hi Res over BT is extremely simple. Connect my Fold 2 to my LDAC enabled BT headphones open up Tidal and voialla! It's not hard. This has been available in the Android world for several years. Apple just doesn't want everyone in the Apple ecosystem to know about it. I can tell you that if Audeze, Sennheiser, Hifiman or any other self respecting audio company introduced a set of BT cans in 2020 that cost more than 500 that did not offer LDAC, they would get absolutely slammed on headfi. Bose is an exception bit at least they aren't charging 550 for the privilege of AAC.
This product is no different than the other AirPods products then except I could get that cable for 3.5 mm attached to these here if I chose to buy that accessory.
I think they all also work via Bluetooth, right?
they will work with android you just loose some of the features.
like
no spatial audio
no announce messages
no multipoint (apple doesnt really use multipoint connection is more like an auto switch)
etc
like
no spatial audio
no announce messages
no multipoint (apple doesnt really use multipoint connection is more like an auto switch)
etc
Bose are ***** end of. You shouldn't buy Bose - there are at least 7 other brands with far better drivers - but of course if you're used to the crap sound of the likes of Sonos, B&W, Harmon Kardon and all those god awful sound systems they build for cars and iPod docks then sure, you'll find yourself right at home with Bose - which is why the likes of the tech websites you've suggested like Bose (well that and Bose paying for reviews.
But what do I know? I'm just an audio engineer with 20 years in the industry, i'm sure the bloke at the Verge who has nothing to do with music but is being paid to review has a better ear...
That's one hell of a flex there, you apparently spend more on (personal, this much on business travel paid for by an employer is different) travel than most Americans, most people on the planet, earn (and I mean gross, not net). Sure, if you spend 60k on travel $500 is nothing, but, like, dude, you realize that's not most people, right?
Now, don't get me wrong, Apple is targeting relatively well off folks who can afford these sets (yes, including myself these days, though I still consider $500+ a big purchase for headphones, but I am considering) absolutely, but blowing it off as "
people are seriously complaining about $500???" is kinda tone deaf.
I ended up getting these Sony headphones last night at target
Had a Target Circle 10% code and used my Target Red Card for another 5% off
Total 239.99 + tax
There’s been lots of mentions for these ones hope you enjoy!
So, based on the fact that people shouldn’t be complaining about $500, can I give you my bank account number so you can deposit me $500 a month?
He does have a bit of a point though. I’ve spent more than $500 on a night in a hotel several times in my life and I am not what I would consider wealthy.
We all have different values though, I have a good friend that is far wealthier than I and he thought he had treated himself when he upgraded his TV last year to a new one for $500.
Some people value tech and some don’t and all shades inbetween.
Okay it’s better just to needlessly repeat how too expensive something might be
True, good point. You’d only buy the Apple Care if you then wanted a 2 year warranty that equals the included 2 year you get with Bose for example. Still, £549 with the standard warranty is approx $730USD... so still a lot of dosh! Having said that, true audiophiles will spend good coin on excellent sound!
Everyone here should know that professional audio engineers who work in motion picture and recording studios all use only a handful of different model headphones and almost never pay over $100.
Professionals who earn their living with sound can't be fooled like consumers can be.
So while you might spend $500, the engineers who mixed and mastered the recording were using a pair of $49 AKG240 headphones. like these www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K240S
BTW, if you do need headphones these are the very best if you listen in a quiet environment and are not near an open microphone. When I say "best" I mean for 30+ years, no one has found a way to improve. They used to cost $100+
K240 are used in studios because they’re cost-effective in a very specific niche situation.
They are not however, the best at what they do by a very long stretch.
They only got 7.2 on the neutral score for example by rtings:
www.rtings.com
Nobody in a studio will tell you K240 are better than HD800 if price is not an issue.
And even Philips X2HR are better than K240s.
See, we all have opinions. Oh and AirPodsMax are not aimed at the same audience or in the same price bracket as HD800, K240 or X2HR.
I await real reviews and comprehensive comparisons.
They are not however, the best at what they do by a very long stretch.
They only got 7.2 on the neutral score for example by rtings:
AKG K240 MKII Review
The AKG K240 MKII are semi-open, critical listening headphones with an above-average sound. They're comfortable to wear and deliver an immersive audio reproducti...
www.rtings.com
Nobody in a studio will tell you K240 are better than HD800 if price is not an issue.
And even Philips X2HR are better than K240s.
See, we all have opinions. Oh and AirPodsMax are not aimed at the same audience or in the same price bracket as HD800, K240 or X2HR.
I await real reviews and comprehensive comparisons.
The stainless steel Apple Watch costs a couple hundred bucks more than the aluminum despite stainless steel being pretty cheap. I’ve had entire stainless steel watches including a stainless steel link bracelet for less than $100 total. Apple charges $350 just for the link bracelet. They certainly charge extra where they can get away with it, and who can blame them? The initial supply of these AirPods Max has already sold out and shipping now takes 12-14 weeks!
No, that is not how it works. If you think it is you probably haven't been using LDAC at all the whole time. And even if LDAC is in use, it might be running in lowest bitrate mode, which is apparently worse than AAC. Your source device controls these things, not the headphones. To guarantee LDAC is in use you have to manually enable it, depending on your device either in a settings menu or in the developer menu. And on top of that you have to force it to use the highest bitrate mode to get any noticeable benefit from it.
This will significantly reduce range and connection quality, reduce battery life(by 20-25%), interferes with wifi(2.4Ghz), cannot be used in multi-connection mode, potentially increases latency up to 2x compared to lesser codecs.
Did you get virtual surround sound from Dolby Atmos? No.
And streaming Hi-Res? What's the point? I can stream 24 bit 96 kHz from my iTunes library just fine. In fact I have many such albums. Why would you want to kill your data?
Or are you talking about Tidal Hi-Fi? The last time I checked my CD Rip to Apple Music on my high end speakers it sounds actually the same. 🤷🏻
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You're right. Apple will charge what they're pleased something that they don't think will be mass-sold, unfortunately for us.
Did you even read what you wrote? Brag much?
The majority of people anywhere, much less some here in this thread, don't make as much money as you do.
Apple targets their stuff to high end buyers but for you to blow it off like it's nothing for everyone else?
Nice attitude and arrogance.
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Trust me I know how to use LDAC in Android. It's not that hard. And the drawbacks you mention - even if correct - are well worth true high res audio. Could LDAC be improved, absolutely. Is LDAC a viable option? Absolutely. Is apple stubborn in not offering it. Absolutely.