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

[russell_314]

No I mean those are great don’t get me wrong, but I would have hoped for something more substantial such as a better delivery option (as opposed to the compression of Bluetooth). And yea the competitors do have their own spatial audio options. Also putting a lightning port on them was a painful reminder of apples insistence on not transitioning to usb-c.

I agree that using some other format instead of Bluetooth would have been nice but for the purpose it's designed for it's unnecessary. Using this with compressed streaming from Apple Music or Spotify it's just not going to help even if it's wired. If you're listening from something like Tidal at that point then you would have to upgrade the drivers and everything else so $550 becomes $1550. Yes there is a difference when you spend that much for headphones if you can hear it. These aren't meant for audiophiles but rather just someone who wants good sound for streaming music.

As to Lightning vs USB-C, I can't see how that would improve them. For most people with iPhones it would actually be a negative because many don't have USB-C cords but all have Lightning cables. Now if Apple was trying to market these to the Android community then perhaps that would have been a good choice.

 

[anthony13]

I agree that using some other format instead of Bluetooth would have been nice but for the purpose it's designed for it's unnecessary. Using this with compressed streaming from Apple Music or Spotify it's just not going to help even if it's wired. If you're listening from something like Tidal at that point then you would have to upgrade the drivers and everything else so $550 becomes $1550. Yes there is a difference when you spend that much for headphones if you can hear it. These aren't meant for audiophiles but rather just someone who wants good sound for streaming music.

As to Lightning vs USB-C, I can't see how that would improve them. For most people with iPhones it would actually be a negative because many don't have USB-C cords but all have Lightning cables. Now if Apple was trying to market these to the Android community then perhaps that would have been a good choice.

Yeah and I guess thats what I was hoping for, "Apple revolutionizes streaming music with new codec, and lossless Apple Music upgrade" would have been a better headline to accompany this product release, and it would have made more sense with the 5G phones coming out.

 

[NastyMatt]

I get these are not aimed at audiophiles - features over sound quality. People have to decide if those features are relevant to them and command the premium. Unfortunately I could not get into the Apple store last week due to C19 restrictions to test them out for myself (I do believe sound is a personal opinion) but the reviews seem to be underwhelming.

Still interested to see how the feel after wearing them for a whole day, yes I wear my headphones all day now - with working from home and then gaming at night!! The two details that disappoint me (apart from them not being audiophile grade/focused) are the lightning port and no easy way to change the battery. Built in obsolescence on both.

 

[russell_314]

I get these are not aimed at audiophiles - features over sound quality. People have to decide if those features are relevant to them and command the premium. Unfortunately I could not get into the Apple store last week due to C19 restrictions to test them out for myself (I do believe sound is a personal opinion) but the reviews seem to be underwhelming.

Still interested to see how the feel after wearing them for a whole day, yes I wear my headphones all day now - with working from home and then gaming at night!! The two details that disappoint me (apart from them not being audiophile grade/focused) are the lightning port and no easy way to change the battery. Built in obsolescence on both.

If you’re looking for audiophile headphones you need to be ready to spend more than $550. As MKBHD said these are in the luxury category not audiophile category. No easy way to change the battery? I’ve never seen Bluetooth headphones with a removable battery. As to the lightning port if you have an iPhone you should have plenty of lightning charger cables. If you don’t have an iPhone these are probably not for you since you’re paying extra for features that may not work for you.

 

[russell_314]

Yeah and I guess thats what I was hoping for, "Apple revolutionizes streaming music with new codec, and lossless Apple Music upgrade" would have been a better headline to accompany this product release, and it would have made more sense with the 5G phones coming out.

Perhaps but that would mean Apple would have to add an additional subscription plan to their Apple Music service. I’m not sure of what kind of coordination it would take to get their entire music library on hi-fi. I have a feeling that would be a huge undertaking and I’m not sure how big the market would be for that. Most people have problems spending even $300 for a pair of headphones. They don’t really care about extreme sound quality. If Apple made these audiophile grade they would be probably in the $1500 price range. People are shocked about $550 so I don’t see a market for this. Sure everyone wants a Lamborghini but no one wants to dish out a quarter of million dollars for one 😂

 

[NastyMatt]

No easy way to change the battery? I’ve never seen Bluetooth headphones with a removable battery.

I'll start with.. Beats. I think Apple has seen them B&O do replaceable batteries. Not as uncommon as you may think.

As for lightning cable I am 100% sure Apple hasn't designed these to only be used with an iPhone.

 

[russell_314]

I'll start with.. Beats. I think Apple has seen them B&O do replaceable batteries. Not as uncommon as you may think.

As for lightning cable I am 100% sure Apple hasn't designed these to only be used with an iPhone.

I'm not sure what Beats headphones you have but I've never seen one with a user replacable battery. Of course I've never seen every single model of Beats headphones so perhaps you have that specific model.

"I am 100% sure Apple hasn't designed these to only be used with an iPhone." I'm pretty sure iPhone owners are the target consumer. Let's see make a connector that we know everyone has or make one that most don't have. I see this as the obvious choice. Since you're 100% sure do you have a source within Apple who said this?

 

[Stridr69]

If you’re looking for audiophile headphones you need to be ready to spend more than $550. As MKBHD said these are in the luxury category not audiophile category. No easy way to change the battery? I’ve never seen Bluetooth headphones with a removable battery. As to the lightning port if you have an iPhone you should have plenty of lightning charger cables. If you don’t have an iPhone these are probably not for you since you’re paying extra for features that may not work for you.

So why does my MacBook Pro 2020 have 4 USB/C Ports?

 

[russell_314]

So why does my MacBook Pro 2020 have 4 USB/C Ports?

Because it's a computer? What are you talking about? A computer needs high speed data transfer ports but headphones don't. Why does my iPhone have a Lightning port? Why does my monitor have an HDMI port?

 

[booksbooks]

They are positive about the QC35, not about the awful 700.

Edit: Basically the only places you’ll see that the 700 sound good is on websites like CNET, verge, techradar, engadget, etc, in between a mouse review, some video game launch, and an article about connected sports wristbands.

Hubris. There are many positive reviews all over about both the QC35 and the 700. There are also YouTube reviews comparing the Airpods Max to the 700 and on some reviews the 700 comes out on top in many areas.

 

[tivoboy]

Hubris. There are many positive reviews all over about both the QC35 and the 700. There are also YouTube reviews comparing the Airpods Max to the 700 and on some reviews the 700 comes out on top in many areas.

I have to say, I've had a pair of 700's for the duration of the pandemic and they are quite good.. audio files (although, I'm using AAC or uncompressed things like Tidal, but HQ spotify, imusic and my 512K bit audio files.. and the ANC is very good and well, for the 250$ I paid they are quite a good solution for many things.. work, podcasts, calls, and audio listening. . Haven't had the chance to try them on an actual PLAN yet but with gardeners, other noises and create a sense of audio calm for calls that works well.

 

[jazz1]

airpods-max-case.html

Another alternative case for the lucky owners of the AirPods Max. I also like the Waterfield Designs one, a little better (second photo)...just by looks. I can can afford the case, but not the AirPodsMax

 

[Seanm87]

airpods-max-case.html

Another alternative case for the lucky owners of the AirPods Max. I also like the Waterfield Designs one, a little better (second photo)...just by looks. I can can afford the case, but not the AirPodsMax View attachment 1724432View attachment 1724440

The top one looks more like a handbag that the official Apple one