Apple Prototyped Hundreds of AirPods Max Designs, Says Smart Case is Designed for Storage Efficiency

[Freida]

I haven't used this one but I recall that was there much else that was better at the time?

This, well, unless you consider this a BRILLIANT design. In which case, we’ll just differ on that View attachment 1696506

 

[jarman92]

I do understand the difference. The fact that the actual word heavy is used in the context of a headphone says something in its self. If something is able to become unbalanced when moving your head that also implies something is too heavy?

No, “too heavy” in this context implies that they’re so heavy that you shouldn’t buy them. Not a single review I’ve seen has even suggested that.

 

[derekamoss]

The case is such bad design

What's really bad is this is THE best they could come up with after hundreds of designs

 

[Unregistered 4U]

No, “too heavy” in this context implies that they’re so heavy that you shouldn’t buy them. Not a single review I’ve seen has even suggested that.

The comparison between the next heaviest headphones are roughly 50g lighter. That’s 10 nickels spread over 8-10 inches. And that’s considered “heavy”.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I haven't used this one but I recall that was there much else that was better at the time?

Well, there’s no better case for the AirPods Max, so... same same?

 

[Jay42]

And that is why there’s a four month backlog to buy them. Nobody wants them!

First, no one knows how big the initial production run was, so saying they're backordered isn't conclusive.

Also, given Apple's enormous footprint, there will always be enough fanboi demand to sell out initially, but these products can still be a relative flop in the long run. I doubt Airpods Max will crush the competition like the iPad and Apple Watch have, and will perform more like how the HomePod has in the smart speaker market. I just think they missed the mark for mass appeal, even amongst those willing to shell out $550.

 

[C. Robert]

I'm not a fan of those particular B&O's you posted. I honestly think I've seen nicer looking Chi-fi Headphones .. But P7's and 5's on the other hand IMHO look gorgeous.

However the only color I like in the AirPods Max though is Black, all the others give me an uneasy feeling. I think it's the lack of any defined edges and the fact that they actually look like a computer render only in real life. Kinda makes it hard to for my eyes to focus on them properly weird as that sounds.

Style is subjective though.... look at sneakers, they get more cheap and gaudy looking each year and yet more expensive.

I like them but I understand if others don’t. I’m just trying to get the point across that these AirPods Max are not presented as a premium product in the headphone industry. They have become use to apple buyers letting them slip on their products.

 

[C. Robert]

First, no one knows how big the initial production run was, so saying they're backordered isn't conclusive.

Also, given Apple's enormous footprint, there will always be enough fanboi demand to sell out initially, but these products can still be a relative flop in the long run. I doubt Airpods Max will crush the competition like the iPad and Apple Watch have, and will perform more like how the HomePod has in the smart speaker market. I just think they missed the mark for mass appeal, even amongst those willing to shell out $550.

I can release toothpicks I make out of wood in the backyard and induce a backlog. It’s brilliant marketing and everyone does it now.

 

[deevey]

I... I don’t think the poster is correct. I don’t they work when the battery is dead. I can’t imagine how they could.

I do see a way that they could perhaps do it .... they could use 2 pins on the lighting connector as analogue signal, bypassing the DAC altogether and running straight to the drivers.

It's possible perhaps the ANC circuitry is adding the phase inverted noise as a separate link to the drivers after the DAC has already done its work processing a clean audio signal (maybe)

As the lighting to 3.5mm it's a single purpose cable so they could really wire it up as they please.

But, realistically, seeing as the Beats Studios' cannot work with the cable and dead battery, I'm guessing these can't either.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I can release toothpicks I make out of wood in the backyard and induce a backlog. It’s brilliant marketing and everyone does it now.

It’s only brilliant marketing if you’re lying about the backlog and ACTUALLY are not only making product but also selling everything that you’re making. If you have a lot of product made that you’re not selling to recoup manufacturing costs on, that’s not brilliant marketing, that’s operating a business poorly.

 

[falainber]

The digital crown is a much better solution. I have SONY headphones and the touch operation is so imprecise and poorly done that I had to turn it off.

Since when A/V equipment has "crowns"? Is not just a usual volume control knob?

 

[KJL3000]

From over hundred prototyped designs, THIS is the best?

 

[Lemon Olive]

All of this is your opinion. There is no objective fact around ‘value proposition’ or what something should cost.

Yes there is. It's called the market.

 

[C. Robert]

It’s only brilliant marketing if you’re lying about the backlog and ACTUALLY are not only making product but also selling everything that you’re making. If you have a lot of product made that you’re not selling to recoup manufacturing costs on, that’s not brilliant marketing, that’s operating a business poorly.

And with this statement you proved their marketing works.

 

[Lemon Olive]

They should cost what the market will bear, though. No more (or sales will suffer) no less (or you won’t make your desired profit). There are many millions that share a similar value view as yours. I’m guessing Apple has accounted for this and, out of the billions of people in the world, they are targeting the millions that see the value for price as appropriate. They don’t HAVE to be for everyone, just enough folks to make a profit from.

And that’s pretty much been Apple’s MO for a long time, they’re never going to be number 1 in PC sales or Phone sales, but the sales they DO make to that sliver of folks will be profitable.

Then why not $749? Or $999?

Because that's not what mid-tier quality headphones cost. And they don't cost $549 either. That's Apple trying to redefine a new threshold for what's acceptable to pay for something.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

And with this statement you proved their marketing works.

I didn’t say anything about their marketing. But, if you think they won, then sure, buy into their marketing. I don’t mind.

Then why not $749? Or $999?

Because that's not what mid-tier quality headphones cost. And they don't cost $549 either. That's Apple trying to redefine a new threshold for what's acceptable to pay for something.

Why not $13.50? Why not $68,387?

Because that’s what THEY have defined as a balance between how much they want to sell it for vs. how much people will pay for it. They’re not redefining anything, they’ve got a thing they want to sell, that’s how much they’re selling it for.

Folks that want it will buy it, and that makes them money. Folks that don’t, won’t. And, I assure you there will be BILLIONS, like you, that won’t buy them. And, that will be perfectly fine.

 

[RobArtLyn]

Headphones this expensive should have the option of a 3.5mm headphone cord so you can plug it in to high end equipment, vintage equipment, etc. The fact that you can only use it via bluetooth is crazy.

Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable 1.2m White - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

 

[macsound1]

I’ve read that. He certainly did not say they are “too heavy.”

Right. He used all the other words I quoted.
Like: "AirPods Max have inertia" and "I’ve got heavy cans on my ears." and "You feel a bit bobble-headed with them on."

 

[RobArtLyn]

You can actually connect these to a headphone jack to remove latency or use with non-bluetooth devices, but it requires the purchase of a USD$35 cable https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MXK22AM/A/lightning-to-35-mm-audio-cable-12m-white

It would have been better for this to have been included at the price point.



And I suppose if you want to connect it to an iPhone without Bluetooth, you'd also need the Lightning to 3.5mm jack adapter: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMX62AM/A/lightning-to-35-mm-headphone-jack-adapter 🤣 – mostly a joke, but also with only 2 min of wasted internet searching because I can't find evidence of a male-to-male lightning-only cable for sale.

I don’t recommend it for this application, but you could try the setup described here for wired data transfer between two iPhones: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210216#wired

 

[artfossil]

I like the case:
—it’s all I need (protection for the ear pieces and turns off)
—I won’t have to readjust the headpiece (huge benefit in my view)
—don’t like fiddling with zipper cases (“recycled” my Beats case right away)
—can’t stand hard cases (too much weight/space)
—don’t need any more protection than this in my bag (cables and adapters have their own bag. What are thes headphones going to bang up against? My iPad (in a case)? My Kindle (in a case)? My phone (in a case, in a pocket)
—90% of the time these will be sitting on my desk.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Right. He used all the other words I quoted.
Like: "AirPods Max have inertia" and "I’ve got heavy cans on my ears." and "You feel a bit bobble-headed with them on."

And today, says “But their weight is really only noticeable when you (or just your head) are in motion. When you’re sitting still or just walking, they’re comfortable.”

 

[DarwinOSX]

Don't care for the case but love the AirPods Max and there will be plenty of 3rd party cases soon.

 

[goobot]

The case is terrible, what’s the point of it if it doesn’t protect anything.

 

[LiveM]

.....

View attachment 1696271View attachment 1696272View attachment 1696273


🤣

This is surely strike three and a new low for Apple’s accessory designers. They seem unable to go with commonsense solutions.

 

[Brien]

Case is garbage and 3.5mm adapter should be included at $550. And these SHOULD be like $399 IMO.