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Like...your neck muscles?
You are not literally beefing up your muscles. It’s the sensation of the additional weight. Unless you have a pencil neck or some sort of muscle weakness.

also. If these are so heavy how on earth do bike riders cope with motor cycle helmets that weigh considerably more. I don’t see them stopping every 10 mins at the side of the road taking a rest. 😂
 
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Anywhere south of $400 and maybe these have a chance of going more mainstream

Ridiculously priced by Apple, just like the HomePod originally was.
AirPods Max were not designed to be a mainstream product. They were designed to compete at the higher end of the consumer wireless over-ear market.

Apple was showing what they can do in this area of the market. I'm sure they'll be a cheaper version at some point, but if they lack the build quality and materials that makes the Max what it is, then what's the point?

Most of the people whinging about the AirPods Max can't afford them, or justify the cost, so they choose to whine about them. The vast majority of people that can seem to love them.
 
Yep they are definitely stealing your money for cheap Chinese headphones
You're aware that the iPhone in your pocket is made in China, yeah? Are you buying headphones that aren't made there -- or another country where labor is cheaper than China? Maybe spare us all your xenophobic remarks, brother.
 
Spatial audio is what catches my attention. But at this time, my priority is a new iMac / MacBook Pro.
If I have money to spare I wouldn't mind getting the Max.

Spatial Audio doesn’t impress me as much as it was hyped either. I’m probably turning it off, some tracks are actually very messy. I was actually doubting my own judgment, thinking there’s no way it was meant to sound like that. Anyway, buy AirPods Max for the complete package not just for a single feature I would say.
 
Today, for $500 you could buy 3.9 shares of AAPL and turn it into profit or you could waste money on a used material non-aging-well device that can't even play Apple Lossless.
You could say that for any purchase, so what’s your point? Invest everything? No room for items that may bring joy? You must be awesome to talk with at parties. 😉
 
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I see many, many comments about weight. And it’s true these headphones are noticeably heavier than average. Wear them regularly for a few days, though, and you’ve trained your muscles. They no longer seem as heavy - or even heavy at all. Everyone is different, but generally speaking, these are considered supremely comfortable headphones. There are forums dedicated to audiophiles and headphone aficionados with much more informed opinions than what can generally be found in this forum.

Bose QC35s, considered by many to be very comfortable, didn’t do the trick for me after a couple of weeks. AirPods Max are a different built, so it would be most fair to give them a try too, but I have low expectations. I want to like them but I’m not feeling it.
 
For me is actually the opposite, after jogging and/or general exercising I just want to go back to the APM. The ANC does filter out washing machine, someone cleaning the dishes, cars outside passing by, etc for me. Everything becomes a whole lot more peaceful.

In my experience it has the convenience of the AirPods Pro (easy setup, connectivity, device switching, etc) but then the sound quality and the nature of their size is bar none.
That being said, 10mins I think could have been enough, so it might be an accurate verdict for you. It took me 5mins to realize that I wasn’t returning them and getting a refund back, felt the cash had already parted ways then.

I was blown away when I bought the original AirPods and again with the Pros. Virtually perfect products IMO. For the difference in price, I wanted to have the same feeling with AirPods Max. I want to like them and I will probably give them another some day.
 
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I get a kick out of some of the responses in this thread.. $500 is nothing in the high end headset audio world..

Just a few prices for high end headphones off the top of my head:

  • Air Pod Max = $550 (on sale for $499)
  • Sennheiser HD800S = $1,600
  • Sennheiser HD820 = $2,400
  • Beyerdynamic T1 = $1,000
  • Beyerdynamic T5 = $1,000
  • Focal Stellia = $3,000
  • Focal Utopia = $4,500
  • Focal Clear = $1,500
I have the Max and they are a great sounding headset. As an added bonus they are BT and can also be used wired with the $35 cable... Most high end headsets are wired only with no BT option..

Sure you can buy cheaper headsets and if cost is a consideration then maybe skip them. But if you understand the cost of most high end headsets then the price of the Max are very reasonable, all things considered like sound, build quality, and features..

My .02 off the $499 price :p

 
Spatial Audio doesn’t impress me as much as it was hyped either. I’m probably turning it off, some tracks are actually very messy. I was actually doubting my own judgment, thinking there’s no way it was meant to sound like that. Anyway, buy AirPods Max for the complete package not just for a single feature I would say.
I can imagine simulated Spatial audio may not be that impressive. I'm only focusing on content specifically created to take advantage of Spatial Audio. Here's when things get HOT!!!
 
I can imagine simulated Spatial audio may not be that impressive. I'm only focusing on content specifically created to take advantage of Spatial Audio. Here's when things get HOT!!!

Wait.. I was just browsing the Spatial playlist and it sounds.. great? I tried some tracks again I just listened to yesterday and none of the issue I thought I heard are there anymore. Distant voices, sharp loud cracking sounds and just weird placement of instruments, it sounds right again. I can only assume something technical wasn’t properly working yesterday, either my connection, my AirPods or whatever. Maybe it needs the highest possible bitrate over WiFi? Will try some more.
 
These are now down to $489 (lowest price I am aware of) on amazon in Space Grey and the Blue. Lowest price ever. Wonder where they will be by black friday!
 
Still basically zero price cuts in UK. still tempted to pick some up as pricey but sound and convenience with other products are great
 
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