Finally got the AirPods Max — Should I keep them? Would love your thoughts!

[Leyf]

Hey everyone,

I recently picked up a pair of AirPods Max and have been testing them out over the past few days (I work on my Mac, always with music or something running in the background). So far, I’m very impressed by the comfort (lightweight with a snug fit), the build quality, the ANC, and the sound, which has been great (though I still need to test them more thoroughly and compare them to the AirPods Pro 2). That said, I’m still on the fence about whether they’re worth keeping for the price.

For some context:

• Music is my life—it’s always on, whether I’m gaming on my PC, working on my Mac, doing household tasks, or running errands. I can’t live without it.
• I currently use AirPods Pro 2 for listening in bed and outdoors, but the Maxes have been such a huge step up for things like working on my Mac or watching content.
• I own a good pair of cans (DT 770 Pro X Limited Edition), which I love and that I could use on my Mac, but the cables get in the way, and constantly swapping them between my PC and Mac is a hassle.
• I travel a lot, and they're usually 16+ hours flights or 12-ish hours car rides.
• I'm almost fully in the ecosystem, with devices I use on a daily basis: Mac, Watch, iPhone.
• I also really need good ANC.

I’d love to hear from those of you who’ve had the AirPods Max for a while:

1. What’s been your favorite feature or use case for the AirPods Max?
2. How do they compare to other high-end headphones you’ve tried?
3. Are the condensation or the sagging headband issues exaggerated, or is it something you’ve experienced? (I'm picking up AppleCare if I decide to keep them)
4. How do they hold up for daily, heavy use—are they durable?
5. Do you feel like they’re worth the price over other wireless options in the same range?

Maybe I’m just looking for some validation/reassurance that I made a good purchase, but I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts! Thanks in advance for your advice! If you have other questions let me know.

 

[russell_314]

Hey I’d love to hear from those of you who’ve had the AirPods Max for a while:

1. What’s been your favorite feature or use case for the AirPods Max?

Blocking out ambient noise and listening to music in peace

1. How do they compare to other high-end headphones you’ve tried?

I don’t have a lot of experience with high-end headphones because I’m not going to spend thousands on headphones. I can’t help you here. I had a pair of in ear monitors a long time ago and the sound quality was better on them. Of course you’re going to pay more for them and they are wired and don’t have noise canceling. Totally different animal.

1. Are the condensation or the sagging headband issues exaggerated, or is it something you’ve experienced? (I'm picking up AppleCare if I decide to keep them)

Pick up AppleCare, but I’ve never had this problem. Of course I live in the south so I haven’t tried jogging with them on in freezing temperature. Of course I wouldn’t jog with him on because that seems like asking for trouble.

1. How do they hold up for daily, heavy use—are they durable?

No issues so far. The only an annoyance is if you don’t keep them plugged in, the battery will die. There is no off switch and the headphones aren’t smart enough to completely shut themselves off.

1. Do you feel like they’re worth the price over other wireless options in the same range?

If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, yes. If not, no.

Maybe I’m just looking for some validation/reassurance that I made a good purchase, but I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts! Thanks in advance for your advice! If you have other questions let me know.

Seeking validation for something you buy is not good IMO. It’s your money and you don’t have to have me telling you it was a good choice. You’re going to have some people saying, why would you buy these crap headphones and others saying they’re outstanding. You’re only getting opinions. If you want to spend time, spend it researching before you make the purchase. Also, this will prevent buyers remorse because you will have reasonable expectations. When it comes down to it, what matters is do you like them? Do you have a use for them? Why do you like them? Ask yourself some questions and that will make you feel better or worse about this purchase. Remember if you bought them from Apple, you have 14 days to return them.

 

[Apple_Robert]

It appears you are very happy with your purchase and that is the best assurance you can get.

 

[Edd70]

We love ours but very much in the ecosystem. If I’m home alone, I’ll default to using them for TV watching about half the time. Phone calls and music from Apple devices are excellent.

I know people travel with them but too bulky for me. And I read about people wearing them at the gym, which kind of blows my mind. That’s what earbuds are for.

 

[throAU]

I've tested AirPods Max, and needless to say I will never bother with a pair.

My Sony WH1000XM4 are (to my ears) comparable sound quality, great noise cancellation and half the price with a better carrying case - with the option of WIRED connectivity if I want it...

In terms of compatibility with apple gear - they work just fine.

Mine are 3 years old and still perfect. A friend has had the previous model (WH1000XM3) for 4-5 years and they're still 100% fine.

 

[Rnd-chars]

I bought mine around launch and have been very pleased with them. I regularly use my AirPods Pro 2 when I'm out and about, but I enjoy the Max whenever I'm home, particularly for cinematic sound.

There might be higher fidelity options out there, but I find the combination of ease of use, build quality, Apple integration and excellent sound quality to be a good fit for me.

 

[bookcase]

I love mine. The only problem I've had is connectivity when you're on a plane -- so I need to pick up an AirFly. Apple not giving people the option is odd to say the least.

 

[Mackilroy]

I enjoy my APMs quite a bit. Their ANC is superb, sound quality is good, and the weight is very well balanced. I also have XM5s and QC Ultras, but I use the APMs the most. They’re all broadly similar, but the APMs are the most seamless and have the least friction to use.

 

[Palindrom]

So having the AirPods Pro 1. Gen for 3 years now I spontaneously bought the max last week for around 380€€ inc. vat in Germany-usb c variant new and from trusted vendor.
I gotta say I am underwhelmed by the sound quality. It’s slightly better than the sound of the pro 1 what in my eyes ?ears highly enhance the status of the pro 1. So small but sound quality is comparible to the max.

ANC of the Max also slightly better.
Build quality is super so far, super comfortable overall.

I will keep them just because the deal was good. Will use them in office and at home and the pro 1 for working out in the gym or walking or doing things where the over ears are annoying. Might still sell the max later if I change my mind and could probably come out without a loss of any money.

Oh and I am also considering getting AC+.

 

[Mackilroy]

I think it’s a testament to the engineering of the Pros that they sound so good. The Maxes can pull out detail the Pros cannot, and their ANC is better, but if I could only have the Pros I wouldn’t be disappointed.

 

[Leyf]

Thank you all for your input and advice! So far, it's true that I’m really happy with my purchase. That said, I’m amazed at how many of you (both here and elsewhere) managed to get them for such a low price. I’ve been keeping an eye out for months (even before the USB-C version came out) and haven’t seen them drop below 500€.

In terms of comfort, they’re exceptional, far more so than my DT 770 Pro X LE, even during extended sessions. I have weird ears, so finding a truly comfortable pair of headphones has always been a challenge. The Pro 2s, for example, start to hurt after a few hours, but I haven’t had this issue with the Maxes. Because of that, they’ve become my go-to for work, movies, and general at-home music listening. The sound quality has also been pretty good so far.

Seeking validation for something you buy is not good IMO. It’s your money and you don’t have to have me telling you it was a good choice. You’re going to have some people saying, why would you buy these crap headphones and others saying they’re outstanding. You’re only getting opinions. If you want to spend time, spend it researching before you make the purchase. Also, this will prevent buyers remorse because you will have reasonable expectations. When it comes down to it, what matters is do you like them? Do you have a use for them? Why do you like them? Ask yourself some questions and that will make you feel better or worse about this purchase. Remember if you bought them from Apple, you have 14 days to return them.

Honestly, you’re absolutely right. I usually spend weeks researching before making a purchase. For the Maxes, I spent several months. I read and watched dozens of reviews to make sure they’d be a good fit for me. Even now, I was just looking for a bit of extra input to solidify my decision about keeping them.

At this point, I think I will. While I know there are better and more affordable options out there, nothing I’ve tried so far matches the comfort of the Maxes. I have a variety of audio equipment at home, each with its own purpose, and the Maxes have definitely found theirs.

I think it’s a testament to the engineering of the Pros that they sound so good. The Maxes can pull out detail the Pros cannot, and their ANC is better, but if I could only have the Pros I wouldn’t be disappointed.

Couldn't agree more. The Pros sound amazing and are great all-rounders. Their sound signature works well with just about anything you throw at them.

 

[throAU]

I've tested AirPods Max, and needless to say I will never bother with a pair.

My Sony WH1000XM4 are (to my ears) comparable sound quality, great noise cancellation and half the price with a better carrying case - with the option of WIRED connectivity if I want it...

In terms of compatibility with apple gear - they work just fine.

Mine are 3 years old and still perfect. A friend has had the previous model (WH1000XM3) for 4-5 years and they're still 100% fine.

Oh and to add to this.

They've been type C since forever, approximately 24 hours of battery life.

I'm not saying the AirPods Max are garbage or anything. Just that unless you're set on the styling of them (and if you are, I totally get it) - options as good or (in some respects) better exist for half the cost - and they're an expensive set of cans.

 

[Leyf]

Oh and to add to this.

They've been type C since forever, approximately 24 hours of battery life.

I'm not saying the AirPods Max are garbage or anything. Just that unless you're set on the styling of them (and if you are, I totally get it) - options as good or (in some respects) better exist for half the cost - and they're an expensive set of cans.

Oh, I don’t doubt that for a second. I’m not new to the audio market, I’ve tried many headphones, earbuds, and IEMs, and while they were great, they weren’t always the most comfortable for long sessions. I also really care about seamless device switching and spatial audio.

 

[*~Kim~*]

If I was going to buy the AirPods Max, I would do it when they had just updated, since they are double the price and some compared to other AirPods. They have an inferior chip to the new base model, AirPods 4 - and that for me is unacceptable.

If you bought directly from Apple you have the extended Christmas returns period to make a decision.

 

[jcshas]

I bought the the AirPods Max USB-C last weekend, but when I discovered that you can’t use a wired connection I decided to return them for the lightening version. Not being able to use them when I travel without having to buy a separate Bluetooth adapter like Airfly is completely pointless.

 

[sparksd]

Really like mine, they've replaced my Bose QuietComfort 45's. I find the sound to be better than the Bose and I like the on-pod controls and better integration with Apple devices. I was a reluctant adopter but decided to give them a try while on sale. I applied my audiologist-supplied audiogram for use in Headphone Accommodations and the improvement was significant over the Bose.

 

[Phish311]

Really like mine, they've replaced my Bose QuietComfort 45's. I find the sound to be better than the Bose and I like the on-pod controls and better integration with Apple devices. I was a reluctant adopter but decided to give them a try while on sale. I applied my audiologist-supplied audiogram for use in Headphone Accommodations and the improvement was significant over the Bose.

care to share?

 

[Leyf]

After more than a week of use, I’ve decided to keep them. Here’s my feedback (some points may repeat what I’ve shared previously):

• They’re extremely comfortable. Initially, I was concerned about the weight since many users mentioned it being unbearable during extended use. However, for me, they’re the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever owned—surpassing even my Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X LEs. Whether working, watching movies/shows, or listening to music for hours on end, the comfort is exceptional. I barely notice the weight of the fully metal chassis.
• While I own plenty of audio equipment and enjoy comparing devices, I wouldn’t consider myself a hardcore audiophile, so take this with a grain of salt. The audio quality and sound staging are great. They’re not perfect, but the warm sound signature works beautifully with everything I’ve thrown at them, offering an enjoyable listening experience every time. Instrument separation is excellent, and I’ve noticed very little to no distortion at high volumes.
• Both Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode are outstanding. ANC effectively blocks typical sounds like low-volume chatter, continuous noises (e.g., a vacuum cleaner, desktop PC fans), and more. Transparency Mode lets ambient sounds in without feeling overwhelming. Though I’ll continue testing, both modes currently perform as well as—or even slightly better than—my Pro 2s.
• The Maxes feel sturdy as hell, like a tank. They look and feel durable, and I don’t feel the need to baby them. The Digital Crown is great, giving a more granular control over the volume, and I love the single-press switch between ANC and Transparency Mode.
• Battery life has been great so far, living up to expectations. However, the included case is disappointing when it comes to portability, it doesn’t make the headphones any easier to carry around (what a shocker). Thankfully, it's nothing a 20€ third-party case can't fix.
• Some key selling points for me are Spatial Audio and the seamless transition between devices. Being deep in the ecosystem, the AirPods Max fit perfectly into my setup. For someone like me, there really aren’t any other Bluetooth over-ears that check all the boxes as thoroughly as these do.
  

 

[Mackilroy]

Initially, I was concerned about the weight since many users mentioned it being unbearable during extended use.

That’s something I’ve wondered about too. The weight is exceptionally well balanced, and the clamping force is sufficient but not restrictive. I don’t think I have a particularly strong neck, so I wonder what people are doing for the weight to be a dealbreaker.

 

[Garethe86]

I just got mine and it's the best Christmas gift I've received this year. I still can't believe it.

1. Noise cancellation, I don't have to listen to my darn neighbors bump bump bump from their stereo. I couldn't believe it because nothing else worked: white noise apps, fans, etc.

2. I've tried Bose and I think they are on par or even better since I can get Apple notifications through them. I'm hearing impaired and there's no way I'd hear a phone beep or ring the normal way.

3. I have not had these issues. My body adapted to the weight within a couple of weeks. However, I'm mostly an indoor user so I am not moving around much or outside in the weather.

4. Very durable, but I'm very careful with them and utilize the case that I actually like despite loads of criticism by tech bloggers. What would they do better is what I'd like to know? Most head phones prior to this were a PITA to put away and store, they weren't travel friendly at all, these however will be a pleasure, the flat fold design means they can fit in any purse or bag without being bulky.

5. Yes, easily worth every penny. And I'm considering a second pair. Excessive, yes. But as someone that's hearing impaired there are issues these solve that regular hearing aids can't.

 

[Student of Life]

I just got mine and it's the best Christmas gift I've received this year. I still can't believe it.

1. Noise cancellation, I don't have to listen to my darn neighbors bump bump bump from their stereo. I couldn't believe it because nothing else worked: white noise apps, fans, etc.

2. I've tried Bose and I think they are on par or even better since I can get Apple notifications through them. I'm hearing impaired and there's no way I'd hear a phone beep or ring the normal way.

3. I have not had these issues. My body adapted to the weight within a couple of weeks. However, I'm mostly an indoor user so I am not moving around much or outside in the weather.

4. Very durable, but I'm very careful with them and utilize the case that I actually like despite loads of criticism by tech bloggers. What would they do better is what I'd like to know? Most head phones prior to this were a PITA to put away and store, they weren't travel friendly at all, these however will be a pleasure, the flat fold design means they can fit in any purse or bag without being bulky.

5. Yes, easily worth every penny. And I'm considering a second pair. Excessive, yes. But as someone that's hearing impaired there are issues these solve that regular hearing aids can't.

If you are considering a second pair, Best Buy has the lighting version for 399 which is a good deal. Dont forget Apple Care and your set.

 

[Applewatch42]

I think you should keep them! I got a pair with Christmas money, and I LOVE them! Good sound, nice aesthetics ( I have the blue ones), easy to learn, and just overall amazing

 

[Dr McKay]

I recently got a pair and my only complaint about them has been they hurt my ears after a while when wearing glasses, I think they’re clamping my ears down against the glasses arms. I have managed to lessen this by stretching the headphones out until the headband was almost a straight line and holding it there for 30 seconds.