Five Reasons Why You Might Want to Consider AirPods Max

[SAIRUS]

Have Bose 700, 35, Sony XM4 and these.
The utter lack of distortion on the AirPod Max is just awesome, but on the same level of the 700s.
That said I’ve tuned the XM4s for certain albums and it can sound better.
Comfort wise, the 35 wins hands down, but the Sony has better noise cancellation than it, so it gets picked for flights (whenever those start again).
I use the 700s for work due to better call handling and quality.

Apples has the best sound, and call quality but barely over the 700s. So I usually recommend those over Max, esp when you can get them on a sale.

 

[spezaled]

Having had a pair of these since launch I can say that they are 100% worth the price.
I tried or owned pretty much all of the competitors, they have the best sound of any ANC headphone and easily the best build quality.
It might not be one for the ‘audiophiles’ but if you enjoy a good well balanced sound that seems to play most music very well, plus the ease of use, they’re amazing.

Yes, they are more expensive than Sony etc.... that’s because they are better (apart from the worlds most ridiculous case).

I totally agree!

 

[Rob_2811]

The case puts these in line for dumbest tech product of the year, what is it for??!

 

[rhgold53]

Not being snarky or sarcastic here...just a technical question. Why is there always so much criticism about this and the new iPhones having a lightning connector rather than a USB-C connection? I'm not at all clear why this matters, since the other end of the cord already connects to USB-C style chargers anyway.

 

[richinaus]

I hope everyone can appreciate that 99% of people commenting on mac rumours do so from their own anecdotal and limited experience.

The price is fine [for those who can afford them]
Nothing is comfortable for everyone
Sound is subjective
Design is subjective

this is my opinion.

 

[Rob_2811]

Not being snarky or sarcastic here...just a technical question. Why is there always so much criticism about this and the new iPhones having a lightning connector rather than a USB-C connection? I'm not at all clear why this matters, since the other end of the cord already connects to USB-C style chargers anyway.

Because lightning is a bit crap

 

[Realityck]

This new review by Billy Steele from Engadget has several good points.
AirPods Max review: Expensive headphones with untapped potential

Despite how good they sound, Apple doesn’t offer any access to high-res streaming. From Apple Music, you get the same AAC (256kbps) you’ve been listening to there. The service doesn’t have a high-res or lossless tier like Amazon Music or Tidal. Those pricier services can be limited too, but they unlock things like Dolby Atmos Music and Sony 360 Reality audio. Sony offers LDAC wireless technology on its headphones that upscales audio to CD quality. Apple could do something like that with the AirPods Max if it doesn’t want to add more content, and a more expensive subscription, to its service. That’s if these headphones are capable of it, of course. For now though, these new headphones have some untapped potential when it comes to high-res music. You can certainly use them for those services and formats, but officially the AirPods Max only supports Dolby Atmos when it comes to anything beyond standard listening.

Apple debuted spatial audio on the AirPods Pro in September and, unsurprisingly, you’ll also find it on the AirPods Max. Basically, accelerometers in the headphones work with your iPhone or iPad to track head movement to keep the sound stationary while you move about. It’s meant to mimic the experience of a home theater for content recorded in 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos. However, it only works with Apple’s mobile devices right now. AirPods Max can be used with Apple TV, but spatial audio isn’t available on the set-top box, so the sound will only be so good. If the company can manage a level of immersive audio that Dolby creates with its Dimension headphones, the AirPods Max would be a compelling living room addition.

Another infuriating thing about the AirPods Max is Apple doesn’t include a 3.5mm cable in the box. Of course, the headphones don’t have a 3.5mm jack so you have to use one with a Lighting connection on the other end. Which means you’ll have to shell out another $35. So to use the AirPods Max for in-flight entertainment (whenever you fly again), you’ll need to spend $584. Most of the competition includes a cable in the box, and if I pay nearly $550 for a set of headphones I expect to be able to use them when travelling -- one of the times I need noise-cancelling the most.

 

[The_Martini_Cat]

I got the Sony phonies — sending back. Everything is fine until you read the instruction that says “cannot originate calls via the phone app”. Srsly? We only work with your phone when you receive a call? Sheesh.🍸😿

 

[citysnaps]

I love my AirPod Max. I was sure I would return them, but they won me over, easily. My old Sony were due an upgrade (had them for six years), and these AirPod max are exactly what I wanted: fantastic sound, ANC, transparency (sooo much better than my old Sony), eternal battery. They’re also way more comfortable than my old ones, which has leather ear cups that make you sweat. Looking forward to handsome leather cases by the likes of Pad & Quill and Waterfield.
I see lots of people who seem irritated by these headphones. But why? There are so many other excellent options out there (including by Apple/Beats). Surely you can find something to like, rather than spend time hating on these ones?

"I see lots of people who seem irritated by these headphones. But why? There are so many other excellent options out there (including by Apple/Beats). Surely you can find something to like, rather than spend time hating on these ones?"

That's the only way some people can feel good about themselves, feeling a tiny bit of power. It used to be Apple. Then Tim Cook. And now it's headphones, of all things. Weird.

 

[ghanwani]

Those are our top five reasons why you might want to invest in splurge on an AirPods Max.

Fixed it for you.

 

[eMacKilla]

I work in an industry where everyone is an Apple fan boy. Everyone uses macs, everyone has air pods etc. The average salary is pretty good, so the price isn't the deterant. People have $1500 headphones at their desks.

If anyone saw you wearing the Air Pods Max you would be made fun of for being a sucker because you 1) aren't in the know enough to know what actual good $775cnd+ headphones are.

There's a big difference between knowing what's cool and just having something expensive. Air Pods Max aren't cool. Air pods are cool. A Dior leather weekender bags is cool. Air Pods Max aren't cool simply because it's a sucker price. If they were $499CND they'd be cool af.

 

[JOBS-3:16]

I bought Max’s in Space Gray and Silver because I can easily afford them. I threw the garbage bra cases away first thing. I can tell you without a doubt that these cans are not worth $550, period. It’s not even subjective. If you think they are, you are not a true audiophile. If you agree with me, well then you already know where your money would be better spent. These will go to my nephews. Do better Apple.

 

[ddhawk]

The Sony XM4: 6 reasons to consider:

1. Build/ Comfort: nice and light, build seems fine for the weight savings
2.Audio Quality: Sound very good to my ears
3.Noise Cancellation: it works and is adjustable several ways
4.H1 Chip: Sony's chip does fine in Apple's Ecosystem, I can switch between two Apple devices quickly with no problems
5.Spatial Audio: Sony has this too, I think they invented it, works good too!

6. Savings of $275, very happy I did not dump another pile of cash into Apple for marginal gains in sound

Spatial Audio by Sony? I am not aware that Sony headphones have the hardware (accelerometers and gyros) to implement the head tracking necessary to implement what Apple refers to as Spatial Audio (with the exception of the PSVR headset, which implements head tracking by using lights on the headset that are detected by a camera). Confusingly, Sony markets a feature called 360 Reality Audio which is not the same feature as Spatial Audio by Apple.

 

[synergize]

Spatial Audio by Sony? I am not aware that Sony headphones have the hardware (accelerometers and gyros) to implement the head tracking necessary to implement what Apple refers to as Spatial Audio (with the exception of the PSVR headset, which implements head tracking by using lights on the headset that are detected by a camera). Confusingly, Sony markets a feature called 360 Reality Audio which is not the same feature as Spatial Audio by Apple.

Thanks for correcting my error, it is 360 Reality Audio.

 

[LongWayHome]

Having had a pair of these since launch I can say that they are 100% worth the price.
I tried or owned pretty much all of the competitors, they have the best sound of any ANC headphone and easily the best build quality.
It might not be one for the ‘audiophiles’ but if you enjoy a good well balanced sound that seems to play most music very well, plus the ease of use, they’re amazing.

Yes, they are more expensive than Sony etc.... that’s because they are better (apart from the worlds most ridiculous case).

Not really. If we are going to compare them to Sony and Bose then we also have to compare them to the Bang and Olufsen H95 headphones. They honestly make the Airpods Pro look feel like bargain bin headphones. Its a much better build quality in every single way. They are liighter and way more comfortable, have a superior sound, ANC that is equal to or better than the APM, physcial controls on the headphones that are truly awesome, and the easiest device switching I've used outside of the APM. Not to mention magnetic removable ear cups, USB-C, adjustable on the fly ANC/Transparency. Oh and an off button.

I would give a very slight edge to the APM on transparency mode though. Outside of that, the H95's are in a different league than the APM headphones and are superior to them in nearly every way. Not to mention the fact that they come with a case and accessories that actually make you feel like you are getting your money's worth. That being said they are $800 but from a price/quality standpoint the APM can't even be on the same stage as them.

 

[LongWayHome]

Is that why they are sold out everywhere?

LOL, Homepod also sold out immediately. That means absolutely nothing due to the fact that Apple produced very little of these and all of their supply chain issues.

 

[richinaus]

I work in an industry where everyone is an Apple fan boy. Everyone uses macs, everyone has air pods etc. The average salary is pretty good, so the price isn't the deterant. People have $1500 headphones at their desks.

If anyone saw you wearing the Air Pods Max you would be made fun of for being a sucker because you 1) aren't in the know enough to know what actual good $775cnd+ headphones are.

There's a big difference between knowing what's cool and just having something expensive. Air Pods Max aren't cool. Air pods are cool. A Dior leather weekender bags is cool. Air Pods Max aren't cool simply because it's a sucker price. If they were $499CND they'd be cool af.

If you live your life making decisions on what is ‘cool’ or whatever others think about you and your purchases, I feel sorry for you.
Price is irrelevant to ’cool’. But I would go as far to say anything that is mass produced in volume is not cool. It may be great design but cool is pure marketing, and mass appeal.

 

[ChrisA]

Audio Quality

While the AirPods Max won't match high-quality wired headphones,

What I don't understand is why people don't stop reading right at this point. Who cares what else they do if they can be blown away by a pair of $100 wired headphones (yes, any common pro-audio studio headphone is better.)

Apple must know its target market better than I do.

The problem with all wireless headphones is that even if I own $2,000 worth of end-end audio gear all of this gear is by-passed and the little chip and battery inside the headphone are used in place of whatever else I own. And because they have to be battery powered they are designed for power efficiency over just about everything else.

This trade-off is fine for a convenience headphone but not if the goal is high-end audio.

At least the reviewer was honest and came right out and said "AirPods Max won't match high-quality wired headphones".

 

[richinaus]

What I don't understand is why people don't stop reading right at this point. Who cares what else they do if they can be blown away by a pair of $100 wired headphones (yes, any common pro-audio studio headphone is better.)

Apple must know its target market better than I do.

The problem with all wireless headphones is that even if I own $2,000 worth of end-end audio gear all of this gear is by-passed and the little chip and battery inside the headphone are used in place of whatever else I own. And because they have to be battery powered they are designed for power efficiency over just about everything else.

This trade-off is fine for a convenience headphone but not if the goal is high-end audio.

At least the reviewer was honest and came right out and said "AirPods Max won't match high-quality wired headphones".

I would hazzard a guess the target market is :

The Apple customer who wants over well made ANC wireless over ear headphones that work with their devices.

saying a pair of $100 wired headphones are better is pointless, as they are wired. If the customer is happy with wired then they wont wireless.

 

[JosephAW]

It’s one of Apple’s best over ear headphones that doesn’t have the beats logo.

 

[Average Pro]

Having used these since launch VS just blindly hating, here are my thoughts:

Price - Relative.

Weight - These are the comfiest over-ear headphones I’ve ever used.

I don’t know what “Better Performance” even means. Just an ambiguous statement with absolutely nothing backing that up.

This “Turn it off” nonsense is not a deal breaker for people who actually have it. Anecdotal, but I can’t remember the last time I need to “Turn off” any of my gadgets. These AirPods are no different than the other AirPods, just put them in the case and be done. Would you like them to add a power button to the entire AirPods line?..

The case actually puts them into a super low power mode and also keep them protected vs laying open on a desk/flat surface. So much for “useless.” You may not like the design but it literally has a purpose..

Wait a minute. Am I the only person who turns off their phone after I finish a phone call or read an email?

 

[deevey]

Does the focus on spatial sound mean that latency isn’t an issue with the APM? Anyone tested for sound delay from various products?

If these can deliver acceptable low latency from both my AppleTV and Samsung TV that would be the dealbreaker for me.

Most video playback devices delay the video when using bluetooth so the audio is in sync.

Latency is only ever an issue with gaming and production as it requires close to zero latency. The same with all other bluetooth headphones.

 

[macmyworld]

Terrible product that is sold out for 3 months. Apple sure missed on this. #sarcasm

 

[4jasontv]

Do women wear heavy headphones?

Yes, but we call them crowns.

 

[dumastudetto]

AirPods Max are the best damn wireless headphones anyone has ever made.

If you can afford to buy them, buy them.