Five Reasons Why You Might Want to Consider AirPods Max

[amartinez1660]

I wrote a little myself after spending two days with the Airpods Max Review:

Great build design. Mainly the headphones do not feel as heavy like what other people say. I would say the weight is similar to that of a beats studio. Head adjustment hinge feels premium. Ear cushions are meh, they are similar to the ear cushions to that of the Logitech G headsets, in my experience this material will get dirty and pill before it rips.
Strong noise cancelling with very-very mild pressure to the ears, and light on the head. Super good transparency mode. Sound stage is up front and close. Strong mids, good highs, adequate bass no unique sound signature like Bose's extra bass. The sound curve is very-very neutral like Airpods. This is a $399 set of headphones, $450 tops because of the Apple brand.

The case is everything you read from the reviews, the only two things I want to add is when you pull the headphones out of the case the metal cans may flex and snap into other so they may scratch themselves. And there are cutouts for the mesh cushion exposing them. While its very chic is not very practical. I end up carrying the headphones by the case itself rather than the headband.

Oh and I'll be returning them, price is the major factor. It's on par with the Sony XM4's, Bose NC 700's don't believe the reviews where people the Airpods Max are much better/25% better etc. it's all subjective. There is also this pull these headphones have, the quality and build behind it really makes you want to wish you could keep it. But not for $549

waiting for the next iteration better firmware, better case, better connection, more features will be the smartest move you make.

This is quite an honest take, we need these more, from people that actually spent time with them for a few days.
I concur.

Also nailed it with the “it’s all subjective” statement... On my side I was hoping for a slight chance for them to suck badly and for that pull to be minor... but two hours in I said goodbye to any potential refund idea entertaining. Cash is gone.

 

[Tulani]

When the “praise singing” eventually cools off
and you have time,
try and look outside the usual Apple -&(Bose/Sony) bubble.

There are other nice looking, premium built, exceptionally sounding, lightweight options waiting to be explored such as the attached.

 

[achazan]

Anyone notice that the AirPods Max shown in the video don't exist in terms of the color. It has a blue headband with silver metal ear cups...? What's up with that?

 

[pratikindia]

Price? Not really. No other headset offers these following things so what are you comparing them too?

Dual H1 Chips.
Best in class Transparency Mode.
Best in class ANC.
Best in class microphone quality
Configuration and Settings built into IOS/iPadOS/macOS. No need for a bunch of other Apps to configure/use the headset.
Apples continual support via software updates for years to come.
Superior Build Quality.
Modular ear cushions.


Do you mind articulating what you used to test all of the audio “buzzwords” you just used? Those words, I don’t think you know what they mean..Although I’d love to see your professional analysis since I’m sure you’ve bought and used a wide variety of high-end audio gear. Did you send your AirPods Max back yet?

Just go through this PROPER review. You can even check the best headphones database and the APM are below some $250 cans. But it’s better than XM3 and NC700. I think the biggest issue would be Bluetooth version in few years will be outdated and lack of 2.5/3.5 jack and inability to listen without battery charge. H1 chip is not a game changer and others such as Sony can switch between devices automatically.

 

[Adysubman]

When a decent third party case comes onto the market I’ll consider it. Until then there is no way I’m walking about or even taking those out of a back pack in that hideous handbag.

 

[amartinez1660]

I was about to pull the trigger on some XM4 until I read about how the audio lags bad when watching Netflix and YouTube.
That's a deal breaker for me as I was wanting something to watch my ATV4K with other than my AirPod Pros at night

Commenting on this since it’s the second time something related is pointed out.
That’s an quite an important Cons to be added for others: lag or not quite good compensation for it (transparent to the user) is a dealbreaker. Latency is the same or better than the AirPods Pro, that is to say, non existent to me... no idea what are the actual numbers. Apple TV, Mac, phone, iPad, etc is perfect. I even play games on the Mac with them. Movies, man, it’s a solid 100% yes... I used to use the AirPods Pro too, and they were great but this is another level.

I also never experienced latency issues with an older Beats pair I had, but I think this has a lot to do with Apple ecosystem’s work because using those on a windows system the latency would ever drift away, after a few hours of being connected the sound would come seconds later, never on OSX.

 

[amartinez1660]

Would buy it if it wasnt 10 week delivery time...

If it is of any help:
if there’s an Apple store reasonably close to you, you can hunt down in-store pickup stock. The refresh hours of it are completely random during the day, I just left the buy section open and about every two hours would punch in the zip code for in-store availability... until they appeared... and got them... and never looked back.

 

[kahkityoong]

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.

I know it’s relative but I consider all wireless cans at this point in time lo-fi. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between high res and normal streaming on these cans. I’ve got a throw around pair of Sony XM3 and no way I can tell the difference between mp4 and my 24/192 flac files. My audeze lcd-x and focal utopias yes. Those complaining about the price of APM must have the minds blown by the fact cables for my utopias are twice their price lol. If music is important to you and you have the cash, the price becomes meaningless.

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

I can’t wait to get a pair and may buy two so I can have different colors.

 

[throttlemeister]

When even Apple fanboy extraordinaire MKBHD struggles to find reasons to find to recommend them over the competition at the $550 price point, you just know something is up reading articles like this (and the previous ones).

 

[and 1989 others]

Nah, I have a custom pair of VModa cans. 24carrat gold connections, 50mm drivers and Kevlar cables. Amazing depth of sound and $200 less than these

 

[yurc]

Airpods Max case it's look bra for me

Price? Not really. No other headset offers these following things so what are you comparing them too?

Dual H1 Chips.
Best in class Transparency Mode.
Best in class ANC.
Best in class microphone quality
Configuration and Settings built into IOS/iPadOS/macOS. No need for a bunch of other Apps to configure/use the headset.
Apples continual support via software updates for years to come.
Superior Build Quality.
Modular ear cushions.


Do you mind articulating what you used to test all of the audio “buzzwords” you just used? Those words, I don’t think you know what they mean..Although I’d love to see your professional analysis since I’m sure you’ve bought and used a wide variety of high-end audio gear. Did you send your AirPods Max back yet?

H1 chips is substitution of standard NFC which Apple refuse to use and choose to implement they own. NFC is pretty simple too, no need for a dedicated apps, just hover over NFC tag position and it's all paired.

 

[Psychicbob]

From a 60s UK sci-fi tv show - Dr Who. Way ahead of its time, with AirPods Max on full view!

https://images.app.goo.gl/uPBSxDXHnjHczzjx8

 

[Realityck]

From a 60s UK sci-fi tv show - Dr Who. Way ahead of its time, with AirPods Max on full view!

https://images.app.goo.gl/uPBSxDXHnjHczzjx8

Hey that's got better head support and more aluminum!

 

[Starscape]

LOL $550 for what is basically a set of slightly above average wireless headphones. Apple is really pushing that price boundary into overdrive here. Made in China, but designed and priced in California.

 

[Abazigal]

LOL $550 for what is basically a set of slightly above average wireless headphones. Apple is really pushing that price boundary into overdrive here. Made in China, but designed and priced in California.

With Apple products, you are paying for design (ie: Apple’s unique spin on existing ideas and implementation). That’s their whole value proposition right there.

 

[StevieD100]

As much as I hate in-ear devices and prefer over-ear ones, these are just way too expensive for me. As for carrying around a Handbag? Really Apple? Everytime I think of it, I can't help but be reminded of the line from 'The Importance of being Ernest' (Oscar Wilde) where Lady Bracknell says "A Handbag!"
Sorry no. Not for me thanks.

 

[Realityck]

With Apple products, you are paying for design (ie: Apple’s unique spin on existing ideas and implementation). That’s their whole value proposition right there.

When I first saw the painted aluminum LR housings I thought so that's what becomes of my old aluminum MacBook Pro laptop when its recycled.

 

[hektor6tygr]

Anyone notice that the AirPods Max shown in the video don't exist in terms of the color. It has a blue headband with silver metal ear cups...? What's up with that?

That’s a regular blue can with a blue iPad Air! The lighting and color balance makes it look like silver

 

[Sir Ruben]

The AirPods Max are actually responsible for me buying the Sony MX4's instead. Lighter (important), better more practical case and cheaper. They came yesterday and are superb.

 

[Coconut Bean]

These headphones 🎧 look pretty good but seem to be playing more to their affluent fan base right now. It’s not particularly a ground breaking product/idea but a good business move to easily pick up low hanging fruit 🍎 Apple is sort of following its version of the BSF tagline “At BASF(Apple), we don't make (invent) a lot of the products you buy. We make (re-invent) a lot of the (electronic) products you buy (to make them somewhat) better (& of course more expensive).” I just wish premium high tech electronics didn’t have to be so disposable but quality durable goods don’t generate nearly as much profit and everyone wants passive investment income.

I am the first to stand up and say I cannot tell the difference between mid-range ($150 Sony) vs premium headphone (Sony xm4) in sound quality, i don't even know what to look for. I cannot infer what's better ANC between a similarly prised Bose and Sony.

And most people are this way, lacking the ears to make these very hard distinctions. So when comparing an Apple Airpods Max the most noticeable thing will be the build quality, some nice features and price tag.

 

[7149041]

Do they pair well with the PS5 I also can’t get?

Not sure about PS5 but PS4 does not work with any BT headsets that are not dedicated for PS4.

 

[vvrinne]

Reasons Not:
- Price
- Weight
- Other have better performance at cheaper prices
- Not able to turn off
- Case is useless

Which wireless headphones have better performance at cheaper prices? Haven't seen anything like this reported.

 

[amaze1499]

That's a very sexist comment. Anybody can wear headphones. Lordy.

From a marketing perspective thats a perfectly valid question. Same goes for other preferences of each gender like colour or kind of material thats being used for products for instance.

 

[Ries]

Which wireless headphones have better performance at cheaper prices? Haven't seen anything like this reported.