Gurman: Apple Not Working on Second-Generation AirPods Max, But Has Considered New Colors

[boswald]

Apple need to learn to stop charging crazy prices when the general public wouldn’t pay that, half a grand for headphones lol

Not only that, but they refuse to mark down to competitive levels so they even get a chance to sell. I don’t understand the business philosophy at all.

“HomePod not selling well? Oh well. We’ll just throw the millions of R&D dollars away and forget about it.”

 

[boswald]

No second gen in development because Apple can’t figure out how to stream lossless audio to wireless headphone lol. Only kidding.

Well, I mean, you’re kind of onto something here… 😂

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Apple need to learn to stop charging crazy prices when the general public wouldn’t pay that, half a grand for headphones lol

These aren't aimed at the "general public" though are they? They're pretty much luxury headphones, and similar headsets (such as the highly competent B&O H95's) are in the same price ballpark. If you want over-ear headphones, you'll find loads at all price points.

Just because Apple didn't make a product that's marketed to everyone doesn't mean it won't be successful. I'll refer you to the Mac Pro as another relevant example.

 

[anthogag]

I have Air Pods Max. Very easy to use and it charges quickly. I don't need an off button. The headphones are always ready to go. Pick-it-up, put it on, and it's ready to play.

Apple doesn't have to update these things every year like iPhone.

I anticipate spatial audio for music.

 

[bwayne]

We need a shade of dark colors please.

Deep Purple with a lasered Paisley pattern would definitely overcome any technical shortcomings.

 

[jclardy]

Something like AirPods Max should be on a 2-3 year cycle and not a yearly product. There really isn’t that much you can do to a headphone other than redesign the look, extend battery life and improve sound quality.

In the case of the AirPods Max I feel the only thing would be to implement a new connection protocol that allows for uncompressed audio to playback on the headphones wirelessly (IE you have the headphones buffer the audio stream.) The other thing they could do is add a proper case and get rid of the headphone diaper.

 

[manu chao]

I hate to say this but apple isn’t the brand we all once knew and loved, they keep making products that don’t do well, and upgrades are never that great, I think they focus more on other stuff now days than making great products

You mean the Apple of the G4 Cube or the iPod HiFi?

 

[diego.caraballo]

You know what? I have the Sony WH-1000XM4, and while they're certainly decent headphones, the buttons are one of the most annoying parts of it. Especially the ON/OFF button. They take ages to turn on and off, and make annoying beeping and "bluetooth connected!" talking noises while doing so. In terms of usability, having them turn on automatically when you pick them up and put them on is a big improvement.

I plan to buy the AirPods Max soon. The only thing putting me off a bit is the price.

It takes 2 seconds to power OFF and 2 seconds to turn ON. The voice notifications can be turned OFF as well. I'm not fan of Sony, but my GF grabbed a pair and they are fantastic. Foldable, portable, lightweight, great sound, great noise cancellation, confortable...

Airpods Max repeat the same pattern found lately in Apple, over engineered products that put design over function over and over again. They look nice?, sure! They weight double than Sony's? SURE!!! They surely cost more to build too, but...there's any sound improvement vs the plastic construction used by Sony? No, according to numerous reviews out there.

 

[boswald]

The Hi-Fi was a flop because it was a great speaker that had terrible input options, lacked features, and was overpriced compared to the competition. Not so shockingly, it looks like Apple didn't learn their lesson and released yet another overpriced speaker that lacked input options and features compared to the competition.

Once Apple dropped the price by $250, people "tried" the homepod mini. I wouldn't say that it's a success as much as it's close enough to impulse purchase price to have a lot of sales volume. I own one. I might get a 2nd for my basement/office, but definitely not until Spotify comes to it, and even then maybe not since I already have a rather higher end stereo.

I think they’re too arrogant to admit their mistakes. If they just came out and said “Yeah, we know we misjudged our customers and pulled the plug early, but wait ‘til you see what’s next!”

All they had to do was take a look out the window of their ivory tower, come back down to earth, and price things competitively. I know they live in a super-rich mega-bubble, but they can’t ignore the impact COVID has on the economy. Swallow your pride, drop the price and watch the dollars roll in.

The HomePod could’ve been saved, in my opinion, if they would’ve released the mini first. Get the customer’s feet wet, so to speak, and go from there.

 

[James Godfrey]

To be honest I doubt we will ever see a 2nd Gen of these, come back in 2023/24 when we hear they’re discontinued.

 

[anthogag]

Something like AirPods Max should be on a 2-3 year cycle and not a yearly product. There really isn’t that much you can do to a headphone other than redesign the look, extend battery life and improve sound quality.

In the case of the AirPods Max I feel the only thing would be to implement a new connection protocol that allows for uncompressed audio to playback on the headphones wirelessly (IE you have the headphones buffer the audio stream.) The other thing they could do is add a proper case and get rid of the headphone diaper.

True, Air Pods Max needs a much better case. And also a lightning to lightning cable (in the box) for lossless audio if it would work.

 

[boswald]

The fact that these things don’t support lossless audio is baffling. Don’t you think you should release the HiFi music tier first and then sell the hardware? Who would buy HiFi headphones that don’t support it? Talk about putting the cart before the horse…

 

[Ion-X]

It´s crazy..I bought sony 1000XM3 for 200 bucks and these are almost 3x times as expensive with ugly case, heavy, can´t be turned off, 10 hour shorter battery life...do people really buy these?

I bought them. Clarity and bass are fantastic, the materials are premium and hold up to being dropped, noise cancellation is unparalleled.

 

[TrueBlou]

Apple need to learn to stop charging crazy prices when the general public wouldn’t pay that, half a grand for headphones lol

Perhaps the average joe public wouldn’t pay it, but that’s not who Apple are targeting with the AirPods Max.
They’re targeting people who enjoy quality headphones, and who don’t baulk at spending a few grand on something like the Focal Stellia, for instance.

Bluetooth has its limitations of course, one cannot compare any wireless headphones currently, not even with things such as LDAC, to a quality wired set of cans, and a decent amp setup.

However, being well aware of the limitations of wireless headphones, and taking all of it into account when making a purchasing decision, you’re clearly going to be prepared for them.

For what it’s worth, and of course audio perception is completely different from person to person. Or should that be ear to ear I took the plunge with the AirPods Max and they are easily among my favourite wireless cans to use. They can sound stunning, and Spatial Audio is not just the hype I thought it would be, it’s amazing.

I don’t much bother about things like LDAC, even it is not remotely capable of dealing with my lossless and Hi-Res collection of music, that’s reserved for good old wired cans.

So the APM are generally just used for Apple Music, Qobuz and watching movies in bed, or when the wife decides to have a Sex and the City marathon, I bugger off into a perfectly locked out world of music and video

The price doesn’t bother me in the least, I actually consider them decent value.
If I could find a pair with comparable audio quality/spacial audio/seamless device switching/build quality/comfort/quality ANC/analyses my ears hundreds of times a second, to give me the best sound reproduction for my lugs, for less money, I’d try them in a heartbeat.

 

[Alexander_im]

It´s crazy..I bought sony 1000XM3 for 200 bucks and these are almost 3x times as expensive with ugly case, heavy, can´t be turned off, 10 hour shorter battery life...do people really buy these?

Yes they do. I bought it on launch day and couldn’t be happier. Use it every day for listening to music and interviews I make. Sound quality is fantastic.

 

[IIGS User]

New colors with a matching tee shirt...

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

I disagree I used to get so excited at every new product launch but the last few years even software as well hasn’t been exciting I think they have gone away from products and more other stuff

Revolutionary products aren't introduced every year. The fact Apple has managed to release 5 products in the past two decades that have been *truly* revolutionary is beyond impressive (iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods). I'm not sure where they can go from here, maybe some AR/VR product but only when they're ready. I'm guessing they'll be focussing on evolutionary versions of their existing products, particularly their computer lines, for the time being which will be groundbreaking in their own way but not quite the before/after revolutionary style those other products achieved.

 

[DevNull0]

Why would a fashion company invest R&D money in making a better product when they'll boost sales more offering their fashion item lots of colors?

Same reason fans but many pair of identical Nike shoes at $550 in different limited colors, they'll buy many identical earphones. You've got to live the fashion.

 

[fwmireault]

v2 should have, at minimum, a U1 chip, support for high definition audio over wireless, a better case, and a power button. Remember, Apple uses a W1 chip, not generic boring old Bluetooth. They made such a big stink about it, maybe they should do something with it besides what boring old bluetooth can do.

I’d add Find My support and a way to link the APM to your Apple ID. Headphones with this price tag should not be easily connectable to any device. To reduce the incentive to theft, they should be linked to an Apple ID and not otherwise usable without the consent of the owner.

 

[ADonmall]

The AirPods Max aren't anything like the HomePod. The HomePod was a home speaker that didn't do much more than the competition and you couldn't even use Spotify.

I love mine, I waited ages to buy them because of the price, but for those who have iPads, Phone and Mac the ease in which you can go from one device to the other is so good, I wouldn't consider 'normal' bluetooth headphones again.

 

[CosminM]

It´s crazy..I bought sony 1000XM3 for 200 bucks and these are almost 3x times as expensive with ugly case, heavy, can´t be turned off, 10 hour shorter battery life...do people really buy these?

I love my Airpods Max…brilliant quality. Best headphones i ever owned….I wouldn’t buy anything else

 

[decypher44]

Too bad. Was hoping they’d eventually get to v3 for a reasonable price. Oh well. Fortunately, there are plenty other brands to choose from.

 

[bluespark]

You know what? I have the Sony WH-1000XM4, and while they're certainly decent headphones, the buttons are one of the most annoying parts of it. Especially the ON/OFF button. They take ages to turn on and off, and make annoying beeping and "bluetooth connected!" talking noises while doing so. In terms of usability, having them turn on automatically when you pick them up and put them on is a big improvement.

I plan to buy the AirPods Max soon. The only thing putting me off a bit is the price.

Also, the Sony's have terrible bluetooth switching. I once spent nearly half of a flight trying to switch my Sony headphones from my phone to my computer.

The AirPods Max seem like a significant technical improvement over the Sony's, and I would have bought a pair if they were around the same price and came with a normal case. Add in a charging case (which is an idea so obvious I can't believe they didn't do it) and these would be worth a modest premium over Sony. As is, hard pass from me.

 

[TrueBlou]

Revolutionary products aren't introduced every year. The fact Apple has managed to release 5 products in the past two decades that have been *truly* revolutionary is beyond impressive (iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods). I'm not sure where they can go from here, maybe some AR/VR product but only when they're ready. I'm guessing they'll be focussing on evolutionary versions of their existing products, particularly their computer lines, for the time being which will be groundbreaking in their own way but not quite the before/after revolutionary style those other products achieved.

Well said. Revolutionary products depend almost entirely on the development of new technologies, which is not as simple as it sounds. It can take decades for a generational leap in technology to come along.

In the interim, the best any company can do is implement existing technology in new ways. Which is why we have such long periods of evolution, rather than revolution. Take the iPhone for example. It revolutionised the cellular phone industry. But since the very first iPhone, it has only been evolution, even after a decade the current iPhones are not that different from the original one in concept.

Revolution will come, we just have to be patient and wait for technology to catch up to our hopes, dreams and even expectations.

 

[DarthDon]

funny what they do. you can get a Sennheiser for half the price and muuuch better sound quality.