XM4s switch beautifully. And the recent firmware update improved call quality, among other things. They’re really, really good.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Gurman: Apple Not Working on Second-Generation AirPods Max, But Has Considered New Colors
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I think this is meant very narrowly. They are not working on a specific whole product that is the second-generation AirPods Max.
But this doesn't mean they aren't working on an "H2" or whatever headphones SoC that will be used in the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max 2 eventually, or on software for transmitting lossless audio over low bandwidth in a more efficient manner. Indeed, that is where the innovation is - in Apple's custom SoC and software. Any company can contract a manufacturer in Asia to make generic Bluetooth headphones. Apple's secret sauce is the SoC and software, which has broader use than just a single headphones product.
Audio quality and what each individual hears is ridiculously subjective. Which is why there are so many different headphones, HiFi components and speakers, all with different sound signatures, we don’t all hear the same thing.
As someone with a bit of a headphone obsession I’ve spent months listening to and comparing the APM with a lot of different wireless and wired setups.
When it comes to wireless listening, I think the APM are very impressive. Throw in the seamless switching, spatial audio, ANC and whatever else Apple decide to throw in with updates and I’m a happy customer.
But we don’t all like the same thing, thankfully. Variety and choice is crucial to the advancement of any product. That way we get to buy the ones we like, the ones that suit each individual. I love my HiFi equipment, but some friends just don’t like the “warm” sound I prefer, that doesn’t make me, or them wrong. We’re all right, simply because of how we perceive the sound.
Which really makes comparisons between different people and products impossible.
These feel like the Homepod all over again. I think they will languish on the shelves until they get a steep discount. Even though the Homepod got a price cut, and was practically permanently on sale for $199, it was too little too late. If Apple doesn't see a good trajectory for these in terms of sales, it will be discontinued soon enough. If they still believe in it, they may try to offer a "budget" model like the Mini (decontented version) to see if they can still get traction.
Apple has proven if the product is compelling enough, people are more than willing to accept a premium price even though the product breaks the currently accepted price ceiling. Airpods Pro isn't cheap relative to other earbuds, but thanks to its innovations, it's selling very well. I know lots of people who hadn't considered spending $250 for earbuds before, buy these.
Apple has proven if the product is compelling enough, people are more than willing to accept a premium price even though the product breaks the currently accepted price ceiling. Airpods Pro isn't cheap relative to other earbuds, but thanks to its innovations, it's selling very well. I know lots of people who hadn't considered spending $250 for earbuds before, buy these.
I love love love my AirPods Max. But the main reason I bought them is because of the metal build and the aesthetic. They sound quite good, but as we all know, its comparable to around $350 headphones.
I bought them for myself as a kind of treat and I knew very well that they were overpriced generally speaking (but, obviously, not to me). Are they worth $550 objectively? No.
Would these fly off the shelves at around $300-400. I do really think so.
It is absolutely a HomePod issue. It just costs too much compared to what the competition brings to the table. For a lot of apple's products there is a compelling reason to pay the exorbitant price. Oftentimes it is the operating system or the integration with other apple products.
Obviously the Max integrates well, but it just is not compelling at $550. The HomePod was not compelling at $350 or whatever it cost. Siri, frankly, kind of sucks. I have two HomePod minis. Because they are "cheap," though they are still much more expensive than the competition. But they aren't THAT much more. The AirPods Max are nearly double the price of the headphones they compete against. They cost too much for regular people who just want to listen to music and are not good enough (nor do they cost the price of) professional quality headphones. They sit in a no-man-land that condemns them to a poor sales record.
I don't know how much they cost to develop and manufacture. But I have to wonder if there is some room between $350-550 for movement downward to rational prices that many more consumers would pay.
And again, this is coming from someone who bought them and loves them and would buy them again.
I bought them for myself as a kind of treat and I knew very well that they were overpriced generally speaking (but, obviously, not to me). Are they worth $550 objectively? No.
Would these fly off the shelves at around $300-400. I do really think so.
It is absolutely a HomePod issue. It just costs too much compared to what the competition brings to the table. For a lot of apple's products there is a compelling reason to pay the exorbitant price. Oftentimes it is the operating system or the integration with other apple products.
Obviously the Max integrates well, but it just is not compelling at $550. The HomePod was not compelling at $350 or whatever it cost. Siri, frankly, kind of sucks. I have two HomePod minis. Because they are "cheap," though they are still much more expensive than the competition. But they aren't THAT much more. The AirPods Max are nearly double the price of the headphones they compete against. They cost too much for regular people who just want to listen to music and are not good enough (nor do they cost the price of) professional quality headphones. They sit in a no-man-land that condemns them to a poor sales record.
I don't know how much they cost to develop and manufacture. But I have to wonder if there is some room between $350-550 for movement downward to rational prices that many more consumers would pay.
And again, this is coming from someone who bought them and loves them and would buy them again.
HomePod OG maybe, but I just bought 3 HomePod Minis and I love them…. Getting ready to buy a 4th. I’ve been waiting for cheap Siri microphones forever to place around my home, but the Minis kind of fit the bill. They’re more expensive than I’d hoped, but only because I don’t need all 4 to have quality speakers. The price point is what makes the minis sell. The AirPods Max would sell too at a better price point even though they’re not all that great.
I'd love it if Apple would address the condensation issue in the next iteration of these otherwise excellent noise-cancelling headphones. My first pair grew erratic and inconsistent after three months of regular use. Apple finally took them back for a refund after two failed repairs. The replacements I bought have the same problem. I take them off after every couple of hours of use to mop out the condensation. This is an issue that Apple engineering is aware of so as much as it is surprising they released this product with this problem, I would fully expect them to remedy this in an update.
Clearly a leak from PR to juice sales numbers. Of course they’re working on a replacement — it’s a $2 trillion company; designing a version 2 is chump change to them even if it never sees the light of day.
I don't think people understand who the AirPods max are for. I do think that they are way overpriced, but that might just be to tell normal people with normal ears that we don't need these headphones. People who can hear the differences are probably audiophiles with fancy headphones for home use. When they go out, they want something at least comparable to those, so they buy these, because they CAN hear the difference between the AirPods max and the surface headphones, or Sony whatever valhkjabriehfgjnlreiuahgvb they are naming them now.
Was hoping for another version of the AirPods Max with lighter materials (perhaps plastic). The sound is wonderful, but they are just too heavy for me (I get neck pain after 15 - 30 minutes of wearing them).
The other problem is that the Airpods and Airpods Pro themselves are 99% of what the general buying public needs and wants. The Pros sounds pretty good and I would say are "good enough". I have more expensive wired headphones like Focals, but for on the go, the Airpods Pro are my go-to for just general casual listening. I see no need to spend $$ for the Max myself and I have no issues with spending $$ for good audio equipment.
My prediction is these will see a price cut. Let's see how well this post ages
My prediction is these will see a price cut. Let's see how well this post ages
True, the problem is you can’t compare the two. I’m stuck literally in one place with my sennheisers. Then I have my $300 Sennheisers hooked up my $200 amplifier. Now I’m up to $500. Oh, and they’re open back, and yes I love the open back sound. The problem is my wife complains because she can hear it, I can hear the dogs barking my wife yelling and everything else in the background. My AirPods Max fix almost all of those problems, all the while offering the best sound quality I’ve ever heard in a pair of wireless cans. And if I want better quality, I can just buy the cable. I can use my AirPod Max is sitting on my porch on a nice cool evening enjoying the outside weather. Can’t do that with my sennheisers.
AirPods max are certainly not for everyone. But anyone that compares them to wired , non noise canceling headphones is ridiculous
Yeah, I had the WH-1000XM3s before and know what you're talking about. It's mostly fixed with the XM4s, however, because they can connect to 2 devices simultaneously. So no more need for device switching, they just handle it automatically.
(By the way: the trick with the XM3s was to hold down the power button for several seconds to put them into pairing mode. That will disconnect them from any device they're connected to so you can manually connect from the device you want.)
I'd recommend at least trying some on next time you're in an Apple Store. That's what sold me on them. They just feel so nice and high-end quality compared to the cheap and plastic feel of Sony's. The audio quality and NC is pretty amazing too.
In any case, even if Apple aren't working on a follow up to the AirPods Max, I'm sure some of the technology from them will make its way down into other Apple/Beats products sooner or later.
Do we know the HomePod Mini has been a huge success? I haven’t seen any sales numbers.
I’m completely with you there. I also suffer from the wife satisfaction situation. How I ended up marrying someone who so hates loud noise (or what I call, low volume) I don’t know
I’ve even been banished from my office to the lounge because she’s working from home and my music, singing and foot/hand tapping is apparently disruptive when she’s speaking to customers
So it’s Hi-Fi/open back headphones when she’s not around, and the APM the rest of the time. Which is a lot
Apple should forget about developing their own audio products. Axe Beats and acquire a good quality established audio brand with a range of headphones and speakers.
I have a few headphones and the AirPods Max are what I use when I need noise cancellation; usually when watching tv at night or of course any traveling. Lossless is pointless with noise cancellation anyway. I have a nice Sennheiser with a headphone amp for when I listen to lossless or hi-res music.
These are going to be cancelled by Apple. Mark my words.
I got my APM from Amazon as open box for $107 off.
I've been listening to them daily since January and the experience is sheer bliss. The APM is a beautifully designed product that makes my life better every day.
And yet, they're selling very well. Seems Apple knows more about pricing strategy than you.
So much hate on this thread. I really doubt they are flopping.
Some products don’t need yearly updates.
Some products don’t need yearly updates.
They're $519 at best buy now, well except for the SG which is $10 more.
If they were $349-399 I would have bought some.
They would've only been used at home though for watching movies on my AppleTv4K or listening to audiobooks or podcast
Right now I use my Pros but it gets old having to pair them up every time I want to use them because I previously had them paired with my phone. I had hoped Apple was going to make them switch between all your apple devices seemless.
Maybe around BF they'll drop to $399
If anyone knows of some hedaphones that has no noticeable lag with netflix/youtube while using AppleTV let me know
If they were $349-399 I would have bought some.
They would've only been used at home though for watching movies on my AppleTv4K or listening to audiobooks or podcast
Right now I use my Pros but it gets old having to pair them up every time I want to use them because I previously had them paired with my phone. I had hoped Apple was going to make them switch between all your apple devices seemless.
Maybe around BF they'll drop to $399
If anyone knows of some hedaphones that has no noticeable lag with netflix/youtube while using AppleTV let me know