Hands-On With the AirPods Max

[kirk.vino]

I feel like if I had another pair of wireless noise canceling headphones, these would be unnecessary. My other pair is an older wired pair of Bose QC25, so it does feel like an upgrade to me for sure!
They feel heavy and tight, and it requires some constant adjusting to get rid of that tight feeling above my ears. I would not call them comfortable by any means.
I do like the sound and I think I’m gonna keep them. For those on the fence about buying them, you need to try them on first.
Also, they can be wired and used on planes and with other audio sources. You just need to get that cable separately, which I did. So people should drop that nonsense about inability to use them with in-flight systems.

 

[SSDGUY]

I mean, if my business was door-to-door scissor salesman, MAYBE I’d be concerned? Scissors can be REALLY scratchy. My bag is a regular laptop one, with pouches and compartments so there’s nothing that’s going to scratch the headphones in the section they’re in. I could throw some sand in, but I don’t think I will.


Are these ONLY considered as a customization option? I see it more as a “don’t spend another $600 in 4 years” option.


I think the amount of publicity they’re getting from the case is well worth it. Folks that otherwise wouldn’t have even known that “Apple just released a thing” have seen probably 30 or 40 meme posts on it.

"Hey let's make an ineffective crappy case for a very expensive set of headphones (we'll even use the term 'audiophile' teehee!) so people who are never going to buy it, know about it via memes."

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

What color did you get?

Ha ha, genius!

 

[iGeneo]

I'm fine with paying top dollar for high quality headphones, but $69 for replacement ear cushions is quite a gouge.

The magnetic replacement is cool, but does it really justify double the replacement cost of the already overpriced Bose earpads?

Twice the price of Boise QC’s, but much easier to replace and... colors!!

 

[Unregistered 4U]

"Hey let's make an ineffective crappy case for a very expensive set of headphones (we'll even use the term 'audiophile' teehee!) so people who are never going to buy it, know about it via memes."

In very few cases is there any such thing as “bad” publicity! You can be guaranteed they’d rather there be a million questionable “hot takes” (even ones mentioning them using the term ‘audiophile’ when it’s not mentioned on the Press Release, the Overview or Tech Specs page than no one at all talking about them.

 

[Student of Life]

It doesn't justify the price, should be half that.

Half the price would put them in AirPod pro range and just visually they are clearly more expensive and have better quality. They would be cheaper than Beats. Like Looking at the big picture and the products Apple sells there is no way thats even close to reality At 250. Personally I think 450 would have been ok since its 100 more than the highest quality Beats but well Apple is Apple. I do want to try them out

 

[ExxonVS]

Hey guys,

what do you think, is it possible that the production gets boosted, so the 12-14 weeks waiting time would be reduced? I've ordered it, estimated delivery March 18 - Apr 1... 🥶

 

[cdarlington1]

I got my set a few days ago. Very happy with them. I've used the M4's and the Bose 700. They are on par with those for ANC. These surpass them for comfort, physical controls are a nice touch. Spatial audio sounds great though would like to see it brought to ATV. And the case sucks. And the fact it didn't include the USBC - 3.5mm is a bad look.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Hey guys,

what do you think, is it possible that the production gets boosted, so the 12-14 weeks waiting time would be reduced? I've ordered it, estimated delivery March 18 - Apr 1... 🥶

Even beyond boosting production, Apple usually beats their delivery goals, sometimes by a few weeks. I think 12-14 is the worst case, so they likely wouldn’t need to boost production to get them to you sooner.

 

[ExxonVS]

Even beyond boosting production, Apple usually beats their delivery goals, sometimes by a few weeks. I think 12-14 is the worst case, so they likely wouldn’t need to boost production to get them to you sooner.

Hope u are right 🤞🏼I never waited for a product this long 😐

 

[arnabmajumdar]

I think the fundamental issue here is the pricing strategy. I just bought the HomePod mini, knowing that against similar devices I'm paying about a 50% tax for a higher quality product that also offers integration with my other devices.

The AirPods Max is a 100% mark-up against already premium devices, and it remains unclear that its performance is anything other than a minor improvement over those devices. It also squarely puts the product out of range for the large majority of consumers. I'm against it on principle.

 

[SSDGUY]

Could’ve, at the very least, included a hard case (with charging capabilities a bonus) and usb C charging. That said, why do some devices still use lighting and some usb C? Apple should’ve sorted that out already. They act like they think everything through but they obviously don’t.

Seems with every new mac or phone purchase in recent years I've had to make a trip to the store for some damn dongle or cable before I can use it with my existing devices. Not all for Apple but I've a got plastic bin filled with: Firewire 400, Firewire800, USB A, USB B, USB mini A, USB mini B, USB-micro A, USB-micro B, USB micro super-speed, Lighting, USB C …

In very few cases is there any such thing as “bad” publicity! You can be guaranteed they’d rather there be a million questionable “hot takes” (even ones mentioning them using the term ‘audiophile’ when it’s not mentioned on the Press Release, the Overview or Tech Specs page than no one at all talking about them.it is true that Apple reallt never use dAudiophile, but early reports about the product

It is true that Apple really never used the term Audiophile (which means different things to different people) but early reports about the product did use the term and it stuck. Apple is able to endure plenty of product failures and thrive because they have so many successful products, so we sort of thing they can do no wrong. The "you're holding it wrong" thing was a big joke, but people still bought the phones. The "Can't innovate, my ass" regarding the trash can macpro and its horrible sales and stagnant upgrades was an insult to pro users who used that hardware ecosystem, but still Apple succeeds. Smaller companies can't get away with this.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It is true that Apple really never used the term Audiophile (which means different things to different people) but early reports about the product did use the term and it stuck. Apple is able to endure plenty of product failures and thrive because they have so many successful products, so we sort of thing they can do no wrong. The "you're holding it wrong" thing was a big joke, but people still bought the phones. The "Can't innovate, my ass" regarding the trash can macpro and its horrible sales and stagnant upgrades was an insult to pro users who used that hardware ecosystem, but still Apple succeeds. Smaller companies can't get away with this.

Oh, they can and DO do wrong, the big question is always “by whom?” If they do wrong by folks that would not purchase their products anyway... that’s not a loss. (Considering that there will ALWAYS be fewer Apple customers than non-Apple customers, anything they release will have a huge number of folks saying how they’ve done wrong.) If they do wrong by long time customers while, at the same time, doing right by a similar number of NEW customers, that’s also not a loss.

Apple used to be one of those smaller companies. I think where they found success is realizing, right from the start, that you can’t get customers today and then depend on them over for their entire lifetimes. You’ve got to expand and even have some turnover of our customers so that you’re always driving yourself towards new customers. Enter new areas boldly and exit old areas quickly and decisively.

 

[dannys1]

Christ even the MacRumors reviewers are obsessed with Sony and Bose headphones. I thought it was just the readers, you know there are tens of other brands far better? You know they’re not the only wireless over ear phones? It’s embarrassing seeing the endless mention of Bose and Sony by people who haven’t got a clue about headphones.

 

[sigmapifsc]

I did a side by side test with BOSE QC35II.

My daughter had on the new AirPod Max connected to her iPhone 11 and I had my BOSE QC35 connected to my iPhone 12. Same song, same volume setting.

Test 1:
Turned on the TV and started the volume at zero, turned up the volume 1 notch at a time. We were supposed to raise our hand when we could hear the person talking on TV. I (Bose) raised my hand at level 25. My Daughter (AirPod MAx) raised her hand at 32. The bose were really good, but the airpod max kept out more sound a little louder. Not a ton, but something.

Test 2:
Play the same song same time and after 30 seconds, very quickly trade headphones. We did this back and forth for a few different songs.

We both felt the Bose just had a better sound and more comfortable feel. Every time, within seconds. More rich, deeper quality. More like studio quality. Hard to describe. Just better.

So, I'll be returning the Airpod max. I think if they were the same price as the bose, I'd probably keep them for fun, I'm an Apple fan-boy, so I tend to favor and buy all things apple. But in practice, if I'm honest, after the novelty wore off something new and different, these would go into the draw with where my base shaking Skull Candy headphones ended up.

Oh, also every time I'd go to adjust them, I'd accidentally push a button, that was really annoying. I'm guessing that would change as I train my fingers where to grab them, but I felt it was worth mentioning.

So, in summary, very cool, fun, well built (well, kind of... the mesh feels super delicate) I'll be taking them back. Hope this helps someone.

 

[SSDGUY]

I did a side by side test with BOSE QC35II.

My daughter had on the new AirPod Max connected to her iPhone 11 and I had my BOSE QC35 connected to my iPhone 12. Same song, same volume setting.

Test 1:
Turned on the TV and started the volume at zero, turned up the volume 1 notch at a time. We were supposed to raise our hand when we could hear the person talking on TV. I (Bose) raised my hand at level 25. My Daughter (AirPod MAx) raised her hand at 32. The bose were really good, but the airpod max kept out more sound a little louder. Not a ton, but something.

Test 2:
Play the same song same time and after 30 seconds, very quickly trade headphones. We did this back and forth for a few different songs.

We both felt the Bose just had a better sound and more comfortable feel. Every time, within seconds. More rich, deeper quality. More like studio quality. Hard to describe. Just better.

So, I'll be returning the Airpod max. I think if they were the same price as the bose, I'd probably keep them for fun, I'm an Apple fan-boy, so I tend to favor and buy all things apple. But in practice, if I'm honest, after the novelty wore off something new and different, these would go into the draw with where my base shaking Skull Candy headphones ended up.

Oh, also every time I'd go to adjust them, I'd accidentally push a button, that was really annoying. I'm guessing that would change as I train my fingers where to grab them, but I felt it was worth mentioning.

So, in summary, very cool, fun, well built (well, kind of... the mesh feels super delicate) I'll be taking them back. Hope this helps someone.

Thanks! I love an honest user review. I'm normally partial to all things Apple was well, but when the downsides outweigh the cool factor, I'll go with another brand. A/B-ing them quickly on the same song is a good way to do it. The weight thing I keep hearing about is a big negative for me. In my experience, though tolerable or even not that noticeable, after hours of use becomes a big annoyance. Also the mesh headband … though likely comfortable, I'd guess it soon becomes a dirt and wear issue.

 

[SSDGUY]

Oh, they can and DO do wrong, the big question is always “by whom?” If they do wrong by folks that would not purchase their products anyway... that’s not a loss. (Considering that there will ALWAYS be fewer Apple customers than non-Apple customers, anything they release will have a huge number of folks saying how they’ve done wrong.) If they do wrong by long time customers while, at the same time, doing right by a similar number of NEW customers, that’s also not a loss.

Apple used to be one of those smaller companies. I think where they found success is realizing, right from the start, that you can’t get customers today and then depend on them over for their entire lifetimes. You’ve got to expand and even have some turnover of our customers so that you’re always driving yourself towards new customers. Enter new areas boldly and exit old areas quickly and decisively.

Okay now you've lost me. Doing wrong by a customer who won't buy Apple anyway might not be a loss monetarily, but you can't somehow call it good PR. I've even talked to many longtime fans of Apple, who still generally buy their products, but have clearly lost that sense of allegiance — being part of the cool tech club — cult-following stuff. Maybe that sort of thing wears off no matter what, but I think Apple could do better at figuring what is causing this. I sense they now have a bit of a too-big-to-fail mentality at times.

Anyway, the case still sucks big time.

 

[KennyJr]

Whenever Apple presents a new product, the first thing people do is search for what's wrong with it. Even if it's near perfect, people will search out that near imperfection. I think Apple has become wise to this unfortunate aspect of the human condition and have found a pretty smart way of countering it. Give people something easy to complain about, something that doesn't detract from the truly astounding aspect of the product - thus the headphone holder that looks like a bra.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

We were supposed to raise our hand when we could hear the person talking on TV. I (Bose) raised my hand at level 25. My Daughter (AirPod MAx) raised her hand at 32.

I’d have been interested with you doing the volume test wearing the AirPods Max. Her hearing is likely more sensitive than yours. Good use of time at home with family, though, props to you!

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Okay now you've lost me. Doing wrong by a customer who won't buy Apple anyway might not be a loss monetarily, but you can't somehow call it good PR. I've even talked to many longtime fans of Apple, who still generally buy their products, but have clearly lost that sense of allegiance — being part of the cool tech club — cult-following stuff. Maybe that sort of thing wears off no matter what, but I think Apple could do better at figuring what is causing this. I sense they now have a bit of a too-big-to-fail mentality at times.

Anyway, the case still sucks big time.

I don’t call it good PR. For example, when Steve Jobs told an assembled group of FCP7 users that Apple was going to go in a new direction for FCP, a direction those users would have zero input on, that was NOT good PR. I don’t think you can even twist it into good PR. However, the fact remains that there are more active seats of FCPX now than there was at the height of FCP7. Apple went in a new direction and replaced each one of those FCP7 users with an FCPX user and THEN some.

Those that have lost that sense of allegiance? It’s clear to see what’s causing it. Like those FCP7 users, they’re no longer in the sweet spot of Apple’s marketing and product efforts. Apple slowly resets their vision over time to ensure they’re always marketing to a growing rather than a shrinking segment. By definition, that means Apple falls out of favor with more and more people over time. As long as they are obtaining new customers at a greater rate, then it’s a net gain.

Whenever Apple presents a new product, the first thing people do is search for what's wrong with it. Even if it's near perfect, people will search out that near imperfection. I think Apple has become wise to this unfortunate human character and have found a pretty smart way of countering it. Give people something easy to complain about - thus the headphone holder that looks like a bra.

I like it. I could imagine it initially being a more generic shape and then, bam, it became the bra-headphone heard ’round the world. Wondering what some of the anime themed cases will look like... you KNOW they’re being made LOL

 

[WilliamDu]

Check out the Taotronics headphones on Amazon. They do all this for $45.

 

[KennyJr]

Check out the Taotronics headphones on Amazon. They do all this for $45.

It's not what they do, it's how well they do it.

 

[SSDGUY]

I’m just going to say this. Who the f cares about the case, move on they are headphones first and foremost. I advise you to go look at the B&O offerings before the h95s. A cloth bag POS. Those were similar / close in price. I will grab a pair tomorrow and see how the call quality is for 8 hours of zoom, then I will see if they go back. I am a headphone snob when it comes to comfort, calls and travel (should it come again soon) comfort is key and I despise in ear headphones for any period of time.

I think folks are talking about it because Apple is usually really good at things like cases. And it's obvious they put some thought into this one (it's not a bag) but while they were thinking … WHAT were they thinking? Everyone knows it could have, and should have been so much better.

 

[SSDGUY]

The only concern I’m reading so far, is that they’re heavier over the competition. Which results in more fatigue and maybe uncomfortability for some. That easily can be a dealbreaker, but I think the only way to really know, is to extensively test them. One thing I really like about the Sony XM‘s, is there extremely lightweight, but they don’t fatigue your ears or become uncomfortable for wearing long periods of time.

If anything, I can pull the trigger on these, and then utilize the extended holiday return.

In my experience with headphones, if they feel a little heavy when you put them on, they're gonna feel really heavy after a couple hours.

 

[SSDGUY]

good points all around. I think Apple will create a flat tuning option. It makes sense to offer that option. But then again, this is Tim Cook's Apple and it might involve a dongle.

HA! Yup! If you don't have to buy a dongle, it's not Apple.