Not sure what it all has to do with a crummy headphone case, but if Apple's long term vision was to dumb-down their professional products in favor of a more consumer-friendly direction, they wouldn't have finally redesigned the MacPro and XDR display and priced them as they have. Video production across the board has grown massively since FCP7, so of course more people use FCPX than at the height of FCP7 use. I do think the various divisions at Apple can get a hugely misdirected at times.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.
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
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Hands-On With the AirPods Max
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Over the years I have had various ANR headphones from the likes of Bose, AKG and Sennheiser. I have come to the conclusion that ANR imposes too great a degradation in the sound quality to be acceptable, especially on classical music. I have gone back to passive noise reduction, with a round the ears pair of phones with closed backs and thick pads. I currently use a pair of Beyerdynamic T5P Mk.2, with either their small Impacto DAP or if I can be bothered to carry it around a Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAP. Yes the background noise is not quite as well suppressed but I personally feel this is a sacrifice worth making, for the improved sound quality. Airplanes are getting quieter, which also helps. If I had a long journey every day in a noisy train or underground railway, I might think differently but I am now retired, so noise reduction, either active or passive is only required on flights.
Of course in this year, chance of actually being on a flight is small. My wife and I were supposed to be flying out today from the UK to spend Christmas and New Year with her sister in Barbados but the testing requirements and hotel room quarantine when we got there, made it pointless.
Of course in this year, chance of actually being on a flight is small. My wife and I were supposed to be flying out today from the UK to spend Christmas and New Year with her sister in Barbados but the testing requirements and hotel room quarantine when we got there, made it pointless.
Basically, it’s a case, but for the people that are buying it, they either don’t care OR don’t care enough for it to alter their decision to buy it, crummy or not.
For the ones that DO care, see it as a crummy case and, as a result, are not going to buy it, that’s fine, they’re not who Apple’s trying to sell to. However, those folks... the ones that aren’t who Apple are marketing to? They’re not just quietly going “humph, that’s trash” to themselves. They’re doing Apple the favor of communicating about the product far wider than ANY amount of ad money could buy... into areas where Apple would never even bother to advertise. A crummy plain case that doesn’t look like a bra would likely never have gotten as much free publicity.
I mean, when was the last time a headphone case trended on the major social media networks?
People that want them will buy them. You’re going to get a whole bunch of comments anytime an Apple product gets released about how it’s overpriced garbage. Those people are not buying them and will never buy them. Apple has no interest in listening to them because they’re not the intended customers. They’re good headphones for the price. You can get cheaper ones that are good and you can get better ones.
Imagine if Apple had simply designed a case that was arguably the best anywhere in both function and form. We wouldn't be having this imagining-some-strange-marketing-strategy conversation, they'd sell even more of them, and they would have created a product that serves its intended function, which at the end of the day, is the responsible think to do, both in value to the customer and ecologically. (ie. If you're going to use up raw materials, make it matter.)Basically, it’s a case, but for the people that are buying it, they either don’t care OR don’t care enough for it to alter their decision to buy it, crummy or not.
For the ones that DO care, see it as a crummy case and, as a result, are not going to buy it, that’s fine, they’re not who Apple’s trying to sell to. However, those folks... the ones that aren’t who Apple are marketing to? They’re not just quietly going “humph, that’s trash” to themselves. They’re doing Apple the favor of communicating about the product far wider than ANY amount of ad money could buy... into areas where Apple would never even bother to advertise. A crummy plain case that doesn’t look like a bra would likely never have gotten as much free publicity.
Yeah, it's increased, but I hope it gets even better, maybe January 🤞🏼
I had a delivery date of March but managed to reserve a pair in my local Apple store today and picked them up this afternoon. First impressions are positive;
All I can say is that when listening to my go to album when trying out new headphones (Sgt Pepper) I genuinely had shivers down my spine! No headphone has ever done that before. Don't know what it means but got to be bloody good. I've listened to this album 100's and 100's of times and with these AirPods Max's I've heard things I've never heard before. The sound stage on these is superb. The lack of any EQ doesn't bother me as I usually have it turned off anyway so I can hear the music as close to as intended as possible. So so far I am extremely impressed.
The only negative thing I can say is, not to do with the sound but a couple of times I've inadvertently touched the top button on the top of the right cup and paused the music. This will only be temporary as I was adjusting the headband.
As for the case. Well, yes it is a little disappointing but it's not too bad. It's only disappointing in that for the cost I'd expect something a little more premium.
All I can say is that when listening to my go to album when trying out new headphones (Sgt Pepper) I genuinely had shivers down my spine! No headphone has ever done that before. Don't know what it means but got to be bloody good. I've listened to this album 100's and 100's of times and with these AirPods Max's I've heard things I've never heard before. The sound stage on these is superb. The lack of any EQ doesn't bother me as I usually have it turned off anyway so I can hear the music as close to as intended as possible. So so far I am extremely impressed.
The only negative thing I can say is, not to do with the sound but a couple of times I've inadvertently touched the top button on the top of the right cup and paused the music. This will only be temporary as I was adjusting the headband.
As for the case. Well, yes it is a little disappointing but it's not too bad. It's only disappointing in that for the cost I'd expect something a little more premium.
By the time people are actually travelling and need a case, there will be plenty of 3rd party ones.
If however you feel that the lack of a suitable case will stop you buying these (even if to then return if the sound quality is not good enough), please free to mute this thread.
I’m not going to let a case stop me getting a decent pair of headphones.
If however you feel that the lack of a suitable case will stop you buying these (even if to then return if the sound quality is not good enough), please free to mute this thread.
I’m not going to let a case stop me getting a decent pair of headphones.
So after a week of watching and reading reviews, I opened them up. I sure am glad I did.
They are as awesome as I expected and well worth the $550, at least to me.
I'm coming from a pair of Beats Studio 2, absolutely no comparison.
I can appreciate $550 is a lot of money, but if the price gives you heartburn, simply pass.
Tim
You were lucky to find a pair. In my area none of the Apple stores have them. I agree that not buying them for the case seems silly. I’m sure there will be aftermarket cases once manufacturers get ahold of a pair to measure.
Where are you based? I kept checking from about 8am this morning and they kept popping up for collection. 4 or 5 I think and finally 1 at my local store. I'm sure more and more will become available. Just keep checking.
More observations; I actually don’t mind the case. I’m intrigued by the design. It’s not there to protect the headphones, it’s there more as a carry case and to turn them off.
I also love the weight. Makes them feel more premium. I like the head band but am a little worried about it’s durability. Not for myself as I’m extremely careful with my stuff but can see others having issues.
The closest store is Austin Texas USA to me. I’ve only checked a couple times so maybe they get new inventory and it’s posted.
I don’t plan to take them on the road with me so I’m not too worried about durability unless my cat gets a hold of them. I have my AirPods for mobile listening
I'm sure more will become available as the days go by. Just check every now and again and I'm sure some will become available in you area. I'm in the UK so I'd imagine you guys over there have a better chance of store inventory than we do?
AirPods Max Shield Case
The best AirPods Max Case with in-case charging and a central magnet that puts the AirPods Max in low-power mode. Made in San Francisco, USA.
www.sfbags.com
I just got notice that Waterfield Designs now has an AirPods Max case.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Nope. Most are saying too limited. Too costly. Can do much better for less.
Thanks. Just purchased it ❤️AirPods Max Shield Case
The best AirPods Max Case with in-case charging and a central magnet that puts the AirPods Max in low-power mode. Made in San Francisco, USA.
I just got notice that Waterfield Designs now has an AirPods Max case.
Happy Holidays everyone!
I just got mine today for a gift, love them, far better than I had thought! Like everyone else, I did think the price tag was too much but they are a work of art basically, and sound amazing! And the case feels premium (leather to me) and will be ok for putting in a briefcase much smaller than Bose or Beats..
A beautiful case. Good for Waterfield! They will sell a ton of these as the APM are going to be very popular.AirPods Max Shield Case
The best AirPods Max Case with in-case charging and a central magnet that puts the AirPods Max in low-power mode. Made in San Francisco, USA.
I just got notice that Waterfield Designs now has an AirPods Max case.
Happy Holidays everyone!