The headband looks absolutely terrible after prolonged usage and the fact, that you cannot get a replacement, like you can with the ear pads, even though the headband comes off so easily, is just ridiculous.
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.
Is AirPods Max 'Condensation Death' a Widespread Issue? Report Offers Conflicting Evidence
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Had a really long work call with my Airpods Max, some minor condensation issues
Still not a peep about PWM and its effects on some users, 6 years after introducing OLED to iPhone. 🤷♂️
doesn't happen to me therefore it happens to no one mentality LMAO
Indeed. I’ve not yet replaced the ear pads, they’re in great condition. I’d buy a headband immediately if they came on sale.
I’ll just have to wait until the battery goes bust and do a battery replacement.
Not even a "we think you're gonna love them" auto-reply?
Oh well, a $1.99 discount on the polishing cloth would at least been more considerate.
Definitely contributes, but not the reason I think as it also happens when you're not sweating, as your body warms them and the temp difference between your body and the outside results in condensation. Could also happen with a sudden temp change, like walking inside an air conditioned place after being outside with them in the heat. Either way that's normal life situations and not stress/drop etc. "accidental" damage. Apple should have accounted for this when designing them. The closed type of headphones will always get condensation, but others don't break because of it. It's a comparable situation to the butterfly keyboard, except the AirPods Max sell less than the MacBooks so the outcry isn't as big.
And some folks might actually think “Hmm, what’s unique about me? Could it have something to do with keeping the AC low and maintaining enough moisture in the air to be comfortable?” or something of the such and then, learning a little about physics in the process!
I think it IS retired, though. Because there was one moment in the past when its use became tired. So, of course, every time SINCE then it’s just tired all over again.
Yeah, I know… but I think there’s a general perception that it is an eye health issue of a few, rather than a tech flaw.
Mind you, I too have problems with PWM, but somehow, the industry doesn’t take it seriously.
Why change? You have “like new” AirPods Max whereas those with no problems have several year old AirPods Max. Seems like you get ahead just by “keeping doing what you’re doing”. Sure, when they switch off in the middle of doing something… that can be a bit annoying, but Apple’s making it right, so, win/win.
Had them since launch. Still function perfectly and I have used them when hot and sweaty. Ewww.
not an uncommon winter’s day in parts of my country. Mind you, I have only ever seen an AirPods Max once outside an Apple Store, and that was on the head of some preppy school boy on the bus about six months ago.
Not much different from the “it happens to me therefore it happens to everyone” mentality
I’d imagine that the climate conditions this could happen in is broader than some might think. This could be happening to any number of headphones that don’t allow easy removal of the cups, but no one would know.
My favorite comment. I’m glad someone said it. Many Apple issues can be solved with a touch of common sense.
Am I using it wrong? Ever since the release I use them 4 times a week in the gym, sweating profoundly, only replaced the cushions once cause they started to smell even after washing. Using them 1-4 times a week when taking the bike to work, 1 hour to , 1 hour back, through -10 and +30, only the battery is kind of done by this time, only managing 4 hours of charge when 100%. But never ever have they failed on me.
put mac mini fans in the headset. silent and only reved up a few times for me. oh wait - they wouldnt fit
I have had mine since launch with absolutely no issues whatsoever. I wear them 6+ hours a day for work but I’m not sure if that’s the environment these issues are occurring in. I imagine most people experiencing condensation are using them to workout, live in a VERY humid area, or are moving from a hot to cold environment regularly where the metal doesn’t have time to acclimate to the environment around them. I’ve even gone for a few walks wearing them and have never noticed moisture outside of some sweat on the covers. I’d be curious to see where the affected people live and/or how they are using them to see what the correlations are.
Had mine since the 2nd week of release and Zero Issues
Best headphones I’ve ever had. I’ve also got the Sony XM4’s and Bose 700’s.
However YMVV
Coachingguy
I wonder if an impartial tester (i.e. Rtings.com) could do a test of these vs. Bose (QC35 ii, Noise Cancelling 700, etc), Sony (WH-1000XM4, WH-1000XM5, etc.), Sennheiser, etc.
My over-the-ear headphones get warm (due to pleather ear cups), but I've never seen any condensation inside.
I would have thought Apple's would have been superior due to the material. Guess I'm wrong.
My over-the-ear headphones get warm (due to pleather ear cups), but I've never seen any condensation inside.
I would have thought Apple's would have been superior due to the material. Guess I'm wrong.