They shouldn't release a new gen until they transition to USB-C.
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.
Ten Things AirPods Pro 2 Tell Us About AirPods Max 2
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well, the AirPods Max have a much better audio quality compared to the AirPods Pro 2. Much better. Of course, we shouldn't be comparing them. Different devices for different needs.
Absolutely love my pair of AirPods Max, use it every day. Although I bought it very lightly used second-hand (basically open box) for a nice discounted price.
I assume that the Max still has much better ANC than AirPods Pro 2, right? Audio quality wise I have no doubt it is much much superior.
I assume that the Max still has much better ANC than AirPods Pro 2, right? Audio quality wise I have no doubt it is much much superior.
I’m not comparing the AirPods Max to the AirPods Pro, but to other Over the Ear headphones.
I’m not comparing the AirPods Max to the AirPods Pro, but to other Over the Ear headphones.
I hate it. My case has degraded so the flap doesn’t turn them off consistently, particularly in my bag. It’s always a roll of the dice if I go to use them and they are charged. I think it’s a terrible design, I wouldn’t use the case at all if it wasn’t the power switch.
I will only buy the second generation if they rename it into:
AirPods Max Ultra Diehard Rebel Pro.
AirPods Max Ultra Diehard Rebel Pro.
I will only/immediately buy these if:
Apple makes them more foldable
Apple makes a better case that actually protects them
My Bose QC35 gen 1 still run rings round the Airpod Max when it comes to these two design features.
Apple makes them more foldable
Apple makes a better case that actually protects them
My Bose QC35 gen 1 still run rings round the Airpod Max when it comes to these two design features.
it’s a fantastic headphone? Yes
Was priced incorrectly? Yes
It’s a flop? Also yes
When you can buy a product (as I did) just 6 months after launch at a very discounted price, you must agree that is not selling very well. More to the point, now nearly 2 years after launch, you can still buy them at an even lower price than before. That also tells that the current price isn’t making any dent in the stock of APM sitting on warehouses. (If an X discount makes a product to sell at the expected rate, lowering the price is not necessary anymore, which is not happening)
There are also some failures in design that are probably costly to Apple for those who purchased Apple Care. The mesh in many units is losing the elasticity or breaking and failures for liquid damage (as determined by Apple technicians reports) that make the ANC to stop working and screeching noises when moving the cup.
Let’s say that Apple is planning a 2nd gen. The problem is: how much it must cost to sell well? It’s $349? Ok, but Apple WANTS or CAN manufacture it for that price and be happy with the profit margin? I really doubt that.
Like the OG HomePod, that was an over-engineered beast with 7 tweeters amongst other things, the APM is too premium to manufacture at a lower price.
I believe that IF we ever see another APM product it will be in the form of the “sports” version that was rumored a time ago. That way it can be cheaper, but it also would be the HomePod Mini equivalent in terms of design and sound quality.
Was priced incorrectly? Yes
It’s a flop? Also yes
When you can buy a product (as I did) just 6 months after launch at a very discounted price, you must agree that is not selling very well. More to the point, now nearly 2 years after launch, you can still buy them at an even lower price than before. That also tells that the current price isn’t making any dent in the stock of APM sitting on warehouses. (If an X discount makes a product to sell at the expected rate, lowering the price is not necessary anymore, which is not happening)
There are also some failures in design that are probably costly to Apple for those who purchased Apple Care. The mesh in many units is losing the elasticity or breaking and failures for liquid damage (as determined by Apple technicians reports) that make the ANC to stop working and screeching noises when moving the cup.
Let’s say that Apple is planning a 2nd gen. The problem is: how much it must cost to sell well? It’s $349? Ok, but Apple WANTS or CAN manufacture it for that price and be happy with the profit margin? I really doubt that.
Like the OG HomePod, that was an over-engineered beast with 7 tweeters amongst other things, the APM is too premium to manufacture at a lower price.
I believe that IF we ever see another APM product it will be in the form of the “sports” version that was rumored a time ago. That way it can be cheaper, but it also would be the HomePod Mini equivalent in terms of design and sound quality.
For the next AirPods Max Apple needs to address:
- Price - Apple is taking the piss here. The price is outrageous, especially at this time, and priced for those with excess money to waste.
- Case - currently also laughable and a joke
- USB-C charging
- 3.5mm input jack
It’s not about being able to afford them, it’s about perceived value. Frankly I don’t see their value, so I don’t have them. Yet I do have a pair of $1,000 headphones.
As far as ear buds go, I went in the opposite direction with the $99 Cambridge Audio Melinomas. I had AirPods, one crapped out on me, and the lady at the Apple Store gave me the run around. So I now have better sounding ear buds…
Nope, earbuds, wireless headphones, kindle, iPad Pro, cameras, battery packs, mother-in-laws hearing aids, yadda yadda yadda all charge up with the same USB cable plugged into the same 20 watt Apple charger. Watch puck takes up the second outlet. Need to charge my phone, keyboard, or ATV remote. Yep second charging station or fiddle around and swap cables.
Yes, I could buy an Apple wired wireless (if the wireless charging puck is wired, is it really wireless) charging station, but guess what, that’s lightning also.
The iPhone 14 should have been thunderbolt.
I think Apple has a good spread of products at good prices. Something for pretty much everyone in today’s modern world. And each jump between models gets less extreme, so while the new model may be cooler, your item may be perfectly adequate for far longer.
But my OCD really buys into Apple marketing and makes me think my previous-gen model is outdated. Yet I never think that in my day to day to use, which is what matters.
I think they have a good balance between new devices and new features, while keeping previous models desirable. The first few iterations of iPhone were much cheaper, but usually more extreme between models. It wasn’t until the 6S Plus I skipped a model, when I skipped the 7.
But my OCD really buys into Apple marketing and makes me think my previous-gen model is outdated. Yet I never think that in my day to day to use, which is what matters.
I think they have a good balance between new devices and new features, while keeping previous models desirable. The first few iterations of iPhone were much cheaper, but usually more extreme between models. It wasn’t until the 6S Plus I skipped a model, when I skipped the 7.
I’m exactly the same. If they bring out a new travelling friendly design, I’ll be in Like Flynn.
The problem with the idea of an AirPods Max 2 is that I doubt that anyone who currently owns the original AirPods Max would see any need to upgrade, at least if only the features noted here were added. It would take a whole new currently unknown super feature added to get me to switch.
If you want a thrill, watch some of these new high dollar adventure movies, movies like Tolkien's Ring series using the AirPods Max. The aural effects and the musical score just totally come to rapturous life with these headphones. Compare them with your Sonys and your Bose - you'll see (I have both).
If you want a thrill, watch some of these new high dollar adventure movies, movies like Tolkien's Ring series using the AirPods Max. The aural effects and the musical score just totally come to rapturous life with these headphones. Compare them with your Sonys and your Bose - you'll see (I have both).
The actual reality is that it doesn’t matter. We always have multiple cables around the house even if it’s just USB C, even if it’s Phone, Tablet, Laptop. what does it matter if they are USB C or lightning? We have 1 Lightning & 1 USB C permanent in the kitchen.
When you’re travelling you need at least 3 cables and of various types. I'm about to travel Australia to Europe. I need a USB A style cable for the plane/airport. I need USB C style cables for fast charging when I get there. And it’s handy having. 6’ and 3’ depending how they‘re being used. Then the Watch charger. I’ve got mine down to 6 cables and 2 plugs (new Anker IQ USB Cx2, USB Ax1 as seen on Macrumors) +1
So it doesn’t actually matter whether it’s lightning, USB C or MicroUSB. We still need multiple cables.
I only agree with point 1.
People buy it, and I see heaps and heaps of them. Like a said earlier. Second to the XM4’s.
Anyone who appreciates the connectivity, or sound and sees the $ value will get them. The only thing that stopped me were the reviews relating to the weight. If I had my time again, I’d have bought the Airpod max. The XM 4’s are rubbish in so many ways compared to the Max's. If they bring out a new one, I’ll buy it.
Airpods Max is superior to anything in its price class. The audio quality against the very best Sennheiser is not even a match. The Max's quality is simply superior.
They need to be lighter and $100 (at least) cheaper. Honestly. Not competitive in a market with Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, et al