Ten Things AirPods Pro 2 Tell Us About AirPods Max 2

[Lounge vibes 05]

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.

So you said all of this without backing it up with any actual sources.
To start, Apple lowered the price of the HomePod only a year after it was released. That’s the sign of a product that’s failing or overpriced.
The AirPods Max have been on the market for almost 2 years, no official price reduction or discontinuation in sight. So clearly, somethings working about that price, even if it’s too hefty for you.
Secondly, products being discounted six months after being released is *not* a sign of them failing.
If that were the case, the recent M1pro and max MacBook pros would be the biggest flop in history because they’ve been discounted for months and months and they haven’t even been out a full year.
And as for your theory about Apple losing money through AppleCare replacements, I have not seen a single actual report of any quality control issues or frequent replacements of the headband, or any noise canceling issues, or anything you’ve listed here.
Obviously there are isolated incidents of peoples products being defective, as there is with every Apple product, but as far as I can tell it is not a widespread issue in the slightest, and it clearly isn’t disrupting their bottom line or else they would’ve done something about it.
So basically, I can’t find any actual evidence of anything you’ve said in this post.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

The fundamental flaw with comparing the original HomePod to the AirPods Max is really right in the name.
MAX
The APMs are the top product in a large well known popular line of products that includes three other models.
The HomePod was the opposite, it was a new line of products that had one price point.
$350
That was it.
Wanted anything cheeper? Too bad.
That’s where the AirPods succeed

 

[nph]

Because both times I’ve bought a pair of AirPods Max from an Apple Store (I returned them the first time with noise cancellation issues) they’ve come out of the box with a completely flat battery. I’ve not had that with any other Apple product, and it suggests to me that they’ve been sat in the stock room for a significant amount of time. People aren’t buying them.

I had the opposite experience, bought mine at Costco and they were at least 30% charged out of the box. Really surprised me! Btw since they are now my take is we will see a version 2 relatively soon. Whenever an Apple item shows up at Costco with a discount it generally means a new version is on the way. will it be this year or early next not sure but I would bet on this year.

 

[CARIB_APPLE]

I just bought a pair, albeit it was from credit card points.

Would you have paid cash for them?

 

[steve09090]

My experience with the current AirPods Max have been so poor that I would never consider buying another pair no matter how many upgrades they throw at it. They have been sitting in a corner of my house collecting dust. They need a complete redesign. They need to lessen the weight and design it in a way where:
1. The headphones can fold and be more portable.
2. Actually have a case that supports mobility.
These headphones are so anti-transport its baffling. They're so heavy and take up so much space due to the design it has been a hassle to go anywhere with them when they're not on my head. And you might say well, just keep them on your head then and my response is that these things are so uncomfortable you will wish you didn't do that.

So your ONE complaint is that for you, they’re not portable? And for that you say they are “so poor” and you’d never consider a redesign. Okay.

 

[Lord of the Pies]

The very last thing I want Apple to do with the Max 2 is to reduce the price. I'd much rather they make them sound as good as possible. My Max's sound pretty good but they could be way better. Even the $200 HD 6XX blow the Max's out of the water in many respects.

Heck, if Apple ditched the Max name entirely and came out with a $1,000 AirPods Ultra I'd be over the moon. I have better-sounding headphones but I use my APM by far the most because they're just so damn convenient, wireless and comfortable. I wish they also sounded more or less on par with entry-level audiophile gear.

 

[steve09090]

The very last thing I want Apple to do with the Max 2 is to reduce the price. I'd much rather they make them sound as good as possible. My Max's sound pretty good but they could be way better. Even the $200 HD 6XX blow the Max's out of the water in many respects.

Heck, if Apple ditched the Max name entirely and came out with a $1,000 AirPods Ultra I'd be over the moon. I have better-sounding headphones but I use my APM by far the most because they're just so damn convenient, wireless and comfortable. I wish they also sounded more or less on par with entry-level audiophile gear.

How good are the HD 6XX when they’re in wireless mode? I guess it’s the market they’re looking at but for wireless ANC, there’s none that I’m aware of that can touch them.

 

[R_Allonce]

So your ONE complaint is that for you, they’re not portable? And for that you say they are “so poor” and you’d never consider a redesign. Okay.

Oh no, that is just one of many complaints with the device. Of course I am sharing my own opinion and disapproval with the product. I was just discussing one aspect that I do not enjoy. But I could type out a very long reasoning as to why I genuinely despise the Max

 

[return2sendai]

I’m the exact opposite, I don’t have anything that charges via USB C.
My phone, earbuds, headphones, remote, wireless station and battery pack all charge via Lightning, and my MacBook charges via MagSafe.
So the majority of the time I just need two cables, and apples new 35 W dual brick.
And all of my other little random gadgets like my doorbell or whatever else either have a completely proprietary charger or charge with micro USB.
So while I think the transition to USB-C needs to happen eventually, it’s certainly going to be a major annoyance

I’m the opposite. Only my iPhone SE2 is not USB-C, for which I tote a lightning to USB-C cable. And my beloved iPod Classic, for which I gladly tote a 30-pin to USB-C cable. Everything charges from my one Anker block. I no longer purchase non-USB-C devices.

 

[steve09090]

Oh no, that is just one of many complaints with the device. Of course I am sharing my own opinion and disapproval with the product. I was just discussing one aspect that I do not enjoy. But I could type out a very long reasoning as to why I genuinely despise the Max

I've never heard of anyone actually 'despising' the AirPod Max. I guess the world really is a rainbow of people and the AirPod Max is not a product for you. For many, it’s the best blend of Apple know how, design and quality. Except for the stupid bra shaped on/off switch and lack of folding, I can’t see a single thing wrong with it. And that is the only thing the Sony XM4 is better than the Apple version.

 

[scotio200]

For me the main issue I have is repair-ability. The top mesh on mine has lost its elasticity and the AirPods Max are no longer comfortable to wear at all. Apple want €320 to “fix” them (whole unit swap)

So if they are releasing new ones, being able to replace all/most parts of the AirPods Max is a must. €320 is a disgusting repair price for a device that’s not even 2 years old that has a cosmetic issue like this. Especially when there is nothing wrong with the actual ear cups where all the tech actually is.

 

[Harvey Zoltan]

AirPod Max really seem to bring out the hate on this site. Love mine.

 

[senttoschool]

AirPod Max really seem to bring out the hate on this site. Love mine.

Love mine too. Also love my original Homepod. My most used Apple products are iPhone, Macbook Pro, Airpods Max, Homepod.

 

[iBug2]

Do you find them more comfortable than the Bose QC 35/45? Want something for 5+ hour flights

Never used those. The only other ANC cans I've used are B&W PX7 and they were really uncomfortable after 1.5 hours. I think they fixed it with the new model just last month. I have APM on my head for 5-6 hours without any fatigue whatsoever, and they are even heavier than PX7. It only has to do with the clamping force.

 

[MajorFubar]

Apple made the same mistake with the max as it did with the original HomePod - the market didn’t need a high end speaker. It needed an iOT presence in every room. It got that wrong and also these. The market doesn’t need a £599 pair of headphones when inflation is rampant and the cost of gas surging. Apple should price these at £299 - they’d sell a mountain and drive brand recognition just like beats did 10 years ago. Price is ridiculous for what they offer.

This. And they're doing the same with the iPhone 14 and new Watches. When the GBP was strong, all Apple did was swap the the $ sign for a £, and creamed in the difference. Now things are not so rosy, but they're not prepared to ride the storm by taking what would be a negligible financial hit on their 2.4 trillion net worth in order to keep their products visible in a country where the clear choice this coming winter is going to be either freezing to death while cuddling our new Apple devices or putting the heating on.

US sales will save their bacon because they are already dominant in that market. RotW, especially Europe and UK, their market share will continue to decline. If I, as a nobody, can see this already happening, then their accountants and forecasters can see this already happening, but presumably they're ok with it.

 

[Lord of the Pies]

How good are the HD 6XX when they’re in wireless mode? I guess it’s the market they’re looking at but for wireless ANC, there’s none that I’m aware of that can touch them.

The HD6XX are wired headphones. I'm just talking about audio quality, and how I'd love Apple to do more than just the bare minimum in that regard.

As has been discussed at length on this forum, the ANC of the APM seems to have become noticeably worse over time. My experience is consistent with that. Initially my Max's could basically just block the world out entirely - particularly useful as I live on a corner property with lots of traffic noise (and even wind when I'm on the patio). The Max's were nothing less than astonishing. Nowadays the ANC is only a bit better than just turning it off. Very disappointing update from Apple. Battery life wasn't good when using ANC, so perhaps that's why they scaled it back. Who knows.

 

[R_Allonce]

I've never heard of anyone actually 'despising' the AirPod Max. I guess the world really is a rainbow of people and the AirPod Max is not a product for you. For many, it’s the best blend of Apple know how, design and quality. Except for the stupid bra shaped on/off switch and lack of folding, I can’t see a single thing wrong with it. And that is the only thing the Sony XM4 is better than the Apple version.

Oh interesting, I've generally heard the opposite perspective online. But I suppose the opinion of the Max is middling. I personally have only heard negative things about it. The Max and the 2019 Intel MacBook Pro go down as the worst Apple products in my book.

 

[Sertrand Berlet]

Important features not mentioned:



2. Studio quality so narrators, producers, engineers, audiophiles, movie and music studios can ditch ugly headphone models.

No way. Studio headphones have a completely different sound signature and build quality. Great studio headphones (and monitors) are as flat as possible, no sound coloring whatsoever. The complete opposite of consumer headphones like the Max.

Companies like Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser make great, repairable, studio headphones for a fraction of the cost of Airpods Max.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

For me the main issue I have is repair-ability. The top mesh on mine has lost its elasticity and the AirPods Max are no longer comfortable to wear at all. Apple want €320 to “fix” them (whole unit swap)

So if they are releasing new ones, being able to replace all/most parts of the AirPods Max is a must. €320 is a disgusting repair price for a device that’s not even 2 years old that has a cosmetic issue like this. Especially when there is nothing wrong with the actual ear cups where all the tech actually is.

The headband is already replaceable.

AirPods Max Headband Removable With Just a SIM Ejector Tool, Hinting at Interchangeable Headbands

It is possible to remove the headband of AirPods Max with just a standard SIM card ejector tool, hinting at the possibility of interchanging...

www.macrumors.com

 

[steve09090]

Oh interesting, I've generally heard the opposite perspective online. But I suppose the opinion of the Max is middling. I personally have only heard negative things about it. The Max and the 2019 Intel MacBook Pro go down as the worst Apple products in my book.

You'd be looking at forums like this one. Full of whiny whiny Apple Haters. Audiophiles generally have the AirPod Max as the best wireless headphones. Wired ones will often win out, but not true wireless.

The 2019 MacBook Pro was not the worst but it ran the latest Intel Chip which the M1 smoked a year later. The worst was clearly the 2015 MacBook

 

[Silverjerk]

No way. Studio headphones have a completely different sound signature and build quality. Great studio headphones (and monitors) are as flat as possible, no sound coloring whatsoever. The complete opposite of consumer headphones like the Max.

Companies like Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser make great, repairable, studio headphones for a fraction of the cost of Airpods Max.

This. I own the Beyerdynamic DT770 and DT990 Pros, as well as multiple Sennheiser 6 and 5 series headphones. The HD600s and 560s are still my go-to for most studio work and casual listening (either running through a Schiit Hel 2, or through an Apogee Symphony Desktop).

Do I own a pair of AirPods Max? Yes. Do they sound good? Yes. Worth is subjective, however; what I will say is I absolutely agree that if you want studio-quality headphones, the Max are not only the wrong choice but they're in a price bracket where you're starting to get into the midrange Hi-Fi space -- which makes them an even harder sell, since you're now in the same price bracket as Senn 650s, Hifiman Sundara, Ananda, and HE6se, or Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pros. For a little more cash you're nearing Focal's entry-level offerings. And for the price of the Max, I'd almost always recommend a decently priced DAC/Amp (the Hel 2E is fantastic) and the Senn 560s, and use the remainder of your budget to pick up a pair of good IEMs for the road (Moondrop Aria Snow Editions come to mind).

I've compared the Max against my Sony XM5 and the Momentum 4's, and when I need the convenience (the only reason I'd pick a pair of wireless headphones over my wired sets) I'm almost always reaching for the Momentum 4s -- battery life alone makes that decision an easy call, but to my ear the Sennheiser's are a better set in almost every category. Apple has transparency mode nailed down, with whatever black magic sciency stuff they're doing behind the scenes, but I'm not buying headphones to hear my environment ALL the time, just some of the time, and it's not as much of a selling point for me.

Long story short, I enjoyed listening to my AirPods Max, but it's telling that they've been gathering dust for the last few months and had very little use before that.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The main way I've been using and enjoy my Max's is around the house, for the combo of very good SQ mixed with the Apple integration.

Just about every night I go to sleep later than others in the house and popping between some stuff on my iPad or on the AppleTV with my APM's is a perfect use case fit for them, for me at least.

I also really enjoy popping them and on/off so easily -- in comparison to using something like APPs for the same situations.

I have traveled with them also, and while not the best fit for that, they do a fantastic job on the plane, particularly in concert with the case I bought for them -- just for that purpose.

 

[nph]

The main way I've been using and enjoy my Max's is around the house, for the combo of very good SQ mixed with the Apple integration.

Just about every night I go to sleep later than others in the house and popping between some stuff on my iPad or on the AppleTV with my APM's is a perfect use case fit for them, for me at least.

I also really enjoy popping them and on/off so easily -- in comparison to using something like APPs for the same situations.

I have traveled with them also, and while not the best fit for that, they do a fantastic job on the plane, particularly in concert with the case I bought for them -- just for that purpose.

What case can you recommend that is small but well protective?

 

[turbineseaplane]

What case can you recommend that is small but well protective?

I have this one - love love love it!
Supreme protection and has the built in magnets to tell the APM to sleep/deep sleep, etc
It also included a nice little accessory case for in the middle. I keep an extra cable and my 3.5mm to Lightning cable in there.

INTELLI CarryOn MAX for Apple Airpods MAX Black 26503VRP - Best Buy

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www.bestbuy.com

 

[MajorFubar]

This. I own the Beyerdynamic DT770 and DT990 Pros, as well as multiple Sennheiser 6 and 5 series headphones. The HD600s and 560s are still my go-to for most studio work and casual listening (either running through a Schiit Hel 2, or through an Apogee Symphony Desktop).

Do I own a pair of AirPods Max? Yes. Do they sound good? Yes. Worth is subjective, however; what I will say is I absolutely agree that if you want studio-quality headphones, the Max are not only the wrong choice but they're in a price bracket where you're starting to get into the midrange Hi-Fi space -- which makes them an even harder sell, since you're now in the same price bracket as Senn 650s, Hifiman Sundara, Ananda, and HE6se, or Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pros. For a little more cash you're nearing Focal's entry-level offerings. And for the price of the Max, I'd almost always recommend a decently priced DAC/Amp (the Hel 2E is fantastic) and the Senn 560s, and use the remainder of your budget to pick up a pair of good IEMs for the road (Moondrop Aria Snow Editions come to mind).

I've compared the Max against my Sony XM5 and the Momentum 4's, and when I need the convenience (the only reason I'd pick a pair of wireless headphones over my wired sets) I'm almost always reaching for the Momentum 4s -- battery life alone makes that decision an easy call, but to my ear the Sennheiser's are a better set in almost every category. Apple has transparency mode nailed down, with whatever black magic sciency stuff they're doing behind the scenes, but I'm not buying headphones to hear my environment ALL the time, just some of the time, and it's not as much of a selling point for me.

Long story short, I enjoyed listening to my AirPods Max, but it's telling that they've been gathering dust for the last few months and had very little use before that.

At last the 'post of the thread' from someone who knows what SQ means.