Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

When to Expect New AirPods Max to Launch

victorvictoria said:
Being a devotee (and retired employee) of all things Apple Inc., I went to our local department store (ABT Appliances), which is an Apple Authorized reseller. After trying them on, I left their Apple Store, and checked out the competition, both Bose and Sony. I wound up with the Sony WH1000-XM4 headphones. They were much lighter, had WAY better ANC, easy to use app, had an audio jack and cable with additional airplane adapter, USB-C, and fold flat to fit in a small included case. The fact that they were selling for $249.95, well, that mattered too.
Click to expand...

Actual testing shows the XM4/5 and AirPods Max ANC to be more or less equal. Bose isn't competitive and hasn't been for a decade (and their sound quality is a joke)

Retail on the XM4 is currently $349. The XM5s are $400.

Neither support fast device switching like AirPods.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pplfn and Student of Life
mattopotamus said:
I have always used over the ear headphones for travel, but damn the AirPod pros are solid. I don't think I'll ever go back to over the ear for travel. Not sure if others feel the same way? I felt it was relevant because I think that is a lot of the market for over the hear headphones.
Click to expand...
I had multiple ear problems when younger, otitis mainly, and over the ear headphones always have caused problems for me. The Pro are the first headphones I've used in more than 10 years, and wow! 10/10, never using over the ear headphones again
 
  • Like
Reactions: orbital~debris
They could make them 2x better but gen 1 is so good that it would not be immediately worth upgrading IMO. I bought them last May, so that's not so long ago, but still. I will upgrade when they break to whatever version is available that day.

AirPods Pro same deal, I have now owned them for four years and if they die some day I will upgrade, but I do not really feel like I should upgrade now despite gen 2 having some nice additions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HazeAndHahmahneez
If they release these without at least adding all of the new features of the AirPods Pro 2... and still charge $550... I mean... woof.

I don't want to get worked up over a rumor, but that would be a REALLY bad look.
 
Last edited:
  • Wow
Reactions: HazeAndHahmahneez
Minor changes after 3 years??? That is crapolla. I have AirPods Max. After more than 2 years they still good but “minor changes” is boring...unless they sound much better and do lossless.
 
Aside from the Bra Case, Apple nailed it on the first try. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but for the love of Job’s please give us a proper case!

IMG_0303.jpeg
 
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Disagree
Reactions: HazeAndHahmahneez, turbineseaplane, jeffirl and 2 others
JTK Awesome said:
APM needs a lot more than “minor changes.”

First it needs a diet.

Second it needs to look like an Apple product. Bose’s 700 NC headphones have more Apple-like design and construction than APM.

View attachment 2349345


Third it needs to catch up to the competition in terms of a real carrying case and included extras. Even Jabra did a better job of this.

View attachment 2349347

Last it needs to eliminate the issue of earcup moisture.
Click to expand...
I do love the headband design of the APM, but the earcups look like a large version of the watch on each ear. I don’t hate them, but can’t say that I love them. Agreed with the point about included case; there should be a better way to turn them off and store them.
 
yanksfan114 said:
It would be ridiculous if that rumor it was keeping the H1 chips was true. Imagine Apple putting two 5-year-old chips in the updated AirPods Max instead of the 2 year old H2 chip or an updated H3. Especially for a $550.
Click to expand...
Ever read about HomePods? They used older generation Wifi chips in a new reintroduced products. Dont even mention the S6 chip that has been reused for 3 generations just a name change.
 
I would very much appreciate an on/off button, similar to the Apple Watch button layout.

I bought the AirPods Pro Gen 2 USB-C a few months ago and they've become my favorite earphones. I have various others including Sony WF-XM4 and WH-XM4, Bose In-Ear QC 1, and B&W Pi7 Gen 1. The first time I wore the APP G2 at the Apple Store, I was blown away. It almost had too much bass but I got used to it over time. The overall audio quality is just down right amazing and not just in AppleMusic Streaming; Tidal HiFi+ is fantastic. I can't wait for the APM G2 but the lack of the power button may be a deal breaker for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HazeAndHahmahneez
JTK Awesome said:
APM needs a lot more than “minor changes.”

First it needs a diet.

Second it needs to look like an Apple product. Bose’s 700 NC headphones have more Apple-like design and construction than APM.

View attachment 2349345


Third it needs to catch up to the competition in terms of a real carrying case and included extras. Even Jabra did a better job of this.

View attachment 2349347

Last it needs to eliminate the issue of earcup moisture.
Click to expand...
Love my Bose 700s. Only thing is they no longer work plugged in (well, only one speaker works). It's not the end of the world, as I don't use it often, but I have had to buy some cheaper headphones for when I do need it.
 
victorvictoria said:
Being a devotee (and retired employee) of all things Apple Inc., I went to our local department store (ABT Appliances), which is an Apple Authorized reseller. After trying them on, I left their Apple Store, and checked out the competition, both Bose and Sony. I wound up with the Sony WH1000-XM4 headphones. They were much lighter, had WAY better ANC, easy to use app, had an audio jack and cable with additional airplane adapter, USB-C, and fold flat to fit in a small included case. The fact that they were selling for $249.95, well, that mattered too.
Click to expand...
I have a LOT of headphones of various styles and categories. My XM4 headphones are at the top of my list. Those get used more than any other. They check off all the boxes, and even connect easily to all my Apple and non-Apple products.
 
  • Like
Reactions: victorvictoria
Royksöpp said:
Aside from the Bra Case, Apple nailed it on the first try. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but for the love of Job’s please give us a proper case!

View attachment 2349359
Click to expand...
The Bra or Butt case which ever you think it looks more like, is infamous against marketplace criticism. Rather than protecting the pricy $549 AirPod Max it allows the headband to be totally exposed. Apple should have within the first year replaced it. Please note it is currently discounted at $449 on Amazon, but Apple continues to sell it at list.

As for alternatives:
The new Beats Studio Pro is a way less expensive solution at $349 list, $229.95 on Amazon. Then we have the fact that Apple owns Beats yet still has the products buried into accessories. The latest popular Sony WH-1000XM5 is selling only $328 on Amazon. Probably the nicest looking/performing AAC headset IMHO is the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e selling for only $319 on Amazon. Either way you look at there are three strong sellers that readily compete against the AirPods Max all with better cases that protect your investment.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
  • Like
Reactions: decypher44
lcs101 said:
Love my Bose 700s. Only thing is they no longer work plugged in (well, only one speaker works). It's not the end of the world, as I don't use it often, but I have had to buy some cheaper headphones for when I do need it.
Click to expand...

I absolutely hated mine except for the qualities I noted. Typical “no highs no lows” sound, wonky touch controls, glitchy BT, lousy app. When I was thinking about returning them, they bricked themselves during a FW update, sealing the deal.

In an ideal world, I would have:

Bose 700 design, construction, ANC
Apple sound, controls, connectivity, ecosystem
Jabra 85h case and accessories
Beats Studio Pro pricing
 
Power off/on button and a real case are a must. A black/silver color matching the color scheme of the black/silver Mac accessories would be nice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr. Rod
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back