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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.
I have both, and find the Max a ton more comfortable after an hour or so. And then there's the battery life issue. No way would my AirPods Pro make it through a full US coast-to-coast flight on one charge.
 
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Been using my AirPods Max since they launched and they've been amazing. If v2 offers Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness, I'd probably put it on my list and buy it when it goes on sale. For me the power switch issue registers about a 3/10 on how much I actually care, and USB-C is about a 1/10. And I'm one weirdo who actually likes the skimpy case it comes with because it protects what needs to be protected without cannibalizing half my backpack.

For what it's worth, you can barely walk down one block in Manhattan without seeing someone wearing AirPods Max, so they're definitely selling to people in a young, style-forward demographic.
 
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.
I find it hard to believe that Apple would be that cheap and not upgrade to at least the H2. They could also upgrade the case, but maybe that’s asking for too much?
 
Are they gonna ditch the stainless steel for titanium in these? Would make them much lighter.
They definitely could use a weight reduction and Apple should know when it comes to comfort while wearing headphones for several hours on a plane, weight matters. Bose and Sony know it. For someone wearing it on and off on the streets of Manhattan, weight doesn’t matter much.
 
I’m a self proclaimed Apple fan boy, and have an AirPods Pro Max. The ONE thing that they need to address is weight. I’m 6’5” and a big dude, and I still find this thing so uncomfortable and heavy. Love my AirPods Pro earbuds, but ended up also getting a pair of the Bose for times I need over the ear noise cancellation and the comfort is night and day. So much lighter. Apple isn’t prioritizing weight and comfort for their wearable devices, like the AirPods Pro Max and Vision Pro enough, imho.
 
I’m a self proclaimed Apple fan boy, and have an AirPods Pro Max. The ONE thing that they need to address is weight. I’m 6’5” and a big dude, and I still find this thing so uncomfortable and heavy. Love my AirPods Pro earbuds, but ended up also getting a pair of the Bose for times I need over the ear noise cancellation and the comfort is night and day. So much lighter. Apple isn’t prioritizing weight and comfort for their wearable devices, like the AirPods Pro Max and Vision Pro enough, imho.
The weight drove me nuts for the first few months. That and the clamping force, which I imagine is very strong to keep all that weight in place.

Somewhere along the line, I just got used to it and now I don't notice the weight or clamping force really at all. That might have more to do with me than the headphones, though, and I agree a bit less weight would be nice -- so long as they don't sacrifice build quality to get there.
 
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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.
More or less. I don't have the metrics, but my ears told me the Sony's were noticealby superior to the AirPods. The Sonys do support two-channel fast switching. I use it on both of our Apple TVs, and there's no user interaction required. Totally automatic switching. Works the same way with any two Bluetooth devices. Also, there are numerous Amazon Prime deals out there for $267 and up. Mine were on sale for $249.95, and included a backup battery pack, too!

I will admit, the AirPods Max are easier to pair and set up, but neither is really that difficult.
 
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.
I completely agree. I had bought the AirPods Max when they first came out and loved them, then the AirPods Pro second generation came out and I haven't touched the Max since. The Max do sound a bit better, but the Pros sound plenty good enough for most cases, and considering how much more comfortable they are to wear for long periods of time, how easy it is to fall asleep wearing them on a plane, and the fact that they take up almost zero space in your bag, it's almost impossible to justify lugging around the Max anywhere.
 
My current roster includes the stunning B&O H95 for home, BOSE Ultras (replacing my QC45) for work/flights, and the nearest I get to an Apple product in this category (they were a customer service freebie for a bodged order) transparent Studio Buds+ for the gym/outdoor activities.

Never been remotely tempted by the AirPods Max and a 1.1 version after 4 years, isn't going to change my mind. You fail to move forward, you get left behind.
 
Oh and Bang & Olufsen have really out-Apple'd Apple with the H95 case. A solid chunk of anodised silver aluminium, with very subtle logo and exquisite internal mouldings. Still has that "new tech" smell after a year.
 
sold my pair over a year ago thinking an update was coming...been quite impressed with the modifications in the APP, so hopefully even small changes will be noticeable.
 
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.

My Bose that must be at least ten years old now are still way better. Aux in for actual lossless, the noise cancelation is better.

But only for travel would I use them anymore, or when sound quality really matters. I keep my AirPods Pro in my pocket all day every day and pop them in frequently, and for that kind of convenience they are incredible. Second gen way better than first gen. The automatic device switching actually works on second gen and it’s amazing using them while switching devices, I love that whatever I’m looking at is what I’m hearing without thinking about it.

To me the AirPods Max is a ridiculous product because of weight and price but if those things came down I would consider them. And for $500 they can add an aux port.
 
"When"

As if a new version of them is an inevitability. Apple has no problem letting failed products die on the vine.

Yes they need a USB-C port, but they also need a price reduction of about $200 to come down to reality.
 
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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.

They could also try making them sound good ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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