You can replace the ear pads, and you should. People typically don’t wear shoes for 4 years, and smell is just one of the reasons. Our ears and head and neck sweat, and it create odors and dirt, dead skin cells, and other debris that can be cleaned over and over - up to a point. I’m more frustrated that the headband wears out so quickly. If they had gone for a leather strap or some other different design, the headband could have lasted years. If you use these for 2 hours a night, for 100 days, they are done and need replacement, or the top of my head feels like
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AirPods Max Announced Four Years Ago Today
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I mean, if someone has the means/funds and personally finds value in said product then so be it lol. Mac Pro and Vision Pro are very expensive to me. I have no need for either, but I can see why people buy them.
I love the APM and got them as soon as they came out. it's all subjective. if someone is choosing between feeding their family and buying these headphones then that's an issue... but I don't see how buying these is irrational whether today or back then especially considering you can easily get them for $100+ off.
I am looking forward to version 2 though.
I’m not sure what you mean by full integration. Apple headphones support additional features, but none of them really seem exclusive to apple, just under a different name. Audeze Mobius, for example, support headphone surround, and allow for positional tracking too. Plenty of headphones support better audio codecs. Many Bluetooth headphones support multipoint device connections. Many of them also support gestures, tapping, changing audio modes, etc.
To your second point, the only people who don’t put economical considerations first are those wealthy enough to not worry about cost. When shopping for a vehicle, do you pick out all the features you want first and look at the cost last? What if it isn’t in your budget?
I put this in the same category as the HomePod. People who really care about sound quality will buy something better and people who don’t will buy something cheaper.
And Sennheiser. Their ANC might not be quite as good but sound quality is.
You get APM’s because you want
(a) relatively premium sound quality and noise cancellation,
(b) in an over-the-ear form factor,
(c) with the most seamless integration/ audio switching between Apple devices, and
(d) you don’t intend to use them at the gym; or
(Optionally, e) you want them as more of a status symbol.
For me it’s the seamless audio switching between Apple devices that pushes these over the top.
Meh, the Bose QC Ultra surpassed Apple at a lower price point.
Even Bose their Spatial Audio is better than Apple their own.
At launch, the APM were good as they had no competition.
Nowadays, you have the Bose QC Ultra which is Bose their APM version (they even have build a superior Spatial Audio).
I've had these for a couple of years now and never use them, they just aren't comfortable for a big head person like myself. It makes me miss my Bose QuietComfort from like 10 years ago (the silver ones that came in a big case with the airplane adapter), those were super comfortable.
I really want a big pair of headphones that can fit over my ear, be made of a material that's OK if I wear glasses, sounds great and doesn't feel like it squishing my head after wearing them for less than an hour.
I really want a big pair of headphones that can fit over my ear, be made of a material that's OK if I wear glasses, sounds great and doesn't feel like it squishing my head after wearing them for less than an hour.
Try the Bose QC Ultra. It is Bose their answer to the APM.
It doesn’t have the same clamping force as the APM (which was also my biggest problem of the APM).
I’ve got Bose and Bowers & Wilkins headphones, but much prefer these in terms of build quality, comfort and audio.
But I guess as in all things it’s personal preference.
AirPods Max user since day 1, and they're probably the worst "premium" headphones I've ever owned due to:
• No on/off switch, so they're often dead when going to use them after neglecting to put them inside the joke of a case.
• Seriously, that "case" is a joke.
• Ridiculously heavy and uncomfortable after an hour or so of use.
• Head band is flimsy and degrades to be completely useless after a few weeks of regular use.
• Ear cups detach too easily and don't retain cushion buffer.
I don't understand how anyone can praise the AirPods Max in 2024, especially at $550+tax.
• No on/off switch, so they're often dead when going to use them after neglecting to put them inside the joke of a case.
• Seriously, that "case" is a joke.
• Ridiculously heavy and uncomfortable after an hour or so of use.
• Head band is flimsy and degrades to be completely useless after a few weeks of regular use.
• Ear cups detach too easily and don't retain cushion buffer.
I don't understand how anyone can praise the AirPods Max in 2024, especially at $550+tax.
It's interesting that after 4 years the AMP can still hold their own against the competition. If you are in the Apple ecosystem, get them on sale for 399 or less, get AppleCare and call it a day.
When they first came out they destroyed the completion, 4 years later you can see it in post here, if you want X feature, get X headphone, if you Y feature get Y headphone, its all about compromises, not headphone XZY is the best or wow headphone XZY is the one to get.
When they first came out they destroyed the completion, 4 years later you can see it in post here, if you want X feature, get X headphone, if you Y feature get Y headphone, its all about compromises, not headphone XZY is the best or wow headphone XZY is the one to get.
In my opinion, the AirPods Max are the company’s most out of touch with reality product in the current offering. They’re a beautiful sight but the weight creates a lot of discomfort for those wearing it. It reminds me of the Ive days of an overemphasis on design over practical consumer needs. Additionally, there’s a real lack of features and a disparity with AirPods or other over ear headphones. Like the HomePod, I don’t understand Apple’s approach here. It’s not very common for them to be so noncommittal to a product. Either do it right or don’t do it all.
The Bose QC Ultra does everything the APM does, but better:
- superior Spatial Audio
- superior battery life
- superior portability (it can actually fold and has a case)
- much bigger soundstage
- has an EQ (if you don’t like the bass, you can remove the bass and it becomes a neutral sounding headphone)
- more comfortable
- superior ANC
- cheaper
….
Oh look… an opinion stated as fact; complete with insults!
Audio preference is so subjective. My best friend has the Sony WH1000XM4 and swears by them. I like the Sony’s but prefer the sound from the AirPods Max. If you want to complain about the price… sure. I’m not sure where you’re located, but I consistently see these on sale for $400-450.
I know they have some shortcomings. I think they are heavy. There are some advantages too. But to come in here and act like people are sheep or ignorant for buying them is ridiculous. And maybe not for you but for some people dropping $100 extra on something you prefer is nothing.
I know they have some shortcomings. I think they are heavy. There are some advantages too. But to come in here and act like people are sheep or ignorant for buying them is ridiculous. And maybe not for you but for some people dropping $100 extra on something you prefer is nothing.
I tried them but didn’t like them. They feel cheap compared to AirPods Max. I like the sound of the AirPods better and I think Bose’s Spatial Audio sounds way too artificial.
I wouldn’t say it’s out of touch, considering how many of them (and how many knockoffs) can be seen in the streets. However, I do agree that the HomePod is not a big hit, basically because it seems like it’s not a “better enough” product to create an almost non-existing high end smart speaker market. People look for cheap smart speakers, and the HomePod doesn’t convince them to pay more. But once again, the APM seems like a big success.
I like my AirPods Max. I read that Apple is reluctant to properly update them due to low sales volume. Apple is one of the richest companies on earth. It can easily afford to do the bare minimum and at least keep the wireless chip current with its other headphone offerings.
I love competition, so the more the better. After 3 years I would hope someone can top the APM but you did conveniently leave transparency mode and ease of integration with Apple products, this is an Apple forum after all. If I used an android phone, I personally wouldn't be looking at Apple products.
A comparison of a 3 year gap in technological innovations, the APM still hold their own kinda says it all. Personally sound quality and noise cancellation should be the main priorities on wireless headphones but everyone has different priorities. Can't wait to see what Bower and Wilkins come out with and to try the H100 from Bang and Olfsen. On the non apple side, I think most are waiting to see what those new lossless Qualcomm bluetooth chips bring to the table in new headphones. Competition is good and always welcomed.
I have actually seen more Sony and Bose around than Apple. There are a few, but together may be 5 - 1 if not 10 - 1 compared against Sony and Bose.
So I was actually surprised that people just didn't buy Apple as a brand without caring about the overall quality. AirPod on the other hand is far more popular.