Mine are collecting dust. The improvement in sound quality in AirPods Pro from v1 to v2 was substantial. My AirPods Pro 2 are always in my pocket, so they are my headphones of choice.
Bose sounds like ass to me. I’ve never liked their stuff. I consider them the dell of audio: popular because a lot of commercials.And still get bested by Sony and Bose in every way (except build quality). I am amazed people still buy these for such a premium over the better offerings. Really shows the power of the Apple brand (and sheepiness).
I can however defend them based on subjective reasons. Like how I love them despite it all.No economically savvy person would buy these things—they are objectively not worth their asking price. This was the sentiment four years ago. Today, buying them is downright irrational. People like to argue that price and value are relative, but most would agree that the Mac Pro with Apple silicon is a bad value. The same goes for the Studio Display and Vision Pro. Sometimes a product can’t be defended.
Year and a half of use but don’t recognize any of your gripes. I use them at home and put them on the charger at night. Don’t use the case. Wear them sometimes for over 8 hours on a day, never any comfort issues.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.
Exactly my sentiments (except I don't know how they sound since I've never tried them). I do say they are way too big and bulky looking and meanwhile other companies have been able to design headphones that fold in a much more compact and nice way (plus a good carrying case).I’m not a fan of the look of these. They sound amazing…but are far too big and bulbous.
I’ve got the AirPod Max and really like them. Despite being a larger guy they fit well and I’ve found them comfortable for extended use.No economically savvy person would buy these things—they are objectively not worth their asking price. This was the sentiment four years ago. Today, buying them is downright irrational. People like to argue that price and value are relative, but most would agree that the Mac Pro with Apple silicon is a bad value. The same goes for the Studio Display and Vision Pro. Sometimes a product can’t be defended.
That’s also my take:
Why not do what they did to AirPods Pro by essentially not touching the exterior design and components but just update the internals and call it a day?
The USB-C “refresh” was clearly just so they don’t get fined in the EU in 2025.
But why they couldn’t have a Gen. 2 update ready after 4 years is beyond me.
The wireless radios and the H2 chip are very inexpensive and “low-end” compared to Apple’s M4 and A18 chips.
I have to assume sales figures are still just too good to do anything more with AirPods Max? Or too low?
Seeing how even the standard AirPods are Gen. 4 and have the H2 chip, it’s kinda absurd that anyone would consider getting four-year-old AirPods Max now.
Odd how Apple will sleep on hit products that buyers have been lining up to spend $549 on if they just do a genuine refresh.
I can’t figure out why investors accept Apple snoozing on this opportunity.
Does Gurman have an explanation for why Apple does this?
You have made an excellent argument for a 2nd situation for me to use mine in. Sleeping. Great ANC, I won't feel the weight with my head on my pillow, and I don't care about sound clarity while I'm sleeping. So, mowing the lawn and sleeping. Oh, and they can probably function as a make-shift weapon while in their case.I bought mine right when they were released and they are so comfortable I can sleep in them. I love the case which is minimal & quick to use. If the batteries eventually run down I’ll happily replace the Max with USB C ones. I don’t need upgraded internals as the sound & noise isolation is fantastic. YMMV, but I love mine. 👍🏻
The magic mouse of headphonessee you in another four. Apparently this product is the lowest of priorities for Apple.
Products that launched before the law coming into effect can continue to be manufactured and sold without USB C, they could have continued to make and sell AirPods Max gen1 without falling foul of it.The USB-C “refresh” was clearly just so they don’t get fined in the EU in 2025.
It depends what the value is to you.No economically savvy person would buy these things—they are objectively not worth their asking price. This was the sentiment four years ago. Today, buying them is downright irrational. People like to argue that price and value are relative, but most would agree that the Mac Pro with Apple silicon is a bad value. The same goes for the Studio Display and Vision Pro. Sometimes a product can’t be defended.
Replacing the H1 chip with the current H2 chip or a future H3 chip would improve sound quality and ANC.What should they update the chip for? I don’t even know what chip is inside and what features it doesn’t support, probably precision finding Find My support? Apart from that they should update the case and the price I guess, maybe repairability for battery service.