AirPods Max aren't very comfortable

[haruhiko]

Its really irritating that all of the "reviewers" are afraid to mention this. I'm getting sick of companies sending products to YouTubers for free so that the "reviewers" can gush over the product without being the slightest bit objective. The weight of these is and should be an immediately complaint.

I think all those YouTubers who have exclusive access to pre-release hardware should be tagged with a big red-flag. They can't be 100% unbiased in nature. Usually I just focused on the product's look itself and skip everything they say. Unfortunately these people also have a large follower counts so any public criticism to them will attract massive personal attacks. This is a sad time we are living in.

 

[haruhiko]

....... most Tech companies do this and use YouTube as part of their ‘marketing’ ...... I know it’s not for everyone but Apple do at least allow the ultimate review for 14 days by the end user assuming the user is prepared to part with the cost temporarily.

Apple doesn't allow 14-day return here in my country.

 

[haruhiko]

And? MKBHD has no problem publishing smartphone camera reviews that don’t show iPhone as the best. I fully expect he’ll be honest in his full AirPods Max review. iJustine I have no comment on other than to say from day one I asked why she got a review unit. I don’t care how popular she is on YouTube I would never look to her for advice on whether to buy a pair of $550 headphones.

Because his "customers" are not Apple only. The best strategy is to slightly criticise each and every one in turn but not in a way that is too harsh like "Don't f-king buy it, this is trash", but more like "Well, this thing is good, if you have the money, definitely buy it, but keep in mind that there is such a minor minor issue that you will be okay to live with etc.". This is the best strategy to make sure that you can have another exclusive product to review. Uh.. and to sound unbiased to the viewer base.

YouTubers without exclusive access to Apple and other big brand products are usually much more trustworthy and I enjoy watching their videos much more. They get the product when we get it, they use it just like how we use it, with no problem of (even heavily) criticising the product.

 

[LongWayHome]

Curious: if you were to bend over to tie your shoe, would they be at risk of falling off?

I have some very heavy audiophile grade headphones, and no way I could wear a headphone that heavy out in public.

I just tried this and no, they won't fall off but you can definitely feel them pulling your head down.

 

[LongWayHome]

You are describing exactly the experience that I had. The sound amazing but they are absurdly heavy. An absolute shame because the ANC is so good that you could go for a walk in the middle of a busy city without hearing anything.

Yeah....and I really hate it. I love the sound and ANC but I am not going to pretend that I love those two things enough to ignore the discomfort I get when wearing them.

 

[LongWayHome]

I was thinking of getting these for when I’m out and about walking and on the bus. After hearing this I’m not so sure if they are strictly an at home headphones only.

In my opinion these are not good for walking in. You can definitely feel them when you are taking steps and its a really weird feeling at least for me when I feel them moving up and down on my head due to the weight.

 

[cinder]

Second full day with them - again, head is from the tightness/weight. Maybe I'll adjust?
I'm leaning toward returning them as for $550, I should LOVE them and not, uh . . . feel the weight of my purchase, as it were.

I think also I am very used to open headphones while these are practically suction cups on my head

 

[ILowry82]

That's subjective. I own Bose 700 and the AirPods Max. I find the AP Max to be FAR more comfortable. I can wear them all day. All that means is to me they are more comfortable. People should take these opinions with a grain of salt until they can test for themselves.

 

[macnmac]

And you think they produced them in large enough quantity, lol

and you think this helps your argument? lol

 

[Beau10]

Second full day with them - again, head is from the tightness/weight. Maybe I'll adjust?
I'm leaning toward returning them as for $550, I should LOVE them and not, uh . . . feel the weight of my purchase, as it were.

I think also I am very used to open headphones while these are practically suction cups on my head

One thing I suggest is playing around with the length of the arms. Just a couple tenths of an inch difference can change the overall balance of how they sit on your head. For me, I can tell they're just right when the clamping pressure at the bottom is even with the top.

I'm a fairly small person and wearing them on my 3rd day now, they feel dramatically more comfortable than they did on the 1st day where I used them about 3-4 hours and took regular breaks. I don't know if it's due to getting used to them, really dialing in how they sit, or just developing new neck muscles lol.

 

[doboy]

and you think this helps your argument? lol

It does cause it'll likely be manufactured in larger quantities soon. Lol

 

[macnmac]

It does cause it'll likely be manufactured in larger quantities soon. Lol

TIL: increase production = going on sale

 

[G5isAlive]

You know how to check the web. Its been reported through several tests that the AirPods Max don't go into ultra low power mode until the 2 hour mark if they aren't put into the case.

so much for your sources. looks like I was right all along. apology accepted.

Apple Clarifies Power-Saving Modes of AirPods Max When Not in Use

When Apple unveiled AirPods Max last week, it revealed that they don't come with an on/off power button, but instead enter an "ultralow" power mode when inserted into the included Smart Case. That left a lot of questions about what happens to battery life when they're left out of the Smart Case...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[LongWayHome]

so much for your sources. looks like I was right all along. apology accepted.

Apple Clarifies Power-Saving Modes of AirPods Max When Not in Use

When Apple unveiled AirPods Max last week, it revealed that they don't come with an on/off power button, but instead enter an "ultralow" power mode when inserted into the included Smart Case. That left a lot of questions about what happens to battery life when they're left out of the Smart Case...

forums.macrumors.com

HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA. You literally couldn't have been any wronger. As I have clearly stated which you bafflingly chose to quote, they don't go into ultra low power mode immediately unless you put them in the case. Apple has now claimed they go into low power mode (which does sip battery) FOR 3 DAYS until going into ULTRA LOW POWER MODE.

Apology accepted, thank you and Happy Holidays.


Edit: Good call on your part, I clearly can't read. Although I still do say that Apple should have let us know at the release what happens out of their case instead of calling their case "smart," which it clearly isn't because it doesn't really do anything.

 

[Beau10]

HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA. You literally couldn't have been any wronger. As I have clearly stated which you bafflingly chose to quote, they don't go into ultra low power mode immediately unless you put them in the case. Apple has now claimed they go into low power mode (which does sip battery) FOR 3 DAYS until going into ULTRA LOW POWER MODE.

Apology accepted, thank you and Happy Holidays.

From the article: "but the "ultralow" power mode doesn't actually kick in until after 18 hours in the Smart Case."

At the end of the day, it doesn't seem there is much advantage to using the case except for longer-term storage. It kicks into low power mode immediately inside the case, but 5 minutes outside of the case. And then 18 hours vs. 72 for ultra-low power mode.

 

[cardfan]

cant even keep them in stock at full MSRP... claims will be on sale in 6 months lol



interesting... you dont own them do you...?

Was the same with first airpods. Xmas release. Scalpers grabbed em up to resale. This time its covid wreaking havok with apple's ability to mass produce these but more likely done intentionally. Initial demand took the meager limited supply. Scalpers took over once the ship dates got pushed out. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/scarcity-principle.asp

Consumers place a higher value on goods that are scarce than on goods that are abundant. Psychologists note that when a good or service is perceived to be scarce, people want it more.

We see this all over the forums. People think they've missed out. They're scrambling to find these in stock. Suckers born every day.

 

[Beau10]

This time its covid wreaking havok with apple's ability to mass produce these but more likely done intentionally

Maybe, maybe not. Keep in mind this product had a somewhat troubled development cycle and Apple may have rushed things to get something out during the Holiday season. That they were still reportedly tweaking things over the summer means there wouldn't have been much time to ramp up production.

 

[LongWayHome]

From the article: "but the "ultralow" power mode doesn't actually kick in until after 18 hours in the Smart Case."

At the end of the day, it doesn't seem there is much advantage to using the case except for longer-term storage. It kicks into low power mode immediately inside the case, but 5 minutes outside of the case. And then 18 hours vs. 72 for ultra-low power mode.

Hahaha dude you're killing me, thought I had that won. Good call though, edited my original smart*** response.

 

[adrianlondon]

From the article: "but the "ultralow" power mode doesn't actually kick in until after 18 hours in the Smart Case."

At the end of the day, it doesn't seem there is much advantage to using the case except for longer-term storage. It kicks into low power mode immediately inside the case, but 5 minutes outside of the case. And then 18 hours vs. 72 for ultra-low power mode.

The difference is that if they're not in the case, the headphones only go into low power mode if you don't move the headphones for 5 minutes. So not for carrying or putting in a bag, or even picking them up to admire them

 

[Beau10]

The difference is that if they're not in the case, the headphones only go into low power mode if you don't move the headphones for 5 minutes. So not for carrying or putting in a bag, or even picking them up to admire them

Oh... in that case, yes, the case would be important lol. So the distinction is not being on/off head, it's literal movement.

 

[danielboone22]

Weight is definitely a big issue for me. I think I have a big head and thought that would help but it's definitely uncomfortable after a longer session.

The case is god awful and unintuitive.

Also is anyone else having an issue with hearing your own heartbeat / body with ANC on? it's quite weird and a huge uncomfortable factor I haven't seen people discuss.

 

[huffy15]

I’m returning them. My jaw bones start hurting so bad. I didn’t even know that could be a thing. I wore them for like 5 minutes and 30 min later I still feel them. The pads are digging right under my ear.

First headphones that does that

 

[richard371]

I’m returning them. My jaw bones start hurting so bad. I didn’t even know that could be a thing. I wore them for like 5 minutes and 30 min later I still feel them. The pads are digging right under my ear.

First headphones that does that

Get the MX4s you won't regret them.

 

[huffy15]

I got the bose 700 and they feel quite good. I always try to get the best noise canceling possible

 

[Aboo]

Tried the AirPods Max out on a flight today. Definitely hurting the parietal areas of my skull (sides of my head) with prolonged use. Don't know if its from the weight or what. Going to give them a few days and see if I can break them in. If this persists, they are definitely going back.