I have this issue with certain ANC headphones as well. Some worse than others. The worst for me that I couldn't tolerate were the Dali iO-6. The AirPods Max are mild for me when it comes to this and doesn't bother me. Flossy Carter mentioned it in his review as well but didn't seem to mind. If it's too bad for you and you have to return them, try the Sony 1000XM4 or Shure Aonic 50. Neither of those give off that effect for me. It's definitely a weird feeling. The only thing I can think of is that it has something to do with the way the headphones fit your head. It's pressing on a vein or something that amplifies your heartbeat within the headphone. I could be wrong but that's all I could think of. It doesn't happen with every ANC headphone for me and it doesn't seem to have to do with the strength of the ANC. The Dali iO-6 has one of the weakest ANC implementations of all ANC headphones I've tried.
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AirPods Max aren't very comfortable
- Thread starter LongWayHome
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Hm. I'm wondering if one will acclimate to the feeling of wearing these over time. I've had a similar issue with my AirPods Pro, they hurt my ears the first 2 days or so after I bought them, and now I don't feel a thing. I would like a nice pair of over the head headphones, ideally with either the H1/W1 chip, but I don't really know if I can justify spending nearly 600 on headphones. I'll wait for a long term review before I make my decision.
I don't think that's likely. More likely is that one works out the most comfortable position (by slightly extending or retracting the arms). They may also loosen up a bit, which can be accelerated by putting them over a wide object (pile of books?) overnight. However, this will then transfer the weight from the side of the head to the top.
These headphones are heavy, and there's no getting away from that, but the weight can probably be re-positioned slightly to make them more comfy for some people. Others will find them already very comfortable, while others simply won't be able to wear them for more than a few minutes. Same with all headphones I suppose, but at least with these there's a very simply returns policy (in most countries).
I've wondered the same thing but I don't think I will. I also don't think its somethng I should try to "get used to" when they are so expensive. I can put other headphones on and not hear my heartbeat in them and also not feel pressure after an hour or so of wearing them. They improved slightly over the last few days but I can't accept them to being anything but the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn due to the price of them.
I've been trying them for a day and I've found my ears get hot and itchy compaed to the leather pads on Bose QC15. I press the buttons by accident when I take them off. When I press the button to cycle through off/NC/TM or by accident I've got no idea what mode I'm in from the different chimes and have to snap my fingers or click my mouse button to see if I can hear it. I find leaning my chin on my hand when my elbow is on my chair arm helps with the weight. Leaning your head forward feels like you have a heavy helmet on and is actually takes effort to tilt head back up to straight. Bluetooth crackle is extremely annoying and changing the app playing the audio on iOS seems to cause serious problems in the audio stream. Enable the mic and the audio quality goes out the window can't believe Apple have been unable to address that problem with Bluetooth headset profile. Spatial audio in the TV app on iOS is a gimmick. Transparency mode is excellent, you can hear better than through your plain ears its like superman hearing.
One more vote for "these are just too heavy and uncomfortable." Mine are already packed back up in the box to go back. Kind of disappointing, because I was really looking forward to them. I'm hoping there's a sports model released soon that addresses the weight and comfort issue.
The good old FOMO effect. The thing is, the scalper effect is going to die down fast as ebay prices have plummeted rather quickly. Many are now going for $600ish and you can’t make a profit after fees. Shows much smaller demand than crazy hard to get items like PS5 or even AirPods Pro when they were first released which kept a higher value than Msrp on ebay for awhile.
I've had a pair since launch day and I was in exactly the same boat as you. The comfort definitely gets better after around 10 hours of use. I've had them on for a couple of hours now and while you do notice that they're on it's not a problem anymore.
In the first few hours I kept going back to my Sony XM3's and they felt so comfortable in comparison. The sound of the APM's kept drawing me back though and now I've sold the Sony's.
The APM's are sounding better (maybe due to run in?) and feeling more comfortable each day.
Stick with it!
I've had these for a few days now, but only use them during computer work hours (home office). They're definitely heavier but not uncomfortable. I have a big head and the mesh on top does a surprisingly good job at absorbing the pressure. They do press quite a bit on the sides of the head (big head doesn't help 
) but not uncomfortably so and it's getting better almost by the hour (I'd day in 4 days I've worn them for a total of 6 hours). They are expensive, but the noise cancellation and sound are better than the Sony XM3's (I own those too).
What I still haven't figured out is if Spotify or Apple Music sounds better on these (or in general really). I've set Spotify to max quality on streaming and download, but it seems like some songs just have more "oomph" on Apple Music (hard to describe but the music is just more enjoyable). Then I found some songs which sound on-par on Spotify... so it's not super clear to me which service does a better job. For desktop interface Spotify's app is definitely superior and snappier.
To me the Airpods Max are more of stationary headphones, like at-home, sitting mostly, type of headphones. This is also a bit related to their weight, since they move a little bit and you can feel the heft when moving your head (like walking around). I'll keep them.
) but not uncomfortably so and it's getting better almost by the hour (I'd day in 4 days I've worn them for a total of 6 hours). They are expensive, but the noise cancellation and sound are better than the Sony XM3's (I own those too).What I still haven't figured out is if Spotify or Apple Music sounds better on these (or in general really). I've set Spotify to max quality on streaming and download, but it seems like some songs just have more "oomph" on Apple Music (hard to describe but the music is just more enjoyable). Then I found some songs which sound on-par on Spotify... so it's not super clear to me which service does a better job. For desktop interface Spotify's app is definitely superior and snappier.
To me the Airpods Max are more of stationary headphones, like at-home, sitting mostly, type of headphones. This is also a bit related to their weight, since they move a little bit and you can feel the heft when moving your head (like walking around). I'll keep them.
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Adding from my own experience using these will a particularly large head (7-8 in hats).
These things definitely have a break in period, and I found that stretching the headphones out helped immensely with comfort. They are getting more and more comfortable with each passing day.
If you're finding them uncomfortable out of the box, stretch them out and stick with it for a few days before returning.
These things definitely have a break in period, and I found that stretching the headphones out helped immensely with comfort. They are getting more and more comfortable with each passing day.
If you're finding them uncomfortable out of the box, stretch them out and stick with it for a few days before returning.
I got mine today and have worn them for a couple of hours. I will be returning them eventually for a comfort reason not listed here (unless I missed it). Apparently I have a pointy head, and the headband bottoms out on the steel supports on my head. Played around with adjusting the earcups, but nothing made a difference. Pretty sure it would be very uncomfortable after 4 hours. 2 hours was OK.
Other first thoughts are that the sound is fine, but does not play loud enough (and I'm not a rocker). Left sound up all the way on most selections I tried, from popular to classical.
Noise reduction is impressive. Still not sure of the use case of that for me, but I did try it driving and maybe... (not sure if legal though).
Spatial audio? Well, I tried it on Netflix and Disney+ via my iPhone Mini and it works. But not a big deal for me, even if it worked on say my MacBook (I don't watch videos on my iPhone). In fact, I mostly don't like it and it triggered memories of disliking it in theatres too other than specific scenes that work well. For example, the Ride of the Valkyries scene in Apocalypse Now helicopters flying overhead. Kind of like 3D in that directors have a hard time using restraint and playing to strengths.
Transparency? You have to turn the music off to hear others clearly first.
The music does sound the same in all modes, however switching does reduce volume - I want to say about 5db - for a second before coming back up. Haven't seen that mentioned before. There is also a beep changing modes, but you don't know what mode you are in without either testing it (by saying something) or by looking at your phone. A different tone for each mode would be more user friendly.
The convenience of switching devices didn't happen to me as I was comparing how movies sounded on my Mac versus spatial on my iPhone. Apparently that requires the very latest MacOS, which I'm not about to do - will break costly software.
I think I will likely end up with Airpods Pro as the APMs have no benefits for me really. APP will be a huge step up from my wired buds - I've resisted so far as I gather lifespan is only around 2 years. Not returning the APM for a few weeks - I have AKG K361BTs coming and want to compare. No ANC, no spatial, fine with me.
Other first thoughts are that the sound is fine, but does not play loud enough (and I'm not a rocker). Left sound up all the way on most selections I tried, from popular to classical.
Noise reduction is impressive. Still not sure of the use case of that for me, but I did try it driving and maybe... (not sure if legal though).
Spatial audio? Well, I tried it on Netflix and Disney+ via my iPhone Mini and it works. But not a big deal for me, even if it worked on say my MacBook (I don't watch videos on my iPhone). In fact, I mostly don't like it and it triggered memories of disliking it in theatres too other than specific scenes that work well. For example, the Ride of the Valkyries scene in Apocalypse Now helicopters flying overhead. Kind of like 3D in that directors have a hard time using restraint and playing to strengths.
Transparency? You have to turn the music off to hear others clearly first.
The music does sound the same in all modes, however switching does reduce volume - I want to say about 5db - for a second before coming back up. Haven't seen that mentioned before. There is also a beep changing modes, but you don't know what mode you are in without either testing it (by saying something) or by looking at your phone. A different tone for each mode would be more user friendly.
The convenience of switching devices didn't happen to me as I was comparing how movies sounded on my Mac versus spatial on my iPhone. Apparently that requires the very latest MacOS, which I'm not about to do - will break costly software.
I think I will likely end up with Airpods Pro as the APMs have no benefits for me really. APP will be a huge step up from my wired buds - I've resisted so far as I gather lifespan is only around 2 years. Not returning the APM for a few weeks - I have AKG K361BTs coming and want to compare. No ANC, no spatial, fine with me.
Right now the Razor Opus beats everything bang for buck. They are currently $149 at Amazon. Run, don’t walk. And yes, I have tried many pairs of wireless ANC headphones. These cannot be beaten for the price. And they sound dang good and are very comfortable.
I tried so hard to make these work, but they are not comfortable with or without glasses (Painfully tight on my weirdly shaped ears). They’re going back on Monday. ?
Shame I love, love, love the sound and ANC.
Shame I love, love, love the sound and ANC.
This Youtube moron has trouble keeping it on his head, while "bobbing my head a little bit"
Sadly I will be returning mine because they’re too heavy. I get a sore neck after a few hours.
Secondary issues due to the weight are the clamping force is uneven and concentrated near my temples, which is also uncomfortable. This uneven clamping causes the earpads to be fully compressed near my temples, decreasing the effective depth of the earcups. That causes the tips of my ears to slightly touch the fabric inside, which is uncomfortable when my ears get warm.
Also the case is dumb and I’m a bit worried about the headband fabric durability.
Shame, because they sound absolutely fantastic.
Just make them out of high quality lightweight plastic, and mount the earcups in the middle (not at the top) like every other pair of headphones. They’ll fly off the shelves. I’d buy them in a heartbeat.
Secondary issues due to the weight are the clamping force is uneven and concentrated near my temples, which is also uncomfortable. This uneven clamping causes the earpads to be fully compressed near my temples, decreasing the effective depth of the earcups. That causes the tips of my ears to slightly touch the fabric inside, which is uncomfortable when my ears get warm.
Also the case is dumb and I’m a bit worried about the headband fabric durability.
Shame, because they sound absolutely fantastic.
Just make them out of high quality lightweight plastic, and mount the earcups in the middle (not at the top) like every other pair of headphones. They’ll fly off the shelves. I’d buy them in a heartbeat.
I don't own a pair of headphones that would fall off so easily doing that. Let alone 500+ dollar headphones. That's ridiculous.
You can bet that the next version of these will be significantly lighter and more comfortable. The Airpods Max are really just a beta test and I would expect the next version of these to be really great.
Returning mine as well. Weight and just not worth what the cost was. The case is god awful/pointless too. It almost feels like a prank.
Same here. Returned them due to the clamping, ear weight and constant feeling that I’m indeed wearing giant heavy cans. Though they look and sound fantastic it’s just not a practical solution for me for long periods of time. For $550 they need to be damn near perfection and they just aren’t when it comes to the weight/fit.
I still think if apple used a different material on the cups they could lower weight a lot as well as the price and these would still fly off the shelves.....but why do plastic cups at 350 when you can do metal at 550, hahaha!
Just managed to get my pair today and I find them surprisingly comfortable -- not too heavy, nicely adjustable. gorgeous build quality -- I love them! I think fit is a very personal thing, as is weight. I use Audeze el 8 at home as my studio rig and they are way heavier than these. You really notice the weight on big cans like that, but not on these at all. The sound is infinitely better than Bose 700 as is the noise cancelling,. And on my head (7 1/4 hat size) they fit well. Try them before deciding -- give them time. The audio quality is great!
I can confirm that if you stretch the headband a lot separating the ear cups from each other, the comfort improves noticeably. Still heavy tho, you can’t fix that.
Is that a permanent fix, or once you leave them overnight pushed back together in the case, do they go back to how they were before?
Yep the weight was the final deal-breaker for me.
I have another similarly-heavy pair of wired headphones (350 grams, just a bit lighter than the AirPods Max), but they are wired headphones that I only use at home. I have never tried to wear them all day like I do with my Bose noise-cancelling headphones, and like I would want to do with the AirPods Max.
So, I'm sending the AirPods Max back and replacing my old QC25's with a new pair of QC35's instead (which are also €430 cheaper than the AirPods Max).