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Airpods Max "ear-cups noticeably keep hitting on each other"
- Thread starter Tulani
- Start date
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I reckon the bra case (with the magnets that turn it off so you always use it) are Apple’s answer to this. On many headphones the earpads are wider than the case so it’s not an issue, but folded flat these are going to “clack”, chafe and scratch I’m pretty sure. Anyone with a MacBook and a watch can tell you about scratched aluminium. I ordered myself some tiny felt pads. Maybe a discreet one will fix this if it doesn’t block a mic. It doesn’t happen so much when the band is adjusted to a certain height.
BumpGate!
Even gentle bumping, over time, will result in scratches. Many expensive headphones have somewhat adjustable headbands, but these don’t want to budge (or maybe I’m not using enough pressure).
The solution seems to be to adjust the cups to their highest position. No bumping then. Due to differences in head sizes, the bumping may be unavoidable with the design’s lack of collapsible arms.
Attachments
point?
For the price I bet I will be disappointed (starting with the case). There are many good pairs of wireless ANC headphones bang for buck currently.
@LEDOLPH which type of pads have you used? The ones I’m seeing on Amazon are much thicker than the one that appears in your picture.
Did anyone else find a good DIY solution?
For the record -I have not bought these headphones... yet
But I am generally a DIY person. So the following is just my “wild” suggestion.
Scotch Vinyl 35 Electrical Tape, 5 Rolls, Multi-Color Pack, Ideal For Cable Jacket Repair & Electrical Insulation, Premium Vinyl Material For Durability, Indoor & Outdoor Use, High Adhesion (10457DC)
When your reputation is on the line, you use the tools that bring out your best work. Available in multiple fade-resistant colors, Scotch Vinyl Electrical Tape 35 helps you keep things color coded and organized on the job. Stretchy construction conforms to almost any shape. Excellent adhesion sta...
www.amazon.com
Here you go. Overkill for the two tiny pads I used but plenty left for furniture. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyfive-Protector-Furniture-Protectors-Adhesive/dp/B00KB64J1Y
This thread is interesting, since it caught my attention the very first moment, I put them back in the case, when I got them a week ago. It does not bother me at all. I would consider it neither a problem nor a design flaw. It is just hard to construct headphones such at these and at the same time avoiding contact of the earcups, when turned in a sideways position. In my experience it only arises, when you move them into or out of the case or turn the earcups sideways for some other reason, e.g. to lay them flat on a surface.
I am sure, it will leave some dents and marks after months or years of use, but those AirPods Max - just like any other Apple product I own - are objects of daily use, which are bound to show some wear & tear over time. For me nothing to fuzz about. But if you want to keep them in pristine condition, you'll probably have to come up with some creative solutions, as people in this thread have already pointed out.
Here’s why I see this as a design problem:
1) None of my many prior over the ear headphones had this issue - and I’m talking about ones that are also made of metal;
2) While any product is susceptible to user mishandling, this is the first product I have that actually has the potential to *damage itself* on a regular daily use. You need to use extra handling precautions to avoid this bumping. Of course I can be super careful when I handle them, but that’s not how I want to handle my devices.
3) For the extra Apple tax we’re paying - on top of the standard Apple tax - I expect perfection (not to diminish other imperfections the APM has).
We will see, if they implement design changes in one of the next iterations.
Absolutely! There is no right or wrong anyway. For those, who are bothered by it, it might be a good idea to give Apple Product feedback on the AirPods Max (https://www.apple.com/feedback/airpods.html). The more people complain, the more likely it is that Apple will review their design decisions.
But I think that touch point is where the magnets are for low power mode when put into the case. Will the felt pads interfere with putting them into low power mode? Any observations?
I don’t consider minor scuffing on a metal surface to be “damage”, but I personally don’t put much thought into the cosmetics of things I use every day. I don’t expect my stuff to look pristine forever. This thread just reminds me of people that were freaking out about their *leather* cases wearing over time...as *leather* does. ?♂️
@NT1440, clearly you’re entitled to add whatever opinion you have, but please consider how does a comment like this contributes to the people who don’t feel comfortable about this design issue, and are looking for solutions, not to be judged.
I guess I don’t understand how this can be considered an “issue” in the first place. I think plenty of other posters have covered putting something on that spot if it bothers you, but if that’s what you want..put a spot of electrical tape on it. Problem solved.
I’ve shared earlier in this thread why I see this is a design issue. I don’t lose sleep over this, but is a small annoying detail on an item with a big price. I would agree that I’m a lot more protective of my gear than the average person (I think many Apple fans are), and especially so when the gadget is new and still top of mind.
As for the electrical tape, it would technically solve this, but it’s an eyesore aesthetically. Certainly on a gadget that emphasizes aesthetics so much. Perhaps a small round piece of the the type of transparent wrap/film/armor would do the job.
I think you can buy pre-cut circles of electrical tape. If you can place it directly over the contact point you’d have very little surface to cover.