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GucciGriffinIII

macrumors member
Jul 8, 2013
74
90
Just got SG's in from Target.

Initial thoughts:

-premium build quality
-love distortion free at highest level
-do wish they were a little louder though
-the ANC is top notch
-don't own the Airpods Pro's so can't speak on those, but Transparency mode blew my mind. Always knew this is a feature I wanted but couldn't put it into words for years.
-wish there was some type of sweat resistance because I'd love to workout in these without fear of ruining them
 

MuGeN PoWeR

macrumors 68040
Jun 29, 2011
3,245
1,293
Has anybody tried using Airpods Max with windows? I am all in Apple EcoSystem but i use windows pc for gaming. Do you think it will work fine? I currently use some old beats which are connected via bluetooth. ANy input will be appreciated. Thanks
 

dba415

macrumors 6502a
Jun 18, 2011
902
1,083
First impressions

-Relatively comfortable on your head, top of head feels like nothing is there, you feel the weight on your sides of your head but it is not an issue after an hour and half on my head
-Sound quality is good to me, never tried other $300 headphones so don't know how they compare
-Spatial Audio is a great feature, was watching the opening scene of WW84 with it and it was impressive

Overall I am satisfied but will most likely replace my silvers with the space gray as I find them.
 
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JD2015

macrumors 6502a
Sep 16, 2014
849
526
Just got SG's in from Target.

Initial thoughts:

-premium build quality
-love distortion free at highest level
-do wish they were a little louder though
-the ANC is top notch
-don't own the Airpods Pro's so can't speak on those, but Transparency mode blew my mind. Always knew this is a feature I wanted but couldn't put it into words for years.
-wish there was some type of sweat resistance because I'd love to workout in these without fear of ruining them

Similar thoughts also having got mine today. Would add the following additional thoughts-
  • APM are definitely not for use at the gym or doing any form of exercise.
  • Wouldn't use the APM if I travel as they not easily transportable as they cannot be folded up and would take up some room. Happy to be wrong on this though.
  • Feel APM is more for use at home. as a result.
  • Haven't tried out going for a walk in them yet.
  • The Crown is excellent as is the button to switch modes. Bother are very responsive.
  • Switching between IOS devices is first class.
  • Quality of sounds is very good though wish it would be louder.
I don't tend to wear over the ear or on ear headphones so is taking time to get used to. I have used AirPods/AirPods Pro exclusively and really enjoy them for their convenience before this. They meet the needs above that I have identified the APM do not. I cannot compare them to other over well known brands.
 

Karnicopia

macrumors 6502
Mar 27, 2015
483
507
Just picked up a pair (green) from the Apple store and I really like the sound of these. At first I thought the bass was a bit much but I did the accessibility => audio => accomodations balanced setting like they talk about on head-fi and that was a big improvement. Then you can download a listening test app and have it take an audiogram (mimi comes up first on search and most people seem to be using that) basically you take a standard pair of airpods because they have a response curve for those and you go into a quiet place and it measures the frequency response of your ears. When you go back into the accessibility settings you have the option to use the audiogram for the APM and this took the sound to where I am really happy with things. It really brought out the mids and kept the high end without adding sibilance and everything sounds nicely balanced.

ANC and transparency mode are really great and I watched a bit of Rise of Skywalker (Rey taking out Kylo's Tie Fighter on foot) and it was pretty shocking. I'm excited to get sound like that in an airplane or train that does sound a lot like a HT setup. Comfort wise I'm fine I think the stretchability of the headband is the key and I haven't really had any problems, been listening to them for a few hours now and they still feel good.

 
Last edited:

AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
1,133
For those wishing they played louder, did you turn the crown for the volume till it maxes out and also on the iPhone?

I think there is a limit to the volume. Doing what I described above is more than acceptable so far, would not want to damage my hearing.
 
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mikezmac

macrumors 6502a
Jun 4, 2014
809
510
NH
Has anybody tried using Airpods Max with windows? I am all in Apple EcoSystem but i use windows pc for gaming. Do you think it will work fine? I currently use some old beats which are connected via bluetooth. ANy input will be appreciated. Thanks
. For just sound it will work on windows.
if you were not in the apple eco system i would not recommend airpod max right now. you will not get most of the features.
let us know how they work on your windows pc?
 

Jordan921

macrumors 603
Jul 7, 2010
5,073
2,172
Bay Area
anyone else notice some condensation after wearing for a couple hours. This was after about 3hrs.
4948EF7B-0AB8-4A55-B51D-672D25F7B64D.jpeg
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
I’ve seen a few articles about this https://apple.news/A7vikjLHMRWaLdg9RVkGYNg

Everbody mentions "humid" environment, but this cannot be an issue, since there is condensation inside and not outside.

This is simply metal being a good heat conductor, thus inside of the headphones being a lot colder than air around the ears (which is around body temperature). This means vaporised sweat will easily condensate on the metal parts inside the headphones.

I assume this will happen in dry AND cold environment and especially when user is moving around.
 
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Rayansb

Contributor
Feb 18, 2015
113
326
After much hesitation about the drain issue and the off button fiasco I finally caved in and got mine a couple of days ago. Impressions:
- battery drain in a 12 hour period is 25% just sitting on the desk.
- Build quality is premium.
- Sound quality is slightly nicer than the Sony XM4 and less fatiguing.
- Wish they were a bit louder.
- I love love love the seamless switching between devices from my mac to iPhone to iPad.
- Spatial audio on iPad, a welcome surprise. (wish mac and Apple TV supported this!).
- Noise cancellation is on par with the XM4 in my opinion.
- Transparency mode is fantastic. I don't understand why it doesn't pause the music when the transparency mode button is pressed though?
- These are the best headphones for phone calls in my experience.
- The bra is an insult to both customers and human decency.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
- Transparency mode is fantastic. I don't understand why it doesn't pause the music when the transparency mode button is pressed though?

This. Transparency primarily is for talking with people without taking the headphones off. At least that is my perception. Would really love to see this in options, now you need to both pause the music as well as push the transparency button.
 

quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,985
2,492
After much hesitation about the drain issue and the off button fiasco I finally caved in and got mine a couple of days ago. Impressions:
- battery drain in a 12 hour period is 25% just sitting on the desk.
- Build quality is premium.
- Sound quality is slightly nicer than the Sony XM4 and less fatiguing.
- Wish they were a bit louder.
- I love love love the seamless switching between devices from my mac to iPhone to iPad.
- Spatial audio on iPad, a welcome surprise. (wish mac and Apple TV supported this!).
- Noise cancellation is on par with the XM4 in my opinion.
- Transparency mode is fantastic. I don't understand why it doesn't pause the music when the transparency mode button is pressed though?
- These are the best headphones for phone calls in my experience.
- The bra is an insult to both customers and human decency.

This. Transparency primarily is for talking with people without taking the headphones off. At least that is my perception. Would really love to see this in options, now you need to both pause the music as well as push the transparency button.

Now granted this is how I use transparency mode with my APP’s, but same concept. I will use transparency mode when I need to monitor the environment around me, such as when I’m on the phone with the company, but my flight attendant may need me for something or the gate agent pops in. Or you may want to use transparency mode when walking outside with traffic around and you want to be able to hear any traffic to be situational aware of your surroundings.
 

Nrwrit3r

macrumors 6502a
May 25, 2010
695
84
Has anybody tried using Airpods Max with windows? I am all in Apple EcoSystem but i use windows pc for gaming. Do you think it will work fine? I currently use some old beats which are connected via bluetooth. ANy input will be appreciated. Thanks
Yes works great!
 
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Sparxxx

macrumors 6502
Jul 29, 2009
345
156
Yes works great!

The microphone quality will be crap. Sound (output) is fine but you will be unable to use them as headsets for conference calls given the s**t microphone quality.
It’s a Windows issue and nothing to do with the headphones (same for the other Airpods models).
You will need a separate adapter like the Jabra 370 or 380 to get the same quality as on iOS or macOS.
 
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jterp7

macrumors 65816
Oct 26, 2011
1,292
161
i do on average have the volume set to 70-80%? but tbh its right on the verge of hurting lol. And i consider my eardrums quite damaged, perhaps not as damaged as some of you here.
 

Absrnd

macrumors 6502a
Apr 15, 2010
915
1,671
Flatland
i do on average have the volume set to 70-80%? but tbh its right on the verge of hurting lol. And i consider my eardrums quite damaged, perhaps not as damaged as some of you here.
Same here 70% is loud for me.
I was puzzled by some saying it had soft max volume, guess my ears are better then I thought (even though I have slight tinitus, not from music :))
 

yticolev

macrumors 6502
Sep 27, 2015
298
274
I was puzzled by some saying it had soft max volume, guess my ears are better then I thought (even though I have slight tinitus, not from music :))
Some rare tracks are 70% for me, the rest require 100% (and not enough on some other tracks). And I don't like it loud. Wired Apple earpods play louder and I seldom need to max them out. Could be defective, as some credibly say they play loud enough. Needs another 3-6 dB to have satisfactory range for me. Returning. Might try a Genius appointment if available.
 

AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
1,133
A bit off topic but I had to dump Tidal, lots of music I listened to wasn't loud enough for my taste. I switched to Spotify and the same exact music was much better. Then I went to Qobuz cause the sound quality was better.
 

MuGeN PoWeR

macrumors 68040
Jun 29, 2011
3,245
1,293
The microphone quality will be crap. Sound (output) is fine but you will be unable to use them as headsets for conference calls given the s**t microphone quality.
It’s a Windows issue and nothing to do with the headphones (same for the other Airpods models).
You will need a separate adapter like the Jabra 370 or 380 to get the same quality as on iOS or macOS.

Thanks makes sense
 
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