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AirPods Max is here! First impressions and photos thread
- Thread starter Boardiesboi
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Welp, just returned my XM4s. They were fun, that's for sure, but the APMs, for me, do everything slightly better. I still have a pair of XM3s laying around should I feel the need for THAT BASS.
People's thoughts after using them for a few weeks now?
After a week of use for several hours each day , mainly for watching movies, YouTube, TV and some music, here is a brief summary of thoughts:
After a week of use for several hours each day , mainly for watching movies, YouTube, TV and some music, here is a brief summary of thoughts:
- Spatial audio is incredible. Please bring this to the Apple TV and will make for a great movie watching experience.
- Sound quality is excellent as is separation. It picked up a lot at times which was great on the whole.
- Transparency mode is fantastic.
- Noise cancellation is very good.
- Haven't transported it around outside as cannot fold them and lack of a proper case. This is an area which is not ideal, so makes me wonder about the rationale for this.
- Only experienced some condensation once that others have reported on.
- Changing between devices is great.
- Have got used to the weight of them now but would prefer them to be lighter. Comfort is reasonably good but again this is subjective. Wouldn't say it is great great or bad.
- Battery life is hit and miss when not in use, though think it is a software bug and Apple should allow them to be turned off. When it is in its case have experienced very little battery drain but at other times seen a lot. Wonder if it can still try to search for Apple/bluetooth devices to connect to. Probably is the area that frustrates me the most.
- Price - think it is £100 too much, especially as don't get a proper case or 3.5mm cable with it. If Spatial audio is brought to Apple TV then that would justify it more as have mine hooked up to a projector. Don't have Sony or Bose headphones so not sure if APM are value for money in comparison. Then again, I seen some reviews say the same about Sony and Bose high price also an issue.
- Am I happy with them? Yes totally. Would I recommend them? Not for the price unless you are heavily into the Apple ecosystem like me. It feels like the first generation of the HomePod for me. Fantastic quality but lacking in some key areas which meant could get better overall package elsewhere.
I’m surprised to read that some think these are not loud enough. Have you guys already damaged your hearing permanently or something? I think anything louder than 75-80% on the APM is way too loud for me. I can’t imagine the need to have louder headphones than these.
The only way we would know if some of the Maxs have an issue and may need to be returned is to list a few things one is listening to and what the source is for that particular music.
And for those fortunate enough with multiple sources, tidal and Spotify etc., is the volume an issue with that music as well?
And for those fortunate enough with multiple sources, tidal and Spotify etc., is the volume an issue with that music as well?
Yeah but as every tom dick and harry sell them they drop in price by 25-50% fairly quick, apple don't.
It’s the generation where the music is not loud enough if your teeth aren’t rattling and vibrating!! (This is why I’m investing in hearing aid stock)
On top of that, the way music is mastered nowadays when it’s artificially made louder by default that some speakers can’t handle it and start distorting. I can see how many people will have hearing problems in the future.
I actually had a hearing test done recently, so I can verify that my hearing is above average for someone my age (38). I still want it louder. I have the Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds and they aren't very loud either and it bugs me with them too.
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Sounds like your above average might turn into below average in the near future, if you keep listening to the music so loud all the time.
Have you tried adding the hearing widget to control centre? It displays the sound level as its playing, anything over 75 will cause damage if listening for long periods
That's none of your concern. Clearly, I'm not alone in feeling this way. No need to be judgmental.
Not even trying to be judgmental, it’s called common sense LOL
So I just tried Bluetooth on my Apple TV to my AirPods max and watched a Dolby movie... WOW, WOWOWOW. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205302
From what I understand spatial audio is not available on Apple TV yet, so the sound profile you experienced, was strictly stereo. If you watched the same movie on your iPad you’d also get the spatial audio effect.
No it wasn’t the spatial audio. I have the HomePod stereo pair set up for my speakers which is really good but the headphones were a better experience in my opinion. I was pleased. If they add special audio I’ll be ecstatic
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Thanks for that. Just looked, and no. Have returned the APMs for low volume and a couple other reasons not related to sound quality.
Somewhat literally, sibilance is the "S" sound, or hissing sound. It is a treble sound and on the APMs for sensitive listeners, that specific frequency range can sound a little shrill. Audiophiles notice it, but just like the rest of us, some find the APM's sibilance (tendency to exaggerate this frequency) versus the overall sound signature to be either OK, horrible, or just annoying. Sometimes it is great to be less sophisticated and critical!