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AirPods Max is here! First impressions and photos thread
- Thread starter Boardiesboi
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I think that feeling is priceless. Knowing that there were more things in the musics we love!
That you for sharing!
Thanks to everyone’s replies in relation to the AirPods Max. I guess I was trying to apply old-school headphone thinking to new headphones where cables are used to bypass internal amps / dacs to remove the bluetooth restriction which is usually an issue in most headphones. However its obvious the Airpods Max have been effectively re-engineered (reverse engineered) to work opposite in order to get the best audio quality via Apple’s hardware and Apple’s music. This is also why using an adapter effectively reverses the audio conversion and hence the lower volume. Not to mention Apple’s dual H1 audio chips and the best noise cancellation to date.
I have had the AirPod’s Max for just over a week and these are by far the best sounding bluetooth headphones I have ever heard and most of my audio listening is via Apple Music (lossless). As for build quality - simply amazing - no more plastic “high end” headphones which are usually overpriced. Other bluetooth headphones (non-Apple) simply sound to poor and weak via bluetooth and if no 3.5mm jack you are forced to pay out for a separate amp / dac to improve the audio quality. I was always “cabled” before the AirPods Max to get the best audio quality, but the AirPods Max have proven that proper engineering can result in better bluetooth audio quality than a cable. Most company’s simply refuse to do what Apple has done.
I have had the AirPod’s Max for just over a week and these are by far the best sounding bluetooth headphones I have ever heard and most of my audio listening is via Apple Music (lossless). As for build quality - simply amazing - no more plastic “high end” headphones which are usually overpriced. Other bluetooth headphones (non-Apple) simply sound to poor and weak via bluetooth and if no 3.5mm jack you are forced to pay out for a separate amp / dac to improve the audio quality. I was always “cabled” before the AirPods Max to get the best audio quality, but the AirPods Max have proven that proper engineering can result in better bluetooth audio quality than a cable. Most company’s simply refuse to do what Apple has done.
Yess!
Apple have been pushing the envelope on its Bluetooths headphones a while. And it's hard for some to accept that.
In fact, Apple's core business is exact that: offering regular people the ability to play like real professionals. It's been launching products that shocked "professionals" in many areas. Digital Photography, Video Capture/Edition, Music Production, Desktop Publishing, Web Development...
People are doing amazing things using simple software/hardware solutions from Apple, which in the past have required costly and big equipments.
Love Apple for that.
After using these for over a month I have noticed that when wearing them and moving your head left to right this allows more external sound to be heard inside the ear cups as if the material on the ear pads is not thick enough or not flexible enough. To get the best NC I have to sit with my head almost perfectly straight ahead as an turning of my head / neck slightly allows sound to enter.
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Tried them out at the Apple Store a couple days ago and just ordered them today. Should be here tomorrow. Will post general impressions tomorrow and travel/flight ANC in a week or two.
I’m very concerned about the reported condensation issues and the ridiculous case situation causing unnecessary battery drain. As with all AirPods products the sound is not outstanding what so ever. My desktop headphone setup is brilliant and blows these things out of the water.
Despite their issues the overall package cannot be beaten. When I’m at my desk or working in public I use AirPods Pro with transparency mode on so I can listen to lectures and general audio (I.e not music) without losing connection to the outside world. Recently my ears have been acting up due to allergies and I cannot wear anything in my ears anymore. Hence the need for AirPods Max.
I’m hoping the Max line will be my endgame for general purpose audio listening at home and anytime I have a bag with me for transport (the Pros are still better for convenience obviously). I’m flying this weekend and I’m looking forward to seeing how effective the ANC is vs. the Pros.
How has condensation been for other owners? A big deal or no?
I’m very concerned about the reported condensation issues and the ridiculous case situation causing unnecessary battery drain. As with all AirPods products the sound is not outstanding what so ever. My desktop headphone setup is brilliant and blows these things out of the water.
Despite their issues the overall package cannot be beaten. When I’m at my desk or working in public I use AirPods Pro with transparency mode on so I can listen to lectures and general audio (I.e not music) without losing connection to the outside world. Recently my ears have been acting up due to allergies and I cannot wear anything in my ears anymore. Hence the need for AirPods Max.
I’m hoping the Max line will be my endgame for general purpose audio listening at home and anytime I have a bag with me for transport (the Pros are still better for convenience obviously). I’m flying this weekend and I’m looking forward to seeing how effective the ANC is vs. the Pros.
How has condensation been for other owners? A big deal or no?
Bear in mind that condensation on Over the Ear Headphones is absolutely normal and expected.
As the human body produces heat, and the over the ear cans keeps air tighten been heated by human body, it's actually expected that some degree of condensation occurs. It's not AirPodsMax issue, it's physics. And it occurs with all over the ear headphones. Source
I've had mine since release date, and after two seasons of what I assume is the "worst-case scenario" for the potential condensation issue (low ambient temps making the headphones really cold) they're still working perfectly. When these concerns first flared up, I looked and indeed did observe some droplets of condensation on the drivers, so far it has not caused any adverse effects.
Regarding the battery and lack of power-off ability, I was one of the loudest protesters on this initially. I'm still mildly annoyed by it, but in practice it has largely been a non-issue, since the battery life is good and they charge quickly.
So two hours of use causes a noticeable amount of condensation to build up inside the top of the ear cup when taking the pads off. I’m talking actual beads of water in there. I wonder if 6 hours+ continuous use is enough to damage the driver or electronics. Yes, I know “all” closed backs cause condensation but I’ve never seen this much caused in such a short time. Probably related to the tiny metal ear cups combined with verse dense pads. My desktop closed backs cause practically no condensation to form even after 4 hours of continuous usage, nor do they make my ears particularly warm.
I’m worried Apple will blame me for exposing them to water if I need to get them fixed down the line but apparently Apple knows and replaces them anyway.
As for everything else the headphones are a lot smaller than I expected. I can just about get a decent fit but it requires some adjustment. The benefit is I can just about fit them in my sling bag so portability isn’t a huge issue.
They are the best build quality wireless headphones I’ve used and the weight isn’t an issue for me at all, neither is the clamping force. In fact the relatively strong clamping force is what I prefer and I have headphones I wish clamped this hard.
I’m worried Apple will blame me for exposing them to water if I need to get them fixed down the line but apparently Apple knows and replaces them anyway.
As for everything else the headphones are a lot smaller than I expected. I can just about get a decent fit but it requires some adjustment. The benefit is I can just about fit them in my sling bag so portability isn’t a huge issue.
They are the best build quality wireless headphones I’ve used and the weight isn’t an issue for me at all, neither is the clamping force. In fact the relatively strong clamping force is what I prefer and I have headphones I wish clamped this hard.
I got a pair of these this week. Do you guys think it is a good idea to buy AppleCare+ for these?
I did as these cost me AU$720 and AppleCare was only AU$80 for 2 years. For some odd reason AC is not available monthly like on my iPad / iPhone / Apple Watch.
How did you managed to inspect it in regular headphones?
Actually, did you care about it before reading the complains about the AirPodMax????
I high impedance headphones, we use too much power to drive it, and it gets pretty warm. Even the cable turns warm. And if some of the best Headphones having a leather cuff, that makes a perfect seal in your skin.
Can you imagine that? Just have fun with you AirPodMax.
By taking the pads off and observing if there's moisture... It's not difficult...
No I didn't care about it before AirPods Max because droplets of water inside my headphones has literally never been an issue for me with any other headphone even for multi hour sessions.
1 hour of AirPods Max = droplets of water build up inside the headphone.
4 hours of ZMF Verite Closed (heavy headphones, closed back, leather pads with good seal) = 0 condensation. 0 hot ears. On my Verites I can even unscrew the driver protection plate and look into the housing itself. Never an issue with condensation to the degree of the AirPods Max.
You don't need to defend Apple's bad design here lol, don't take the criticisms of a product personally. All I wanted to hear was some opinions from owners on MacRumors about the issue, specifically if they've had to replace them and how that process has went (i.e, did Apple refuse repair under warranty because of 'water damage'). I assure you the lesson on headphone breathability and high impedence headphones is unnecessary as I'm already well aware but I appreciate the info none-the-less
It's because it is not an issue at al. Never was and never will be an issue.
You never had to disassemble your headphone to see inside de cans. Period. And you wouldn't do it if you hadn't read people complaining.
Condensation inside cans is so usual because it is a natural thing! Forget about it.
Just have fun with yours.
I take regular breaks when they get warm and there’s almost always condensation inside. I don’t believe it is Normal to this extent, so I’ll wipe them or let them air dry with the pads removed.
I wouldn't worry about it. You can always call AppleCare and share your concern, they can document it but it wouldn't be a bad idea to take periodic breaks to let your ears breathe.
Anecdotal to all this, the drivers and all the electronics look to be sealed from condensation.
I thought I am the only one having this issue. Anyone else here have the same problem? I use glasses though
Its not normal for the NC seal to be broken simply by turning your head left / right. Other headphones don’t have this issue. How may people do you see only listening to headphones looking straight ahead? It appears these earcups don’t have much flex or its a design flaw.
No, not seeing this issue at all and I wear glasses. It sounds like you don't have it fitted right so you'll want to adjust the length of the band and make sure it's at 90deg.
When I put them on, I always fit the ears first, then let the band rest on the top of the head; it's a perfect fit every time, no issues with noise cancelling or moving my head.
Thanks for the "heads up" as it does appear my original fitting from day one was done incorrectly. This is the problem when you are use to "normal" headphones. Shrunk the fitting down to zero and gradually work my way up and tested with head movement. Damn these are built like a tank - subtle friction / resistance just for the adjustment - nothing built like these and never going back to "plastic" headphones. Thanks for the pointer.