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AirPods Max Pre-Order / Order / Delivery Thread
- Thread starter CPark98
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I have all Apple stuff so it was an easy choice to go with APM. If you have the Apple card, I think you can pay for the APMs for 6 months, zero interest. And if you have the Amazon card, I think it's 18 months, no interest. Not sure if that helps with your finances. Only you can answer that.
I have a few hours on them now. Transparency is just like not wearing headphones, just like reviews say. I need to do a longer wearing session (tomorrow when working from home), but no clamping force or other comfort issues so far. They’re looking like keepers for me at this point.
Received mine today from B&H, maybe a silly question and I’m pretty sure I know the answer to, this box should have had shrink wrap over it correct? I took it out of the shipping box and it just came open. It still has the wrap over the case, cable looks untouched and the paperwork is there, but wondering if I received a return.
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Mine, that I got from Target, were shrink wrapped with the typical "tear here", Apple tab. Maybe check with B&H?
Yes, its shrink wrapped with a simple pull tab. It is probably a return. I would ask them at least to provide some kind of discount as compensation.
I have an Apple silicon iMac fund and im trying to not suck it dry. A spontaneous spending spree of some gaming hardware took a big chunk of an already shrinking fund. Ideally I shouldn't be buying headphones in the first place but I have no self-control. LoL
I'm keeping the AirPods Max and returning XM4. Lifting them from the box sold me. The XM4 feel so cheap compared to the AirPods Max amongst other downsides of the XM4. I watch reviews of both but I was still shocked how much better the AirPods Max build quality was compared to the XM4.
That’s great! You made the right choice. As for the iMac fund, if you don’t reallly need it now, you can just add funds again and buy one when you need one.
Finally took my Sky Blue APM out of their box today to give them a spin (they showed up a week ago). I had some apprehension based on initial impressions from other users in December with regards to comfort. My experience:
Comfort: Great! Actually have the B&O H95* as well, and I find the APM to be easier to wear for longer periods of time. Maybe it's the slightly larger ear cups and/or the different material, but my ears don't get as hot nor do they heat up nearly as quickly. Clamping force also is not overly aggressive to my feeling as others have experienced.
There's also something to be said for the design + case in how these feel to handle, to carry, to slip on and off. Like there are some ergonomics that make them more natural to handle. (They even seemed oddly natural comfortable around my neck when I take them off to speak to someone briefly, rather than being uncomfortable. The exception is that the weight is enough that you probably won't want to leave them there very long, heh.)
Case: actually I don't mind it. I agree it's not really substantial enough to protect them while traveling, but for how these will mostly be used at home, I actually like the exact amount of protection they provide so that I can set them down wherever without worrying about what surface I'm putting them on so much. Also find it pretty easy to slip them into the case. In contrast, my H95 have a tank of a case and require a bit more work to seat the headphones in and which makes them less portable to carry around if I'm keeping them in the case. As strange as the APM case seems at first, having used it, it seems like a more thoughtful / intentional decision than many have given Apple credit for, whether it was the right decision for the majority or not.
Sound: Haven't really run these through the various genres I enjoy yet, so far just 80s pop / new wave. Very first impression upon pressing "play": sounds like Apple's sound signature, heh. They do sound very good to me. Maybe I'll do some A/B with the H95, but so far I'm pretty impressed with the APM.
Overall really excited about these!
*I bought the H95 when they came out in September after following commentary at Head-Fi and watching some reviews. Honestly I had been waiting for Apple to release the APM and couldn't resist ordering a pair when I heard good things about them (especially as a Beoplay H6 fan).
Comfort: Great! Actually have the B&O H95* as well, and I find the APM to be easier to wear for longer periods of time. Maybe it's the slightly larger ear cups and/or the different material, but my ears don't get as hot nor do they heat up nearly as quickly. Clamping force also is not overly aggressive to my feeling as others have experienced.
There's also something to be said for the design + case in how these feel to handle, to carry, to slip on and off. Like there are some ergonomics that make them more natural to handle. (They even seemed oddly natural comfortable around my neck when I take them off to speak to someone briefly, rather than being uncomfortable. The exception is that the weight is enough that you probably won't want to leave them there very long, heh.)
Case: actually I don't mind it. I agree it's not really substantial enough to protect them while traveling, but for how these will mostly be used at home, I actually like the exact amount of protection they provide so that I can set them down wherever without worrying about what surface I'm putting them on so much. Also find it pretty easy to slip them into the case. In contrast, my H95 have a tank of a case and require a bit more work to seat the headphones in and which makes them less portable to carry around if I'm keeping them in the case. As strange as the APM case seems at first, having used it, it seems like a more thoughtful / intentional decision than many have given Apple credit for, whether it was the right decision for the majority or not.
Sound: Haven't really run these through the various genres I enjoy yet, so far just 80s pop / new wave. Very first impression upon pressing "play": sounds like Apple's sound signature, heh. They do sound very good to me. Maybe I'll do some A/B with the H95, but so far I'm pretty impressed with the APM.
Overall really excited about these!
*I bought the H95 when they came out in September after following commentary at Head-Fi and watching some reviews. Honestly I had been waiting for Apple to release the APM and couldn't resist ordering a pair when I heard good things about them (especially as a Beoplay H6 fan).
If you bought it listed as “new” then it’s never been purchased. Selling returns as new, even if they are, is illegal.
If it was a return they would never confess to it. I highly doubt it is though.
I spent a bit more time with mine today. I’m impressed with the comfort, and the sound, and unless a full day working from home tomorrow and therefore wearing them the whole time throws up something bad I guess I’ll be buying AC+ by the end of the day.
Interestingly I just signed up for TIDAL HiFi on a 30 day trial, and very likely I’ll end up cancelling Apple Music - because of Apple’s headphones 🤪. They really need a higher end streaming service to complement their higher end headphones.
Interestingly I just signed up for TIDAL HiFi on a 30 day trial, and very likely I’ll end up cancelling Apple Music - because of Apple’s headphones 🤪. They really need a higher end streaming service to complement their higher end headphones.
yeah it should be shrink-wrapped. Was the outer box the same ones youve seen in the youtuber unboxings?
you can see it here https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/reviews/airpods-max-review-vs-airpods-pro-worth-the-450-premium/
Nope, it was literally just in a B&H box sitting between some bubble wrapping.
I have another set for my wife coming today I ordered from Best Buy, I'll see how those are wrapped/unboxed.
The Apple box should be shrink-wrapped. Just for comparison, I bought my APM "used" from Amazon (at a $102 discount). The Apple box wasn't shrink wrapped and was sealed with Amazon warehouse tape and there was an Amazon sticker on the front about the product having a second life. My APM had all their wrappings and were pristine.
B&H should not be sending you an open box unless that's what you chose.
I don't think open box was even an option on their website? I'm 99% sure I bought "New"
What's funny too, I bought a Mac Mini M1 from them, 16GB/256GB, thought it would have enough SSD storage, turns out with all my backups it didn't, I didn't even fully make it through the setup process from Time Machine, and I e-mailed them to ask if I could return it, they asked if it was in the manufacturer's packaging still sealed/unopened, I said no, they said sorry they can't authorize a return on an open computer.
Maybe the return policy is different on headphones vs. a computer, but still.... I'm not a happy camper.
I haven't heard anything back from their Customer Service team yet, but if I bought new, I should have received new.
I know people have different experiences but personally I don't buy anything except cheap accessories from B&H. I feel comfortable buying from Amazon because of their customer service and return policies. Ditto Apple.
heads up, amazon warehouse has a used good on sale for 412. Space grey.
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth Headphones for iPhone – Space Gray
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth Headphones for iPhone – Space Gray
www.amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
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| "Thank you for contacting the Customer Service Department at B&H Photo Video and Pro Audio. These should be brand new but it is possible they were sold previously and then returned in perfect condition. If you would like to return it for a replacement, we would cover the return shipping. I apologize for any inconvenience. Please let us know if you require any further assistance. Thank you, we appreciate your business" |
I asked for a small account credit vs. sending them back, but if they can't do that, and they have a new Space Grey set in stock, I guess I'd do that instead, but glad they look to be offering to make this right.
Already gone. Wish I’d seen this earlier.heads up, amazon warehouse has a used good on sale for 412. Space grey.
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth Headphones for iPhone – Space Gray
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth Headphones for iPhone – Space Graywww.amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.