AirPods Max Reviews

[Moriarty]

Here's another Chinese review. Basically it sounds really good, but it's so subjective I don't think you will see many YouTuber/reviewers going out of their way to proclaim APX is better or worse than any of the high-end headphones. That would just be basically inviting trouble and flamewars to their channels. However for something more measurable, like ANC and mic sound quality, they all give it a pretty high remarks.

For ANC, comparing to Bose 700, at office setting with noise level ~45 dB, both perform very well as expected. Once it's moved to outside busy street with noise level ~ 60 - 70 dB, APX clearly pulls ahead in that situation. You can take a listen from the clip below. It was pretty clear.

Another thing they are all amazed with is the built-in 18 sensors on APX. Using built-in H1 chips on each side, Apple is able to do real-time computation with all these sensors to produce near-perfect acoustic sound based on continuous sensor readings. So for example you can have one side of ear with not-so-great fit, wearing a glasses, a hat...etc but APX will take those into consideration and produce balance sound on both sides. Similar to AirPods Pro but APX takes that to another level due to the additional sensors.

Anyway I don't know much about audio or headphones but seems like Apple is doing its software/machine learning magic again to achieve something that was for a long time thought to have physical limit, almost like the portrait mode on the iPhone when it first came out. As for the price, everyone agrees that $550 is expensive, but again Apple sells a $489 Hermes watch band is $550 APX really that expensive? Obviously Apple understands the market better than anyone and knows the segment they are targeting. If you want the latest and the greatest it's not going to be cheap, but you do get something that's truly cutting edge. Maybe that's worth the ticket of admission. Who knows?

Wow. It really seems like Apple’s silicon + software expertise is showing itself here (possibly in combination with better quality mics etc). The difference in ANC versus the Bose is quite impressive.

Man, if when the real reviews it hit turns out that the price is actually justified, then these headphones might be harder to get than a PS5. Glad I said “**** it” and pre-ordered 20 minutes after the announce!

 

[CWallace]

Music is such an individually subjective experience, can any review truly and implicitly be "unbiased" since I have to believe there will always be some influence of that reviewers preferences based on what they listen to and how they listen to it. And that's not a bad thing, IMO.

I am not in the market for new headphones at any price (I am quite happy with my AirPods Pro and Beats Solo3), but if and when I am, I do intend to give the AirPods Max at least a courtesy listen with a curated playlist of the types of music I listen to just to see how it performs. As I only use Apple devices, the H1's benefits in an all-Apple ecosystem are definite plusses for me.

 

[pugxiwawa]

Do they mention about the material of the earcups?

Sure, this is from the video that's posted earlier. The material of earcup is soft memory foam and feels very soft/nice to the skin. Also because it's so soft even if you wear glasses it doesn't interfere with the frame. He also really likes the size of the earcups. They are large so can fully enclose the ears (instead of sitting on part of ears like other small headphones) and make it very comfortable to wear.

 

[Ralfi]

A couple of reviewers surprised by the (impressive) audio quality...

 

[nicho]

Man, if when the real reviews it hit turns out that the price is actually justified, then these headphones might be harder to get than a PS5.

The delivery time is currently 12-14 weeks.

Could it get much worse than that?

 

[zhenya]

Industry standard. Right now apple is the only one using that old charging method.

The vast majority of people who will buy these will use them primarily with an iPhone, all of which use Lightning. Most iPads still use Lightning as well.

Yes, I'd slightly prefer that they use usb-c as well, because other than my iPhone and AirPods Pro, everything else I own today is usb-c, but I'm an early adopter. I'll live.

 

[Roganjosh01]

The vast majority of people who will buy these will use them primarily with an iPhone, all of which use Lightning. Most iPads still use Lightning as well.

Yes, I'd slightly prefer that they use usb-c as well, because other than my iPhone and AirPods Pro, everything else I own today is usb-c, but I'm an early adopter. I'll live.

With MagSafe on the iPhone, USB-C on the iPad Pro and MacBook, and qi charging for the AirPods Pro I had no reason to have any lightning cables until the AirPods Max came along. Oh well - first world problems eh. Might just have to leave the MagSafe charger at home while travelling in favour of a lightning cable that will charge more things.

 

[CWallace]

The delivery time is currently 12-14 weeks.

Could it get much worse than that?

I guess it depends on what the production ramp is like. Apple appears to have underestimated the demand for these, so they may push production rates higher depending on how many actual orders they have.


I do not believe Apple is just deliberately keeping supply low to make it seem like AirPods Max are more popular then they are. I believe this would be a counter-productive strategy as making people wait literally months for them just gives them time to talk themselves out of making the purchase.

 

[Herrpod]

A couple of reviewers surprised by the (impressive) audio quality...

They both think the audio quality is close to the XM4. That just makes the XM4 far more attractive given you can buy it for half the price now and also get way more features.

 

[Maukey]

I guess it depends on what the production ramp is like. Apple appears to have underestimated the demand for these, so they may push production rates higher depending on how many actual orders they have.


I do not believe Apple is just deliberately keeping supply low to make it seem like AirPods Max are more popular then they are. I believe this would be a counter-productive strategy as making people wait literally months for them just gives them time to talk themselves out of making the purchase.

I honestly don't think Apple is concerned with people talking themselves out of a purchase. Apple has a certain level of Cult supporters, and I don't mean this as disrespect to anyone. I don't put it past them to to shorten initial supply to create a since of heavy demand for the product. I'm almost certain they have numbers showing that no matter what they release, a certain number of their supporters will preorder/purchase. You have initial production closely match this number, combined with their usual strategy of sending review units to their favorite reviewers who give glowing "initial impressions", and boom the perceived demand turns into real demand. This makes perfect sense to me considering they're releasing a new product and charging a premium considering the market leaders are about $200+ less expensive. They are smart enough to know that the price alone will put many on the fence out the gate. Demand, initial impressions, and message board/social media talk has a way of moving many to the right side of the fence for Apple. Of course this is just speculation on my part. But according to my wife who's in marketing, this is a very real strategy. And this strategy has gotten me many times ?

 

[MecPro]

There is definitely some NDA on in depth reviews until the products are out.

All of the reviewers, text or video, have simply said "Wow, the audio is amazing/awesome/great" and then just moved on. They've literally not said about depth, trebles, mids, etc. It just all seems a bit fishy to me.

I'll definitely hold out until some real life reviews popup.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

They both think the audio quality is close to the XM4. That just makes the XM4 far more attractive given you can buy it for half the price now and also get way more features.

Could you list those "way more features"? I looked up the specs on Sony's website and I don't know what you're referring to. ?

 

[tomashi]

Currently tracking to perform as well as the HomePod, iPod Hifi and the Apple in-ear headphones. I'm not hearing seem a huge reason to get these over the competition (I don't think spatial audio is a game changer) so far. That said mine are on the way so I'll judge for myself soon enough

 

[George Dawes]

I’ll wait for Rev 2 thx

My AirPods Pro will just have to do until then

 

[Mascots]

They've literally not said about depth, trebles, mids, etc. It just all seems a bit fishy to me.

Apple asking people to delay in-depth reviews by a few days to get a full impression is hardly fishy. Historically, they have prevented any kind of impression until some time after reviewers get them – there’s really minimal difference other than some lighter reviewers getting their raves and waves in early.

Unless you’re trying to suggest Apple is trying to hide something... which begs the question: why would they? Lol

 

[macmyworld]

They both think the audio quality is close to the XM4. That just makes the XM4 far more attractive given you can buy it for half the price now and also get way more features.

That really isn’t saying much for the price. The XM4 is a nice noise cancelling headphone but I didn’t find it that special for sound or build quality.

 

[Herrpod]

Could you list those "way more features"? I looked up the specs on Sony's website and I don't know what you're referring to. ?

One big feature is you don’t need to stick it in a purse or bra to turn it off. Other features are 10+ more hours, can use any 3.5 cable to wire it, has an app that allows you to create custom EQs, can hold your hand over one ear cup to temporarily let in outside noise. I can on and on. All for half the price. But hey, Apple gives you the ability to overpay for a lightning to 3.5 cable. What a bargain!

 

[Herrpod]

That really isn’t saying much for the price. The XM4 is a nice noise cancelling headphone but I didn’t find it that special for sound or build quality.

Then you didn’t use the app, because you can adjust the EQ in the app to make it sound however you like.

 

[macmyworld]

Then you didn’t use the app, because you can adjust the EQ in the app to make it sound however you like.

I did use the app and tried all kinds of recommended combinations. I also played with various noise cancellation settings. The EQ bands offered by Sony are fairly broad but they did help. Still just OK for me and not any better than my Bose 35s.

 

[Herrpod]

I did use the app and tried all kinds of recommended combinations. I also played with various noise cancellation settings. The EQ bands offered by Sony are fairly broad but they did help. Still just OK for me and not any better than my Bose 35s.

The Bose 35s lack bass. They couldn’t be further from the XM4s

 

[macmyworld]

The Bose 35s lack bass. They couldn’t be further from the XM4s

They lack bass if you like that subwoofer heavy sound. For me they have plenty.

 

[Rogifan]

They both think the audio quality is close to the XM4. That just makes the XM4 far more attractive given you can buy it for half the price now and also get way more features.

At $550 they need to sound way better than the XM4’s.

 

[AppelGeenyus]

As someone who purchased and returned their XM4's just before APM's were announced, I'm personally never trusting any positive youtube reviews with an affiliate link in the description again. I'm not saying they are all dishonest, but that's clearly the priority for many of them.

 

[Roganjosh01]

Gizmodo has just published their review that talks about sound in very general terms - https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/12/apple-airpods-max-review-australia/

 

[matrix07]

Needs Spatial Audio to work on Apple TV and Mac before I consider it.