AirPods Max thoughts from a non-audiophile

[GreenLightLuke]

On the other hand, not so glowing reviews from actual experts:

Apple AirPods Max: Measurements & First Impressions – In-Ear Fidelity

A brief primer for the upcoming review of Apple's flagship headphone, the wireless AirPods Max.

crinacle.com

I mean ?‍♂️ I said from the outset I wasn’t an audiophile.

Like you, I sought out professional reviews and continue to do so.

Can’t hurt to have a layman put his two cents in though.

 

[r98266]

Are they worth 550?

if not then should I go Bose/Sony?

Having both the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4’s, I think people should wait for AirPods Max gen 2 if they don’t like the price tag. The Sony’s have a little more bass and the AirPods are a little clearer, but I’m not sure the AirPods are worth $200 more.

The 3 things I think the AirPods have over the XM4’s is spatial audio (which is kinda cool), the microphones during a phone call, and rapid device switching.

The AirPods are a little uncomfortable. They squeeze my head and cause pressure just above my ears, which leads to hearing my pulse. I’d rather have too much pressure on top than too much on the sides.

I’d recommend the Sony XM4’s until Apple works out the design/fit issues.

 

[robfoll]

Nice overview. Just as a thought, Spotify is a very low-quality source. Try a Qobuz free trial and stream some hi-res music, you'll be blown away! https://www.qobuz.com › us-en › music › offers

 

[GreenLightLuke]

Having both the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4’s, I think people should wait for AirPods Max gen 2 if they don’t like the price tag. The Sony’s have a little more bass and the AirPods are a little clearer, but I’m not sure the AirPods are worth $200 more.

The 3 things I think the AirPods have over the XM4’s is spatial audio (which is kinda cool), the microphones during a phone call, and rapid device switching.

The AirPods are a little uncomfortable. They squeeze my head and cause pressure just above my ears, which leads to hearing my pulse. I’d rather have too much pressure on top than too much on the sides.

I’d recommend the Sony XM4’s until Apple works out the design/fit issues.

This is the predicament I’m in. I have the Max and XM4s and you’ve hit the nail on the head.
Sony more bass
Max more clear

but is that worth the premium?

I find the XM4s feel like they squeeze the sides of my head more. And the ear cups are smaller too...

but it is £200 less.

 

[r98266]

This is the predicament I’m in. I have the Max and XM4s and you’ve hit the nail on the head.
Sony more bass
Max more clear

but is that worth the premium?

I find the XM4s feel like they squeeze the sides of my head more. And the ear cups are smaller too...

but it is £200 less.

It could just be head shape too, honestly. I feel like my head is wider at the top, which would cause the AirPods to apply pressure at the top of the ear cup.

 

[richard371]

looking forward to trying out the mx4s tomorrow. Will compare to the APM.

 

[robfoll]

What everyone is forgetting is that Sony, Bose etc are static products, Airpods Max, Pro etc are an upgradeable platform and in the same way that Apple has improved and added features to the Airpods themselves and HomePods and Watch, new things will arrive on the Max.

 

[MBAir2010]

I think Mozart’s Prague symphony is a good yard stick to evaluate audio.

 

[LogicalApex]

What everyone is forgetting is that Sony, Bose etc are static products, Airpods Max, Pro etc are an upgradeable platform and in the same way that Apple has improved and added features to the Airpods themselves and HomePods and Watch, new things will arrive on the Max.

What do you mean here? My Bose QC35II's have had firmware updates that have added new features to the headphones over the years. I am sure the same is true for Sony.

 

[macsound1]

What everyone is forgetting is that Sony, Bose etc are static products, Airpods Max, Pro etc are an upgradeable platform and in the same way that Apple has improved and added features to the Airpods themselves and HomePods and Watch, new things will arrive on the Max.

I see this as mostly, a detriment.
When regular consumer electronics do firmware updates, it's almost exclusively to resolve issues.
When Apple makes software updates, it's often to change features in ways Apple thinks is advantageous and all of their users have to struggle through especially if users can't decide if or when to update. Germane to Airpods: updates that cause massive battery drain issues or annoying noise issues.

 

[robfoll]

Thanks @LogicalApex I stand corrected, however, I have never seen or been notified of any firmware updates for my Bose QC35 and I bet the average consumer has no idea and their Bose are never updated. AirPods just update themselves when sitting by your phone.

 

[SpamJunkie]

I've had mine for a day as well.

• Sound quality is really great, but I'm not an audiophile. I heard some new sounds in Evermore that I hadn't noticed, and went back to my AirPods Pro and found I could hear it there as well when I was looking for them but on the Maxes it was just a bit easier to hear the separate sounds/instruments. I was kind of surprised by that experience, as it just happened completely by accident.
• My ears are getting hot after about an hour. I've had over-the-ears before, but only really cheap brands ($50 best buy sales and the like) and they took far longer to heat up my ears. Probably because they didn't have ANC and weren't sealed nearly as well. Time will tell if this is a problem, but atm taking a few minute break is enough for everything to cool off.
• I don't find them heavy, but I'm a man with a big neck so I was doubtful it was going to be a problem ?
• I know it's not an important use case, but they are great in work video meetings. The ability to turn on ANC can be useful, and it picks up my voice great. Within an hour hot ears crop up tho, will have to see if I acclimate or if I can take them off an ear at a time for rest. I use AirPods Pro often, but they start to fall out of my ears after a while (wax + heat I think? I dunno), and with their smaller battery there have been a few times I needed them for a meeting and they were dead. Maxes are unlikely to run out of battery before the end of the day

 

[Lunfai]

Thanks @LogicalApex I stand corrected, however, I have never seen or been notified of any firmware updates for my Bose QC35 and I bet the average consumer has no idea and their Bose are never updated. AirPods just update themselves when sitting by your phone.

You need the BOSE connect app, I’ve had the QC35 and it’ll say it’ll have to install firmware updates from time to time but I’m not sure when the last time it updated but it does exist.

 

[ElitistWhiner]

This review for the Apple user who already owns and are accustomed to the air pod sound, this review is for you!

It comes across relative to in-ear Air Pods Pro that Max is clearly more than a change in sound, it is sound on a whole nother level of fidelity, spacial sound stage and dynamicism when moving.

For the trained ear, musician or gifted perfect pitch wearer, there exists a review yet to be written. It appears Air Pods Max breaks new acoustic levels of marketing success with its spacial feature. The sound is at best changed, different and reviews favorably though not exceptionally like its price. But that is Ok. Everything else Max brings to the Apple sandbox may be enough to make the difference in daily life.

Without AppleTV support, no HiFi wire analog option to eliminate Bluetooth latency and no passive ability to use the device when “battery life” runs out, Apple have a list of upgrades to bring in the future. Here’s to Apple for making a unique, intriguing headphone. I hope that they can deliver 2 out of 3 deficiencies to these first generation buyers as updates.

 

[rulymammoth]

Rapid device switching if you have all Apple devices is a very underrated feature. Yes, Bose and Sony have multi-device pairing, but it doesn't work quite as seamlessly. And it only works with 2 devices. With the AirPods Max, you can switch quickly among all of your Apple devices. For those firmly within the walled garden, the AirPods Max work great.

 

[LogicalApex]

Rapid device switching if you have all Apple devices is a very underrated feature. Yes, Bose and Sony have multi-device pairing, but it doesn't work quite as seamlessly. And it only works with 2 devices. With the AirPods Max, you can switch quickly among all of your Apple devices. For those firmly within the walled garden, the AirPods Max work great.

I recently picked up a pair of AirPods Pro and I can't get this to work at all...

Ironically, the Bose implementation works on my QC35ii's reasonably well. Bose connects to up to two devices simultaneously and with play from whatever is playing audio seamlessly.

 

[Led-zep]

What everyone is forgetting is that Sony, Bose etc are static products, Airpods Max, Pro etc are an upgradeable platform and in the same way that Apple has improved and added features to the Airpods themselves and HomePods and Watch, new things will arrive on the Max.

What, the AirPods can do a software update to fix the horrendous case! That is truly amazing by Apple. Well done

 

[hanser]

On the other hand, not so glowing reviews from actual experts:

Apple AirPods Max: Measurements & First Impressions – In-Ear Fidelity

A brief primer for the upcoming review of Apple's flagship headphone, the wireless AirPods Max.

crinacle.com

He might be an expert, but he admits that being only first impressions, using a Galaxy Fold, not in iPhone, so I would take this with a ton of salt and wait for his actual review. Meanwhile, other experts over at head-fi.org are largely enthusiastic.

 

[aknabi]

True, I read that article, I would prefer a professional review than someone with a copped attitude. Maybe it is just his style, but he sounds like kid wanting to be a big boy someday. Of course he could be totally correct and just a poor writer

That's the tough part from subjective reviews from non-domain experts... I've seen 5 star Amazon reviews for $20 headphones saying they couldn't see the diff from top of the line Sennheisers... when if fact they were distortion filled, Aliexpress POS headphones that were more in line with the disposable earbuds you get on airlines.

If I'm getting a non-expert review, IMO they should be a side-by-side with ones in the same category/price-point.

 

[Mr.PT]

So disclaimer first: I am not an audiophile, I’ve never owned a pair of overhead headphones and I am coming from AirPods Pro.

I’ve had these for over 24 hours now and used them a lot in that time, wanted to give my thoughts if any one else was considering them or on the fence.

First let me give you a quick overview of the type of content I’ve been listening to

I’ve used them: working at a desk, cooking in the kitchen, in bed and at the gym.

I’ve listened to:
1) Best of Rock 1984: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXbeU15XEtkjO?si=_gBh6By5TsKW0OGZhket9w

2) Blond by Frank Ocean:

3) Jazz Classics: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXbITWG1ZJKYt?si=pH4ORF7WThatmOdZpmEJcA

4) Lost Girls by Bat for Lashes:

5) Christmas Coffeehouse: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXb7KOnsvmh8V?si=u_E0PLMBTaW3p7BX90E6gQ

I’ve watched:
- 2 hours of YouTube
- an episode of Mandalorian
- Sky News

I upgraded from the AirPod Pros because I found in ear eventually too invasive to wear for long periods of time. They were great for sound and obviously given the size very convenient.

So now that’s out of the way.

INITIAL THOUGHTS

when I first put them on I noticed just how heavy they were, not neck breaking by any means but I definitely felt like something was on my head and I thought they’d be getting returned soon after, but I stuck with it and after about an hour it was fine, I got used to the weight and no longer an issue. But if you are moving from in-ear, earbuds or lighter headphones do bear it in mind.

The sound is really brilliant, I thought the Pros were brilliant for sound and I suppose for in-ear that is still the case, but I think the Pros lean more towards cleaner vocals sacrificing how clear instruments should be coming through. The best way I can describe it, is it sounds fuller. Each instrument and each vocal comes through with more clarity. I’ve listened to Blond several times a year since it has come out, but I listened to it this morning and picked up on sounds and lyrics I’d never noticed before.

Sitting at my desk after 10 minutes I’m lost in the music, the noise cancellation does such a good job of blocking outside noise, it offers such good escapism. They are comfortable on the ears, plenty of space and I wish I jumped on headphones sooner.

I know they aren’t sweat or water resistant but I took a calculated risk and went to the gym with them. I did a 5km run and completed it with the headphones. I took my Pros just in case they were too uncomfortable but they did the job perfectly. Initially during a warm up I was aware of a “thump thump” from my feet and the treadmill but when I got into the jog, turned up the music, I couldn’t hear a thing and in the 30mins it took me to complete the 5km they were comfortable throughout, again pure escapism to the extent the run was over sooner than expected. There is little movement on my head and if anything it reinforced my posture so I was always looking ahead. The Pros for me were too fiddly, they would stay in my ear, then when I got warm or breathing in and out the jaw movement would force the Pros to come loose, very frustrating so happy that I don’t have to worry about that anymore.

Moving around the house, like for cooking, I found the headphones fine, I don’t notice wobble on the top of my head or weight issues and can comfortable cook up a meal and wear them throughout.

A lot has been said on the case, and I was very vocal about it. I still think it’s stupid, bad design and not very friendly. In practical use though, I don’t think it’s going to be a big issue. I took them to the gym and chucked the case in my bag, didn’t think about it once throughout the workout and I carried them in the case to my car. The headphones in the case will lie flat in a bag, and I don’t know about anyone else but isn’t having a square case going to take up more space in a bag? I genuinely don’t know but it was a thought I had.

Overall I hate the case, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker.

Lots of reviews about spatial audio so I don’t need to speak too much about it, sounds great watching Mandalorian and it really is an experience when the sound moves around you. It doesn’t sound like sound is coming into each ear it sounds like the sound is coming from the front of me. I hope that makes sense, but it is a great effect and I think once people sit and watching something with spatial audio they will appreciate the feature.

I am wearing these headphones as much as possible, to make sure it is the right purchase for me and I am leaning towards a yes. Despite initial reservations about the weight, they are a great set of headphones. I listen to music all the time in my day so having a pair of great headphones that I can take around with me is important.

I’m hoping to see my friend over the weekend to compare with Sony XM4.

Feel free to ask me anything but hope this helps.

Thank for sharing your experience. I was looking forward for these but the headband design, specially the mesh (also on earbuds!?) is a deal breaker for me. Nevertheless I’m expecting really great sound performance, notably in “spatial” terms from H1 and you seem to confirm this. Just curious what makes you compare to Sony XM4 instead of similar price tag products like B&O H9 (my personal alternative to these)?

 

[Mr.PT]

What everyone is forgetting is that Sony, Bose etc are static products, Airpods Max, Pro etc are an upgradeable platform and in the same way that Apple has improved and added features to the Airpods themselves and HomePods and Watch, new things will arrive on the Max.

Your static accessement is based on what grounds? FYI both brands are considered in all tests as ANC references for some reason!? Please Don’t confuse Apple’s “ecosystem” and superior ease of interaction within family products with product evolution and development...Also I suspect if Sony, also goes for the 600€ price tag, I’m sure they’ll be able to surpass Apple’s sound tech, not built quality though (unlike far superior B&O H9 or H95)

 

[GreenLightLuke]

Thank for sharing your experience. I was looking forward for these but the headband design, specially the mesh (also on earbuds!?) is a deal breaker for me. Nevertheless I’m expecting really great sound performance, notably in “spatial” terms from H1 and you seem to confirm this. Just curious what makes you compare to Sony XM4 instead of similar price tag products like B&O H9 (my personal alternative to these)?

Thanks for reading.
My friend has a pair of Sony XM4 that he raves about and loves. Also lots of end of year lists have the XM4 as winners - so naturally that’s what I tended to.
Have you used the B&O H9? I’ll check them out.

 

[Beau10]

The AirPods are a little uncomfortable. They squeeze my head and cause pressure just above my ears, which leads to hearing my pulse

You should lengthen the arms a bit if you have pressure above the ears.

 

[Beau10]

True, I read that article, I would prefer a professional review than someone with a copped attitude. Maybe it is just his style, but he sounds like kid wanting to be a big boy someday. Of course he could be totally correct and just a poor writer

Crinnacle is well known over on head-fi as a fairly polarizing figure, so I wouldn't take his musings too seriously (I've been a member since 2005, have been to a couple CanJams, have hosted my own meets, have had about $50k of equipment owned over the years).

The funny thing is, his graph betrays his own assessment of FR - it's pretty clear Apple is targeting a Harman curve (https://www.headphonesty.com/2020/04/harman-target-curves-part-1/)... the curve he uses is not (ie. it's *supposed* to have a large upswing in the subbass). This is good as the Harman curve is 1) supposed to target a speaker-like response with the sub-bass emphasis and 2) supposed to account for reflections from proximity to the ear's anatomy, shown in the upper mid lift... a bit soft there, which I hear and feel may be largely corrected by the balanced accessibility setting.

If we really want to get into an audiophile tit-for-tat, the folks over at audiosciencereview (more speaker focused and get much deeper into the objective science of it) are pretty much on the Harman train for headphones and have really picked apart one of the stalwarts in the field for having a terrible FR. Note the target curve used in the review vs. the target crinnacle is showing, and how the APM is objectively more correct here.

Sennheiser HD800S Review (Headphone)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Sennheiser HD 800 S. A very kind member sent these months ago and has been patiently waiting for their review. The HD 800 S costs US $1,700 but I see it on Amazon for US $1,323 including Prime shipping. The HD800S is at the same time solid but...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[r98266]

You should lengthen the arms a bit if you have pressure above the ears.

I’ll give it a shot. I’m not super convinced it will work, but willing to try. I’ve adjusted the length a few times, but maybe I didn’t go far enough