AirPods Max too tight on your BIG HEAD? Do this! - also a short audiophile take.

[Beau10]

is this a marketing effort?

There are quite a few people over on head-fi saying similar things (not quite with this level of gear - but with HD800 rigs and the like).

And I'm saying as well, also having a long history in headphone audio going back nearly 20 years.

If you pay attention to what the pro audio world is doing, esp. with Genelec's 1s series and their GLM in general, Dutch and Dutch 8C, Kii 3s, and more on the lower end, Buchardt A500/A700, the speaker world is going to DSP and room correction.

Apple is simply moving in that direction (nominal dsp = frequency/timing correction for drivers, adaptive eq = room correction on top of that). and there's a whole bunch of herp derp from both the audiophile side and the consumer audio side laying in with ill-informed opinions... literally talking about s**t that don't matter.

 

[paulchiu]

is this a marketing effort?

Yeah, Apple paid me to advertise for them.
Nope, sorry to disappoint you.
N.B.
I have been a member here as long as you and an audiophile member in those forums for decades.
Go buy a pair and listen for yourself.

 

[paulchiu]

There are quite a few people over on head-fi saying similar things (not quite with this level of gear - but with HD800 rigs and the like).

And I'm saying as well, also having a long history in headphone audio going back nearly 20 years.

Some of the "other" people on head-fi have turned abusive overnight. I will have to move soon.

 

[GrumpyCoder]

The Focals being the freakin' Utopias, which for at least a year on head-fi were considered the best headphones on the planet.

And that's really the problem. Many things are considered to be the best for a while by many people and not by others, especially on Head-Fi. The Focal are not measuring too well above 1.5kHz, some people like it, some don't. There are also people who like the Clears more than the Utopia. For proper reviews, Head-Fi is somewhat useless. I'd go to ASR, here's Amirs Clears review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/focal-clear-review-headphone.18585/.

 

[paulchiu]

And that's really the problem. Many things are considered to be the best for a while by many people and not by others, especially on Head-Fi. The Focal are not measuring too well above 1.5kHz, some people like it, some don't. There are also people who like the Clears more than the Utopia. For proper reviews, Head-Fi is somewhat useless. I'd go to ASR, here's Amirs Clears review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/focal-clear-review-headphone.18585/.

Why don't you trust your own ears and go try out the AirPods Max at an Apple store. The ANC allows for complete immersion while you're there with your tracks. You literally can now audition like at an high end salon, with the ANC.

 

[Beau10]

And that's really the problem. Many things are considered to be the best for a while by many people and not by others, especially on Head-Fi. The Focal are not measuring too well above 1.5kHz, some people like it, some don't. There are also people who like the Clears more than the Utopia. For proper reviews, Head-Fi is somewhat useless. I'd go to ASR, here's Amirs Clears review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/focal-clear-review-headphone.18585/.

I already mentioned and referenced ASR earlier in this thread - that is in part the case I've made elsewhere in this thread... most audiophile headphones target no defined standard. Both these and the HD800S measure poorly per standards that apply to what we should strive for in speakers.

At the same time, you can't have it both ways. You can't say a consumer headphone has some crappy consumer sound profile and peg it against nothing to make your point. If not the Utopias, what then? If ASR is the answer, Amir has just begun measuring headphones and nothing has appeared to be an excellent performer. There is no known Genelec 8351b in the headphone world.

These do in fact appear to be trying to achieve something similar to the Harman curve, but unlike that static curve, these respond to an individual user ear's anatomy.

They're great. When I read about 'reviewers' saying they're on the level of $200 phones or the like I feel like I'm munching on say incredibly tasty crazy pills. At $550, this is one of the best audio purchases I've made, sound quality alone. And I have more experience here than 99% of the people saying these things. It's frustrating.

 

[adrianlondon]

Please post back in a day or so, after the headphones may have reverted back to their non-stretched state, whether they're still comfy. Thanks.

 

[GrumpyCoder]

Measurements for APM: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/in...l-do-the-apple-airpods-max-headphones-measure

Why don't you trust your own ears and go try out the AirPods Max at an Apple store. The ANC allows for complete immersion while you're there with your tracks. You literally can now audition like at an high end salon, with the ANC.

Not sure what you're saying. I've already said they are what they are. They're not for sound engineers, they're "fun-cans" and that is totally fine. For what I use wireless headphones for, usually from my MBP or iPhones streaming from Apple Music, they work as expected. My biggest complains would be weight and lack of weather sealing for rain and snow. To be fair, the latter is an issue on pretty much any headphone out these. I see little point in comparing these to speakers in acoustically optimised rooms with the last bit of correction done with a Trinnov processor all costing over 200 times as much as these headphones. They're wireless headphones with ANC and should be compared in that class and for that, they're doing fine.

 

[paulchiu]

There is no known Genelec 8351b in the headphone world.

Now that you mentioned it, I knew there was something familiar with the AirPods Max sound, it is indeed like free field music from my Genelec 8050B, which I use for composition and relaxation, in my work studio.



Wow, thanks for this point.
Now I like these little AirPods Max even more.

 

[GrumpyCoder]

Now that you mentioned it, I knew there was something familiar with the AirPods Max sound, it is indeed like free field music from my Genelec 8050B, which I use for composition and relaxation, in my work studio

But these are not "The Ones". If you have not already, you must try the 8351! You'll thank me later.

 

[Gr1f]

Now that you mentioned it, I knew there was something familiar with the AirPods Max sound, it is indeed like free field music from my Genelec 8050B, which I use for composition and relaxation, in my work studio.



Wow, thanks for this point.
Now I like these little AirPods Max even more.

View attachment 1698787

One of my favs! (Genelecs)

I just got a set of B&W PX7 carbon to replace the old PX's Not in same league as your other sets but I loved the sound of the PX's if only they didn't kill your skull after 45min .... tempted to send the PX7's back and get the AP Max... I think I'll wait for a while on the verdict first.

 

[FHoff]

Great, glad I can enjoy mine, now that I have an ”audiophiles” approval.
Sorry but that term just make me cringe.

 

[LongWayHome]

I've never really understood the "audiophile" term in the first place. Everyone hears different and if someone tells me that a certain pair of headphones are fantastic because they hear them as fantastic that means absolutely nothing to me. It matters how they sound to me and that's really all. Is being an "audiophile" some type of degree you earn? Aren't you just listening to music like everyone else? You might own more high tech equipment but that doesn't really mean you hear anything better than me, it just means that you've decided to invest more of your money into higher priced audio equipment that is supposed to sound better. How is that at all relevant to how something like the Airpods Max sound to each person?

My point being, when you put on a pair of AirPod Max's you aren't hearing anything more than anyone else is hearing. I don't understand why if an "audiophile" says these are good why that is supposed to mean anything to me.

 

[cycling_pete]

I've never really understood the "audiophile" term in the first place. Everyone hears different and if someone tells me that a certain pair of headphones are fantastic because they hear them as fantastic that means absolutely nothing to me. It matters how they sound to me and that's really all. Is being an "audiophile" some type of degree you earn? Aren't you just listening to music like everyone else? You might own more high tech equipment but that doesn't really mean you hear anything better than me, it just means that you've decided to invest more of your money into higher priced audio equipment that is supposed to sound better. How is that at all relevant to how something like the Airpods Max sound to each person?

My point being, when you put on a pair of AirPod Max's you aren't hearing anything more than anyone else is hearing. I don't understand why if an "audiophile" says these are good why that is supposed to mean anything to me.

Why are there movie or tv or art critics? Why do Sommeliers exist and what the heck are going on with those beer reviews? Book reviewers? Please, do they know how to "read" better than me?

I don't under why if a so called "critic" says these are good why that is supposed to mean anything to me.

 

[venom600]

I've never really understood the "audiophile" term in the first place. Everyone hears different and if someone tells me that a certain pair of headphones are fantastic because they hear them as fantastic that means absolutely nothing to me. It matters how they sound to me and that's really all. Is being an "audiophile" some type of degree you earn? Aren't you just listening to music like everyone else? You might own more high tech equipment but that doesn't really mean you hear anything better than me, it just means that you've decided to invest more of your money into higher priced audio equipment that is supposed to sound better. How is that at all relevant to how something like the Airpods Max sound to each person?

My point being, when you put on a pair of AirPod Max's you aren't hearing anything more than anyone else is hearing. I don't understand why if an "audiophile" says these are good why that is supposed to mean anything to me.

Wait,what? You’re making it way harder than it is. This isn’t a purely subjective endeavor. Audiophile equipment is simply that which is able to most closely reproduce the sound that the creator intended. Audiophiles are those who know what to listen for and can discern small differences, the same way a video phile can tell the difference between a movie streaming online as opposed to a Blu-ray.

it doesn’t mean expensive either. I’d consider the $75 Sony MDR V6 headphones audiophile quality or close to it. The problem is that most people are so used to the sound that most consumer electronics produce that when they hear something like the APM they are looking for an artificiality that isn’t there. It’s like a TV in a showroom that has vivid mode turned on with amped up colors and contrast.

 

[obamtl]

Do something like this for an hour completely loosen my AirPods Max.

View attachment 1698490


Liking how AirPods Max sound relative to much more expensive headphones with their amps.
After 3 solid days of listening, almost 95% there in sonics, for a small fraction of the money.
Of course, did not think Apple plan to make these for the 100,000 or so hard core audiophiles out there.
This is the real deal, at least for me. IMO


View attachment 1698491




View attachment 1698493


View attachment 1698494


The bass is not in the Abyss 1266 zip code, but the mids are nearly as good as my Focals using Chord DAVE.
95% is about right.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Added the following photo with Genelec 8050B studio monitor a day later after realizing that the near field monitor sound is quite similar.

View attachment 1698837

Thanks so much for the headband tip. I really loved the Max, except for the discomfort, pinching on the sides of my face. Just stretching them for 5 minutes made the difference for me, and they're so comfortable now. So I'm keeping them!

 

[LongWayHome]

Why are there movie or tv or art critics? Why do Sommeliers exist and what the heck are going on with those beer reviews? Book reviewers? Please, do they know how to "read" better than me?

I don't under why if a so called "critic" says these are good why that is supposed to mean anything to me.

So then everyone is an audiophile. Movie, tv, and even art critics are simply giving their opinion on the subject matter. It is 100% their opinion just like anyone else's. If a movie critic likes a movie's set design, cinematography, costume design, and dialogue, and gives the movie high praise that's great. If I see the same movie and think the plot is garbage what the critic thinks about the film is irrelevant to me.

When a so called critic says any of the above are good, that also doesn't mean anything to me. But I don't see those as the same things. Someone can say a movie is great. If I don't think its great does that still make it great? I'm not meaning to offend you or anything at all, I just don't really put any stock into one person who says they are an audiophile over someone else who doesn't claim to be but still gives their opinion on something.

 

[LongWayHome]

Wait,what? You’re making it way harder than it is. This isn’t a purely subjective endeavor. Audiophile equipment is simply that which is able to most closely reproduce the sound that the creator intended. Audiophiles are those who know what to listen for and can discern small differences, the same way a video phile can tell the difference between a movie streaming online as opposed to a Blu-ray.

it doesn’t mean expensive either. I’d consider the $75 Sony MDR V6 headphones audiophile quality or close to it. The problem is that most people are so used to the sound that most consumer electronics produce that when they hear something like the APM they are looking for an artificiality that isn’t there. It’s like a TV in a showroom that has vivid mode turned on with amped up colors and contrast.

No I get what you are saying and I didn't mean to offend anyone who says they are an audiophile. But when just looking at these headphones and someone says "I'm an audiophile and these are great" that just doesn't really mean anything to me. They might be great to you but that doesn't mean someone who doesn't claim to be an audiophile is going to like them more than they do another pair of headphones based on sound alone.

I guess my point is that in the same way a movie critic can like a film that doesn't make the film great. He might like it, but the person going to the theater might think its trash. And if someone in here says "I'm an Audiophile, the APM are great" that doesn't mean that someone who goes out and buys them isn't going to say "what did I just spend my money on" after listening to them.

Again I didn't mean to offend anyone who is an audiophile. I just have never really understood why that title should mean to a prospective buyer who isn't one.

 

[paulchiu]

Thanks so much for the headband tip. I really loved the Max, except for the discomfort, pinching on the sides of my face. Just stretching them for 5 minutes made the difference for me, and they're so comfortable now. So I'm keeping them!

You're welcome. With Apple's generous no questions asked return policy. (having returned an iPhone 12 Pro last month) I was not afraid to stretch these babies out!

Now, they are way more comfortable than even the lighter Sony WH-1000XM4 for me.
Happy holidays!

 

[ssong]

RE: headphone clamping, if you’re like me and put them back into the case while extended, they will clamp more over time as the way in which they fit in the case is at a tighter angle.

 

[Inked]

Most important question @paulchiu, is what are those headphone stands with the ball?

 

[paulchiu]

Most important question @paulchiu, is what are those headphone stands with the ball?

Stand is the Foster TH-900 stand. The large ball is from Kensington SlimBlade Trackball.

 

[Julien]

Do something like this for an hour completely loosen my AirPods Max.

View attachment 1698490


Liking how AirPods Max sound relative to much more expensive headphones with their amps.
After 3 solid days of listening, almost 95% there in sonics, for a small fraction of the money.
Of course, did not think Apple plan to make these for the 100,000 or so hard core audiophiles out there.
This is the real deal, at least for me. IMO


View attachment 1698491

Besides using those amazing KEF's for "stretches" have you heard the Meta's? KEF knows they know how to implement a concentric. I would love to see them junk that M400 and replace with an over ear concentric 40mm Meta.

 

[paulchiu]

Besides using those amazing KEF's for "stretches" have you heard the Meta's? KEF knows they know how to implement a concentric. I would love to see them junk that M400 and replace with an over ear concentric 40mm Meta.

All I could do is read Stereophile's take on the new Meta. I am certain they improved something, just whether that something involves my king of music. I wish the salons in NYC reopening soon.

 

[kp98077]

haha! funny! I have one big head!