this off topic but do you th8nk it is worth it to upgrade to app2 if you have the app1 and they still work perfectly?
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Airpods Pro 2 sound better than Airpods Max
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I kinda agree with wanting to use just the APP2 and sell the APMax. For me it's actual usage. I find the Max uncomfortable, yes they may sound a bit better but if I don't like wearing them, then it's not worth it. I'm finding the APP2s amazingly good and more useable. I get instant relief when I pull the APMax off my head. The APP2s are so great sounding, and I had the APP1s before. I was considering trying the new Sony 5? over the ears but the APP2s are enough for me, for home and mobile use. I'd never use the APMax for mobile.
And trhe APP2s are on sale for $199 right now, a fraction of the somewhat outdated Max cost..
And trhe APP2s are on sale for $199 right now, a fraction of the somewhat outdated Max cost..
I picked up an AirPods Pro 1 and well, to me, the ANC is better than my AirPods Max. Kind of blew my mind considering all I had read. I switch between them and the AirPods Pro 1 make everything silent in a way the APM do not. I even reset them but that didn't improve things for me. Frankly disappointed because of all that I paid for the APM, but oh well.
I prefer the Max over the AirPods Pro 2 due to the wider sound stage and lower frequency response, but it is worth noting that folks who wear glasses may not get as good of a seal on the Max which would negatively affect active noise cancellation.
Worth it is of course an individual value judgement. But I think they are a pretty significant upgrade compared to the APP1. I think there is deeper and cleaner base, better separation, and much better transparency mode (which I thought was dang good on the APP1). I guess I'm not typical but I only rarely use noise canceling. I work from home so it's generally quiet and I need to be able to hear what's going on in my environment most of the time. I've seen threads on folks reporting connection issues, but I've had fewer connection blips with the APP2 than with the APP1. I use noise canceling when traveling, but haven't yet traveled. I liked the APP1 but find the APP2 better in almost every way.
Hmm. Everyone's ears are different, but personally I found the APM to be significantly better than the APPs. Significantly. That was just a brief in store demo, but enough to convince me. I'd quite like the APMs, but the price puts me off, as does the lack of ability to play just using a lead as a pass-though, with no battery use involved. for the money, I'd rather buy a set of quality wired headphones really, because you can get some fantastic wired headphones for that sort of money, that are even better.
I use my AirPods3, Airpods Pro2, and Airpods Max interchangeably. They all sound really good to me. It's mostly a matter of how much load I want on my head and the level of ambient noise. I also have a pair of Sony WF-1000xm3 I throw in occasionally. Oh... and the Etymotics... It's all good.
Havent auditioned the AirPods Max but...
these AirPods Pro 2nd gen are great!
Leap frogging past 3rd gen AirPods in quality, which I would've both hoped and expected. Bothered me that 1st gen Pro sound was inferior to 3rd gen regular (IMO) but makes sense since APP1 = 2019, AP3 = 2021. And these of course just came out.
The bass is impactful but tight and not bloated
A lot of clarity still at high volumes and has that big headphone sound.
these AirPods Pro 2nd gen are great!
Leap frogging past 3rd gen AirPods in quality, which I would've both hoped and expected. Bothered me that 1st gen Pro sound was inferior to 3rd gen regular (IMO) but makes sense since APP1 = 2019, AP3 = 2021. And these of course just came out.
The bass is impactful but tight and not bloated
A lot of clarity still at high volumes and has that big headphone sound.
I sold my airpods max and just use APP2, they weren't good with glasses and too hot for half of the year here, and heavy. I had AirPods 2 as well now only need 1 and get way more use from the APP2.
Max are too treble heavy and get fatiguing. Bowers and Wilkins BT headphones in the same price range blow them out of the water in sound, looks and accessories. Only area Max competes in is transparency, which is neat and all but really doesn’t matter.
Interesting. When listening to mine I would never even think of a treble heavy headphone. More like what the measurement in the screenshot shows, actually.
I spoke to Apple to find out the secret behind the AirPods Pro 2’s audio success
“At the end of the day, there is somewhat of a compromise, because you can't make it perfect for everybody yet”
View attachment 2118493
I spoke to Apple to find out the secret behind the AirPods Pro 2’s audio success
“At the end of the day, there is somewhat of a compromise, because you can't make it perfect for everybody yet”www.whathifi.com
That’s called “marketing”
What else would you expect apple to say?
Lol well if their marketing is “its not perfect but a bunch if compromises” then the reality must be pretty grim!
TL/DR from a non-audiophile, but music enthusiast - The AirPods Pro are great headphones and I'd refer to the AirPods Max as "luxury listening" that do have better sound if you have the budget and appreciate such thing, but it won't change your world.
Sound is very subject and anything from the seal to the music profile of the headphones to the mix of the song playing can have an impact. For me, a nicer set of headphones isn't necessarily about "hearing things I've never heard" but having things stand out. More than once I've noticed something in a higher-end set of headphones and gone back and listened on AirPods and sure enough it is there, but not nearly as detailed.
As far as the AirPods Pro 2 vs the AirPods Max, the Max is still better, but it isn't a day and night comparison like a $9 pair of skull candy earbuds to the Max. Most of my music is instrumental (not classical) and the biggest thing I've noticed is that the Max sound a bit more spacious and there is more detail in the instruments. For example, I tried my best to do an A/B last night and dumbs in one track were just continuous rhythms backdrop on the AirPods Pro where as I could make out the impact of each drum strike on the Max. On the AirPods Pro everything is kind of jammed into one track whereas it's more spread out on the Max.
I have the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max for "fun" listening and bought the Moondrop KATO IEM and Sennheiser HD6XX for fun and to see what "neutral" sound was. If I had to rate them it'd be:
AirPods Pro < Moondrop KATO < AirPods Max << HD6XX
Sound is very subject and anything from the seal to the music profile of the headphones to the mix of the song playing can have an impact. For me, a nicer set of headphones isn't necessarily about "hearing things I've never heard" but having things stand out. More than once I've noticed something in a higher-end set of headphones and gone back and listened on AirPods and sure enough it is there, but not nearly as detailed.
As far as the AirPods Pro 2 vs the AirPods Max, the Max is still better, but it isn't a day and night comparison like a $9 pair of skull candy earbuds to the Max. Most of my music is instrumental (not classical) and the biggest thing I've noticed is that the Max sound a bit more spacious and there is more detail in the instruments. For example, I tried my best to do an A/B last night and dumbs in one track were just continuous rhythms backdrop on the AirPods Pro where as I could make out the impact of each drum strike on the Max. On the AirPods Pro everything is kind of jammed into one track whereas it's more spread out on the Max.
I have the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max for "fun" listening and bought the Moondrop KATO IEM and Sennheiser HD6XX for fun and to see what "neutral" sound was. If I had to rate them it'd be:
AirPods Pro < Moondrop KATO < AirPods Max << HD6XX
I really like the first gen. I liked them so much I always said I’d buy the second gen on release day. I’ve compared them one after the other. The sound quality on gen II is definitely a step up, especially in base. Battery life is much better for long flights or travel. The ANC on gen I is actually a bit better handling direct wind but overall I’d say they are on par with each other in ANC. Worth the upgrade for me just for the fact I get so much enjoyment out of them.
tried out ANC on an airplane the other day with them, and again today, and really impressive.
better than gen 1 from memory by far, even though those were no slouch,
I'll bring them even if I don't feel like consuming content, the block out factor is pretty great- but can be sure I will be using them for listening most often
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That was pretty much my experience of trying some APMs. The sound is just a bit more 'open' and relaxing with the APMs. I felt there was slightly better dynamic range, which you'd expect with the much larger drivers. But the APPs win over because ofconvenience; I previously had some fairly nice wireless headphones, but I actually didn't really use them much because of their size and bulk, just not convenient to pop on and go for a walk etc. And actually a bit of a faff for travelling, as there's always these big things around my neck when going though passport checks etc. I've given up a littel bit in sound quality, for a massive improvmentin convenience. I'm happy with that. And if I were to get a pair of larger headphones, then I wouldn't bother with wireless because I'd just have them for home listening, so I'd go for something a step up in quality.
AirPods 3 are better sounding to me than AirPods Max. All day. Not sure why but if just always sounded harsher and could never get into them.
AirPods Pro 2 suck for me because no matter what size tips I use, they end up squeezing out of my ears and falling out. One almost fell into the toilet 😂
I tried everything to like my Max’s but it wasn’t happening. I have a few high end wired headphones and DACs and they just couldn’t compare. But I did expect them to sound better than in ear AirPods. Will try the 2nd gen Max’s when they come out tho.
AirPods Pro 2 suck for me because no matter what size tips I use, they end up squeezing out of my ears and falling out. One almost fell into the toilet 😂
I tried everything to like my Max’s but it wasn’t happening. I have a few high end wired headphones and DACs and they just couldn’t compare. But I did expect them to sound better than in ear AirPods. Will try the 2nd gen Max’s when they come out tho.
I just read in another thread that AirPods Max sound better from an iPhone/iOS than from a Mac/MacOS and this blew my mind. I only used my AirPods Max paired to my Mac and use my AirPods 3 when I’m mobile. Maybe this is why I think AirPods 3 sound better than the Max?
Im late 30’s now, so I couldn’t imagine being seen outside with big ass AirPods Max on my heads outside of my house, so I never use them paired to my phone, not even once. I wouldn’t imagine a scenario where they might sound worse from a Mac compared to an iPhone??!?
Im late 30’s now, so I couldn’t imagine being seen outside with big ass AirPods Max on my heads outside of my house, so I never use them paired to my phone, not even once. I wouldn’t imagine a scenario where they might sound worse from a Mac compared to an iPhone??!?
I never wear mine when I'm out and about. But at home, I often switch between using them on my Mac and my iPhone. And they absolutely sound better when paired to the phone. One reason, for sure, is that I have the sound tailored to an audiogram through Headphone Accommodations. Highly recommended.
Customize headphone audio levels on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Amplify soft sounds and tune audio for your hearing needs.