Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Condensation in AirPods Max after long usage
- Thread starter ssong
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I saw one person on Twitter state that it was causing issues with ear detection, they couldn't provide any actual evidence to support though.
none. every single person that complains about it usually includes some anecdotal statement like, "this isn't good for longevity" or "if apple says its not waterproof".
Don't listen to these clowns, wear them, beat them up, and enjoy them till you cover them with ear sweat. You will find a litany of other issues before condensation ever becomes one.
That’s my thought exactly. People seem to be under the impression that contact with a small amount of liquid will destroy electronics if they’re not *advertised* as water resistant.
Perhaps, just quoting what they claimed, as I say no evidence to support. But then, Apple doesn't have the best track record, do they? Just saying.
The iPhone 6s was incredibly water resistant despite not being advertised that way. I remember the stories at the time about it.
I suspect the same is true of these headphones.
The 6S was indeed properly insulated, as the iFixit teardown revealed back in the day. Apple didn’t advertise it as water resistant since it was their very first generation with that feature. They used it as a test run, so to speak.
Last edited:
I think apple is doing the exact same here tbh. I can’t imagine condensation was not considered.
So today, something I never do: I worked out a bit in these. Basically rode my wife’s Peloton for 30 quick minutes (while watching the news on this December 37th, 3020). Ears were a bit sweaty afterward. Checked the cups - no moisture buildup at all. Inner mesh was a bit sweaty - these are NOT meant to workout in; I did this for you guys. lol Then went outside (~55°F) to get the mail, chat with the neighbor for about 15 min; I wanted to see how they’d hold up with an abrupt change in temperature. Took the cups off to check - no condensation. Not a drop. 🤷🏾♂️
I’ll be keeping an eye on this; I do have AC+ on these, but so far (a little more than 3 weeks) they’ve performed flawlessly in this regard.
Hopefully Apple has an official response and solution soon.
I’ll be keeping an eye on this; I do have AC+ on these, but so far (a little more than 3 weeks) they’ve performed flawlessly in this regard.
Hopefully Apple has an official response and solution soon.
I like how an "abrupt change in temperature" is from 55 to, what, 70? Try being in Iowa right now - I'm freezing my nuggets off over here! 😂
Some have mentioned that it’s actually not really sweat but moisture/condensation related to the temperature difference. Aluminum acts like a heat sink. So it all will depend on the temperature/humidity in the room.
The rationale is if something is not "advertised" as water resistant, any small signs of corrosion will be attributed to water damage and warranty won't be accepted for any reason.
The same as keyboard malfunctions were attributed to hard typing, breadcrumbs and so on.
I do admit that one of the previous photos about an additional membrane that covers the holes puts things more into perspective. It's just not clear if it actually plastic or just another mesh to protect the drivers from dust (like in desktop speakers).
I hope iFixIt will clarify this ASAP.
applying that "rationale" to headphones is ridiculous. And your analogy is silly - you can avoid eating around a keyboard, you can't avoid sweating in closedback over/ear headphones.
The ridiculous "condensation" issue you guys are trying to pin on Apple would be comparable to singling out Tesla for fogging inside in their car's windows, stating that your dashboard display will be harmed over time.
sweating/moisture/condensation is nothing new to over-the-ear closed back headphones. Engineers are well aware.
I don't think you understand. This is history repeating itself. Butterfly keyboards. In the beginning it was bashing of people, who had problems. It was *their* fault. They were actually paying out of their pockets ($700) for topcase replacements. Only after lawsuits started was that Apple implemented a repair program.
Car comparisson is not a good one. Condensation on glass in one thing. Condensation on electronic parts is something else entirely.
How many ubiquitous over ear headphones are this heavy and heavy because of generous use of heat conducting metals for outside case?
I’m seeing a lot of analysis online about bad Apple design - “heat being drawn off by the aluminium case”, “How could they not foresee this?” etc. But is this amateur science correct? For sure memory foam ear cups trap heat and moisture like any sealed box over humid flesh. And the acoustic seal is strong with the Maxs. Does the moisture have anything to do with the metal? Go to iFixit - and look at the teardown. The inner case and contact point with the ears are plastic, as is much of the interior. Is not the issue simply a firm seal and no ventilation? Checking headphone forums - this has always been an issue with closed designs. I’m bald so a lot of heat escapes my head. Touch wood - no condensation. Take them off if too hot. Wipe them. Store them with a silica packet - seems to be the online advice. Mileage may vary depending on head temp and wear time.
I agree. It might work out.
But I'm not willing to bet on it with my money. Based on previous experience if something proves to be a dealbreaker issue, there won't be a recall, but an "extended warranty".
Because of that I've returned them.
It’s a very fine mesh! I just took a pic. And I’d wager the boffins who made it are employing techniques like in the following link https://www.cnet.com/news/how-does-waterproofing-work-apple-iphone-7-samsung-galaxy-s7-sony-xperia/ to prevent ingress from the limited amount of moisture to be expected from hot heads. And that the ear cups are removeable for easy wipe cleaning and (expensive) replacements as required. And this also explains the taped and screwed plastic grill - a gasket around the edge of the cup... No one is claiming water resistant - too many mic holes around the exterior - but seemingly a solution transparent enough for sound but repellant enough for water when worn.
Attachments
Last edited:
Dude, you gotta be kidding me. I don't know how to make this clearer with you. This "issue" with moisture in the cups have always existed with closed back headphones -- before you were born.
...as the poster above you stated, you returned them based off amateur science.
What a rash overreaction to what I can only describe as forum-sensationalism. I am disappointed and frustrated from hearing your story.
You’re just making assumptions. And attaching something completely unrelated to justify them.
Agreed... which is why I mentioned them temperature and change from one to the other. That’s exactly what I was trying to see by doing that.
Ok final say on this. Owning many headphones, I have had a few over/ear, closed back headphones with aluminum/metal cups-- all with my experiences with sweat/moisture. However; I'll speak specifically about the Beats Pros (since they are currently on sale in the apple store).
These diehard beauties have LEATHER ear cups with outside aluminum casing. I have the first version prior to the Apple acquisition of Beats by Dre, when they were owned by Monster -- exact same build however.
I've owned them over probably 8 years now and nothing is wrong with them. Being leather, they sweat, and these puppies build more moisture than a day-spa full of nude sumo wrestlers. When I take them off after a session, It feels like two moose licked both sides of my head.
So, to everyone that is up in arms over "condensation", I want you to take a time out, and really think how much you jumped the gun here. Really think how you gave into twitter/YouTube hysteria and freaked out about an issue that is old as closed back headphones are. Think about aviation military headsets all the way to gaming headsets. Think of the years of usability testing data. Then think to yourself -- is YouTube and Twitter right? or are headphone engineers right?
Apple may or may not get a lot wrong with the headphones in the coming months, but condensation is on the bottom of that list.
These diehard beauties have LEATHER ear cups with outside aluminum casing. I have the first version prior to the Apple acquisition of Beats by Dre, when they were owned by Monster -- exact same build however.
I've owned them over probably 8 years now and nothing is wrong with them. Being leather, they sweat, and these puppies build more moisture than a day-spa full of nude sumo wrestlers. When I take them off after a session, It feels like two moose licked both sides of my head.
So, to everyone that is up in arms over "condensation", I want you to take a time out, and really think how much you jumped the gun here. Really think how you gave into twitter/YouTube hysteria and freaked out about an issue that is old as closed back headphones are. Think about aviation military headsets all the way to gaming headsets. Think of the years of usability testing data. Then think to yourself -- is YouTube and Twitter right? or are headphone engineers right?
Apple may or may not get a lot wrong with the headphones in the coming months, but condensation is on the bottom of that list.
Attachments
I called AppleCare back today, and engineering had requested more information in the form of several detailed questions (questions were about temperate of the environment, activity while using, previous over-ear headphones owned, time wearing before noticing, and photos of condensation, among others), so it seems like they’ve got an investigation template developed.
I’d encourage anyone who’s seen this to reach out to AppleCare and just help them gather as much useful information as possible, as it seems like “this is normal and we designed for it” isn’t the immediate response forthcoming from Apple.
I’d encourage anyone who’s seen this to reach out to AppleCare and just help them gather as much useful information as possible, as it seems like “this is normal and we designed for it” isn’t the immediate response forthcoming from Apple.
you used the phrase "seems like" twice in your response. I think this is very reflective of the entire issue at hand --
you new over/ear, closed back headphone owners knee-jerking from a non-issue, harassing yet again apple CSR specialists who have no clue nor technical inclination to help on what you are talking about.