Returned your AirPods Max?

[Enygmatic]

I really hate the price tag. It’s so overpriced at $550. But damn the Max is so nice. There’s no other headphone like it that works so well with Apple ecosystem. I’ve gone back and forth debating and the struggle is real. Still have a few days to decide if shipping it back. Decision decision.

Completely understandable... I personally don’t think they’re “overpriced”, but they are expensive for the bluetooth headphone segment. They play in the area (wireless only) of my H95 - which I’ve owned for several months and sound a tiny bit better, but not the amount that the APM sound better than the M4 or NC700 to my ears. The ANC and Transparency Mode are all top-tier, and the Apple integration... well, you know. If those are paramount, then these are fantastic and will likely only get better as Apple updates the software. If not, there are many quality manufacturers and more flexible options out there for your money.

I keep them all, because I have a problem. lol

 

[kirk.vino]

I really hate the price tag. It’s so overpriced at $550. But damn the Max is so nice. There’s no other headphone like it that works so well with Apple ecosystem. I’ve gone back and forth debating and the struggle is real. Still have a few days to decide if shipping it back. Decision decision.

Is it though? It’s the same price as the Apple Watch pretty much. Then if you throw something like B&O H95 at $800 into the equation, that really leaves the APM in the correct price bracket.
I gotta say that, like with many other Apple products, if it’s out of your price range and puts a strain on your budget, you should not be even considering these purchases to begin with.

 

[pugxiwawa]

Is it though? It’s the same price as the Apple Watch pretty much. Then if you throw something like B&O H95 at $800 into the equation, that really leaves the APM the correct price bracket.
I gotta say that, like with many other Apple products, if it’s out of your price range and puts a strain on your budget, you should not be even considering these purchases to begin with.

oh I can afford it, but for me from relative value proposition point of view it doesn't really line up with other Apple products. Like you said, it's almost the same price as Apple Watch but I wear AW 16 out of 24 hours a day so I can easily justify the expense. Then we look at M1 computer, adding another $150 to APX and I can get a cutting edge M1 mini or adding another $300 I can get the Air. Is APX really that technically advance or superior compared to M1? Probably not, but I understand it's more a niche product and is priced as such. No different than paying premium for luxury brand clothing or gears. Anyway, I will probably end up keeping it but damn it did take some convincing.

 

[kirk.vino]

oh I can afford it, but for me from relative value proposition point of view it doesn't really line up with other Apple products. Like you said, it's almost the same price as Apple Watch but I wear AW 16 out of 24 hours a day so I can easily justify the expense. Then we look at M1 computer, adding another $150 to APX and I can get a cutting edge M1 mini or adding another $300 I can get the Air. Is APX really that technically advance or superior compared to M1? Probably not, but I understand it's more a niche product and is priced as such. No different than paying premium for luxury brand clothing or gears. Anyway, I will probably end up keeping it but damn it did take some convincing.

Then again, just think about the fact that the AirPods Pro are $250. Those are 2 tiny plastic pieces with some below-average sound quality, in my opinion. I got them at launch and returned them the very next day, as I couldn’t stand that flat sound profile. Just think about the amount of quality materials on the APMs compared to that. I think that’s the whole reason why Apple had to cut corners by removing the 3.5mm cable and shipping them with practically no case. Otherwise, they would’ve been above $600. People thinking that these somehow could’ve been priced only $100-$150 above the AirPod Pro should think again.

 

[Moyapilot]

oh I can afford it, but for me from relative value proposition point of view it doesn't really line up with other Apple products. Like you said, it's almost the same price as Apple Watch but I wear AW 16 out of 24 hours a day so I can easily justify the expense. Then we look at M1 computer, adding another $150 to APX and I can get a cutting edge M1 mini or adding another $300 I can get the Air. Is APX really that technically advance or superior compared to M1? Probably not, but I understand it's more a niche product and is priced as such. No different than paying premium for luxury brand clothing or gears. Anyway, I will probably end up keeping it but damn it did take some convincing.

I think my suggestion to you would be (because this the way I’ve reasoned on this myself, and I agree the value proposition isn’t there like other Apple products)...if price is a sticking point, just return and wait for a few months. These will be offered on good sales by summer if not earlier. I strongly believe Apple priced these with a large profit margin built in, and know that they can allow retailers to offer good discounts in the future. I think these headphones are going to receive a large amount of returns as well, so there may be nice discounts on Apple refurbs (as good as new). That way you can have your cake and eat it too!

Thats the way I’ve been purchasing my Apple products last couple of years after being burned by paying early-adopter premium, and having Apple and other retailers offer large discounts just a few months later.

 

[AppleRobert]

I really hate the price tag. It’s so overpriced at $550. But damn the Max is so nice. There’s no other headphone like it that works so well with Apple ecosystem. I’ve gone back and forth debating and the struggle is real. Still have a few days to decide if shipping it back. Decision decision.

On the fence? Return them. You can also get a pair down the road. You keep em then you bought them literally. And right now that probably isn’t the way to go if you keep struggling.

 

[yticolev]

Too many hits against them for me personally. Sound quality was more than good enough, but the other features of ANC, transparency, and using for movies would have all gone unused (well ANC for mowing the lawn - 30 minutes a week in summertime - might get APP for that). But volume was inadequate on a lot of my ripped content, and worse, I have a pointy head that the headband doesn't work on - the steel supports rest on my head.

Hoping for APM sports with a more traditional headband and lower cost, perhaps lighter too with plastic construction. Yes, just a daydream and even if Apple comes through, could be more than a year wait.

 

[JuDREDDge]

I really hate the price tag. It’s so overpriced at $550. But damn the Max is so nice. There’s no other headphone like it that works so well with Apple ecosystem. I’ve gone back and forth debating and the struggle is real. Still have a few days to decide if shipping it back. Decision decision.

There is the “hook”, if you have more than one Apple device the MAX just works perfectly with switching. As they release updates and tweak the sound profiles, I can only imagine that they will get better. Using other brands... they simply don’t work as well.

 

[AppleRobert]

Completely understandable... I personally don’t think they’re “overpriced”, but they are expensive for the bluetooth headphone segment. They play in the area (wireless only) of my H95 - which I’ve owned for several months and sound a tiny bit better, but not the amount that the APM sound better than the M4 or NC700 to my ears. The ANC and Transparency Mode are all top-tier, and the Apple integration... well, you know. If those are paramount, then these are fantastic and will likely only get better as Apple updates the software. If not, there are many quality manufacturers and more flexible options out there for your money.

I keep them all, because I have a problem. lol

The H95 and APM are game changers in my humble opinion. Doubt most have wireless headphones the caliber of these. I can fully understand why you would keep both of those.

No problem as far as I am concerned. You should see how many bowling balls my friends and I have, lol.

 

[Fred Zed]

While the AirPods Max sound great, the H95s are better, and they should be as they are much more expensive. Its also a better built pair of headphones with more features and better on ear controls. With that being said, the APM does have better transparency, but not by much and the H95s have both on ear adjustability for ANC and Transparency. I find the ANC pretty close but prefer the H95 as I found the APM to cause a lot of pressure where I could hear my heartbeat every time I had ACN on and it bothered me.

From a comfort standpoint the H95s are infinitely more comfortable for me, but I know some here find the APM very comfortable to wear. But let me give you something to think about before considering the H95s. I would never have purchased them if the APM were more comfortable to wear for me. I liked everything else about them but after an hour or so the clamping pressure on my ears was just too much. One other thing that I think Apple missed with the APM that both Sony and the H95's do is the way the cups fold. I like how with my Sony's and H95's you can turn the cups inward so they lay flat on your chest. It makes keeping the cans around your neck so much more natural feeling and its really awkward just putting them around your neck with the APM.

Spatial Audio is cool, but I don't use headphones like this for watching movies and even with it on the H95s sound better to me than the APM for music. I travel and wanted something that sounded great but was also going to be light enough to wear for extended time periods and just walking with the APM was weird because the weight caused them to slide up and down on my head. There is zero latency on the H95's as well and auto switching between two devices is seemless (although it can only be paired with two devices at once so the APM win with that, even though I had major issues with the APM and auto switching from iPhone to Macbook Pro).

I paid $800 for the H95s. To me it was very worth it as they are light years above anything Bose or Sony has put out and I was totally underwhelmed moving from the XM3's to the XM4's. With that being said though, I also liked the APM very much and definitely would have kept them if not for the comfort issues I was having which caused me to look elsewhere.

Great post, thanks. Would you say the XM3’s are better value compared to the XM4?

 

[NewMagsafe]

returned because of condensation

 

[UBS28]

I returned them because everybody in Starbucks also has them. What is the point of spending $550 on a pair of headphones when you cannot even flex them.

So I bought these instead. People are in awe of me when I wear these. And the ANC is so good, I cannot hear their hating.

 

[mikedis]

I returned them because everybody in Starbucks also has them. What is the point of spending $550 on a pair of headphones when you cannot even flex them.

So I bought these instead. People are in awe of me when I wear these. And the ANC is so good, I cannot hear their hating.


View attachment 1710574

but... where are the diamonds?

 

[AppleRobert]

Isn’t there supposed to be an Airpods Sport for $349? If so I can see folks considering that one down the road if they aren’t going for the APM for $549.

 

[Shadowbech]

Why don’t u like the SG? I think they are the nicest

They are nice but they are getting old and boring color imo and I never liked black anyways. I'll go with the color that I like.

 

[PrisonedMuffin]

I actually returned a pair of XM4s after getting APM and comparing the sound quality. I was blown away by the AirPods and returned the Sonys.

 

[vacay]

Isn’t there supposed to be an Airpods Sport for $349? If so I can see folks considering that one down the road if they aren’t going for the APM for $549.

Are there any reliable leakers who have confirmed this Sport version is legit?

 

[dapa0s]

Returned mine since I was extremely unlucky and got a broken pair. They don‘t do ANC at all, and it‘s a hardware problem.

I will probably pick them up again, I‘m not sure yet. They‘re not in stock currently, and Apple said I‘d have to wait until March to get a replacement.

Overall, a horrible first impressions, worse than my Airpods Pro which I love - and probably because they don‘t work.

 

[kazmac]

Sadly returned due to very uncomfortable fit. They were way too tight and heavy for me. If I could find another pair with ANC that’s close to the APM and cheaper, I’d jump.

 

[jetjaguar]

While the AirPods Max sound great, the H95s are better, and they should be as they are much more expensive. Its also a better built pair of headphones with more features and better on ear controls. With that being said, the APM does have better transparency, but not by much and the H95s have both on ear adjustability for ANC and Transparency. I find the ANC pretty close but prefer the H95 as I found the APM to cause a lot of pressure where I could hear my heartbeat every time I had ACN on and it bothered me.

From a comfort standpoint the H95s are infinitely more comfortable for me, but I know some here find the APM very comfortable to wear. But let me give you something to think about before considering the H95s. I would never have purchased them if the APM were more comfortable to wear for me. I liked everything else about them but after an hour or so the clamping pressure on my ears was just too much. One other thing that I think Apple missed with the APM that both Sony and the H95's do is the way the cups fold. I like how with my Sony's and H95's you can turn the cups inward so they lay flat on your chest. It makes keeping the cans around your neck so much more natural feeling and its really awkward just putting them around your neck with the APM.

Spatial Audio is cool, but I don't use headphones like this for watching movies and even with it on the H95s sound better to me than the APM for music. I travel and wanted something that sounded great but was also going to be light enough to wear for extended time periods and just walking with the APM was weird because the weight caused them to slide up and down on my head. There is zero latency on the H95's as well and auto switching between two devices is seemless (although it can only be paired with two devices at once so the APM win with that, even though I had major issues with the APM and auto switching from iPhone to Macbook Pro).

I paid $800 for the H95s. To me it was very worth it as they are light years above anything Bose or Sony has put out and I was totally underwhelmed moving from the XM3's to the XM4's. With that being said though, I also liked the APM very much and definitely would have kept them if not for the comfort issues I was having which caused me to look elsewhere.

What color h95s did you get? I’m thinking of grabbing a pair but people seem to say they will go on sale soon.

 

[iConnected]

Returned due to the ear cushions clamping the earpieces / temple tips of my glasses so hard against my head that they caused pain within 15 seconds. All my glasses are the same style. So AirPods Max have turned out to be a non-starter for me.

With the same glasses, my Bose QC35 II don't cause any pain or discomfort at all.

Also dislike the "case" (not fit for purpose), not being able to turn them fully off and the price. I could maybe have dealt with these, but they immediately became academic.

 

[kp98077]

Returned due to the ear cushions clamping the earpieces / temple tips of my glasses so hard against my head that they caused pain within 15 seconds. All my glasses are the same style. So AirPods Max have turned out to be a non-starter for me.

With the same glasses, my Bose QC35 II don't cause any pain or discomfort at all.

Also dislike the "case" (not fit for purpose), not being able to turn them fully off and the price. I could maybe have dealt with these, but they immediately became academic.

sooooooo weird, for the the Bose are way too tight!! make my head sweat very uncomfortable. looks like I am about the only one who finds the Max comfortable lol!

 

[venom600]

sooooooo weird, for the the Bose are way too tight!! make my head sweat very uncomfortable. looks like I am about the only one who finds the Max comfortable lol!

Nah, I have a huge head and I wear glasses. I think they are very comfortable. Not “I forgot I’m wearing them” comfortable, but close.

 

[Robbosan]

Nah, I have a huge head and I wear glasses. I think they are very comfortable. Not “I forgot I’m wearing them” comfortable, but close.

I agree

 

[Robbosan]

Returned due to the ear cushions clamping the earpieces / temple tips of my glasses so hard against my head that they caused pain within 15 seconds. All my glasses are the same style. So AirPods Max have turned out to be a non-starter for me.

With the same glasses, my Bose QC35 II don't cause any pain or discomfort at all.

Also dislike the "case" (not fit for purpose), not being able to turn them fully off and the price. I could maybe have dealt with these, but they immediately became academic.

Love that you don't need to turn them on and off myself, no probs with glasses here and i had bose qc 35, 700 and beats studio 3.
Havn't even opened or looked at the case, will never use it.

Lot's having buyers remorse over the price i reckon.