My Take on AirPods Max: Looks Nice But Terrible, Flawed Product

[booksbooks]

I did some time with AirPods Max. They look and feel really nice, and they sound good. That’s where the good stops.

Problems with the AirPods Max:

• Too heavy. Really heavy. Terrible for headphones. Extended listening sucks and it’s hard not to feel these on at all times because of their weight.
• Cold. Damn. Really cold. Terrible choice of material making these out of metal like this.
• The top bra is too fragile and not really functional. I get why they did it: because the thing is so big and heavy they tried to compensate for it on the top of the head. I believe I would rip/damage this mesh fairly quickly.

In the end I will keep my Bose QuietComfort earbuds and use them for everything. I thought a larger quality headphone would be good for at home listening… the Bose are pretty amazing and weigh almost nothing and are small.

If I was to buy larger over the ear headphones, I would buy Bose or Sony. Much better design.

My conclusion is that the AirPods Max have a flawed design and for that reason I won’t buy them.

 

[scrane]

Well, there you go.

 

[steve9856]

I love em...

 

[bigshot]

No comment on how they sound?

High end cans are often heavier and made of metal for durability. The weight isn't a problem if they fit your head well. And that is going to vary from person to person.

 

[johntw]

Sounds like you might be trying to wear these outside.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I agree with you OP

Great sound that is hampered by seeming "over design" on the materials in efforts to make them TURBO PREMIUM.

In reality they are too heavy, with too much clamp force.

Apple is amazing with plastics. I would love for their take on this product with an emphasis on getting the weight down and comfort up.

Say what we want about Bose, but their QC 35/45's are pure heaven on the head.

 

[johntw]

All of our heads and ears are unique! These are the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn. Do I wish they were a little lighter, sure. Do I prefer wearing Sony or Bose, definitely not. AirPods Pro are amazing, but they do not work for my ears at all.

It's OK to not like a product, even an Apple one. It doesn't mean it is bad, it's just not for you.

 

[turbineseaplane]

These are the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn.

I'm jealous!

Differences aside, less weight would still be better.

Heavy headphones are much more prone to shifting if your head moves or the angle changes (can come right off if not careful and you look down, etc), particularly if you don't have very short hair. Longer hair makes it much easier for heavy headphones to slide on the top

 

[johntw]

Yeah, I don’t know how people walk with them. Just moving around my apartment is enough to realize the weight. However, I put them on when I really want to sit and get into music or watch shows/movies in Spatial Audio.

 

[japanime]

The problem with the Bose and Sony cans is that they are made out of plastic which makes that annoying plastic-squeak noise every time you turn your head or adjust the fit.

Once you've heard it, you can't un-hear it.

 

[DMG35]

OP you are commenting on headphones that you didn't even buy and don't own?

 

[adrianlondon]

I gave up with using bluetooth headphones at home, and went back to the old fashioned wired style.

Philips Fidelio (X2HR/00). Not good if you wanted to isolate the sound (they're open-air), but that's not something I need and they sound amazing

 

[turbineseaplane]

OP you are commenting on headphones that you didn't even buy and don't own?

Just like 95% of "reviewers" on YouTube and Podcasts

 

[foggygray]

I find them to be fairly comfortable. Not as comfortable as my wired Beyerdynamics but not too bad. Yeah they're heavy but the clamping force isn't too bad and they don't bother me as a glasses wearer.

Now if you want to talk about uncomfortable give some Grados a try.

 

[DMG35]

Just like 95% of "reviewers" on YouTube and Podcasts

Haha for real.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I find them to be fairly comfortable. Not as comfortable as my wired Beyerdynamics but not too bad. Yeah they're heavy but the clamping force isn't too bad and they don't bother me as a glasses wearer.

Now if you want to talk about uncomfortable give some Grados a try.

This is all fair -- I just feel like, with how they are priced at MSRP, they shouldn't be so subjectively compromised.

I'm glad some people love them -- but the sheer amount who don't and who try and return -- it all adds up to a disappointing product overall that is very likely headed the way of the HomePod.

So much about the APM reminds me of the HomePods actually.
Extremely niche target market and pricing to match with some odd design and functionality choices

 

[booksbooks]

No comment on how they sound?

High end cans are often heavier and made of metal for durability. The weight isn't a problem if they fit your head well. And that is going to vary from person to person.

I said in my original post they sound good. No doubt about that.

 

[booksbooks]

OP you are commenting on headphones that you didn't even buy and don't own?

Correct. I spent 2 hours testing a pair and that was enough time to assess them.

 

[Smoothie]

The problem with the Bose and Sony cans is that they are made out of plastic which makes that annoying plastic-squeak noise every time you turn your head or adjust the fit.

Once you've heard it, you can't un-hear it.

I've had three versions of the Sony headphones and none has ever squeaked. I love the WH-1000XM4. Super comfortable with excellent noise cancelation.

 

[AppelGeenyus]

I'm not fat, the shirts that don't fit me have a flawed design!

 

[Htsi]

I like my airpod max and HomePods
Excellent products.

 

[Taco1933]

How are you assessing durability after a two hour test?

 

[KUKitch]

Two hours is definitely not enough time to get used to them… I’ve had them a year now and they are my default for virtually every activity - despite being over the ear. Of course we’re all different so perhaps they’re too heavy for you, but I wear them for hours at a time and don’t have any issue. No issue with durability of the ‘bra’ either after a year. I can agree on the coldness, though they warm up fine for me

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm glad they work for some folks, and you guys are happy and loving them!
That's great!

It's also hard to imagine they aren't falling a bit short of Apple expectations though, also.
They are routinely on pretty large discounts nowadays (vs MSRP), and that started well before even being a year old.

They sound wonderful -- I just wish they'd revise them and try again (rather than just cancelling them after stagnating for a few years - Ala the HomePod route)