AirPods Max Review - Revisited

What early reviewers got wrong about the Apple AirPods Max, what features have been worth it, what downsides still remain and now given the standard price cut the headphones have received, if we think they're worth getting after using for one and half years.

Some of the features we cover include spatial audio, transparency mode, adaptive EQ, noise cancellation, the smart cases' automatic low power mode, battery life, automatic headphones switching, their overall weight, deign and comfort, and we'll compare them to the Bose 700s and Sony WH-1000XM5s.

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0:00 - The smart case
1:50 - Aesthetic & comfort
3:22 - Innovative design decisions
4:27 - Sound quality
6:15 - Noise cancellation & Transparency Mode
7:09 - Mic quality & comparison test
8:10 - Spatial audio
8:55 - Issues & Downsides
10:03 - Price reduction
10:30 - Recommendation


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#airpods
#apple
#airpodsmax
#review

[JUTINPDX]

With an Apple store close by I picked up a pair of the AirPods max expecting that I would likely return them, but I was curious about them. After about 20 minutes of using them I knew I wasn’t going to be returning them. I think they are a great product.

[javianjohnson]

I tried the AirPods Max at an Apple Store and MAN, they sounded incredible! If I every were to go back to over-ear headphones, these would definitely be my choice without a doubt!

[acslater]

I agree, I've had the AirPods Max for 1.5 years and they're one of my favorite things! It's a pleasure to use them for music, movies, podcasts, and meditation. I appreciate the design effort put into the strong metal frame, smoothly telescoping arms, soft headband, comfy and breathable magnetic cups, and controls. Many other headphones have confusingly laid out buttons that transmit obnoxiously loud clicks into your ears. The digital crown and noise cancellation button are simple, discreet, and satisfying to use. 

It's a small thing but the UI's sound effects (min/max volume reached, digital crown clicking, etc.) are distinct and subtle; my GF's Boses yell "60 PERCENT BATTERY!" every time you put them on. (What designer thought that was OK?!) The Max's noise cancellation is super effective, and the transparency mode is so good I sometimes forget I'm wearing headphones. And of course the AirPods DNA make them super easy to setup and switch devices, with super long range.

People balk at the price tag, but it's much better than buying $200 Boses and not quite being happy, buying another set of $300 Boses and not being happy, etc. I really enjoy using the AirPods Max nearly every day, and I can see myself using them regularly for several more years. I understand $549 isn't for everyone but when a product checks 99% of the boxes like this I'm not fretting over $100 or however much less people think it should cost.

[arondyte]

I love my Airpods Max so much that I end up using them even over my wired options (DAC + Amp included). Though they don’t get as loud, the sound quality is pretty spot on. Like you said, I absolutely love the case idea since it makes it easier to move around with as it doesn’t take up so much space in a backpack and similar bags (The bulky cases of my older wireless headphones actually discouraged me from using them as it actually becomes a hassle travelling with them because not only they eat so much space, fiddling with the zippers and the like just makes it annoying over time if you only have a few minutes to commit in listening to music etc.). Spatial Audio, Spatialize Stereo, Dolby Atmos and the S-Tier Transparency mode are just icing on the cake for a well rounded package not only for music but also for video consumption and productivity. Lastly, the seamless integration with iOS and Mac devices just sealed the deal for me. The only issue for me is battery life. If they fix that in the next version, it’s gonna be another sure fire purchase for me.

[EddyGraphic]

I have a pair and wasn’t the biggest fan of the case but your reasoning for liking it is on point, I never thought of it that way but indeed they’re way easier to put in/ take out of the case as well as keeping the adjustment I’ve already made.

[zheeribrahim]

Thanks for the review, i finally collected enough money to get these just a couple days ago, and I’ve been watching reviews all day for the past few days and they all confused me because almost none of them provided long term review, thank you so much, i’ll get my pair tonight.

[super_hero]

Your point on the smart case is completely flawed. With normal headphone, there is no need to put it back to the case every time you use it. The only time you would put it on the case is when you travel. So the whole thing about readjusting the headphone is mute. Sure you don't have to put the APM to the case every time either but this will cause your battery to drain faster and if you travel, you gonna need to buy a real case or have a special compartment in your bag for the APM.

[mkaufman]

Been using a pair this last week and comparison to my Beats Studio 3 they are night and day and love the clarity in the AirPod max.

[cecilereyna]

Well I only agree on the noise cancelling and transparency mode, they're superb. But the "case" is still not practical, the battery life is weak because of the lack of a power button since other headphones can last as long as you turn them off after use which in the case of Sony's is automatic. Airpods Max miss many features like wind noise reduction, ability to map the buttons, in the case of Sony LDAC and Dolby Atmos support on any app (not restricted to Apple Music) and DSEE Extreme which is really cool for local files. In terms of sound quality, Airpods Max are really bright which is great for indie and pop music but sounds horrible with other genres, Sony's are more balanced and finally mic quality is equal compared to others. If you're an Apple user like you, of course they're the best option because of the ecosystem, that's all. They're not the best on everything.

[DagmaraKrakow]

I tried so hard to hate my AirPods Max! I bought multiple Bose and Sonys and Jabras hoping they would steal my heart (and ears) and save me some money but nothing really came close to the quality of AirPods Max. So I sent them all back and now love my AirPods Max. For all the reasons you mentioned.

[derek]

I just bought my AirPods Max three days ago. It was a huge toss up between them and the Sony XM5s, mainly due to price point. But I bit the bullet and pulled the trigger on the Max’s. Being that these are my first pair of over-ear headphones that I’ve owned since the Beats Solo 2, I can say that I am absolutely blown away by these. I don’t find the weight to be an issue at all, I love how sleek they are compared to most other over-ear headphones and the ANC/transparency modes are incredible. I think think the Smart Case is a great concept, but I do plan to purchase an aftermarket hard case for traveling. The battery life isn’t much of an issue for me since I don’t find myself wearing them all day everyday. I fully charged them the night I got them and as I’m writing this comment, I still have about a third of my battery life left. These AirPods Max get a 10 out of 10 in my book! 👌🏼

[CharliePryor]

Been wanting to set up a home theater in our basement centered around our LG CX. Brilliant picture, especially in a room that's pitch black. But for audio, our room is a bit tricky, as there's very limited space for a good position for speakers. Enter this idea: getting 2 pairs of these Airpods Max. I'm held back only by a single factor, and it isn't price, since the audio system I was going to get was going to cost about $1K before installation anyways. What I'm held back on.. is that Spatial audio doesn't work when you are sending sound to two airpods max at once. So when my wife and I want to share that amazing cinema experience... it doesn't appear as though we'll be able to enjoy that surround sound together with these.

[clintgolub]

I’ve come to not just accept the ‘smart case’ of the AirPod Max’s but honestly appreciate how slim it is since I keep the headphones in the back passenger pocket of my vehicle when I head to work in the morning. Also your point of not having a power button is something I’ve never really considered but is really pleasant as ‘just working’. Beautiful experience, really.

[cdot.]

I think they are great for the Apple ecosystem. I use them in the office for the transparency. Great for the Apple TV to watch movies and tv with. Walking in and out the house. They’re heavy yet doesn’t overheat your ears. They stay in position. For music at home I put on my Xm4’s.

[noywfqy]

So if I use Spotify they won’t sound as good??

[bill]

As an Airpods Max user I have to admit I have made fun of the case. But the ease of use, you point out, is a quite fair assessment. The sound quality is very good for BT. I do feel it is wise to replace the ear pads after a year or more of use. I was losing sound quality until I did that. Note, I can't wait to see version 2 should there ever be one. I hope there is some kind of actual lossless supported in a new version, but would that not need a source upgrade too?

[isaacwutkee]

Thanks for doing a long-term review. I agree with nearly all your points. I have had my pair for about a year now, and I love them. I use them almost daily and never ever have a problem with them or a regret about them, even switching seamlessly between my several devices. I have traveled plenty and literally never have an issue shoving them into my backpack - they feel protected by the case and have never been damaged.
Also, these are honestly extremely low-profile. It blows my mind. How did them make them so thin? Most of the size is the ear pads. I have no problem using them for meetings, but they do pick up the voices of the people around me a little easier than I wish they did. But all around, I love these headphones.

[vPeteWalker]

Great video. I think you've convinced me to give these a shot, but I would like to wait for their next iteration, esp. considering how expensive they are. Thanks a ton.

[phonepup]

The AirPods max seem to have great sound quality, transparency, and ANC. People making points about the case being and for travel, especially early on seemed a bit exaggerated; we were still in mid bad stage pandemic. You made a really good point about it being good for home use.
The weight is also probably not too big of a deal for using them while doing work or something stationary; of course these aren’t really work out headphones.

[LeziLexi]

I really didn’t see the point of having AirPod Maxs I thought they were cool but I’d never buy them, then I tried on a pair today and tried the noise cancellation and transparency mode and I’m sold. I need a pair.