Cheaper pricing at a reasonable reduction to build quality. A matte black version to start with. Some type of cleaner or easy swap headbands because man those things attract some dirt. Preferably a foldable action. If not possible then a travel case that…..actually works. An off button too. Also magnetic charging would be great.
Not that I’m going to buy AirPods Max 2, I got fed up waiting for them to be released and I bought the Bose QC ultra’s… but I’d like to see. 1: Power button. 2: USB-C connection. 3: New colours 4: A PROPER CASE!
Im a drummer and use these to play with tracks. The noise reduction is awesome to dampen the drum sound. I also use them to mix audio and love the sound. Highly recommended for drummers!
Mixing music with a wireless Bluetooth headphone? Yeah that wouldn't work lol. Get studio open back headphones for half the price. Nobody is mixing music with an Bluetooth headphone. That's the stupidest thing I have heard. Mixing music needs a flat sound. And wired as well to get the most out of it. No Bluetooth headphones got this. Sound of Bluetooth is still god awful compared to wired. You will never get a good sounding mix. Think you ears are broken because of your drumming
I’ve had so many over ear headphones over the years and I find myself still reaching for these. I have big ears and these fit me the best. They sound great, I think they look great too. As always, Mark, a great informative video.
You need the gaps in the case for one big reason. It needs to let the moisture from your ears/heads to air out. If it was fully enclosed you may have a mold problem. That would get more pressure than having gaps in the case.
Or they could just....don't loose me here.....have made a good breathable case?? So, Beats do, and everyone who's been in the game for decades does, but the fruit company makes this nonsense and you somehow make excuses for them?? Where are the mold issue with every other OEM? They could've just not used the cloth mesh in the first place. It leads to absolutely stink bombs a lot more often than not for a lot of people (surprisinglyway too many cases, I've come across) cuz of how much sweat and hair grease it soaks up in hot countries. Thank goodness they're actually washable by hand, cuz just why? Velour holds up a lot longer before stinking, if you want fabric style materials Just lots of either rubbish, or creating solutions for self manufactured problems. And if you listen to a lot of music without vocals, they're extremely middle of the road.
@@AwaksI like the case. Easy to slip in unlike the xm4s, and it’s the perfect solution to resolving the issue of bulk because of the size of the headphones. I feel like people wouldn’t hate them if mkbhd didn’t hate them but that’s just my opinion
@@coolkidxpead4038 I think if people really still want a pair they should get the previous lightening version if they’ve cheaper from other sellers. So not giving Apple a load of their hard earned money for making no effort in changing them.
I agree for the most part. The APM are legitimately an extremely good pair of headphones. The only thing that would prevent me from buying them now if I didn't have a pair is the fact that they're probably going to be refreshed this year and I'd imagine that the 2nd version will be USBc. I'd probably wait until later this year to see if they do get updated.
I've got a pair of Sony MX4 that work wonderfully, I have them paired to both my iPhone and iPad. However, I recently got a pair of AirPods Pro and really like the feature where I can switch between the devices seamlessly. So, I am tempted to get the AirPods Max whenever they are updated. But I'll wait to see more details when the product is released.
I've recently upgraded from Air Pods Pro to Air Pods Pro2 and the difference is astounding. I've always had a fascination for the over-the-ear set of AirPods Max tho and the only thing I'm waiting for is USB-C. Now that I'm using an iPhone 15 Pro Max as my daily, I've really come around to the simplicity of USB-C and I think I wanna continue down that path and not revert back to Lightning cords/cables. As always, a solid review. Thank you!
I use my APM’s every day. For me they are brilliant in all areas, I’ve no regrets buying them, price aside. BUT, I agree with you on the state of charge indicator. When I’m using them I can access the battery widget but if they are in the case I can’t. Maybe there is a way round this that I’m unaware of, that is a pain but very much a 1st world problem
I literally said to the wife last night the my APM is the best tech product I’ve ever owned. I can listen to them paired with my phone whilst out on a walk, then connect them to my Xbox controller via the lighting cable for gaming, then when everyone’s in bed I can have amazing cinematic spatial sound watching movies on the Apple TV. Oh, and depending on the scenario I can have them ‘open’ or ‘closed’ using the noise cancellation button. The new ones will be a day 1 purchase.for me.
Songs play the best on AirPod Max when I compare with the bigger HomePod stereo paired in my living room. Better than my Bose system in my car. These are awesome!
I'm not looking to buy any new headphones right now because I'm really happy with my Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 (which I chose after watching several videos including yours!). But I still watched this video to see what your updated thoughts were about APM. Overall, I'm still very satisfied with my Px7 S2s because one, they look great, and two, the sound quality of these is incredible (and which I believe is better than what you call APM's 'okay' sound). The APM headphones really look good though, and I see a lot of people wearing them. But the Px7 S2 look so good as well; I got the blue ones with the gold finish and they are gorgeous!
Agreed with everything except the lack of praise for the sound and noise cancellation. Having used the Sony XM5s and Bose QC Ultras, the AirPod Max are the best in terms of sound and noise cancellation. The one negative, which is a big one, that no one seems to mention is connectivity issues. I’ve owned 2 pairs of AirPod Max’s and both have suffered from crippling Bluetooth connectivity issues that get progressively worse with everyday use about for about 1-1.5 yrs. Lastly, condensation can build up in the ear cups due to the use of metal. Hopefully Apple addresses these issues with the 2nd gen. Great review as always
Great update. I have the B&W PX7S2. (Great), the AirPods Pro 2 (fantastic) but I’m still hankering for the Max for home use. Spatial Audio is a game changer for me and I like the idea of over ears. Inclusion of the H2 chip in Max 2 would be good but this appears uncertain.
7:31 Ordered a pair of the discounted lightning model yesterday, I’ve still got plenty from when it was my phone’s cord (past-tense) and I prefer it to C anyway, details below This year I upgraded phones for the first time to one that charges with USB-C and honestly I miss lightning now It was: - easier to plug in - had rounded edges so it didn’t have almost any chance of scratching your device - fastened cleanly as opposed to what I can only describe as a “scraping-like” feeling when fully plugging in and seating a C cable - supported fast charging, data transfer albeit not at USB-C speeds (rarely used anyway though), and all-around was just very versatile - …and USB-C sucks for audio whereas lightning was fine at it, i.e. now any of my devices that only receive audio via lightning or 32-Pin just don’t work even with cable converters: USB-C just can’t process audio in the way needed to work Part of the last bit is a self-inflicted Apple problem, where they eliminated the headphone jack back when lighting could at least still handle audio as a replacement (albeit inconvenient because it meant no wired headphones and charging at once) But now even that “eh” lightning only situation got even worse going to C, where now I’ve got a port that’s very bad at or often incapable of sending audio data I just don’t like this connector, and the ability to charge regardless of if I’m around Android or Apple users was not worth the losses I get the intents of and used to agree with the EU on forcing this standard, but now I honestly miss the better experience lightning gave me
They’re expensive af for what they offer which is absolutely fine but ppl these days have just simply the possibility to look up what they get for the money and so ya many are gonna choose the less expensive option while still getting nearly or even the same amount of quality
I actually think I agree with all that you had to say. As for the update, I would still like to see a longer battery life, microphones as good as the Air Pods Pro 2 and some weather resistance. An AirPod Max Lite would be a welcome addition. I do. It expect to see any of these, however.
Just got the AirPod Max today. After testing it with my M50x bt2 I gotta say the m50 sounds better and clearer. Looks like I will be retuning the AirPod max
Hi mark. You made me want my Airpods max back. But i try to find the link you mentioned. Its hard with a screenreader like VoiceOver on the mac with FIrefox.
Have tried a lot of the newer headphones and have owned the APMs for years. Despite the weight the APMs are amongst the comfiest for me (big ear cups and a headband that distributes weight well goes a long way). In terms of sound quality I think the APMs are nice sounding but I much preferred the more exciting listen of the XM5s and Bose QC Ultra. The APMs are a little boring sounding IMO But… had to return the XM5s due to narrow head band
Great review. One point of contention, and this is not just your review but with a lot of the people out there in the tech review world, the complaint that Apple hasn't switched over all accessories to USB-C. For those of us that have been in the Apple ecosystem for years, I have tons of lightning cables. I have to buy additional USB-C cables when products with USB-C come out. Yes, most come with a cable, but I'll tend to buy an extra cable to keep with my travel kit of cables or maybe one of a different length. For me, data transmission is the only reason to use USB-C. Lightning is perfectly fine for charging. Maybe because things like laptops are going USB-C exclusive that's an issue, but if I don't need to actually plug in the accessory into a computer, then there are plenty of USB-A chargers/hubs out there. That's the end of my rant ;) Really enjoy your reviews!
Transparency mode is such an underrated feature. I use it on my AirPod Pros (first-gen) way more than I use noise cancellation. Even on my beats studio buds that I use for working out. The transparency mode on those are no where near as good as the Airpod Pros but I still use it more.
I have them for like 2 weeks. Only what I am looking for is a audio quality and I can say sometimes I just play music and cant stop, thats how good they are. Specially I like the bass what is amazing, like in cinema, big, deep and detailed. When you hear storm is like you are there in clouds. My options are: accommodation moderate tones sligty on. Spatial audio always on but I recommend switching off personalised spatial and left only default spatial running. Apple music losess quality and eq for hip hop. It gives you the best possible music experience for bass heads
I think I’ll wait. The Air Pods pro 2 are enough for me at the moment. See if Apple does refresh the APM or not? And are the Sony XM6 on the horizon this year?
I’ve realized that the benks headphone stand that I bought on your recommendation is what has destroyed the canopy on mine. They have a high clamping force which will reduce the pressure on the canopy from your head, but when it’s on the stand the canopy is taking the full wait of both the headphones and the case. I still blame the headphones as it shouldn’t be an issue, but it would be worth mentioning as they are no longer very comfortable because of this.
I don't think that benks stand puts pressure on the canopy. The external frame rests on the edge of the stand and the canopy sits in the shaped area. If you put them on a normal stand the canopy is pressured.
I’ve had these headphones for the last two years and honestly I hate them now. I’ve had to get them repaired twice because the head detection bullshit stops working. No sound comes through even though they say they are connected. This happens randomly, so when i need them they only work like 50-60% of the time. I’m tired and finally got new headphones for bday this year.
As much as I love apple and beats, they always have connection issues at some point. I love how they instantly connect but they always have issues in a year or so.
Hopefully it will get updated in March? I almost bought a pair recently myself, then realized it will most likely get updated in March, at least according to Mark Gurman.
@@fallin1968 In his early September newsletter he mentioned “Spring 2024” as the likely refresh of the AirPods Max. Now, he’s suggesting “2024”. Seeing as they’re just over 3 years old, my gut tells me March, maybe June. Hopefully not much later than that.
@@MarkEllisReviews oh really? That’s great. Because that’s the main reason why I have hesitated to buy them, since they are not waterproof. Thanks for answering
I understand they sound GREAT, and have since they arrived. So my wonder is why would they change something that isn’t broken? What they did was catch up with the modern power cord C a color, but I want a set now because I’ve never had any and expect them to be FANTASTIC 🎉
Bought a pair on Prime Day (2024) for $350. I just got them a few days ago and I mostly love them. I did have some weird issue where the digital crown nor noise canceling weren't working, which was annoying, but I think I can solve it. They are by far the most comfortable over ear headphones I've ever owned, though. EDIT: fixed it. I just had to put them in the case for a few minutes to "turn them off/on" and now everything is working great.
I returned my AirPods Max due to the weight. The weight makes them slightly annoying while wearing them but you really notice how heavy they are once you take them off. It really is like your head just became much lighter. I really hope they address the weight on the second release and I will buy them again.
As someone who dropped 250 a pair for the wh-1000 and xb950 and BOTH broke in the same area… I would buy them but I know they will change the charging port for USB c
you forgot to mention the new chip going in the AirPods Max 2nd gen.. an updated version of what's in the AirPods Pro 2nd gen. which would allow for auto switching and adaptive noise like the AirPods Pro 2nd get currently has, and as a user of the 2nd generation while engaging in the apple ecosystem between my phone and computer the auto switching is an absolute must. its one of those things that once you experience it you quickly realize just how much you never knew you needed it.
I bought these when they came out and have been unimpressed. The sound isn’t spectacular by any means. I’ve put on a pair of Bose QC35s and been blown away by the richness of the sound. These are matched by $30 headphones from a big box store. The ecosystem integration is a selling point to be sure, but not to justify a $500 price tag.
I just bought them 😂 I compared it with the even more expensive Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless and yes, I prefer the APM. Not only for the Apple ecosystem but also for the sound. Love em!
I just purchased a pair for less that retail today & compared them back and forth to my my wh1000xM4 … Honest pros and cons. Max cons: weight, tight, transparency is loud, buttons work great but feels old school. “Why roll when you can slide! Max Pros: Sound quality-clarity-bass, noise cancellation is pretty good, don’t seem like they will fall off your head, durability, reactivity! Sony wh1000xM4 cons: The name lol.. could use a bit more bass, touch sensitivity could also be better. Sony pros: sound is superb… I mean Crisp! Noise cancellation is very good! Touch features work pretty good, Super light and also fits the head for comfort with no fatigue, more Mobile even when resting on the neck, Feels cheap but I’ve had them since 2020 with no problems. Max isn’t a bad choice… I think Sony did. Much better job all around. I’d rather my headphones do everything good vs 1 thing great.
I picked up a pair of APM during spring of 2022, for a transatlantic flight. Mind you there was a good deal from Costco at $150 CAD off the MSRP price. The rumours I’ve heard so far on the 2nd version of these, probably due out in 2024, is that they will come in added new colours, USBC and H2 chip. If that’s the only upgrade, I’d suggest that new buyers look out for rebates on version one, even if they do have Lightning port. Paying $549 US, if that’s the price, is way too much IMO. A USBC port is definitely not worth that much.
Fínally someone who gives these headphones a fair chance! I was a big B&W fan and I tested these vs my old B&W PX’s and the new PX7 S2’s. The only thing my girlfriend and I could state was: Apple did audio better than B&W did tech. The seamless iPhone integration, transparency mode, build quality etc makes this a more compelling and liveable package. We love the AirPods Max!
Something that makes the Airpods Max even better is to connect them with a wire to a headphone amplifier. You won’t believe the difference. It’s actually quite spectacular how much better they sound. It makes them shine. Try it. I recommend the Hip Dac 2/3 from Ifi. The amplifier drives the headphones so you save the battery for those wireless on the go moments. With that said I would never recomend bying these headphones… in Sweden they are 800 dollar including tax and the Airpods Max does not sound like a pair of 800 dollar headphones any way you twist and turn them.
I picked up a pair for $103 but didn’t come with case or charger but I bought a hardshell case for $15. I’m excited for them to come. By the way I know they are authentic because he sent picture of the inside of the ear muffs
I have tried AirPods Max in the Apple brand store and I was pleasantly surprised in terms of comfort, sound quality, noise reduction, etc. It is an excellent product!👍
If Max 2 is released and is priced cheaper, with lower quality materials (excluding the chips), would that make Max 1 more premium and possibly rarer in the future?
My AirPods Max stopped working unfortunately. They can’t connect to my phone & seem to have battery problems. No idea where to go to fix it since Apple wants to charge $300 just to inspect them
If you have less than a year with them Apple is supposed to inspect them for free and even replace them. With Apple Care the cost shouldn’t be more than $99 dollars. 😅
I'm a Bose QC Ultra user. Love them for comfort, super light, great ANC/transparency, smooth multipoint, foldable. Had Sony XM4 before but then XM5 you can't fold but from what I experienced with XM4 was good. Apple still has no EQ adjustment and again with the useless "case" but then again third party companies got cases I can see on Amazon so thats good. Tried them in store and also they're heavy.
I’m really happy with mine! I am a software developer working remotely and I have used mine every single work day since launch for music and video conferences (I’d say an average of 5-6 hours of use every day easily). I really like the form factor, the cushions are very comfortable and I don’t think the weight matters that much so for me they’re fine. I do like the audio quality and the ease of use (I only have Apple devices that I use these with). As I rarely use them outside I have rarely used the noise cancellation, but the transparency mode is awesome. I don’t use the “case” (bought the Waterfield leather case that also has the magnets to trigger the low power mode for the rare day in the office commute) and I had to buy a new pair of cushions thanks to my dog having decided to destroy one of the originals. I don’t mind the Lighting port though. I already have the cables lying around so whatever. I even had to send them for repair - great customer support - as it had an issue and they swapped the left headphone and now just sometimes when connecting to an iOS device the toast displays a white pair while mine are black (little detail that could be improved). I agree that the worst part is the canopy mesh. Although amazing in the beginning, after about 1 year of my use it is as if it is not even there and hence I think this is the main form factor thing they’ll have to improve. Other than that for a new generation of the AirPods Max I only wish for Hi-Fi audio quality (to go along Apple Music), more volume and the improved adaptive noise cancellation of the AirPods Pro 2. If Apple decides to make a new generation I would totally buy them ASAP!
I’m looking forward to the AirPods Max 2. Now I bought the Bose quiet comfort ultra. I don’t want to buy the old AirPods Max because I think they are outdated. Do you think that Bose is the right purchase for an apple power user as me, with many apple device around me ? Or do I have to buys the old AIRPODS MAX (and return back Bose) because I’m an apple power user ? Or do I have to wait the APM MAX 2, while keeping the Bose now ? What do you think I should do ? I need a pair of over ear earphones right now, I can’t wait and I don’t know what to do hahaha. I tried Bose, but I don’t like how they interact with the Apple ecosystem around me: problem with the connection with all my Apple device, latency and a lot of time switching for a device to another. Do you think I have to buy the APM for this reason now ? Or still keeping the Bose ?
I think you have made a good argument for both,,,,I had the same dilemma but use the Bose ultra more for long listening sessions as the clasp on the AP max,s are to tight for me for anything more than a couple of hours. However for shorter listening I just put the Max,s on. For me they both have a place of use but if choosing one then only you can decide what you prioritise.
Just went into the Apple Store to test the AirPod Max out and I was extremely disappointed. The ANC was awful and nowhere near as good as my AirPod Pros(Gen 2). Build quality is incredible but the fact these are like £500 with WORSE ANC means you should really avoid these unfortunately. Thank god I tried these for myself and not just relied on UA-cam reviews! Take my advice and try them for yourself before buying
What do you want from AirPods Max 2?
Cheaper pricing at a reasonable reduction to build quality. A matte black version to start with.
Some type of cleaner or easy swap headbands because man those things attract some dirt.
Preferably a foldable action. If not possible then a travel case that…..actually works. An off button too.
Also magnetic charging would be great.
A freaking power button. Easiest answer ever.
Not that I’m going to buy AirPods Max 2, I got fed up waiting for them to be released and I bought the Bose QC ultra’s…
but I’d like to see.
1: Power button.
2: USB-C connection.
3: New colours
4: A PROPER CASE!
@@aaronchapman6666 All foldable headphones that I have ever used are flimsy
USB C and the H2 chip
Im a drummer and use these to play with tracks. The noise reduction is awesome to dampen the drum sound.
I also use them to mix audio and love the sound.
Highly recommended for drummers!
Mixing music with a wireless Bluetooth headphone? Yeah that wouldn't work lol. Get studio open back headphones for half the price. Nobody is mixing music with an Bluetooth headphone. That's the stupidest thing I have heard. Mixing music needs a flat sound. And wired as well to get the most out of it. No Bluetooth headphones got this. Sound of Bluetooth is still god awful compared to wired. You will never get a good sounding mix. Think you ears are broken because of your drumming
I’ve had so many over ear headphones over the years and I find myself still reaching for these. I have big ears and these fit me the best. They sound great, I think they look great too. As always, Mark, a great informative video.
Thanks for sharing!
You need the gaps in the case for one big reason.
It needs to let the moisture from your ears/heads to air out. If it was fully enclosed you may have a mold problem. That would get more pressure than having gaps in the case.
Or they could just....don't loose me here.....have made a good breathable case??
So, Beats do, and everyone who's been in the game for decades does, but the fruit company makes this nonsense and you somehow make excuses for them?? Where are the mold issue with every other OEM?
They could've just not used the cloth mesh in the first place. It leads to absolutely stink bombs a lot more often than not for a lot of people (surprisinglyway too many cases, I've come across) cuz of how much sweat and hair grease it soaks up in hot countries. Thank goodness they're actually washable by hand, cuz just why? Velour holds up a lot longer before stinking, if you want fabric style materials
Just lots of either rubbish, or creating solutions for self manufactured problems. And if you listen to a lot of music without vocals, they're extremely middle of the road.
@@AwaksI like the case. Easy to slip in unlike the xm4s, and it’s the perfect solution to resolving the issue of bulk because of the size of the headphones. I feel like people wouldn’t hate them if mkbhd didn’t hate them but that’s just my opinion
I will buy them in a heart beat, just waiting for that lightning connector to go! Just became a fully usb C apple eco system owner. Waiting patiently
Will you be buying them now? 😉
@@beaniemac83 smh… unfortunately I will be buying then 🤣🫡 that starlight looking very appealing
now? no new fetures so still 4 years old but now they have usbc. idk what to do
@@coolkidxpead4038 I think if people really still want a pair they should get the previous lightening version if they’ve cheaper from other sellers. So not giving Apple a load of their hard earned money for making no effort in changing them.
I bought Max 1 with lighting cable for $395 two weeks ago. If type c is worth another $150 to you then you should buy them.
I agree for the most part. The APM are legitimately an extremely good pair of headphones. The only thing that would prevent me from buying them now if I didn't have a pair is the fact that they're probably going to be refreshed this year and I'd imagine that the 2nd version will be USBc. I'd probably wait until later this year to see if they do get updated.
the airpods max 2 have been delayed till 2025 unfortunately
I resolved this by getting a lighting to usb -c adapter. Found a nice small one on amazon for less than $5
@@jaestreets751 very good idea, that's a cheap & easy way to solve the lightning / USB issue.
updated
I've got a pair of Sony MX4 that work wonderfully, I have them paired to both my iPhone and iPad. However, I recently got a pair of AirPods Pro and really like the feature where I can switch between the devices seamlessly. So, I am tempted to get the AirPods Max whenever they are updated. But I'll wait to see more details when the product is released.
Had those Sony… didn’t liked the sound…
My xm4 died recently
Have Sony MX4 also--set up custom EQs and happy with them but miss the ability to easily switch from device to device as my Airpod Pros do.
They’re $100 dollars off now😊
Just get xm5 wayyy better or newer xm6 on either comes out ..
I've recently upgraded from Air Pods Pro to Air Pods Pro2 and the difference is astounding. I've always had a fascination for the over-the-ear set of AirPods Max tho and the only thing I'm waiting for is USB-C. Now that I'm using an iPhone 15 Pro Max as my daily, I've really come around to the simplicity of USB-C and I think I wanna continue down that path and not revert back to Lightning cords/cables.
As always, a solid review. Thank you!
You said everything I love about the AirPods Max. Bought it at Christmas and using it all the time. 👍
I use my APM’s every day. For me they are brilliant in all areas, I’ve no regrets buying them, price aside. BUT, I agree with you on the state of charge indicator. When I’m using them I can access the battery widget but if they are in the case I can’t. Maybe there is a way round this that I’m unaware of, that is a pain but very much a 1st world problem
I literally said to the wife last night the my APM is the best tech product I’ve ever owned. I can listen to them paired with my phone whilst out on a walk, then connect them to my Xbox controller via the lighting cable for gaming, then when everyone’s in bed I can have amazing cinematic spatial sound watching movies on the Apple TV. Oh, and depending on the scenario I can have them ‘open’ or ‘closed’ using the noise cancellation button.
The new ones will be a day 1 purchase.for me.
Songs play the best on AirPod Max when I compare with the bigger HomePod stereo paired in my living room. Better than my Bose system in my car.
These are awesome!
Waiting for an update (if it ever comes). So far quite happy with the momentum 4. The closest cans to AP Max I’ve had sound quality wise.
Bose qc ultra are my new daily driver and very satisfied.
I'm not looking to buy any new headphones right now because I'm really happy with my Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 (which I chose after watching several videos including yours!). But I still watched this video to see what your updated thoughts were about APM. Overall, I'm still very satisfied with my Px7 S2s because one, they look great, and two, the sound quality of these is incredible (and which I believe is better than what you call APM's 'okay' sound). The APM headphones really look good though, and I see a lot of people wearing them. But the Px7 S2 look so good as well; I got the blue ones with the gold finish and they are gorgeous!
Just bought a pair and they are fantastic . Compliment my AirPod pro 2’s nicely .
Agreed with everything except the lack of praise for the sound and noise cancellation. Having used the Sony XM5s and Bose QC Ultras, the AirPod Max are the best in terms of sound and noise cancellation. The one negative, which is a big one, that no one seems to mention is connectivity issues. I’ve owned 2 pairs of AirPod Max’s and both have suffered from crippling Bluetooth connectivity issues that get progressively worse with everyday use about for about 1-1.5 yrs. Lastly, condensation can build up in the ear cups due to the use of metal. Hopefully Apple addresses these issues with the 2nd gen. Great review as always
I’ve had mine for a week and are having connectivity issues in the right ear of the headphones. Apple hasn’t been much help with fixing it either.
@@shadedsoul890 toy try to return them and get a new pair if you can.
I’ve got the AirPods Pro second generation vary pleased with them and now with case I can locate with the iPhone
Great update. I have the B&W PX7S2. (Great), the AirPods Pro 2 (fantastic) but I’m still hankering for the Max for home use. Spatial Audio is a game changer for me and I like the idea of over ears. Inclusion of the H2 chip in Max 2 would be good but this appears uncertain.
7:31 Ordered a pair of the discounted lightning model yesterday, I’ve still got plenty from when it was my phone’s cord (past-tense) and I prefer it to C anyway, details below
This year I upgraded phones for the first time to one that charges with USB-C and honestly I miss lightning now
It was:
- easier to plug in
- had rounded edges so it didn’t have almost any chance of scratching your device
- fastened cleanly as opposed to what I can only describe as a “scraping-like” feeling when fully plugging in and seating a C cable
- supported fast charging, data transfer albeit not at USB-C speeds (rarely used anyway though), and all-around was just very versatile
- …and USB-C sucks for audio whereas lightning was fine at it, i.e. now any of my devices that only receive audio via lightning or 32-Pin just don’t work even with cable converters: USB-C just can’t process audio in the way needed to work
Part of the last bit is a self-inflicted Apple problem, where they eliminated the headphone jack back when lighting could at least still handle audio as a replacement (albeit inconvenient because it meant no wired headphones and charging at once)
But now even that “eh” lightning only situation got even worse going to C, where now I’ve got a port that’s very bad at or often incapable of sending audio data
I just don’t like this connector, and the ability to charge regardless of if I’m around Android or Apple users was not worth the losses
I get the intents of and used to agree with the EU on forcing this standard, but now I honestly miss the better experience lightning gave me
Hi @MarkEllisReviews, minute 5:08 what's that Headset stand? do you have any Amazon link to it? thanks for this review!
If I wasn't worried about the money, I would look at the the Bang & Olufsen H95's.
The crazy part is where I live I have only seen 1 pair of air pod max in the wild for as long as they have been out which is crazy to me.
They’re expensive af for what they offer which is absolutely fine but ppl these days have just simply the possibility to look up what they get for the money and so ya many are gonna choose the less expensive option while still getting nearly or even the same amount of quality
I’ve only seen them twice! Idk I wouldn’t wear them in public either since they can be stolen.
@@xroyalstevenx9151 very true!
I actually think I agree with all that you had to say. As for the update, I would still like to see a longer battery life, microphones as good as the Air Pods Pro 2 and some weather resistance. An AirPod Max Lite would be a welcome addition. I do. It expect to see any of these, however.
Just got the AirPod Max today. After testing it with my M50x bt2 I gotta say the m50 sounds better and clearer.
Looks like I will be retuning the AirPod max
Hi mark. You made me want my Airpods max back. But i try to find the link you mentioned. Its hard with a screenreader like VoiceOver on the mac with FIrefox.
Have tried a lot of the newer headphones and have owned the APMs for years. Despite the weight the APMs are amongst the comfiest for me (big ear cups and a headband that distributes weight well goes a long way).
In terms of sound quality I think the APMs are nice sounding but I much preferred the more exciting listen of the XM5s and Bose QC Ultra. The APMs are a little boring sounding IMO
But… had to return the XM5s due to narrow head band
How so, more bass on the others?
Great review. One point of contention, and this is not just your review but with a lot of the people out there in the tech review world, the complaint that Apple hasn't switched over all accessories to USB-C. For those of us that have been in the Apple ecosystem for years, I have tons of lightning cables. I have to buy additional USB-C cables when products with USB-C come out. Yes, most come with a cable, but I'll tend to buy an extra cable to keep with my travel kit of cables or maybe one of a different length. For me, data transmission is the only reason to use USB-C. Lightning is perfectly fine for charging. Maybe because things like laptops are going USB-C exclusive that's an issue, but if I don't need to actually plug in the accessory into a computer, then there are plenty of USB-A chargers/hubs out there. That's the end of my rant ;) Really enjoy your reviews!
Transparency mode is such an underrated feature. I use it on my AirPod Pros (first-gen) way more than I use noise cancellation. Even on my beats studio buds that I use for working out. The transparency mode on those are no where near as good as the Airpod Pros but I still use it more.
I have them for like 2 weeks. Only what I am looking for is a audio quality and I can say sometimes I just play music and cant stop, thats how good they are. Specially I like the bass what is amazing, like in cinema, big, deep and detailed. When you hear storm is like you are there in clouds. My options are: accommodation moderate tones sligty on. Spatial audio always on but I recommend switching off personalised spatial and left only default spatial running. Apple music losess quality and eq for hip hop. It gives you the best possible music experience for bass heads
I think I’ll wait. The Air Pods pro 2 are enough for me at the moment. See if Apple does refresh the APM or not? And are the Sony XM6 on the horizon this year?
I’ve realized that the benks headphone stand that I bought on your recommendation is what has destroyed the canopy on mine. They have a high clamping force which will reduce the pressure on the canopy from your head, but when it’s on the stand the canopy is taking the full wait of both the headphones and the case. I still blame the headphones as it shouldn’t be an issue, but it would be worth mentioning as they are no longer very comfortable because of this.
Not sure that’s categoric proof, to be honest, but I agree - this shouldn’t be an issue.
I don't think that benks stand puts pressure on the canopy. The external frame rests on the edge of the stand and the canopy sits in the shaped area. If you put them on a normal stand the canopy is pressured.
Do you think The 2nd gen would get the H2 chip? I don’t think the 2nd gen refresh will only be esthetic
I’ve had these headphones for the last two years and honestly I hate them now. I’ve had to get them repaired twice because the head detection bullshit stops working. No sound comes through even though they say they are connected. This happens randomly, so when i need them they only work like 50-60% of the time. I’m tired and finally got new headphones for bday this year.
As much as I love apple and beats, they always have connection issues at some point. I love how they instantly connect but they always have issues in a year or so.
Hopefully it will get updated in March? I almost bought a pair recently myself, then realized it will most likely get updated in March, at least according to Mark Gurman.
When did mark say this?
@@fallin1968 In his early September newsletter he mentioned “Spring 2024” as the likely refresh of the AirPods Max. Now, he’s suggesting “2024”. Seeing as they’re just over 3 years old, my gut tells me March, maybe June. Hopefully not much later than that.
@drkmagneto they haven't updated them in March! :(
I'm in the apple ecosystem. Got the ProMax refurbished from Best Buy for $350 and love them. Sound is great.
I really enjoy mine and I’m glad I have them.
Just sold my APM and bought the Bose QC ultra. To me, the APM are a bit dated now
Great choice
Is the weight annoying?
Did you have issues with condensation? Great video btw!
Nope - that's a non-event ;)
@@MarkEllisReviews oh really? That’s great. Because that’s the main reason why I have hesitated to buy them, since they are not waterproof. Thanks for answering
I think I’ll wait for the next version. Or see how the Sonos headphones do.
I understand they sound GREAT, and have since they arrived. So my wonder is why would they change something that isn’t broken? What they did was catch up with the modern power cord C a color, but I want a set now because I’ve never had any and expect them to be FANTASTIC 🎉
I never. Had them. So yes 😊
That’s my take, can’t understand the complaints 🎉
I love mine and they are great ear warmers now that it’s freezing in the UK. I bought mine in 2022 but would buy them again in 2024.
Great content vid as always, very very niche sponsor though, perhaps not for the UK market, unless the cleaner can manage potholes.
9:07 got me laughing since then 😂
I wish all tech reviewers had as much personality.😊
Haha - too kind!
I love these headphones. I just hate that you can’t turn them off cuz so many times I go grab them and they’re dead.
Bought a pair on Prime Day (2024) for $350. I just got them a few days ago and I mostly love them. I did have some weird issue where the digital crown nor noise canceling weren't working, which was annoying, but I think I can solve it.
They are by far the most comfortable over ear headphones I've ever owned, though.
EDIT: fixed it. I just had to put them in the case for a few minutes to "turn them off/on" and now everything is working great.
I just ordered the B&W PX8
Nice!
Didn’t see that coming!!! Especially about the case!!!! :) :) :) :) Great video, Mark. Cheers.
I returned my AirPods Max due to the weight. The weight makes them slightly annoying while wearing them but you really notice how heavy they are once you take them off. It really is like your head just became much lighter. I really hope they address the weight on the second release and I will buy them again.
Same here retuned for the same reason
Mark Ellis
Thank you for posting.
I looked at these but as I use a Samsung Galaxy s²⁴ Ultra I opted for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
As someone who dropped 250 a pair for the wh-1000 and xb950 and BOTH broke in the same area… I would buy them but I know they will change the charging port for USB c
Most rugged travel headphones I have. I loop that band and purse on my roller or shoulder back and I am off!
you forgot to mention the new chip going in the AirPods Max 2nd gen.. an updated version of what's in the AirPods Pro 2nd gen. which would allow for auto switching and adaptive noise like the AirPods Pro 2nd get currently has, and as a user of the 2nd generation while engaging in the apple ecosystem between my phone and computer the auto switching is an absolute must. its one of those things that once you experience it you quickly realize just how much you never knew you needed it.
Can I use the equalizer with ANDROID????
Im fortunate. I have both. These are AirPods. These inside and AirPods outside. Problem is that AirPods are getting better and better
review the B&O h 100
I bought these when they came out and have been unimpressed. The sound isn’t spectacular by any means. I’ve put on a pair of Bose QC35s and been blown away by the richness of the sound. These are matched by $30 headphones from a big box store. The ecosystem integration is a selling point to be sure, but not to justify a $500 price tag.
I just bought them 😂 I compared it with the even more expensive Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless and yes, I prefer the APM. Not only for the Apple ecosystem but also for the sound. Love em!
I just purchased a pair for less that retail today & compared them back and forth to my my wh1000xM4 …
Honest pros and cons.
Max cons: weight, tight, transparency is loud, buttons work great but feels old school. “Why roll when you can slide!
Max Pros: Sound quality-clarity-bass, noise cancellation is pretty good, don’t seem like they will fall off your head, durability, reactivity!
Sony wh1000xM4 cons: The name lol.. could use a bit more bass, touch sensitivity could also be better.
Sony pros: sound is superb… I mean Crisp!
Noise cancellation is very good! Touch features work pretty good, Super light and also fits the head for comfort with no fatigue, more Mobile even when resting on the neck,
Feels cheap but I’ve had them since 2020 with no problems.
Max isn’t a bad choice… I think Sony did. Much better job all around.
I’d rather my headphones do everything good vs 1 thing great.
I still use my AirPods Max on the regular. Watching movies or listening to music is the best use case for me.
I picked up a pair of APM during spring of 2022, for a transatlantic flight. Mind you there was a good deal from Costco at $150 CAD off the MSRP price.
The rumours I’ve heard so far on the 2nd version of these, probably due out in 2024, is that they will come in added new colours, USBC and H2 chip.
If that’s the only upgrade, I’d suggest that new buyers look out for rebates on version one, even if they do have Lightning port. Paying $549 US, if that’s the price, is way too much IMO. A USBC port is definitely not worth that much.
Waiting to 2nd GEN AirPods Max
I'm here for Aiper 🙌🔥
Boom.
Sir, AP Max the most overdue for a refresh !?!? I present you the Magic Mouse. Haha keep up the great work.
Update to USB C and I’ll buy them again
So you say you can buy it in 2024 or ? I need a new headphone.
Fínally someone who gives these headphones a fair chance! I was a big B&W fan and I tested these vs my old B&W PX’s and the new PX7 S2’s. The only thing my girlfriend and I could state was: Apple did audio better than B&W did tech. The seamless iPhone integration, transparency mode, build quality etc makes this a more compelling and liveable package. We love the AirPods Max!
Just got a new pair for $220 we'll worth it. Build quality is the best
The Magic Mouse is the longest product needing an update!!!
Which is why it got a mention.
Something that makes the Airpods Max even better is to connect them with a wire to a headphone amplifier. You won’t believe the difference. It’s actually quite spectacular how much better they sound. It makes them shine. Try it. I recommend the Hip Dac 2/3 from Ifi. The amplifier drives the headphones so you save the battery for those wireless on the go moments.
With that said I would never recomend bying these headphones… in Sweden they are 800 dollar including tax and the Airpods Max does not sound like a pair of 800 dollar headphones any way you twist and turn them.
do u get spatial audio with the amplifier also ?
I picked up a pair for $103 but didn’t come with case or charger but I bought a hardshell case for $15. I’m excited for them to come. By the way I know they are authentic because he sent picture of the inside of the ear muffs
When something is too good to be true, then…..😂
I have tried AirPods Max in the Apple brand store and I was pleasantly surprised in terms of comfort, sound quality, noise reduction, etc. It is an excellent product!👍
Apple headphones project failed. Case is bad and microphone sounds horrible. What they try next ? Maybe a vaccum cleaner
Given the updates to APM announced yesterday, this video aged really well. Should have just got the space grey 7 months ago!
There's another one on the way today!
I got tired of waiting for a refresh and bought the Beats Studio Pro. You get most of the features of Air Pods Max at a much better price.
If Max 2 is released and is priced cheaper, with lower quality materials (excluding the chips), would that make Max 1 more premium and possibly rarer in the future?
very sad to see my AirPods max behave abnormal after a year.. it is not wanting to pair at all..
I love mine and the case just a brilliant design
Heavy? Well I have a big head so the weight really does not seem to be a problem at aaaaaall 😂😂
Cost $800 in my country😢
Great vidéo, liked it!
My AirPods Max stopped working unfortunately. They can’t connect to my phone & seem to have battery problems. No idea where to go to fix it since Apple wants to charge $300 just to inspect them
If you have less than a year with them Apple is supposed to inspect them for free and even replace them. With Apple Care the cost shouldn’t be more than $99 dollars. 😅
0:08 is it just me who didn't understand what he just did there
You're new to this chanel, clearly. That's cool.
The case is crap he was pretending to toss it
Anyone try the StillVibe clone? Looks and sound just like the Airpod but so much cheaper..
Just bought some a week ago
I'm a Bose QC Ultra user. Love them for comfort, super light, great ANC/transparency, smooth multipoint, foldable. Had Sony XM4 before but then XM5 you can't fold but from what I experienced with XM4 was good. Apple still has no EQ adjustment and again with the useless "case" but then again third party companies got cases I can see on Amazon so thats good. Tried them in store and also they're heavy.
I’m really happy with mine!
I am a software developer working remotely and I have used mine every single work day since launch for music and video conferences (I’d say an average of 5-6 hours of use every day easily).
I really like the form factor, the cushions are very comfortable and I don’t think the weight matters that much so for me they’re fine. I do like the audio quality and the ease of use (I only have Apple devices that I use these with). As I rarely use them outside I have rarely used the noise cancellation, but the transparency mode is awesome.
I don’t use the “case” (bought the Waterfield leather case that also has the magnets to trigger the low power mode for the rare day in the office commute) and I had to buy a new pair of cushions thanks to my dog having decided to destroy one of the originals.
I don’t mind the Lighting port though. I already have the cables lying around so whatever.
I even had to send them for repair - great customer support - as it had an issue and they swapped the left headphone and now just sometimes when connecting to an iOS device the toast displays a white pair while mine are black (little detail that could be improved).
I agree that the worst part is the canopy mesh. Although amazing in the beginning, after about 1 year of my use it is as if it is not even there and hence I think this is the main form factor thing they’ll have to improve.
Other than that for a new generation of the AirPods Max I only wish for Hi-Fi audio quality (to go along Apple Music), more volume and the improved adaptive noise cancellation of the AirPods Pro 2.
If Apple decides to make a new generation I would totally buy them ASAP!
Transparency mode doesn’t work well when it’s windy :)
I’m looking forward to the AirPods Max 2. Now I bought the Bose quiet comfort ultra. I don’t want to buy the old AirPods Max because I think they are outdated. Do you think that Bose is the right purchase for an apple power user as me, with many apple device around me ? Or do I have to buys the old AIRPODS MAX (and return back Bose) because I’m an apple power user ? Or do I have to wait the APM MAX 2, while keeping the Bose now ? What do you think I should do ? I need a pair of over ear earphones right now, I can’t wait and I don’t know what to do hahaha. I tried Bose, but I don’t like how they interact with the Apple ecosystem around me: problem with the connection with all my Apple device, latency and a lot of time switching for a device to another. Do you think I have to buy the APM for this reason now ? Or still keeping the Bose ?
I think you have made a good argument for both,,,,I had the same dilemma but use the Bose ultra more for long listening sessions as the clasp on the AP max,s are to tight for me for anything more than a couple of hours. However for shorter listening I just put the Max,s on. For me they both have a place of use but if choosing one then only you can decide what you prioritise.
@@davidhughes4489 you are right. I think I keep the Bose and I use them for traveling, while I wait the APM 2 and I will use them at home.
Got mine for $200 basically brand new and I’m happy I didn’t spend more than $550 for them
I like my Max and Pros. The Sony M4 controls are yuck. I do like my QC35s, so light. I wouldn’t mind having the newest.
I hope gen 2 comes with at least 30 hours battery life and a real case cuz I don’t wanna get my headband mesh ripped or something
Found them for £370 should I buy?
Just went into the Apple Store to test the AirPod Max out and I was extremely disappointed. The ANC was awful and nowhere near as good as my AirPod Pros(Gen 2). Build quality is incredible but the fact these are like £500 with WORSE ANC means you should really avoid these unfortunately. Thank god I tried these for myself and not just relied on UA-cam reviews! Take my advice and try them for yourself before buying
Your sponsor is a pool cleaner - think I’m not normal anymore.
You and me both.
Would do you say at this time the beats studio pro at a $180 price tag brand new would be a better option in 2024?
At that price - absolutely.