Apple AirPods Max - Is it really worth the price?

Apple's AirPods Max are a pair of wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones that were launched on December 15, 2020. They are Apple's most expensive AirPods option, available for $549 alongside the base model AirPods and the $249 AirPods Pro.

The over-ear configuration with bigger speakers, addition of Apple's Digital Crown, more color colors, and longer battery life are the key advantages of the AirPods Max over the AirPods Pro. They are said to be the best noise-cancelling headphones, second only to the Sony WH-1000XM4.But, Is that right? Are they really worth the $549 price tag. Let’s examine the features -

Price

Space grey, silver, sky blue, green, and pink are among the five colours available for the AirPods Max, which cost $549. Replacement ear cushions are magnetic and can be swapped out for $69.

A carrying Smart Case and Lightning-to-USB-C cable are included in the package, but there is no power adapter. The AirPods Max still doesn't come with a Lightning-to-3.5mm audio cord, which you'll have to buy separately for $35 if you want to listen to music without Bluetooth.

Design

With the 5 fun, vibrant, bright colors - Space Gray, Green, Pink, Sky Blue and Silver, the AirPods Max stands out from any surface. A stainless steel frame measuring 7.4 x 6.6 x 3.3 inches connects them, with small, telescoping arms that extend at the top for a mesh headband. The breathable canopy relieves pressure, making the 13.6 ounces sound lighter than they are. The AirPods Max, on the other hand, are slightly heavier than the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose 700 headphones, all of which weigh only 8.96 ounces.

Apple made a smart decision by renting and extending the Digital Crown from the Apple Watch for the AirPods Max. The AirPods Max's crown is used for volume control, skipping songs, and loading or pausing music, similar to how the crown is used for navigation on Apple's smartwatch. It can also be used to access Siri and to return or end phone calls.

The noise cancellation and clarity mode switches are located on the right earcup's other button. So, where is the control button on the AirPods Max? There isn't one, which is weird regardless of how you look at it. Since they go into low-power mode after a few minutes of inactivity or while they're in the magnetic smart case, Apple should have provided a way to totally switch off the AirPods Max.

The most disappointing factor is the Smart Case. The design is just gross, it looks and feels like a little schoolgirl’s bag. Unlike other headphones, the AirPods Max along with the Smart Case, is very hard to carry around. So this is not recommended for frequent travellers. People are surprised at Apple as they usually release products with sleek and modern design.

Battery Life

The AirPods Max deliver on Apple's promise of a 20-hour battery life. The low-power modes are powerful enough that with regular usage, most users can get multiple days out of them. The Sony WH-1000XM4 will give you another 10 hours of use, but you'll need to charge them with a wired 3.5mm cable. The wired solution reduces the risk of audio delay, but it is not compatible with charging the headphones.

Audio Quality and Performance

The sound of AirPods Max begins with a custom-built 40mm dynamic driver in each cup. Each chip contains ten audio cores capable of performing 9 billion operations per second. The steady bassline in Linkin Park's "Papercut" rang out loud and clear, as did the beats in Bill Callahan's "Pigeons." Deep bass, precise mid-range tones, and clear high-frequencies are all features of the AirPods. When playing video on your iPhone or iPad, the system supports 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos video formats and uses built-in head detection to make sound relative to what you're seeing on screen.

Tech specs aside, The AirPods Max aren't likely to appeal to genuine audiophiles or audio professionals who need lossless playback due to their wireless nature, but they still sound high-end, although not as high-end as wired recording equipment and with more complexities than most common headphones models. Songs were studio-quality, according to users and YouTube reviewers, and some features that were previously unknown to people were revealed when listened to with the AirPods Max.

Noise Cancelling

The two best noise-cancelling headphones in the game are Apple's AirPods Pro and Bose 700. The noise cancellation is excellent, despite the fact that there is only one stage. With 11 degrees of noise cancellation, the Bose 700 is definitely a better match for you if you choose fine tuning for this feature.

More choices aren't always easier. The AirPod Max might not be the best headphone for you if you want to customise your sound. You won't be unhappy if you're willing to relinquish control to Apple's computational prowess.

Should you buy?

The AirPods Max are Apple's best headphones, but it's a pity they don't come with a lower price point. Aside from being more Android-friendly, the Bose 700 and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are also hundreds of dollars less expensive. Both have a carrying bag, a headset port, and an off button. The $549 price tag of the AirPods Max is totally unreasonable. This is simply due to the widely known “Apple Tax”.But it is close to luxury listening, according to the Youtuber Marques Brownlee. The AirPods Max is your ticket to listening privilege if you can see beyond these caveats and have the cash to spare.

But if you are looking for more performance for less price, please consider the AirPods Pro ($249), in which you can enjoy Apple’s Noise Cancelling, spatial audio, good battery life and most importantly portable as it can fit easily in your back pocket. But there is no arguing that the AirPods Max is truly exceptional.

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