Are Apple's new $550 AirPods Max any good? As reluctant audiophiles, we give the most in-depth review yet!
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Buy AirPods Max - geni.us/fe9gB
Buy AirPods Pro - geni.us/gAUVN4
Buy AirPods - geni.us/wCtapZr
Buy Sony WH-1000XM4 - geni.us/24Wsq
Buy Bose 700 - geni.us/Dj2Oqe
Buy B&W PX7 - geni.us/VysPY
Buy HiFiMAN Ananda-BT - geni.us/nC7VuTW
Chapters:
0:00 - Background
0:49 - Comfort/Fit
3:40 - Controls
4:45 - Case/Portability
6:46 - Battery
7:42 - Repairability/Teardown
9:40 - The Good Stuff
9:56 - Active Noise Cancelling
12:22 - Transparency Mode
13:26 - "Off" Mode
13:48 - Bluetooth Codecs
16:48 - The $35 Cable
19:09 - Objective SQ
20:08 - Subjective SQ
21:44 - Spatial Audio
22:36 - Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
23:51 - vs Sony 1000XM4
24:10 - vs B&W PX7
24:30 - AirPods vs The Competition
25:08 - The Problem with AirPods Pro
26:09 - Should You Buy Them?
Crinacle measurements: crinacle.com/2020/12/17/apple-airpods-max-measurements-first-impressions/
LDAC’s problems: www.soundguys.com/ldac-ultimate-bluetooth-guide-20026/
Bluetooth headphone codecs: www.soundguys.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-bluetooth-headphones-aac-20296/
AirPods Case design interview: translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=ja&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcasabrutus.com%2Fdesign%2F167958
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The Apple AirPods Max have been released to much fanfare. At a colossal $550, it puts itself way above the competition like the very popular Sony WH-1000XM4, Bowers & Wilkins PX7, and the Bose 700; however, it's still a bit shy of what the hi-fi market would expect in terms of pricing. Are they good? Yes. Quite good, in fact. But are they good enough to warrant their price tag? Watch our comprehensive AirPods Max review to find out.
Apple would have to pay ME $560 to use these headphones. Forget it!
I love mine the best thing I ever did it to buy them.
Can you compare the xm4 with your eq vs the airpords pls 🙏🏼
Great objective review!
I use $20 used bluetooth headset from 6 yars ago, I see no reason to upgrade.
have the bowers and I reaaally struggle to think the air pods can sound better, just because it`s apple... guess I`ll have to give them a try
Instead of releasing new products apple is simply interested in releasing more expensive versions of products that are already out.
still seems like bass heavy garbage for $500, matching of the left and right driver is poor. regarding the measurement, personally I'd like flatter bass and more emphasis around the 2k-3k region.
nah the xm4's are better.... and their case isn't stupid.. and they have more functionality.. and their cheaper? airpods max are dumb
Dumb case, heavy, expensive, and very lossy AAC bluetooth codec. No thanks.
Overpriced, dumb design and stupid case. Fucking ridiculous.
Is there a galaxy buds pro review coming?
Can you use the transparency and/or noise canceling while using 3.5mm cable?
Man your review so on point. If only you had those bi neural mics
By air play or connection to tv you could watch a movie from phone
10:04 Has no one noticed the slight increase of audio when he increased the volume on his iPhone?
Anyone else wildly distracted by this stunning (GS?) on wrist? Oooof those reflective hands and markers! Oh, solid review of the cans too ;) As usual, more depth and detail than any other video out there! Much appreciated!
Apple could've made a case identical to the Bose 700's, would've made it so much better. The Bose 700's also have a charging case available. If Apple makes that, and (or just) gives the capability to switch between iCloud and at least one non-iCloud device, I'd order them immediately. I got to try them out for a bit and I was astounded by the clarity, though I did only listen to one song. It did sound fairly flat to me in the 5 minutes I had with them, but I was able to pick out individual voices with the AirPods Max much better than I have been with other headphones I've tried. I don't have a direct comparison, but I have listened to both the Bose 700s and the XM4s, and if it weren't for the slight inconvenience (I'm assuming, since AirPods Pro have to be repaired with my laptop every time I use them) I would be much more interested in getting them. I may still be interested eventually, but I'm not entirely positive I'd get as much use out of them.
I found my AirPods Max kinda hissy. Anybody found the same? Also, I have a big head so there is a lot of pressure above my ears, so headaches. Thinking about returning them
@Greig I know. But as a Quality Engineer that used to que for Apple it would surprise me that something that big would escape.
@tono80 QC is not perfect. It is even listed as an important management factor in BA classes.
@Greig You think? It’s only on the highs. You think it’s get past Apple’s 100% QC inspection?
just return it the hiss mean your amp are no good.
While they do sound great and the noise cancelling is good. If you have any allergies to materials... you need to be careful. I had a severe allergic reaction. It sucks, but if Apple had different materials in their cups, like a natural leather... I could still use them.
Late comment, but does the $35 cable transfer mic data back to the source? Important when using discord while gaming...
Drop a link to that jacket I've been wanting something like that for a while
19:08 for those that only care about the sound quality
Great review. Particularly about the clamping on the head. I'm one of those that can't stand clamping pressure. I've had several over-the-head headphones be gifted to friends for this reason. Where I was about to pull the trigger on purchasing them, I'm now in HOLD mode thanks to your awesome review.
I have the PX7 and WH1000XM3 headphones but mine seem to have different sound signatures than yours. My PX7 is overly heavy and muddy in the bass with highs that roll off at low frequencies over Bluetooth (though wired with USB they don't have the same issues). My Sony is much more neutral over Bluetooth with a little extra bass but no distortion. I've also never had an issue with LDAC reliability
Did you say like this video, Love it Thanks
If you use them with the cable do you still need to charge them?
That’s what I call a review. Good job. Liked and subscribed ;)
You sayed it's supported just on IOS , was it the spatialu audio where u said " When am I going to watch a movie on my iPhone", but is it TVOS compatible...!? and nowadays when there is a little confusment in if iPad OS n iPhone OS is the same!? so is it iPad compatible?....because watching a movie on iPad is nice , specially on the 13" pro....so the questions are (sry , MR. ADHD here :): 1. Is it just iPhone compatible they sound info you talk about in 22:30ish and if yes is there some kinda of workaround as in almost any Apple case. 2. IF it's just iPhone OS compatible does it mean it's iPad compatible also because the OS is basically the same ?
Love mine. I’ve found they sound better with the eq off on my iPhone. I did buy the 35 dollar cable to see if they would sound better say through my iPod classic or MacBook. I’ve been a musician all my life but I guess I’m not a “audiophile” because I couldn’t hear much of a difference so long story short that cable is being returned tomorrow. I have a love hate relationship with apple. I love their products but they suck for nickle and diming their customers. They know people have to get the protection plan so the cans are really 610.00. It would’ve been a lot cooler if they charged $475 instead. But hey that’s just my humble subjective opinion. Great reviews by the way.
@Tim Gardner hey Tim that's good to know. I think I'm past the point of return but I did get the interest free for 6 months. but congrats on the good deal you got. I've always been leary of buying tech used unless its from someone I know but I know, there are some good deals out there. I just returned the cable, ill tell ya they've got a lot of nerve charging 35 bucks for probably the cheapest made cable I've ever seen.
I pretty much agree with everything you said. I actually bought a space grey pair back on launch and returned them. Couldn't justify the price. Anyway, two weeks ago I saw a Sky Blue "used-like new" pair come up on Amazon warehouse for $425 dollars. I purchased it immediately. When it arrived it looked pristine. In fact it still had the factory pull tabs on it. Anyway, I think $425-450 is the correct price for this item. I recommend to people to consider purchasing through Amazon warehouse because a lot of people are returning them nearly brand new because they cannot justify the high price. I've seen daily these go up anywhere for 425-450 on amazon warehouse. Anyway, you may want to consider amazon warehouse and return your current ones to save $100 bucks or so.
I bought the Airpod Maxes and quickly decided that they weren't worth more than twice what I paid for my Sony XM4s. That was before both my ears swelled up with an INSANE allergic reaction to wearing the headphones. I've never gotten an allergic reaction from a consumer product before yet, it's happened 3 times to me when buying new Apple products. I got itchy rashes from Apple Watch sport band and the sport loop but these were NOTHING compared to my ears blowing up and turning an angry red after wearing the Airpod Maxes on and off over the course of 3 days. I can't believe I'm the only one that has had this experience.
I can't stand wireless headsets, they just sound crap, even the good ones.
MP3 is also psychoacoustic, btw. Comparing bit rates is dangerous for other reasons :)
Alright. I’m going with the Sony WF 1000XM4 instead.
The Doug Demuro of audio!
Using them with a wire will sound better as the MacBook's DAC is a better sound quality than the AAC encode the headphones use over bluetooth!
Which mobile app do you use to listen music to? :)
okkkkk i had no idea you could adjust options in accessibility. WOW. liked and subscribed for this alone lmao
Senn HD600 are my benchmark for headphone audio. Anything more expensive is generally too diminishing returns to be worth my money - anything of less audio quality is not worth my time.
You're going to need to look at codecs again. Your explanation was awful and really didn't cover the major historical problems with Bluetooth codecs, not only the issues with quality, but also with latency. AptX LL is pretty much the only one worth using if you're doing anything latency sensitive (movies are not latency sensitive so much because you can code in the offset, but games would be). And don't even get me started on all the mangling caused by noise cancelling (which not only Apple is guilty of), which while perhaps nice in extremely noisy environments, is always 2nd class compared with noise isolation and is more just to be able to extract information than to experience sound. That would be a large minus if it couldn't be turned off (but it can in this case).
Funnily enough, a lot of people don't talk about how at 500$, you can get an xm4 for portable wireless listening and a good set of $200$ wired headphones for home studio and listening and beat all of the bluetooth headphones out there (hd6xx, hd58x, he5xx/4xx, akg 361, shp9600 etc.)
Ok, I'm officially less of an audiophile than you are.
1. Say I add another pound to the weight, at which point do we say 4hr wear comfort is more important than sound quality? 2. How do you wear metal headphones in sub-freezing temperature? 3. What part of ANC is passive noise canceling?
i use Ultrasone
just plug a wire
Mate, watch your weight. You are getting fatter Not healthy.
Stumbled across this video. Your set up is incredible.
Do you have a headphone stand that you recommend for the iPod Max that’s well built, stylish, and safe for the Max’s mesh headband?
know whats a lower power mode than 72 hours in the "case"....................a power off button
You have a hard to articulate flair for this type of activity. The closest I can come to is the observation that the camera seems to "like" you. BTW, as with your other reviews, you did a great job. Very informative, and the presentation was polished and professional, while also being entertaining and engaging.
Excellent, objective, and balanced review! The only thing is your value assessment was slightly off, because you did mention it was comparable to the B&O headphones which are significantly more expensive.
Apple probably getting away with scamming people again.
03:07 "Cheap Apple" product? He was joking, right?
So these are apple branded beats, you aare welcome
Wow. Great, informative review! Thanks!!!
Could you please make a video about bang & Olufsen beoplay h4 too? Thanks alot
Mine are on the way.
I'd love to see a review of the galaxy buds pro
Long story short buy these if you don't want to be a ratchetless yoke
the transparency mode sold me damn
i want to be an audiophile
my biggest problem is also the clapping force of those cups, it's so tight that I had to return the headphone
Let me save you time. They are Heavy The sound is Good but not good enough for the price Overpriced Has stupid design and case
That jacket is ugly and dumb
Your mother and my jacket *do* have something in common!
fantastic, highclass video - awesome!
if you think $500 is expensive, here in Brazil Apple is asking R$7000 or $1280...
Just to comment for once: He's wearing a Grand Seiko watch and I love it! :)
I don't own them, and this review tells me that I'm not going to any time soon. The #1 reason is that I don't own any iDevices and don't plan to, and that means I'm not going to get the best experience they can offer. The other is that, in my life, headphones that expensive are for home listening; wearing those on urban streets will just make me a theft target. I don't need the best ANC in the business for home listening, I need the best music quality and I'm not going to get it from the AirPods Max.
Cool! Thanks for this video! You can also check my channel to see my latest video!
Best video on AirPods Max. I really appreciate hearing all the very details of how the cable works, how the audio signature is, and charts and everything. Legitimately helpful
I use tidal with LDAC much better
Amazing review! Thanks a lot!
Отличный обзор, чувак, спасибо.
The problem that I have with these is the fact that the travel "case" or purse isn't logical at all for people who travel often. Sure, you may put them inside your backpack or carry on while traveling but that's not ideal, plus depending on which plane you board you must bring an airplane headphone connector otherwise you're stuck with the airline's crappy headphones. While the cable that apple sells could be used for it, still $500 without that small detail isn't worth it. If Apple wants to stay relevant on the audiophile space they need to bring down the price a bit, add a headphone jack or at least an airline adapter, otherwise people will just not go for those.
Any device sounds better over the cable. Wireless transmission is fundamentally noisy and lossy. There's no surprise that the device sounds better over the physical connection.
Awesome review, subbed. Quick question, is there a plastic barrier of some kind behind the ear cup housing (the holes in front of the driver)? If so, do you think they may protect the driver from the condensation issue?
Maybe If you didn’t take them apart and just use them they would work just fine.
Damn. Now this is a review!
Thanks!
Apple convinced me. I just ordered the AirPod Max
🙏
To be fair, people who are considering buying them already probably own AirPod Pros.
One of your best review. Thank you i mean, really
Thank you!!
I love my headphone jack and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro.
Fuck allat where you get the jacket bruh
What do you think about the drop panda thx and the phiaton 900 legacy?
Why not turning them off from the iPhone? Apple sometimes just surprise me with their stupid decisions nowadays
Apple is selling more Sony Headphones than Sony
Apple knows what's best for their lemmings, oops, I meant their customers.
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This is the only guy i can trust his option!
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am I the only one who thought the title was AirPods Max Review: A PEDOPHILES Perspective ? lol
Finally. A good review that I can actually trust.
I’ve been using the xm3s for well over a year with ldac on android phones. Well my android phone died and decided to get an iPhone se without even considering the codec. Never had a problem with ldac at all. Why can’t I have it on iOS? Do I really need to pull out my old v30 for listening to music at home?
Why didn't they use Airplay 2?
they sound like $ 150 headphones, nothing can justify the price of these headphones
Always love how people throw around the term audiophile. You'd think how much its used basically every other person you know is an audiophile.
Amazingly detailed review dude! You should check out the Drop + THX Pandas, i wonder how they would compare to these headphones in particular.
airpod max couldnt use with a dac right if you buy the aux from apple
Did you try turning off noise cancelling/transparency to see if the clicking would stop? The AirPods Pro had a recall because their microphones would react the same exact way to sounds. Being on an airplane was an absolute nightmare because of the rattling I had in my right ear and the noises completely when away when I turned off the active microphones.
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Cool, cool cool cool