Apple AirPods Max, A Comprehensive Guide to Apple's Premium Over-Ear Headphones
by Samuel Kalenga on Oct 02, 2024
The AirPods Max Experience: A Closer Look
The audio on the AirPods Max is lively, vibrant and gobsmackingly good. Thanks to high-fidelity sound, crisp highs, rich enough mids and deep, nicely controlled bass, the end result is music that is thrilling to listen to. The spatial audio – which is an optional setting on the AirPods – juts out from your ears, giving you a sense of hearing music in the round and with a sense of depth. It throws the soundscape around you in three dimensions, almost like putting you in the middle of the stage.
The noise cancellation in the AirPods Max is (in my view) the best in the market, and it does its job well: the AirPods Max are almost completely immersive when used in noisiest environments. If you want to zone out and listen to ambient white noise to focus on work, zone out and listen to ambient music to relax, or just zone out and listen to ambient audio to avoid the surroundings, the AirPods Max provide that ability. They hold isolation nicely, creating a quiet space to enjoy your audio. On the other, the transparency mode, which essentially is a mixture of your music and your surroundings, allows you to be aware of your environment.
I see this as a playnice feature when you have to pay attention to your surroundings – like when on a busy street or talking to someone nearby. The AirPods Max look good, fit well and keep your ear safe with a pair of plush earcups that fit your ear. They are comfortable and keep outside noise out and silence in the inside. The earcups give a pretty good seal and very few sounds can make it in – the headband is hard on your head but you get used to it, and, to be fair, you will never use these during the whole day, just a few hours at most – these are good to travel with, but many people might find them uncomfortable.
Pros and Cons of Apple AirPods Max
Pros:
- Exceptional sound quality with spatial audio technology
- Effective noise cancellation
- Seamless integration with Apple devices
- Comfortable and stylish design
- Long battery life
- Digital crown for intuitive control
Cons:
- High price point compared to other over-ear headphones
- Not as portable as other headphones due to their larger size
- Some users have reported issues with the headband durability
Beyond the AirPods Max: Exploring Alternatives
Sure, the AirPods Max are great for Apple users but as an over-ear headphone they are not a lock to be the best – and other options are available:
- Sony WH-1000XM5: Industry-leading noise cancellation and a super-comfortable, super-secure fit, these headphones are a serious contender for best headphones in 2022. You can wear them for ages without tightness or strain, and the 30-hour battery life is extremely impressive for an over-ear.
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 Boast great noise-cancellation, a sleek design and an excellent fit. If you’re an audio purist, these headphones have the power and sound you’ll want. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700’s excellent audio provides a clear and accurate representation of whatever you’re listening to, thanks to its balanced sound signature that allows for great playback of just about any genre.
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: Premium, highly stylised sound performance and design-oriented high-end noise cancellation, a balanced audio performance with top-notch noise cancellation; Slick and comfortable design.
- Beats Fit Pro: If you’re seeking active-noise-cancelling in-ears that lock in place and won’t fly out of your ears during a sweaty workout, the Beats Fit Pro are a runner-up to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. They are built for workouts, with secure-fit tips that entirely vanish into your ear canals, delivering powerful bass and clear highs.
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation): Apple’s most recent AirPods Pro in-ear headphones sound great, have effective noise cancellation, and are comfortable to wear. They’re a good choice for unfussy Apple users who want a compact, portable in-ear pair. The AirPods Pro have spatial audio as well as adaptive EQ and a Transparency mode.
Where to Buy Apple AirPods Max
Aside from purchasing the Apple AirPods Max at Apple’s official site, you can buy the headphones at Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and other electronical stores, and at Apple retail stores.AirPods Max: A Deeper Dive into Specific Features
Let's explore some of the key features of the AirPods Max in more detail:
Spatial Audio
Spatial audio, in other words, involves the audio processing of sound to create a three-dimensional soundstage. If you listen to tunes on your AirPods Max – with spatial audio switched ‘on’ – it’s as if you’re in the midst of a live concert, perceiving music seemingly originate from everywhere around you. The feature is particularly suited to genres such as classical music and orchestral pieces, for which a soundstage is important. It literally makes the music 3D.Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
What’s particularly impressive about the AirPods Max’s active noise cancellation is that it uses six separate microphones, positioned all around the covered earcup to isolate ambient sound. It does this so well that even in cacophonous environments, you’ll be blessed with your own little include public transport, busy cafes and the crushing confines of an aircraft.Transparency Mode
Transparency mode works by listening into the world around you and blending the sounds with your music, while maintaining an appropriate level of your music for awareness of the world around you. This is especially useful when crossing a street or conversing with someone. The headphones use the integrated microphones to listen into the world around you and blend the sound with your music.Conclusion: Are AirPods Max Worth It?
Advocating and endorsing Apple AirPods Max solely convinces me to sell the last remaining AirPods Max headphones manufactured for Apple’s entertainment system. Customers who prefer Apple products on their phones and laptops may feel a similar resolve to purchase premium sound quality, noise-cancelling features, and the opportunity to integrate headphones with their Apple products.
AirPods Max over-ear headphones isolate one from others during dining out, transportation, or simply getting ready for their day. If you are an Apple user and enjoy a high-quality audio experience, it is a product for your buys list. But the truth is that the AirPods Max are pricey. Whether you want to buy the AirPods Max or not is dependent on your needs and what you’re willing to spend.
If you’re an Apple superuser, and want the best-sounding premium audio product that integrates perfectly with your Apple devices, then the AirPods Max are for you. If you don’t buy into the Apple ecosystem but want a superior audio experience, there are many good alternatives at various price points. Or if you desire high-end premium audio but also want to be able to take it with you on the go, you might want to look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the difference between AirPods Max and AirPods Pro Max?
There’s noPods Pro Max’. More likely, you’re confusing it with the AirPods Max, which are over-the-ear headphones, not in-ears.Q: What are the AirPods Max colors available?
Apple’s AirPods Max headphones are available in five colours: space grey, silver, sky blue, green and pink.Q: Are AirPods Max waterproof?
The AirPods Max are not waterproof or sweat-resistant.
Q: What is the price of the AirPods Max?
The AirPods Max retail price is $549.
