Apple AirPods Max Review

The Airpods Max offers top-of-line clarity, a unique features set, and an unparalleled user experience paired exclusively with Apple products. They utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs. They charge with a Lightning cable (included but no charging brick), not USB-C, and come with a minimally protective case. The Airpods Max is an undeniably heavy pair of headphones. However, they remain comfortable, improved with a widely-liked mesh headband that effectively distributes the extra weight. Avoiding touch sensors, these headphones are controlled by two tactile buttons.

Performance Comparison

Sound Quality

For the eyebrow-raising price, these wireless headphones should provide eyebrow-raising sound quality. We're happy to report that the Airpods Max delivers crisp highs, warm mids, and a punchy low-end. Dynamic clarity is also impressive here, as our testing team can distinguish the nuanced flourishes along with powerful vocals found in well-mixed audio.

However, we noted some room for improvement, as the earcups create an uneven seal around the ears. They're noticeably tighter above the ear while being a bit “leaky” below the ear. A balanced fit would likely result in a fuller sound, not to mention a higher comfort score. Compared to other top-scoring models, these headphones aren't especially bass-heavy, but we feel that they'll satisfy most listeners. Consider them bass-ample.

Noise Isolation

Unsurprisingly, Apple's noise-canceling technology is top-notch. A button is dedicated to controlling the noise-canceling feature, allowing you to switch between active noise canceling (ANC) and transparency mode with a button tap on the top of the right ear cover. When used with an Apple device, you can adjust the settings to add a third option to the button, which turns off both ANC and transparency modes. Using Android or PC, you only get ANC and transparency modes.

The effect when switching out of ANC mode is jarring in a good way, as our tester found themselves ejected from noise-free isolation to a world of ambiance, full of voices and the hum of fans. The contrast assures us that the active noise canceling technology is doing its job. Sitting next to a fan at 70db, we could hear it if we tried, but our listening experience was still satisfying, and these cans are sure to improve air travel for anyone who invests in a pair.

Comfort

The Airpods Max has a few unique comfort features, and the results are mixed. The ear cups are sufficiently deep and very soft, too soft in the opinion of a few testers. If you're in the window seat on a plane, you'll bottom out the padding while leaning your head against the wall, resulting in uncomfortable pressure points. However, the deep and large circumference of the earcups should ensure they fit a wider range of ear shapes and sizes. As previously mentioned, the ear cups have an uneven seal for some, creating more pressure above the ear, which becomes more apparent after a few hours of use.

Aside from our nitpicking, these headphones have some great things going for them comfort-wise. The ear cups combine perforated mesh and memory foam, providing excellent breathability. They're held securely in place by magnets, and they are easily removable so that you can dry them out after a strenuous workout. The headband comprises a tightly stretched mesh, and we hardly noticed it up there. Despite these headphones' significant weight (13.6 ounces), the large ear cups and headband effectively distribute the weight. They feel heavier than most headphones, but not that much. Two telescoping arms attached to the earpieces at ball-in-socket points ensure that the Airpods Max will accommodate a wide variety of head shapes.

User Friendliness

When incorporated into the ecosystem of Apple products, these are some of the most user-friendly headphones we've had the pleasure of testing. Once paired with Apple devices, they have the classic Apple “wow” factor, introducing novel features that may one day become standard among the competition. Right from the get-go, these headphones sync immediately with an Apple device, without the need to mess with one's settings. One of our favorites is the gyroscopic and accelerometer sensors that alert your device to pause the sound or video when you take the headphones off. This feature works flawlessly regardless of what media player we use, including Spotify, YouTube, or Amazon. Put the headphones back on, and the audio playback automatically resumes. Like many Apple products, everything feels a touch smoother than its competition if used in conjunction with other Apple devices.

While Apple introduced us to the swipe and the pinch, they've decided to use button and control wheel functions on the Airpods Max. This is a surprising yet wise call, as the “digital crown” control wheel provides satisfying tactile feedback as you rotate it to adjust the volume or press it to skip tracks or activate Siri. The control wheel and noise cancellation button are very intuitive and don't require you to learn any swiping locations or movements.

The Bluetooth menu on an iPhone lets you adjust noise canceling levels and even which direction on the digital crown will increase the volume, but be aware these control parameters are only available on Apple devices. When we tested these headphones with a Google Pixel phone, the auto-pause function (when removing the headphones) didn't function, and they don't automatically resume play when placed back on the head, either. You cannot control the button settings with an Android or PC device, so you can't change the factory presets of the button controls. Voice-activated voice assistants on these devices also won't work—these headphones only work with Siti voice assistant, which is only found on iOS devices. Pairing with an Android or Windows computer requires navigating the Bluetooth menu on that device, too, instead of automatically syncing. No doubt about it, the Airpods Max's user-friendliness factor goes down a few notches for Android folks, and we highly recommend they look at something from Bose or Sony that will pair better with their device (and is most likely less expensive).

These headphones are jam-packed with technology, including nine microphones for noise cancellation control and on-the-fly EQ optimization, and the aforementioned gyroscope and accelerometer can track your head for a more immersive theater-like experience. While we didn't find these features game-changing in how we devour television, they function seamlessly in the background, improving the listening experience.

Portability

These are some of the heaviest headphones we've tested, tipping the scales at 13.6 ounces due to their sturdy aluminum construction and utilization of magnets in the ear cups. They fold flat into an X shape, with a protective sleeve that slides over the earcups. The sleeve will keep any dirt or debris from your backpack or messenger bag from scratching the slick-looking external ear covers but offers little in the way of structural reinforcement (good thing they're made of aluminum). We are surprised that such an expensive product has such an unprotective “case,” if you can even call it a case.

In terms of battery life, this model provides 20 hours of use from a full charge, which is fairly standard for headphones running Bluetooth and active noise canceling, and impressive considering the microphones and motion-sensing tech constantly relaying information to your device. The Airpods Max don't have an “off switch.” Instead, they enter a low power mode and switch off the Bluetooth connectivity when they're placed in their protective sleeve. This allows them to have instant connectivity as soon as you pop them back on your head, and Apple is the king of the “always-on” tech, but we can't help but wonder if these would perform longer away from an outlet if we had the option to turn them off. That being said, it's worth noting that 5 minutes of charging time via the included lightning cable gives you an impressive 1.5 hours of listening. This rapid-charging ability helps make up for the lack of a headphone jack.

Should You Buy the Airpods Max?

These puppies are surely worthy of the hype typically surrounding new tech from Apple, and we're super impressed with their seamless connectivity with Macbooks and iPhones. If you're dedicated to an Apple-centric network of integrated devices, then the Airpods Max is a worthy addition. For audiophiles searching for the very best sound quality, it's worth taking a hard look at the competition. A different model will better serve android and PC users.

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