Reviewing the Apple AirPods Max
When I first was researching and looking for reviews of the Apple AirPods Max headphones, I often found myself coming across nothing more than unboxing videos, gym reviews, or the occasional sound engineer comparison with other top headphones on the market. I found it very difficult to find a review from an average person, whose goal wasn’t primarily to use these headphones in the gym, but just for day-to-day listening and maybe the occasional travelling. Well, I’ve had these headphones for about a month now, so I figured why not tell you my personal experience, and whether or not I’d recommend them.
Before we jump in, let’s quickly discuss my primary use of these, and what I’m comparing them to! I almost exclusively use these headphones as a day-to-day headphone to listen to music and podcasts, take work meetings and the occasional phone call. I also plan to use them while travelling, but that opportunity hasn’t arisen by the time I’m writing this. Prior to the AirPods Max headphones, I was using the Beats Studio 3s, which I’ve had for just shy of 3.5 years. Okay, now let’s get into it!
Comfort
Starting with how comfortable these headphones are. The short answer – very. I will say though, it did take some time to get used to weight of them. People are not joking when they say that these babies are heavy. It took me a few days to find a position on my ears for them to feel best, but once I did, I could wear them for hours with no discomfort at all. In addition to their weight, I will mention, you don’t want to be banging your head around a lot in these. Due to their weight, they will absolutely come flying off your head if you put enough force into it; this is why I don’t think they’d make the most ideal headphone if your primary use would be in the gym (plus, they are not sweat or water resistant!). Overall, I’d rate the comfort on these 4.5/5.
Sound Quality
Now, I’m the first to admit, I don’t have the highest standards because I am by no means a sound engineer, but the sound quality on these headphones are phenomenal to me. Is there better on the market? Probably. Would I notice that big of a difference? Probably not. If you’re not looking for the perfect sound, these headphones will work great for you. Plus, the noise cancellation is amazing. You can hardly hear what’s going on around you when it’s on. In addition to the noise cancellation, the transparency mode is what takes the cake for me – it almost sounds as if you don’t even have them on, which I love for being able to listen to music but hear if my husband or someone else is talking to me. Again, 4.5/5 for me!
First Impressions
I’ll be very honest, when I first got the AirPods Max, I thought “what the hell did I just waste my money on”, since I was coming from such lightweight headphones, with decent sound quality, it didn’t really feel like much of an upgrade. But, over time I found myself falling more and more in love with them, and I often find myself reaching for these beauties over my AirPods Pros, with the exception of going out for walks – I still prefer the smaller earbuds for those occasions.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Great quality, beautiful design, very long battery life that I’ve yet to see in any other headphone I’ve purchased in the past, seamless connection with Apple products, removable ear pads for cleaning, comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Cons: The price point, the weight (for some, I imagine this will be a deal breaker), there’s no true “off” button; you just have to use the case they come with to put them in low power mode. I’d also recommend putting protective covers on both the outer pieces and the ear pads to protect them from damage – I’ve linked some accessories to protect them for you below!
Overall, do you absolutely need these headphones? No. Are they going to change your life? Not at all. But, if you want them, and you’re in the market for a new pair of headphones and you’re willing to pay the large price tag that comes with them, I’d say they’re a great quality headphone that will last for a long time and you can comfortably wear and use for long periods of time between charges. If you have the AirPods Max, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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