Airpods Max: Still Worth in 2024?

Summary

In this video, Josh reviews the AirPods Max three years post-launch, detailing their build quality, comfort, controls, and audio performance. He highlights the headphones' stainless steel and aluminum construction, innovative mesh headband, and deep, breathable ear cups. Despite the hefty price and some issues with the 'smart case', Josh finds the noise cancellation, sound quality, and ecosystem integration with Apple devices to be top-notch. He concludes that, despite competition and minor drawbacks, the AirPods Max remain a solid choice for those invested in the Apple ecosystem, especially considering their durability and comfort for long-term use.

Takeaways

• 🎧 The AirPods Max are praised for their build quality, featuring a stainless steel frame and aluminum ear cups.
• 💪 Despite being heavy, the AirPods Max are comfortable for the reviewer, who is a six-foot tall man, and can be worn for up to 8 hours a day.
• 🔄 The headphones have simple controls with a digital crown for play/pause and volume, and a noise control button for toggling between noise cancellation and transparency mode.
• 👂 The unique feature of pressing both control buttons simultaneously allows the user to pause music and activate transparency mode at the same time.
• 🌟 The mesh headband is innovative and comfortable, avoiding pressure points and offering breathability, but there are concerns about its durability.
• 💰 Replacing the mesh costs around $100, which is considered reasonable by the reviewer.
• 📦 The 'smart case' is criticized for not being smart and for being just a bra with magnets, but it does protect the headphones.
• 🔋 The AirPods Max have a 20-hour battery life, which is considered short, and not putting them in the smart case can lead to disconnection issues.
• 🎵 The noise cancellation and sound quality are top of the class, even three years after their release.
• 🎶 The headphones do not support lossless audio, but they offer an immersive listening experience with a strong bass response and spatial audio.
• 🏠 The seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem allows for easy switching between devices and a full surround sound experience without disturbing others.

Q & A

What are the AirPods Max known for in terms of build quality?

The AirPods Max are known for their unmatched build quality, featuring a stainless steel frame with telescoping arms, smooth movement, and aluminum ear cups.

Are the AirPods Max considered heavy by some users?

Yes, some users, particularly those with smaller heads or who are more petite, may find the AirPods Max too heavy, leading to discomfort or fatigue after about 10 to 15 minutes of use.

How long can the reviewer wear the AirPods Max comfortably?

The reviewer, who is a six-foot guy, can wear the AirPods Max comfortably for about 8 hours a day without any issues.

What are the two main controls on the AirPods Max?

The two main controls on the AirPods Max are the Digital Crown, which is used for play/pause and volume control, and the Noise Control button, which toggles between noise cancellation and transparency mode.

What unique feature allows users to pause music and activate transparency mode simultaneously on the AirPods Max?

A unique feature of the AirPods Max is the ability to press both the Digital Crown and the Noise Control button at the same time to pause music and activate transparency mode simultaneously.

What concerns does the reviewer have about the mesh headband on the AirPods Max?

The reviewer is concerned about the longevity of the mesh headband, as it could potentially rip due to accidents like a dog getting to the headphones or sharp objects in a backpack.

How much does it cost to replace the mesh on the AirPods Max, according to Apple?

According to Apple, it costs about $100 to replace the mesh on the AirPods Max.

What are the advantages of the mesh ear cups on the AirPods Max compared to faux leather?

The mesh ear cups on the AirPods Max offer advantages such as breathability, durability (as they don't peel over time with moisture like faux leather), and a deeper cup design for better comfort.

What is the main issue with the AirPods Max's smart case?

The main issue with the smart case is that it doesn't fully protect the headphones and requires the headphones to be placed in the case to turn off, which can lead to shorter battery life and potential disconnection from devices if not used properly.

How does the AirPods Max's noise cancellation and sound quality compare to other headphones in 2024?

In 2024, the AirPods Max's noise cancellation and sound quality are still considered top of class, with exceptional performance and a good bass response, even when compared to newer models like the Bose Ultra headphones.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the AirPods Max's ecosystem integration and spatial audio?

The reviewer appreciates the ecosystem integration of the AirPods Max, allowing for seamless switching between Apple devices and an enhanced audio experience with spatial audio, especially useful for those living in apartments or sharing living spaces.

What is the reviewer's final verdict on the AirPods Max's value at $550 three years after their release?

The reviewer believes that if one can afford the AirPods Max at $550, they are a good investment that will likely last for years due to their durability and quality, despite some annoyances with the smart case and potential disconnection issues.

What precautions does the reviewer suggest for potential buyers of the AirPods Max?

The reviewer suggests watching a video on identifying fake AirPods Max to avoid scams and considering silicone covers for gym use or heavy sweating to protect the headphones.

Outlines

00:00

🎧 Review of AirPods Max Build Quality

The paragraph discusses the build quality of AirPods Max, highlighting the well-constructed design with a stainless steel frame and aluminum ear cups. It also addresses the concern about the headphones being too heavy, noting that while some may find them fatiguing, others, like the reviewer, can wear them for long periods without issue. The paragraph also mentions the unmatched Bild quality and its trade-offs, such as the potential for the headphones to be too heavy for some users.

05:01

🔊 AirPods Max Features and Comfort

This paragraph delves into the features and comfort of the AirPods Max, focusing on the controls, which include a digital Crown for music control and a noise control button for switching between noise cancellation and transparency mode. The reviewer appreciates the convenience of being able to press both buttons simultaneously to pause music and activate transparency mode. Comfort is also discussed, with the mesh headband and ear cups being praised for their breathability, durability, and deep design, which contributes to a comfortable fit. However, the paragraph also brings up potential concerns regarding the longevity of the mesh material and the need to use the smart case, which can be a hassle and sometimes leads to disconnection issues.

10:02

💡 Additional Pros and Considerations for AirPods Max

The final paragraph of the review lists additional pros of the AirPods Max, such as top-notch noise cancellation, exceptional sound quality, and the benefits of the Apple ecosystem. The reviewer emphasizes the immersive experience with spatial audio and the convenience of switching devices seamlessly. The paragraph also addresses the price point of $550 for the headphones, comparing it to competitors and suggesting that the AirPods Max is still a worthwhile investment, especially considering the durability and ecosystem integration. The reviewer concludes by mentioning the prevalence of fake products and the availability of accessories like silicone covers and stands to enhance the user experience.

Keywords

💡AirPods Max

AirPods Max refers to a model of premium wireless headphones developed by Apple Inc. In the video, they are the central subject, with the reviewer discussing their features, pros, and cons. The script mentions the build quality, comfort, noise cancellation, and sound quality, which are all integral to the theme of evaluating whether these headphones are worth purchasing three years after their release.

💡Build Quality

Build quality is an assessment of how well a product is constructed, often considering materials and durability. In the context of the video, the reviewer praises the AirPods Max for their build quality, highlighting the stainless steel frame and aluminum ear cups. This is a key aspect of the video's theme, as it contributes to the overall value and appeal of the headphones.

💡Comfort

Comfort refers to how pleasant and pain-free the experience of using a product is, particularly over extended periods. The script discusses the comfort of the AirPods Max, mentioning the mesh headband and ear cups. The reviewer's personal experience and that of a friend are used to illustrate the comfort level, which is a critical factor in determining the headphones' suitability for potential buyers.

💡Controls

Controls in the context of headphones refer to the physical buttons or mechanisms used to operate the device. The video script describes the AirPods Max's controls, including the digital crown for play/pause and volume adjustment, and the noise control button. These controls are essential for user interaction and are part of the overall user experience discussed in the review.

💡Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is a feature in headphones that reduces unwanted ambient sounds, allowing for a clearer audio experience. The script mentions that the AirPods Max have top-of-class noise cancellation, which is a significant selling point for many consumers. This feature is central to the video's theme as it evaluates the headphones' performance and value.

💡Transparency Mode

Transparency mode is a feature in headphones that allows external sounds to be heard, which can be useful for safety or situational awareness. The video script praises the AirPods Max's transparency mode, stating it's almost like not wearing headphones at all. This feature is part of the review's exploration of the headphones' capabilities and user experience.

💡Smart Case

The smart case, as mentioned in the script, is a protective cover for the AirPods Max that also plays a role in their power management. The reviewer expresses dissatisfaction with the smart case, noting that it is not as protective as a hard case and is inconvenient for turning the headphones off. This term is key to understanding one of the cons presented in the video.

💡Battery Life

Battery life refers to the duration a device can operate before needing to be recharged. In the video, the reviewer mentions that the AirPods Max have a 20-hour battery life, which they consider to be not great, especially when considering the need to use the smart case to fully turn off the headphones. Battery life is a crucial factor in the overall assessment of the product's value.

💡Sound Quality

Sound quality is an evaluation of the audio output of a device, taking into account factors like clarity, bass response, and overall listening experience. The script discusses the AirPods Max's sound quality, noting exceptional bass and immersive spatial audio. This is a central aspect of the video's theme, as sound quality is a primary consideration for potential buyers of headphones.

💡Ecosystem

Ecosystem, in the context of this video, refers to the interconnectedness of Apple devices and how they work seamlessly together. The reviewer highlights the ease with which the AirPods Max can switch between different Apple devices, such as an iPhone, MacBook, and Apple TV. This ecosystem integration is a significant advantage for users deeply embedded in the Apple product line and contributes to the overall appeal of the headphones.

💡Spatial Audio

Spatial audio is a technology that provides a three-dimensional audio experience, creating the illusion of sound coming from different directions. The script mentions the use of spatial audio with the AirPods Max, contributing to the immersive listening experience. This feature is part of the video's discussion on the advanced capabilities of the headphones and their suitability for different types of audio content.

Highlights

AirPods Maxes are praised for their build quality, featuring a stainless steel frame and aluminum ear cups.

The headphones are considered heavy, causing discomfort for some users, but are comfortable for others with larger head sizes.

The controls on AirPods Maxes are simple, with a digital crown for play/pause and volume, and a noise control button.

A unique feature allows pressing both control buttons simultaneously to pause music and activate transparency mode.

The mesh headband is innovative, breathable, and avoids pressure points, but has concerns regarding longevity.

Apple charges approximately $100 to replace the mesh headband if damaged.

The ear cups' faux leather is durable and deep, providing a comfortable and breathable experience.

The smart case is criticized for not being smart and requiring the headphones to be placed inside to turn off.

Leaving the headphones out of the case for an extended period can lead to disconnection from devices.

Noise cancellation on AirPods Max is top of the class and holds up well even three years after release.

Transparency mode is considered best-in-class, offering an almost unnoticeable wearing experience.

Sound quality is excellent, with a particularly impressive bass response and spatial audio.

AirPods Max do not support lossless audio, even with a $25 cable and Apple Music's lossless option.

The ecosystem integration allows for seamless switching between Apple devices and enhances user experience.

The share audio feature on Apple TV allows two people to enjoy content privately with separate AirPods.

Despite some annoyances, the overall experience with AirPods Max has been positive, especially within the Apple ecosystem.

At $550, the value of AirPods Max is subjective, but they are considered durable and a good long-term investment.

There are many fake AirPods Max on the market, and consumers are advised to watch out for scams.

Silicone covers are available for use during workouts or to prevent sweat damage, and stands are also an accessory option.

Transcripts

what's up Josh here so these are the

airpods Maxes you probably already know

that going into this video and you're

trying to figure out whether they're

worth it 3 years later well I just

picked these up a couple of months ago

from a good friend of mine Jimmy in this

video I'm going to dive into everything

I learned about these headphones what I

like what I don't like and whether they

are going to be right for you let's get

into it now the first thing I'll talk

about is something that they got right

and that is the build quality so

everything about these is really well

built from the stainless steel frame

with these telescoping arms they're nice

and smooth to the aluminum ear cups the

Bild quality on these is unmatched and

part of that has its own cons so one

thing that I've heard a lot of is that

the airpods Maxes are too heavy and that

is true for some people I gave these to

my friend who has a much smaller head

than I do she's just a very petite

person and when she put this on after

about 10 to 15 minutes she started

experiencing some fatigue for me I'm a

six- foot guy and so um these work

perfectly fine as long as you're not

moving around these are pretty well

balanced on your head for me I can keep

these on for like8 hours a day it's

really no problem super comfortable and

we'll talk about Comfort a little bit

later but first I want to talk about the

controls it's really just two buttons

there's no power button so there's the

digital Crown which you can press in to

play and pause and Skip your music and

all that stuff and then you can also

turn the digital Crown to change the

volume on it on the other side is the

noise control button so you can press

this to toggle between noise

cancellation and transpar mode and the

one thing that I really like on this

headphone is the fact that you can press

both of these buttons at the same time

now typically the thing with other

headphones is it's really hard to press

both of these things at the same time

like if you wanted to both pause your

music and turn on transparency mode um I

think on the Sony's it's like a tapping

for the pause and then a button on the

side for the transparency mode and so

what Apple has done here is pretty

clever is the fact that you can press

both of these buttons at the same time

to both pause your music and turn on

transparency mode at the same time if

somebody were to come up to you want to

talk to you or if you just want to

become aware of your surroundings and

also pause your music press both of

these buttons at the same time and that

is a really cool feature that nobody

else has talked about now let's

transition over to comfort so this mesh

headband is also something Innovative

that I don't think I've seen in any

other headphones personally I'm a huge

fan of the mesh I do see that there is

potentially some concern for um

longevity so in case there was a rip

maybe your dog got to your headphones or

something sharp was in your backpack and

just RI the mesh um I did look into this

apple charges about $100 to replace the

mesh which honestly isn't terrible at

least you don't have to buy another

whole set of headphones the other thing

with a headband is that they don't

create any sort of pressure points

because it is all suspended and so on

the xm5 what I found is that since this

headband is so thin um it sort of does

dig into your head after a couple of

hours of use that's not the case Cas

with the airpods Maxes and that also

extends to the ear cups so the thing

with faux leather ear cups on other

headphones like on the XM 5S the bozes I

think those all use faux leather ear

cups and what I found is that after 2

years they tend to wear out and start

tearing and so there's three things that

I really like about these mesh ear cups

the first one is the breathability so

since they're made of mesh and not of

faux leather they are extremely

breathable the second thing I like is

the durability aspect specs so um like I

said faux leather will peel over time

especially with moisture they don't

really do well with that stuff so um

this mesh material is quite nice and

then the third thing I like about these

ear cups is how deep they are so I'm

just going to do a quick measurement

here so on the XM 5S it is about 3/4 of

an inch or 2 cm for the rest of the

world um from the edge of the ear cup to

the drivers and then on the airpods it's

almost 1 and 1/4 in or about 3 cm from

the edge of the ear pads to the drivers

and what I found is that they are just

way more breathable with how deep they

are which leads to a more comfortable

experience overall now moving over to

the smart case there's no way around it

there is nothing smart about this smart

case it is literally just a bra with

magnets in it now the one thing I'll say

is that I actually don't mind the design

of it like sure it doesn't come with a

full like hard case that a lot of other

competitors come with but it does

protect most of the headphone yeah I

don't mind it and the thing is the

airpods Maxes are built so well that I

really don't mind chucking these in my

backpack the thing I don't like though

is that you have to put them in the case

for them to turn off and already the

airpods Maxes have a 20h hour battery

life and that isn't great and so it's

even shorter if you leave them out they

take a while to enter into that low

power State mode um without putting them

in the case and honestly if I'm just

around my my house and I'm not going

anywhere I'm not going to want to put

him in the case every time um I want

them to go to sleep that just seems like

a huge hassle to me now all of that

would be fine with me like okay I might

be getting a shorter battery life but

I'll just plug it in more often um the

thing that really irks me is that if you

leave these out for any extended period

of time like longer than a day or even a

couple of hours without putting them in

the smart case uh they will sometimes

disconnect from all of your devices and

so imagine you finish work for a day you

set these on your desk uh and then the

next day you come back to your desk you

put these headphones on and they don't

connect and what you have to do is reset

them and the way to reset them is to

hold both of these buttons for about 5

Seconds they sort of turn off and then

reboot and then they connect and I got

to say that is the most frustrating

thing about these headphones is the fact

that you have to put them in this case

for them to fully turn off and if you

don't don't they might disconnect from

all of your devices which requires a

full reset for them to work again that

is super frustrating now transitioning

sort of to more pros of these headphones

noise cancellation and sound quality uh

they are probably top of class I did

another video recently comparing the

noise cancellation on the airpods Max's

the XM 5s and the Bose Ultra headphones

and the Bose Ultras are the newest of

the bunch and so they performed uh like

really well but not too far behind where

the airpods max is and I'd say these

perform exceptionally well and

definitely still hold up in 2024 um I

have no complaints with the noise

cancellation yeah sometimes I'll hear a

little something going on in the

background uh for the most part they

really do get the job done and you're

going to be extremely happy with it now

in terms of transparency mode uh top-of

the- line best-in class you're not going

to get a better transparency mode

experience I'm not going to say it's

like you're not wearing anything but

it's almost like that like maybe 95%

there and then the sound quality so

these don't support loss lless which is

a huge shame even if you buy the I think

$25 cable that is a lightning to 3.5 mil

and plug that into your computer on

Apple music with losses enabled these

won't support loss lless that being said

though these are probably among the best

uh wireless headphones I've ever heard

um they have a really good base response

that is probably one of the best things

about these headphones is the base like

they sound really clear really good

really boomy and just super immersive

especially with spatial audio which I'm

using more and more of so if you're

worried about any of that stuff the

noise cancellation the sound quality

like uh do they hold up 3 years later

hands down I can say yes these are still

among the best of the best and then of

course there is all of the ecosystem

stuff which is another one of my

favorite features so I live in an

apartment and sometimes I just cannot

blast music at like 1:00 a.m. in the

morning or maybe even watch a movie at

night if you want to have like the full

surround sound experience with a

subwoofer and everything else having

these automatically switch not only from

my iPhone to my MacBook and vice versa

but also if I get off my computer hop on

my couch while still wearing these on I

just tap a button on my Apple TV remote

and these instantly connect and I know

you might not live in an apartment but

maybe you have kids or you have

roommates or maybe people have an

earlier bedtime that live in your house

um just having the option to be able to

watch something with the full surround

experience with spatial audio and not

bothering anyone that is a huge feature

of the airpods Maxes and of course the

Apple TV and the whole ecosystem and I

haven't tested this but there is like

this share audio feature on the Apple TV

um where if maybe your partner or your

friends had uh airpods Pros I think

maybe you could connect two devices to

the Apple TV and then now you're both

both enjoying in silence but yeah really

at the end of the day 3 years later I

can confidently say that I have no

regrets picking these up these have

replaced my Sony XM 5s and not that

there's anything wrong with the XM 5S

it's just that with the Apple ecosystem

it's just the better option now are

these still worth it at $550 3 years

later I'm going to

say yes that is a really tough question

to answer I mean 550

is so much money to spend uh you've got

the Bose Ultras coming in at about

$430 but then if you're thinking of

getting that one and then these it's

like what's another $100 more and then

the XM 5S I mean these are I've seen

them at like $300

$330 and so at $200 less yeah that's

tough here's what I'll say if you can

afford these These are going to be

pretty good and you probably will keep

them for like years and years to come

especially with all of the uh durability

stuff like I I said with the stainless

steel aluminum and the replaceable ear

cups um these are going to last you for

years and years to come yeah there are

some annoyances especially with the

smart case and them disconnecting

sometimes but at the end of the day

overall it has been a really good

experience now two things I want to

mention is one there are a lot of fakes

of these out there so I also have

another video up where I investigated

this whole fake situation and you should

go watch that video to avoid falling for

these scams the second thing I'll say is

that if you do want to take these to the

gym or if you sweat a lot on your ears

um there are these silicone covers made

by Wicked cushions I think these are

like 20 bucks which you can pretty

easily just um slap onto the headphones

and that way you're not getting them all

sweaty and uh disgusting and then also

if you want to pick up a stand this

one's by Banks I'm pretty sure this

one's also like 20 bucks but yeah that's

it for my airpods max review 3 years

later they're still really good I'll

have links below if you want to use them

to support the channel subscribe if you

want to see more Tech videos and I'll

catch you guys in the next one peace