![]() The AirPods Max do sound impressive, like high-end headphones, with tight bass, natural mids, crisp highs and a wide soundstage for a closed-back headphone. On the plus side, I do think the fabric earpads really give the AirPods Max an advantage in preventing your ears from getting steamed up, and they also do just fine as earmuffs in colder weather, though the aluminum is quite cold to the touch. But you are aware you have a pair of substantial headphones on your head. ![]() I could wear the AirPods Max as long as both those headphones - an hour straight wasn't a problem. Like any headphones, certain people might have a problem with the Sony's or Bose's fit, but most folks find them to be very comfortable. David Carnoy/CNETĪre they as comfortable to wear as the Sony WH-1000MX4 or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700? In a lot of ways, yes. The AirPods Max (left) next to the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 (center) and Sony WH-1000XM4. You'll be able to replace those earpads for $69 (yes, that's expensive, too) and the AirPods Max's battery should also be replaceable, although you'll have to have Apple do it. As a result, your ears steam up less in warmer environments. They adhere magnetically to cover Apple's 40mm custom drivers and have a fabric covering, which makes them more breathable than your typical leather or faux leather earpads like those found on the Sony WH-1000XM4. Their almost gel-like memory-foam earpads also stand out. While they're big - and some people just don't like to wear big headphones - they seem to fit a good range of head types. Personally, I thought It'd be nice if they were 20% lighter, but the way the headband is designed, with its mesh canopy, it takes a good amount of pressure off the top of your head, though I did find myself making small adjustments, moving the headband forward off the crown of my head. Of course, you don't want to drop any headphones on pavement.įor heavy headphones they're surprisingly comfortable, but I don't expect that they'll be super comfy for everyone, particularly those with neck problems. I didn't drop them because you avoid dropping $549 headphones, but it's quite possible they could come away with a dent if they fell onto pavement (they might do OK with a wood floor). They've got a lot of metal - a stainless steel frame and aluminum earcups that are reminiscent of Apple's MacBooks - and metal weighs more than plastic. I'm still evaluating battery life and wired audio performance (among other things), which may or may not alter the final rating. This review is based on several days with the headphones. Based on what they're fetching on reseller sites like eBay and StockX, they too seem on their way to becoming status symbols. But in a world where Audeze, Grado and Focal (to name a few) have long had audiophile headphones priced well north of $1,500 - and few people are outraged that the latest Adidas Yeezy sneakers go for $200 or more - I don't think it's fair to get too worked up about the price of the AirPods Max. I can also give you my impressions about how they stack up against those same headphones, specifically the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, as well as some other high-end Bluetooth headphones. All I can do is describe my experience using them and let you know that they're excellent (though not perfect) headphones, with top-notch sound, rock-solid wireless connectivity and noise canceling that's arguably a touch better than what you find on competing models at the high end. David Carnoy/CNETĪre they worth $549? Ultimately, that's going to be up to you to determine. ![]() The AirPods Max fit a wide variety of head types. Read more: AirPods Max: 8 things new owners need to know (You may have more luck at individual Apple Stores, however.) And so they have: The first batch of AirPods Max sold out in all five color options, with online wait times stretching out to three months or more. So I kind of shrugged when I heard they were $549, figuring plenty of people would buy them anyway. That's because back in January I'd heard through a reliable source that over the years the engineers and designers working on Apple's long-running over-ear noise-canceling headphone project had produced some "spectacular looking" prototypes that were too expensive to manufacture without charging upwards of $1,000. Personally, I wasn't surprised by their high price tag - and yes, for most folks, it is high. Headphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesįirst revealed its new AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones, many people naturally balked at their $549 price tag (they're £549 in the UK and AU$899 in Australia) - and their oddly shaped Smart Case.
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