Today is the official launch day for the AirPods Max, Apple’s newest headphones in the AirPods family. AirPods Max are a bit controversial due to the high price point, so we bought a pair to see what you get for that $ 549 price tag.
AirPods Max have aluminum ear cups that are cool to the touch with mesh padded ear cushions and a mesh headband. Design-wise, the headphones look and feel premium when it comes to build quality. There’s a Digital Crown on the top, which is a nice physical control method, along with a button for controlling active noise cancellation.
The buttons work well, but we missed the addition of a power button as the headphones can’t be turned off. They go into standby mode when removed or into an ultra-low-power mode when placed in the case, but otherwise there is no power control option.
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Speaking of the case, it’s not great. It looks weird and it doesn’t offer much protection at all as it is made of soft material. The case doesn’t cover the headband and there are also openings on the bottom, so it’s not something you’ll want to throw in a bag with your $ 549 headphones in them.
The case also doesn’t charge the headphones (a USB-C to Lightning cable is included for that) and it’s made from a smart case-like material that can attract dust and dirt.
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When it comes to comfort, the AirPods Max caused no pain, even though they were very heavy, but we’ve only used them for a short time so far. In the time we’ve had them, we’ve been impressed with the level of comfort and the way the mesh band distributes weight on the head. The telescopic arms for adjusting the fit are a nice touch too, and overall everything feels premium.
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Besides, the ear pads are magnetic and fall loose, so if you want to buy a second set for $ 69 when Apple starts selling them, you can mix and match colors. However, the headband cannot be removed, so the ear pads are the only adjustment option.
AirPods Max have the same H1 functions as other AirPods, so expect fast pairing, easy device switching and a wide Bluetooth range. They have Adaptive EQ to adjust the sound to the fit on your head, and Active Noise Canceling. We’ll take a closer look at Active Noise Canceling in a future video comparing the AirPods Max to other noise canceling headphones, but so far the noise cancellation has been excellent.
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In terms of sound quality, the AirPods Max sound amazingly clear, even at high volume levels. In combination with the active noise cancellation, it is an isolating experience that completely shuts out the outside world.
We haven’t been able to test battery life, but Apple says the AirPods Max can last up to 20 hours before needing a recharge. There is also a fast charge feature that gives you over an hour of battery life after five minutes.
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AirPods Max now have a 12 to 14 week wait if you order online for shipping, but you may be able to get them at an Apple store if you check every morning for in-store pickup.
Did you pick up AirPods Max? Are they worth the price? Let us know in the comments.