Goodbye AirPods Max. It has been an excellent 4 years, however it is time to transfer on to one thing that is higher for me.
When Apple initially unveiled AirPods Max again in December 2020 I, like just about everybody else on this planet, fully balked at that $549 price ticket. Up till that point, the most costly AirPods headphones have been the AirPods Professional which got here in at $249. The AirPods Max greater than doubled that value. Ouch.
Regardless, being the dutiful Apple fan and audio nerd that I’m, I purchased them. Three years later, I can now say two issues: these are the best-sounding headphones I’ve ever owned, and I am glad I am eliminating them. Here is why.
Enter AirPods Professional 2 and that noise cancellation
After I was utilizing the AirPods Max for the primary two years, I discovered that they labored a lot better than my earbuds — the first era AirPods Professional — in sure situations.
After I was working through the day at my desk, taking a flight to go on trip or for work, or kicking again to only get pleasure from music, AirPods Max was by far your best option for me. The primary-generation AirPods Professional, then again, took the crown when it got here to every part else — whether or not that be understanding within the health club, operating, climbing, or simply going in regards to the day and eager to take heed to some music, podcasts, or audiobooks whereas I am doing so.
Nonetheless, the hole between AirPods Professional and AirPods Max in these choose situations the place the AirPods Max gained out closed considerably when Apple launched the AirPods Professional 2 in September 2022. The noise cancellation on these is unbelievable — arguably higher than on AirPods Max as a result of AirPods Professional 2 that includes Apple’s newer H2 chip.
These additionally got here with new audio drivers and amplifiers that elevated the audio high quality in comparison with the AirPods Max. Whereas AirPods Max continues to be the audio high quality king (you are not going to beat these bigger drivers), the hole is closed sufficient that I do not really feel like I am lacking out by sticking with my AirPods Professional 2.
AirPods Max simply is not comfy
As AirPods Professional 2 closed the hole by way of audio high quality and noise cancellation, there was additionally another excuse I began to fall out of affection with my AirPods Max. Whereas they sounded higher, there was one factor I could not deny anymore — they simply weren’t comfy for me.
There isn’t any denying that the AirPods Max are a heavy set of cans. They clock in heavier than each different fashionable wi-fi over-the-ear headphones just like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Bose QuietComfort Extremely. I attempted on each of those rivals and, particularly within the case of the Bose, their headphones have been far more comfy to put on in comparison with the AirPods Max. Apple did what it might to deal with that weight, however it simply does not eliminate the truth that these headphones really feel heavy, particularly once you’re making an attempt to stroll round with them.
Compared, the AirPods 2, so long as you discover the right-sized ear ideas, are extremely comfy to put on in any state of affairs.
Demise by a thousand options
Ultimately, it wasn’t an enormous factor that made me ditch my AirPods Max fully, however a number of small issues as an alternative.
In September of 2023, Apple launched a USB-C model of AirPods Professional 2. Selecting these up meant that I might lastly abandon the Lightning port as soon as and for all. For the reason that AirPods Max are nonetheless caught with Lightning, that was one much less purpose to deliver them alongside.
In the identical month, Apple additionally launched iOS 17 and, with it, introduced a number of new audio options to the AirPods Professional 2 like Adaptive Audio, Dialog Consciousness, and Customized Audio. These options are additionally unique to the AirPods Professional 2 as a result of processing energy required of the H2 chip — a chip that AirPods Max nonetheless lacks.
We’ll see what Apple does with AirPods Max 2
I am nonetheless curious what Apple would possibly do with an AirPods Max 2, despite the fact that there is not any probability I will choose up one other pair of those cans once more. USB-C might be an apparent addition, and it is also apparent the subsequent era will characteristic the H2 (or perhaps H3) chip to assist the newest audio options — however I am questioning if the corporate will go along with radically totally different supplies to chop the burden as properly.
In the event that they’re ready considerably minimize the burden, I is likely to be keen to provide them one other go. I really like the audio high quality you get to get pleasure from out of over-the-ear headphones just like the AirPods Max, however I simply cannot keep on with them attributable to their weight. A decrease weight might remedy that consolation challenge I’ve had.
Till then, AirPods Professional 2 (with USB-C) has my coronary heart. Goodbye AirPods Max, you sounded nice.
