Apple Airpods Max Review

How is the Design and Build Quality of Airpods Max?

New Apple AirPods max is very very special for Apple lovers as well as for Apple itself and the reason is it's Apple's first over-ear headphones. It's quite obvious that Apple will bring more upgraded editions if AirPods max is loved by users. As per a former designer It took more than 4 years to design this amazing artwork. Yes, you heard right. For me, it's like beautiful artwork.

After Apple AirPods max unboxing I got a Sky blue-colored Airpods Max covered in the carrying case. I didn't find anything in the box except for some papers and a USB type C lightning cable. I didn't get why Apple hasn't included AirPods max audio cable in the box. That means I have to spend a few more dollars on Audio cable.

Build: If you notice the ear cups you can see that the Gimbal like mechanism is used there. Though I am not pretty sure but the way they work reminded me about a gimbal mechanism. Gimbal is a pivoted support that allows the object to rotate about a single axis.

This is purposefully used to adjust any head shape. That glossy looking metal slider caught my attention and I said a word unknowingly. wow! That metal slider was really looking so amazing. Another aspect of the design of Apple Airpods max is they are specially made for ultimate fit and comfort but equally for luxury and aesthetics.

I am damn sure that when someone will walk on the road wearing these beautiful headphones people can't control themselves to take a glimpse of it.

I just feel that Apple could avoid that strange carrying case which is becoming an internet sensation nowadays. You will get hundreds of memes for that funny carrying case that comes with Apple Airpods max.

That metal headband made Airpods Max slightly heavy. It weighs almost 386 grams. That metal slider also looks solid, durable and performs its function quite smoothly. Did I forget to tell you about color options? You have 5 color options for Apple Airpods Max. Space Grey, Silver, Green, Sky Blue, and Pink.

Comfort & Fit: I could clearly see that Apple designed rounded edges. Edges that touch your head are round shaped. The ear cushions of AirPods max are so soft. I guess it's memory foam used for ear cushions. Rounded edges and soft material used for ear cushions clearly shows how Apple cares about your comfort.

When I looked for the first time after unboxing the new Apple Airpods max the first thing I noticed is the headband. I reviewed many over-ear headphones like Sony WH-1000 XM4, Bose Quietcomfort 35 II, Panasonic but never saw such an interesting headband like Airpods Max. The headband of Airpods Max looks like a suspended canopy.

Did you notice that great comfortable office chair which gives ultimate comfort especially to your head? Those chairs are really very comfortable for the head and the same I felt with the headband of Airpods max. As I told you when I heard the price of Airpods max for the first time I thought I should not buy them but now I am getting the point.

These headphones are specially made for those who love ultimate comfort. People will definitely fall in love with their comfort and luxury.

It has a stainless steel flexible frame with aluminum earcups. I already told you that the gimbal-like mechanism is used for ear cups swiveling. They are comfortable and fit enough and didn't leave their position even after shaking my head so I guess I can use them for Jogging. Though I haven't tried them for jogging yet but I think I should not take any risk because they are expensive.

Do you know Why do people love and respect Apple products? because they do that 99% of their competitors can't. If you notice every single detail of Airpods Max you will agree with me.

Have you seen that mesh design of the headband of Airpods Max? It's so comfortable. I forgot for a few moments that I wore a headphone even though they are comparatively heavy than Sony XM4 and many other over ear headphones.

They distributed the weight equally so I could enjoy the company of this beautiful audio device. This noise-cancelling AirPods Max headphones have ear cups that is super comfortable and that was a 6 hours of soothing experience when I wore them at my workplace.

Ear Cups are magnetic so can place firmly and are easy to take them off. You can replace them easily when you want but you need to spend $69. I have seen many over-ear headphones with touch control but Airpods Max didn't have touch controls. You can see the digital crown like you get on Apple's watch.

Another button is the noise cancellation button that allows you to switch between noise cancellation and transparency mode. That digital crown can raise or lower the volume. you can attain a phone call with a single tap, double-tap to forward the track, and triple for backward. It was a unique experience to use digital crown to raise and lower the volume.

I know it's too long to share design aspects but If you want to know about any Apple device then you must care about its design.

How is the Sound Performance of Airpods Max ?

I shared what I think about its design. If you ask me is the design of Airpods Max worth $550? I would say yes they are worth it. of course, they are not perfect. There are a few issues I will discuss later but now let's talk about sound and active noise cancelation of Apple Airpods Max.

Apple Airpods Max sound drivers are designed by Apple that is 40 mm in size. These dynamic drivers really give a rich sound experience. Does AirPods Max sound quality worth $550? Honestly the answer is not like one fit for all but yes my opinion is they sound really very good.

Vocals are clear. I could hear every single beat. The bass is amazing but does not overpower natural music. You might have seen many headphones that sounds good when ANC is OFF and as soon as you turn the ANC ON you can feel the sound quality is affected but with the Airpods Max, I didn't experience such thing.

I didn't feel any difference after turning on the ANC mode. I tried a few genres like pop, classical, rock, and feel that these pairs of headphones give the perfect balanced sound with every genre. One minor thing I noticed that more than 80% of the volume level may disturb the person who is near you.

Even at 100 percent volume I felt very minor or say almost no distortion. Now let's talk about Spatial audio. When I wore Airpods Max I felt I am in the room with the different instruments. Yes! they really have given me an amazing experience with the video song I watched. gyroscopes and accelerometers catch your head movement and deliver sound according to it.

Now you might be thinking I have just written a technical aspect but really I actually mean it. The Airpods Max deliver sound in 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos.

Now let's talk about adaptive EQ. Did you know about adaptive EQ? Adaptive EQ is the technology developed by Apple. With adaptive EQ of Airpods Max even very low frequencies can hear crystal clear.

These low and mid frequencies are tailored according to your ear shape and deliver a deep and rich musical experience. But AirPods max sound quality is not a question. The question is should you really spend $550? can you get the same level of sound quality by spending less money?

In the market, many experts are comparing Apple Airpods Max with Sony WH-1000 XM4. They are cheaper compare to Airpods Max but will they sound better than Max? we will find out soon but now let's dive deeper and discuss about Active noise canceling of Apple Airpods Max.

How is the Active noise cancellation of Apple Airpods Max?

Before reviewing Airpods Max I was thinking WH-1000 XM4 is the best Active noise-canceling over-ear headphones but after reviewing the first over-ear headphones of Apple I changed my opinion.  Apple airpods max comes with the ANC/transparency button that allows you to switch between these 2 modes.

Airpods Max uses 9 microphones that work awesome. I tested them at crowded places and at my workplace. What I liked the most is it's transparency mode. You can not only hear the sound but also can catch the direction of sound. If you ask me who has better active noise cancellation Sony WH-1000XM4 or Airpods max then I can't give you the straight answer but I would say they are equally good. Thumbs up for Airpods Max.

How is the Connectivity of Airpods Max ?

Like any other Airpods this Airpods Max is equipped with an H1 chip that gives you an effortless pairing with your apple device. Just take them closer to your iPhone and click on connect and done.

Just make sure that your Mac has macOS Big Sur 11.1 or later to work your Airpods Max smoothly with it.

Now one important question can you use Airpods Max with Android device? For this question Apple hasn't given a straight answer but As Apple said in https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT211887 you can use Airpods Max as a Bluetooth headset. But you can't use Siri.

Just perform the steps you do with any Bluetooth device to connect Airpods Max with your Non-Apple device. But my honest opinion is you should use Apple Airpods max with only Apple devices if you want to get the maximum benefit.

Other features like Siri, Audio sharing, Audio detection that automatically pause the audio when you take them off and resume the music after you wear them and announce a message feature is like icing on the cake.

How is the Charging and Battery performance of Airpods Max ?

Apple advertised that Airpods max battery life is 20 hours with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled But actually I could extend them upto 22.5 hours by using 70% of the max. volume. Lightning connector gives you 90 minutes of battery life with just 5 minutes of charging which is superb.

I just don't like one thing that is a strange looking protective case. I know you are thinking that why am I talking about the Airpods Max protective case suddenly. wait, I will tell you the story.

Airpods Max doesn't have OFF button. If you want to switch them to the low power mode or say sleep mode you need to keep the headphones inside the case. Sometimes if you forget to keep them in then they will consume the battery at a regular rate. I think it's a very bad idea and Apple made a mistake here.

What’s in the box?

• AirPods Max
• Smart Case
• Lightning to USB-C Cable

Who should get/Buy ?

• Apple users can get more benefits compare to others
• Airpods max is for those who loves style, comfort and luxury
• They are for those who don't care much about price of the product

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