Apple AirPods Max Review: Premium Sound with Some Quirks

The Apple AirPods Max are Apple's foray into premium over-ear headphones. With features like Pro-Level Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and Personalized Spatial Audio, they certainly pack a punch in terms of technology. I spent two weeks with these headphones to see how they hold up in everyday situations.

One thing to note immediately is their price tag, which is significantly higher than many competitors. This puts them in a niche market where expectations are sky-high. After fiddling around with them, I found they have their strengths and some weaknesses too.

These headphones are designed to work seamlessly with Apple ecosystems, which can be a double-edged sword if you're not fully invested in Apple's other devices. In this review, I'll break down the key aspects of the AirPods Max, focusing on what works and what doesn't.

Overall, while the AirPods Max deliver in terms of sound quality and features, whether they're worth the price is a whole other conversation. Let's dive into the specifics.

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the price. The AirPods Max are undeniably expensive, positioning themselves at the high end of the market. While they offer great sound quality and effective noise cancellation, you have to weigh these features against the cost.

For Apple enthusiasts entrenched in the ecosystem, the seamless integration with other Apple devices could justify the high price point. Features like automatic switching between devices are genuinely useful and save time.

However, if you're not deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem, there are other headphones on the market that offer comparable sound quality and features at a lower price. Brands like Sony and Bose come to mind.

Overall, the AirPods Max are a premium product with a premium price. They offer great features, but whether they provide good value for money depends largely on how much you value Apple’s ecosystem and brand.

The design of the AirPods Max is characteristically Apple—sleek, modern, and somewhat minimalist. The headphones come in a range of colors including Starlight, which is the version I tested. They use a knit-mesh canopy that distributes weight fairly evenly across your head. However, after a couple of hours of use, I did start to feel some discomfort on the top of my head.

The ear cups are made of anodized aluminum and memory foam, providing a good seal around the ears. They do feel a bit heavy compared to other headphones in the same category. While they feel sturdy, the weight might be a consideration if you plan to wear them for extended periods.

One design element that stands out is the Digital Crown, which allows for easy volume control and track navigation. It's a neat touch but takes a bit of getting used to if you've never used a similar feature on an Apple Watch. The included Smart Case is more controversial. It doesn't provide much protection and feels more like an afterthought, especially given the price.

In conclusion, the AirPods Max are well-designed but come with some quirks. They feel premium, but the weight and Smart Case design could be off-putting for some users.

Battery life on the AirPods Max is decent but not groundbreaking. Apple claims up to 20 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio enabled. In my experience, I got around 18 hours, which isn't bad but falls slightly short of the claim.

The USB-C charging is a welcome feature, especially if you're already in the Apple ecosystem. It means one less cable to worry about. A quick 5-minute charge gives you about an hour of listening time, which is handy if you're in a rush.

The headphones don't support wireless charging, which is surprising given the price. This might not be a deal-breaker for everyone, but it's something to keep in mind if you're used to the convenience of wireless charging pads.

In summary, the battery life is good, but not exceptional. The lack of wireless charging is a curious omission, but the fast charging partially makes up for it.

Comfort is a critical aspect of any over-ear headphones, and the AirPods Max deliver a mixed experience. The ear cushions are made from memory foam, providing a snug fit that helps with noise isolation. For short to medium sessions, they are quite comfortable.

However, after prolonged use, the weight of the headphones starts to become noticeable. At nearly a pound, they are on the heavier side compared to other models. I found myself needing to take them off after a few hours to give my head a break.

The mesh canopy does help distribute the weight, but it doesn't eliminate it entirely. If you're someone who plans to wear these for several hours straight, this is something to consider.

To conclude, they're comfortable for typical use, but the weight can be an issue for extended listening sessions. The memory foam cushions are a nice touch, but they can't entirely compensate for the overall weight of the headphones.

When it comes to performance, the AirPods Max don't disappoint. The sound quality is solid, with a high-fidelity audio experience thanks to the Apple-designed dynamic drivers. I tried various music genres, and the headphones consistently offered rich and detailed sound.

The Active Noise Cancellation feature is quite effective at filtering out background noise. I tested these on a busy street and found that they significantly reduced ambient sounds. The Transparency Mode is equally impressive, allowing ambient noise to filter through without removing the headphones.

Personalized Spatial Audio is another highlight. With dynamic head tracking, it does provide an immersive experience, especially when watching movies or using Dolby Atmos-enabled content. It's quite fun to have audio that feels like it's coming from all around you.

Overall, the performance of AirPods Max is top-notch. The sound quality and noise-cancellation features are among the best I've tested, even if they come with a hefty price tag.