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AirPods Max

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Re: AirPods Max

#681
post #669
post #606

It feels like we are seeing the result of diminishing returns with technology advancement. To make a product that Apple believes is significantly better than the competition they had to design a very intricate solution that includes: * High end look and feel not similar to the bulk of their products with lots of textile webbing and memory foam ear cups. These get way more wear and tear than normal electronics being e…

You sound like you are selling these headphones. Yeah, making wireless headphones with active noise cancellation is complicated, what else is new. Same as making a smartphone, or a laptop, or a car. "Significantly better than the competition"? Sure they are if you listen to (or are) Tim Cook or some Apple fanboy, but really buying an iPhone is mostly a matter of preference, not really being "better than the competiti…

> But they were just announced, why the hell would you assume that they are any good at all?

I'm not an Apple fanboy, but people said the exact same thing about the M1, which basically blew everyone away. So the track record pretty heavily favors Apple here.

Re: AirPods Max

#683
All: there are multiple pages of comments; if you're curious to read them, click More at the bottom of the page, or like this:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25344762&p=2

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25344762&p=3

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25344762&p=4

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25344762&p=5

(yes, these comments are a workaround which will eventually self-destruct)

Re: AirPods Max

#684
post #369

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having paid $350 for Bose QC3 headphones 4 years ago, that I use every day but sometimes have to fight with when e.g. my MacBook Pro keeps trying to steal focus even though i shut it and am trying to use the headphones with my phone now, etc. I completely agree. Paying a bit more for something that just works as well as my airpods do, assuming that this delivers, is totally worth it. On top of that, I expect the soun…

I see you’ve never used AirPods between multiple devises. It’s become a lot better in the last year, but that’s only because it started out infuriating. QC3s were much better than AirPods at multi device up until a recent update.

I am on BigSur and iOS 14. While watching a video, AirPods switch from Mac to iPhone when I get a call, but won't switch back after I disconnect the call. I have to manually do the switch back. So this is still not an optimal experience.

I forget how this is on my Bose. I think video keeps playing with muted volume when you take the phone call so when you disconnect you just rejoin the video.

Re: AirPods Max

#685
post #240

I think this is actually a fantastic place for Apple. I'm happy to trash Apple where appropriate and I've got plenty of complaints. I think Apple does it's best when the integration of hardware and software is really important and there is a very low tolerance for, I won't say bugs, but issues. They're headphones. I want to put them on and they need to make noise. I'm not dealing with connectivity issues, battery iss…

You know what doesn't have a battery never had any connectivity issues (before apple) and just works?

The 3.5mm jack.

I'm all for options though! But apple don't so I guess it doesn't matter.

Re: AirPods Max

#686
Aaron Sorkin needs to make a sequel to Steve Jobs immediately, where Tim Cook leaves him in the dust and changes the world with truly groundbreaking innovation.

Re: AirPods Max

#687
post #289
post #162

Oh, I find it fascinating how the audio gear industry has taught the consumers on how much money you are supposed to spend to have audio experience at certain level. Pay attention on audiophile arguments, they will talk in terms of money(i.e. 150$ headphones vs 500$ headphones) when talking about audio quality. I always find the audiophile market to be borderline fraud. They sell CD demagnetisers, ceramic cable lifte…

There's an exponential curve of cost vs quality. Buying in the bend is best. The difference between a $50 and $200 pair of headphones is staggering. From $200 to $500 is still significant. From $500 to $1000 is extremely slight. From $1000 to $5000 is basically unnoticeable. Apple looks to be using plastic driver cones more at home in a $30 pair of headphones while selling something at the inflection point where head…

What is the difference you are noticing? What is the performance you are talking about? It's the exact problem the parent is talking about, people have no idea so they talk about price.

Re: AirPods Max

#688
post #240

I think this is actually a fantastic place for Apple. I'm happy to trash Apple where appropriate and I've got plenty of complaints. I think Apple does it's best when the integration of hardware and software is really important and there is a very low tolerance for, I won't say bugs, but issues. They're headphones. I want to put them on and they need to make noise. I'm not dealing with connectivity issues, battery iss…

> I'm not dealing with connectivity issues, battery issues, etc. Sure they're $500

My AirPods often have bluetooth issues, even when coupled to a MacBook, not just any laptop. They fail at the basic function of making sound.

Re: AirPods Max

#689
post #162

Oh, I find it fascinating how the audio gear industry has taught the consumers on how much money you are supposed to spend to have audio experience at certain level. Pay attention on audiophile arguments, they will talk in terms of money(i.e. 150$ headphones vs 500$ headphones) when talking about audio quality. I always find the audiophile market to be borderline fraud. They sell CD demagnetisers, ceramic cable lifte…

I was an Apple Music subscriber listening music on AirPods until I bought a pair of studio reference monitors for 700 USD equivalent (Yamaha HS8). The joy of listening for hours without pain or fatigue from these while WFH is great. These ays my AirPods run out of battery and cut out in the middle of a meeting. The need for all kinds of portable battery powered devices have significantly gone down while working from home.

Re: AirPods Max

#690
post #369

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having paid $350 for Bose QC3 headphones 4 years ago, that I use every day but sometimes have to fight with when e.g. my MacBook Pro keeps trying to steal focus even though i shut it and am trying to use the headphones with my phone now, etc. I completely agree. Paying a bit more for something that just works as well as my airpods do, assuming that this delivers, is totally worth it. On top of that, I expect the soun…

I see you’ve never used AirPods between multiple devises. It’s become a lot better in the last year, but that’s only because it started out infuriating. QC3s were much better than AirPods at multi device up until a recent update.

Not sure if it's my ignorance, but doing the bluetooth dance is infuriating, even with AirPods.

5% of the time, I get correct pairing when powered on. 20% of the time, going to the Bluetooth menu -> Device -> Connect works. The rest of the time is a frustrating time having to remove/go into paring mode/re-pair to get it to work (AirPods included).

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