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AirPods Max

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Re: AirPods Max

#701

Post by paulryanrogers »

rootusrootus wrote: post #693
tjoff wrote: post #685

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I will tell you this, I do not miss headphone cords at all. Not one bit. I don't miss the cord snagging on parts of my desk, or my legs, or the arms of my office chair, or under the casters, etc. Not to mention cord noise on IEMs, which admittedly isn't really a problem on over-the-ear headphones anyway. I'll probably never buy another pair of corded headphones.

Landfills also don't feel as empty with all these new devices arriving 18-24 months later, original battery included.

Re: AirPods Max

#703

Post by hajile »

clajiness wrote: post #344
hajile wrote: post #327

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But my Shure IEMs offer better sound isolation and better sound quality and cost less money.

I'm shocked by how many people claim to be able to state absolutes about a product that they've never tried. How do you know your headphones offer better sound isolation and better sound quality?

Active noise cancellation necessarily loses fidelity because it's imperfect technology. Passive 30db of noise reduction is a lot better. Likewise, cramming your entire DAC into one little chip is also a recipe for decreasing output quality.

As to quality, Shure IEMs are very close to as good as it gets, so even in the best case, apples cans wouldn't be better (though the speaker in their teardown doesn't look too good).

Re: AirPods Max

#704

Post by abc_lisper »

runawaybottle wrote: post #695
visarga wrote: post #688

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

Yeah, I have no idea where people are getting the whole seamless wireless connectivity experience idea from. AirPods are pretty much awful in terms of connecting. It’s a little better than regular Bluetooth because of the case which gives a lot of visual feedback when you open it, but that’s mostly to trick your senses into not realizing it’s still just a shitty bluetooth headphone that takes forever to connect.

My "trick" is to keep the AirPods can open when trying to connect. For some reason, it does better with the lid open.

Re: AirPods Max

#705

Post by pvg »

freeone3000 wrote: post #657
pvg wrote: post #628

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're not that far off higher-end over-the-ear ANC/wireless headphones, give or take Apple's brand premium (which many other makers of expensive things also happily apply). That's not to say they are cheap but it feels closer to existing market pricing than $250 wireless earbuds - a move Apple pulled off seemingly successfully.

If by "not far off", you mean "over $200 more". For consumer devices: The Sony 1000XM4s are $270. Bose QC35 IIs are $265. You'd have to go up to pro-grade gear, such as the M&Ds or Beyerdynamic Amirons, to match this price. Maybe Apple headphones are pro grade, but the AirPods are not, so I don't think they're going for that market segment.

They're right there in 'wanky headphones from a name brand'. Amirions are more expensive and have no ANC. The gamer Audezes (no ANC, the processing stuff is only wired) are $500. Lots of other stuff you can find in that price range from B&O, etc.

Re: AirPods Max

#706

Post by comandillos »

visarga wrote: post #688
zcw100 wrote: 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.

+1

My experience with the AirPods Pro is far from being smooth. Random disconnections, sometimes L or R do not connect, cannot use microphone and listen to music...

Tired of them. Bought a pair of Beyerdynamic with a 3,5mm jack and not even a single issue... For about 150$...

Re: AirPods Max

#707

Post by partiallypro »

blantonl wrote: post #308

For all the complaining about the pricing here, just set a reminder to yourself for 1 year later, when the pandemic has waned and some workplaces begin to return to normal. Then take a visual survey of how many people are wearing these in those hip open office development workspaces. You'll see the pricing didn't matter at all. You'll probably be wearing a pair yourself when you do that visual survey.

I won't be wearing them, they look absolutely terrible. Honestly like headphones you'd find at a dollar store bin (in terms of design.) But they will probably catch on, I think the AirPods themselves looked silly but so many wear them now as a fashion statement. Apple has somehow convinced people that they are a fashion/status company, it's incredible.

Re: AirPods Max

#708

Post by tjoff »

rootusrootus wrote: post #693
tjoff wrote: post #685

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I will tell you this, I do not miss headphone cords at all. Not one bit. I don't miss the cord snagging on parts of my desk, or my legs, or the arms of my office chair, or under the casters, etc. Not to mention cord noise on IEMs, which admittedly isn't really a problem on over-the-ear headphones anyway. I'll probably never buy another pair of corded headphones.

I use a pair every day. And I use bluetooth headphones every day. The existence of either doesn't make the other useless.

And I have used bluetooth headphones for over a decade, I find it hilarious that when apple suddenly had a offering that it suddenly became obsolete with cords.

It is impossible to overstate how much bluetooth sucks for temporary connections. I dare you, pair your device in my car. Or to play that song on a shared speaker setup. Just a quickie, see how well you do. Might work, might not. The outcome isn't decided by you alone or what device you are pairing with - guaranteed.

The environmental impact alone should give one pause. As the batteries will go out and make the heaphones next to useless. Tech-savvy ones might replace them but that is hardly the norm. Yet my corded headphones are over a decade old sounds better than what apple is offering at a fraction of the price.

They do not have active noise cancellation though - and that is a killer feature! For some situations... Not in my home, where I use them. Because I have the option to do so.

Re: AirPods Max

#709

Post by tarsinge »

mrtksn wrote: 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…

Modern music is usually heavily distorted on purpose at the mix step, I mean what's the point of buying equipment with high fidelity to listen to layered synth or auto-tuned voices? Recording engineers don't use audiophile gear, and it's no surprise when you have seen a typical guitar signal chain. Being able to discern instruments and layers with clarity and definition take years, yet I'm always amazed at what people failing to recognize the most basic things or issues, or do a basic EQ, will spend money on.
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