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AirPods Max

apple.com

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Re: AirPods Max

#841

Post by fbelzile »

freewilly1040 wrote: post #793
fbelzile wrote: post #741

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I'm happy to pay $500 for something that works Sure, if by "works" you mean "only works with other Apple products." The cost isn't just $500, it's also the opportunity cost of going with any other competing (and possibly better) product in the future. Apple's pricing is high, but is even higher if you account for the hidden hand of future buying power you give them. It's a brilliant business strategy as it limits y…

> Sure, if by "works" you mean "only works with other Apple products." Well, yeah, that is what people mean when they say this. I'm not seeing anyone here make the case that it's worthwhile if you're don't use other Apple products, or that it's not a giant hassle to switch out of Apple products. They just don't care as much about lock in as you.

> They just don't care as much about lock in as you.

I'm sure some Apple customers realize what's happening. As in, they knowingly look at the slowly boiling pot of water and get in because it's not hot enough to burn them yet.

But I think for the most part, Apple is exploiting a common blind spot in human psychology, the ability to predict the future. People look at the Apple devices they have now and make a decision to buy Airpods. They don't see the future implications of being locked-in.

The typical Apple consumer probably starts with an iPhone or mac (because of phone plans, open standards, apps, etc). The real lock-in begins with the AirPods, iWatch, etc. Once they get you to buy one of these 'lock in' devices, they're much more likely to continue making more money off of you the next time you need a new laptop/phone/desktop. That's all well and fine if you know this going in, but I'd wager most don't.

Re: AirPods Max

#842

Post by sixstringtheory »

manderley wrote: post #235
dsalzman wrote: post #17

Including the Digital Crown from the Apple Watch demonstrates the power of Apple designing their hardware in house and amortizing new components over many products.

No other product before has had a twistable button!

Many used to, but how many modern "smart" devices do? It's all touchscreen now. I'm glad they're keeping this tech around.

Re: AirPods Max

#843

Post by sound1 »

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…

now you are talking like an audiophile yourself - just kidding :-)

there are people who appreciate high quality audio vs people who want 'seamless audio experience' vs snake oil addicts. They all are completely different things.

Re: AirPods Max

#844

Post by mr_coleman »

mariushn wrote: post #774
low_common wrote: post #717

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a $100 pair of bluetooth Sennheisers that have a battery life that seems to be measured not in hours, but in days. I use them all day every day while working in the office, at home, or coffee shop. Music sounds great and so do movies. Never have to worry about the bluetooth connnection, pairs to my Mac or to my work laptop just fine. And they got to me with Amazon Prime. You do not need to spend $500 if all…

Which one? (can't see an over-the-ear model here) https://en-us.sennheiser.com/bluetooth-headsets

Go up a level. You want "Headphones" not "Headphones + Headsets".

Re: AirPods Max

#845

Post by gonehome »

One pleasant side-effect of these is when we all start flying again it'll be even easier to find the SFO airport gate.

Currently you can just look for the one with >50% Airpod use, but that's hard to see from a distance.

These are much easier.

Re: AirPods Max

#846

Post by _ph_ »

low_common wrote: post #717
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 bought a $100 pair of bluetooth Sennheisers that have a battery life that seems to be measured not in hours, but in days. I use them all day every day while working in the office, at home, or coffee shop. Music sounds great and so do movies. Never have to worry about the bluetooth connnection, pairs to my Mac or to my work laptop just fine. And they got to me with Amazon Prime. You do not need to spend $500 if all…

Of course you don't need to spend $500 to buy headphones that do their job. There are plenty of great headphones to buy. For me, I have some beats flex which are great for small portable phones which also are well integrated with the Apple devices. Before them, I had some nice Sennheiser wired phones.

The promise of the Airpods Max is to be very high quality headphones, which are in that rough price range. On top of that the complete integration into the Apple universe and some nice functions like the spacial audio, which had been well received with the AirPods Pro. Which are much cheaper, if you are not aiming for the highest audio quality.

Re: AirPods Max

#847

Post by rootusrootus »

hajile wrote: post #327
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.

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

That seems like an apples-to-oranges comparison. Apple makes (or at least used to make) their own IEMs, which are more directly comparable to Shure. They were also pretty good, and competively priced. But they weren't at all the same kind of products as a set of wireless noise canceling over-the-ear cans.

Re: AirPods Max

#848

Post by chadlavi »

0x008 wrote: post #527
ryeguy_24 wrote: post #158

For someone that already has some decent over ear headphones, I read the entire press release thinking that these would be great to get. I was pegging them at $249 to $399 max. $549 shocked the daylights out of me! This is beyond too expensive for me to consider. Maybe it will come down over the years but there must be a very slim market of people who can pay that. I’m not usually shocked by an Apple price but that’s…

Remember when we said $800 for an iPhone is beyond expensive and unreasonable?

$800 would be outrageous to pay for an iPhone 4. For an iPhone 12? I'm not sure it's so ridiculous.

I've had my current iPhone for 4 years. If I buy one $20 bag of coffee beans a month, then I've spent more for coffee in the last 4 years than I have on my phone. Seems like a good deal to me?

Re: AirPods Max

#849

Post by danappelxx »

Zenbit_UX wrote: post #839
css wrote: post #243

Looks like they do support wired playback. If you add them to your cart, Apple's website suggests this[0] add-on: > Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable (1.2m) > Connect AirPods Max to your iOS or iPadOS device. Or connect to 3.5mm audio ports in your car, on an airplane, and more. After AppleCare, this optional 3.5mm cable, and tax, it comes out to just over $700 USD. [0]: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MR2C2AM/A/lig…

Does anyone else think it's hilarious they release a pair of headphones with a 3.5mm jack after courageously dropping it from all their phones a few years ago? Is the brave move in a world without headphone jacks.. to bring them back?

The headphones have a lightning port (just like iPhones). This cable is to connect the headphones to a 3.5mm port (ie MacBook).

Re: AirPods Max

#850

Post by abc_lisper »

deergomoo wrote: post #722
partiallypro wrote: post #707

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Amazing how some people just cannot accept that something made by Apple could sell millions because it’s actually good . The “fashion statement” argument is completely farcical, always has been.

I think lot of Apple hate comes from not being able to afford it at some point in their lives and having seen others enjoying it. How else can we explain the hate, actual hate towards Apple. It can be argued well that Apple's products are among the most reliable of consumer electronics, and are user friendly.
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