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AirPods Max 2

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Re: AirPods Max 2

#381

Post by bredren »

alstonite wrote: post #7

My AirPods Max 1 left a headband dent in my skull from how poor the quality of the headband was after more than a year of daily use. They also are super heavy and don't travel well at all. Apple deciding that, on their 2nd refresh of these (after usb-c), they still aren't going to fix those fundamental issues is very frustrating for what feels like a very disproportionately expensive product (even by Apple standards)…

They will replace worn out fabric on the v1s with AppleCare. Have to send them in but it works.

Re: AirPods Max 2

#382

Post by Aurornis »

ex-aws-dude wrote: post #114

I don't understand how a pair of headphones can be $549 meanwhile the Macbook Neo is $599 The pricing on these always seemed a bit crazy to me, like the value is way off compared to other Apple products

You’re comparing their top-end luxury product from one category to their entry-level basic product from another category.

Premium products usually have higher margins.

Re: AirPods Max 2

#383

Post by Aurornis »

Paria_Stark wrote: post #227
momoschili wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Different target markets. Audiophiles and wealth exhibitionists are much more willing to pay the large amount

Doubt audiophiles are really the target for the AirPods Max.

The AirPods lineup is actually reasonably popular on audiophile forums.

Re: AirPods Max 2

#384

Post by bredren »

ryanjshaw wrote: post #186
mbb70 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are a luxury item, you are paying for the privilege of signaling you can afford $550 headphones. Generic black over-ear headphones could be $800, could be $80, useless for signaling. Doubly true in the context of a gift.

Maybe for some people. For me, they work perfectly and integrate with all my other Apple stuff (MBP, iphone, TV, iPad), everything just works. My stress levels demand it.

Indeed, like MagSafe charging—they simplify. Simplicity has a premium.

That said, my first pair failed out of Apple Care and resulted in a full cost replacement. The APM sub is littered with stories of the BT module failing.

I’m sure it is ludicrous to some but I often measure value by utility and I go through entire workdays wearing this product.

Re: AirPods Max 2

#385

Post by ainch »

awad wrote: post #349

Forgetting all technical benefits: people will always have opinions on headphones and it's rather fascinating that Apple owns the entire market for fashionable ones, despite there being nothing stopping outside players. They specifically acquired Beats for this reason to shore up that base, and so far no one has been able to make a dent in the celebrity or influencer space.

The only other pair I've seen treated that way is Nothing's Headphones - although the (maybe niche) musicians I've seen wearing them lean into y2k aesthetics, where Apple's products are more broadly appealing.

Re: AirPods Max 2

#386

Post by beloch »

StefanKarpinski wrote: post #145

Wild. I have been eagerly awaiting this refresh, but this doesn't address either of the main issues with the original AirPods Max: 1. Still just as heavy. The AirPods Max sound quite good, but they are very heavy, to the point of being fairly uncomfortable after listening for any longer amount of time. This release as the exact same weight as the originals (13.6 oz). 2. Still no off button/position. They stay partial…

Perception is at odds with quality sometimes. For headphones, lighter is better even though people often perceive denser objects as being of higher quality. This is why high-end headphones often contain a fair bit of plastic, but also make sparing use of light-weight metals such as magnesium in the places where strength is especially important.

These Airpods appear to have ear-cups made entirely of aluminum, which is an odd choice. Plastic cups are typically more than strong enough and aluminum is actually a fair bit denser than magnesium. That's a lot of weight for no good reason. Aluminum is a great material for some things, but Apple seems to be using it for everything even when its not appropriate.

Re: AirPods Max 2

#387

Post by firecall »

mhitza wrote: post #2

To me they look like shit. I'm sure gen Z and Alpha will love it. I'll be interested in seeing a review on specialized sites. The 20 hours of battery life is impressive.

At AU$999 here in Australia, I'm not so sure they will.

Wired headphones and earbuds seem to be having a moment as well.

Re: AirPods Max 2

#388

Post by timothyduong »

bwv848 wrote: post #204
flakiness wrote: post #174

A tangential question: What are the best bang per buck headphones these days (preferably wireless)? Not earbuds, but over-the-head headphones. Tell me your favorites. (The internet is so polluted that I cannot find any reliable recommendation today so I'm doing a mini "ask HN" here.)

Best bang for the buck in terms of sound quality is probably the Hifiman HE400SE, which is less than $100, the AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD6XX, which are about $200. The catch is that you need a proper setup to drive them. But to be honest, getting the tuning you like that suits the music is more important.

HD6XX was too harsh in the highs for me. I think HD600s are tuned ever so slightly better.

Also base DACs from a MBP M1 (max) were fine to drive it for me. Both HD600/XX

Re: AirPods Max 2

#389

Post by NewsaHackO »

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #313
hug wrote: post #288

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You shouldn't need a medical background to know that having something press on a spot for a couple of hours will leave a depression in your skin. You have probably fallen asleep on something patterned or folded and have it leave an impression on your skin before: This is no different. Other places it happens: Watches that are slightly too tight or have ridden up an arm. Glasses arms pressing against your temple or be…

> shouldn't need a medical background to know that having something press on a spot for a couple of hours will leave a depression in your skin I read “soft tissue on top of” the skull to mean more than a superficial skin depression. We have layers of connective tissue between the skin and skull [1]. Their damage usually calls for medical attention. [1] https://www.earthslab.com/anatomy/scalp/

What he's saying though is that the original poster is vastly overstating the effect the headphone had on his head. There was no dent in his skull, just skin deformation that happens with literally every headphone.

Re: AirPods Max 2

#390

Post by dmazzoni »

Aurornis wrote: post #382
ex-aws-dude wrote: post #114

I don't understand how a pair of headphones can be $549 meanwhile the Macbook Neo is $599 The pricing on these always seemed a bit crazy to me, like the value is way off compared to other Apple products

You’re comparing their top-end luxury product from one category to their entry-level basic product from another category. Premium products usually have higher margins.

Exactly.

If you want Apple-quality headphones to go with your MacBook Neo, the USB-C Earpods are $19:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/myqy3am/a/earpods-usb-c

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