Apple’s latest expansion of the AirPods brand is a set of large over-the-ear wireless headphones. The AirPods Max look great, sound great, and are quite comfortable despite their heavy weight. They’re also $549, a difficult price to justify when the competition (primarily the Sony WH-1000XM4 [go.macworld.com/1xm4] and the Bose 700 [go.macworld.com/ b700]) are around $200 to $250 less.
In some ways, the AirPod Max give you what you pay for. Build quality is unmatched at any price, and there are some clever design flourishes. But there are also a few compromises worth noting, like a “Smart Case” that is anything but.
For those embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Max will be worth considering when they’re on sale for $449 or less, but it’s otherwise hard to justify the price tag, and those who regularly dip outside Apple’s product ecosystem should probably look at alternatives.
DESIGN AND COMFORT
It comes as no surprise that Apple designed a set of headphones that looks fantastic and is made from premium materials. But Apple doesn’t always knock it out of the park with ergonomics. (I’m looking at you, Apple TV remote.) Fortunately, the AirPods Max are both great-looking and a delight to use.
This story is from the April 2021 edition of Macworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2021 edition of Macworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JBL Xtreme 4 speaker: A powerful portable for parties
The fourth generation of JBL's Bluetooth travel speaker is beefier, better protected from the elements, and louder than ever.
How the iPhone's Headphone Safety setting can affect a Bluetooth speaker
A setting designed to prevent damaging your hearing can also throttle external speakers.
REVIEW: iPHONE 15 STRAIGHTFORWARD EXCELLENCE
SUPERB CAMERA SETUP + DECENT BATTERY LIFE + FAST PROCESSOR = (RELATIVELY) AFFORDABLE QUALITY.
REVIEW: 15-INCH MACBOOK AIR (M3) SIMPLY THE BEST, BUT BETTER
THE M3 UPDATE TO APPLE'S MOST POPULAR LAPTOP LINE IMPROVES ON GREATNESS.
FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI LINK 2: PORTABLE PRINTER WITH RETRO CHARM
Photographer Chase Jarvis (fave.co/ 3xegpdk) said, \"The best camera is the one you have with you.
ALOGIC MATRIX ULTIMATE: A FOLDUP CHARGER THAT DOESN'T NEED A PLUG
I've reviewed a bunch of impressive portable multidevice wireless chargers recently, and this newcomer, the Matrix Ultimate, lives up to its name.
5 MWC announcements that should have come from Apple
The Android show highlighted some new tech that we want to see in Apple products.
We haven't seen the last of the Apple Car
From Al to CarPlay, Apple’s efforts weren't for naught.
AI is coming to the iPhone-and it could change everything
Generative Al is set to impact every corner of Apple’s ecosystem.
U.S. Justice Department sues Apple over its 'iPhone monopoly'
The DOJ is joined by 16 state and district attorneys general in claiming that Apple has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.