In late 2020, Apple unveiled its first-ever over-ear headphones – the AirPods Max. Lauded for their premium build and audio quality, the Max also command an ultra premium price at $549.
However, while reviewers praised their sound, not all have been won over. Below I detail 5 compelling reasons why you may want to pass on the AirPods Max and consider more affordable alternatives instead.
Overview
The AirPods Max adopt the same sleek, minimalist aesthetic as other products in the AirPods line. Sporting an anodized aluminum frame with metal telescoping arms and memory foam ear cups, they oozes Apple’s trademark styling.
Key Features:
- Active noise cancellation
- Transparency mode
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
- Apple H1 chip
- 20 hours battery life
- Apple ecosystem integration
So what exactly makes these the headphone world’s latest luxury status symbol?
For Apple devotees, that seamless integration with iPhones, iPads and Macs may be reason enough. Especially alluring is their ability to automatically switch between sources instantly.
However per the reasons below, mainstream buyers are better served saving their money and opting for more affordable cross-platform alternatives.
Reason 1: Far More Expensive Than the Competition
At $549, the AirPods Max demand a supreme premium – nearly double the price of some comparable high-end noise-cancelling headphones:
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | $278 |
| Bose 700 | $379 |
| Sennheiser 850 | $400 |
| Beats Studio 3 | $349 |
Reviewers and audio engineers broadly agree the Sony and Bose models deliver sound quality on par if not superior to the AirPods Max.
"The Sonys go louder, are a smidge more comfortable and convenient and their noise-cancelling has an edge too."
SoundGuys testing also found the 1000XM4s achieving better noise cancellation:
"The AirPods Max see significant low-mid and midrange masking between 300-2000Hz. Comparatively, the Sony WH-1000XM4 have extremely minimal noise masking in this range."
So while audiophiles may appreciate the AirPods Max as a luxury offering, most buyers are better served saving upwards of $200 and opting for the Sony or Bose options.
Reason 2: The "Smart Case" is More Form Over Function
The AirPods Max ship with Apple’s custom soft “smart case”, which snaps over the ear cups for storage and transportation. However, despite its innovative design the case has been panned for offering inadequate protection.
Rather than fully enclosing the headphones, the case leaves the headband exposed – meaning they remain susceptible to bumps, drops and other impacts. internally, the case lacks any kind of cushioning or shock-absorbing lining.
As a result, many owners have reported scratched and damaged AirPods Max even when stored in the case:
"The case doesn‘t really protect them at all…the top is totally exposed so if they drop or get hit or squished it does nothing." – AirPods Max owner
The cases provided by Sony, Bose and other brands offer far more coverage and protection:
| Model | Case Protection Area |
|---|---|
| AirPods Max | 40% |
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | 95% |
| Bose 700 | 85% |
So those splurging $550 on headphones could reasonably expect a case that properly shields them from damage. Instead the AirPods Max case warrants buying a third party option for proper protection.
Reason 3: Missing Expected Features
Given their staggering price tag, you may reasonably expect the AirPods Max to deliver truly revolutionary new features. Unfortunately that isn’t quite the case.
Beyond their exceptional build and audio fidelity, most of their capabilities – noise cancelling algorithms, transparency mode, spatial audio – have been available in top competing models for years already.
More concerning is that the Max lack a few standard features found on most premium over-ear models:
| Feature | AirPods Max | Popular Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Foldable design | No | Yes |
| Power button | No | Yes |
| Volume buttons | Digital Crown | Physical buttons |
| 3.5mm audio jack | No | Yes |
| Multi-device pairing | 2 devices | 3+ devices |
So for those key functionality gaps alone, most buyers are better served by the Bose, Sony and other offerings.
Reason 4: Closed Ecosystem Causes Headaches
As an Apple product, the AirPods Max offer the best experience when paired with Apple devices. Seamlessly switching between your iPhone, iPad and various Macs is virtually frictionless when logged into the same iCloud account.
However, for those in the Android and Windows world, using the AirPods Max introduces various connectivity headaches. Basic tasks most headphones handle automatically require messy workarounds:
- To listen wired, you need to buy a $35 Lightning cable accessory
- Without a headphone jack, your phone also needs a dongle accessory
- Manually repairing to non-Apple devices is required every time
Consider that as of 2022, only 15% of smartphones run iOS. So for a majority 85% of phone owners, the AirPods Max prove significantly less convenient than popular cross-platform alternatives like the Sonys and Bose.
Reason 5: History Says First Versions Have Kinks
Apple has earned criticism for releasing “version 1” products with clear areas for improvement – only to substantially upgrade them in later iterations. Early adopter buyers effectively end up beta testing hardware for the masses.
Some well known examples include:
- iPhone 4: “Antennagate” caused signal issues from holding phone a certain way
- MacBook Pro: 2016+ models prone to keyboard and display failures
- iMac: Mid 2010 models suffered widespread graphics card issues
Industry analysts suspect the AirPods Max will receive similar substantial upgrades down the line:
“This first version feels like a platform on which Apple will build, rather than the finished article.” – TechRadar
“We fully expect the second-generation model, whenever that lands, to incorporate meaningful improvements.” – Wired
So unless you need the absolute latest and greatest right away, buyers are often better off giving Apple 12-18 months to discover and solve any latent first-gen hardware issues.
There’s no denying the AirPods Max deliver an exceptional audio experience – especially if already ingrained within Apple’s ecosystem. Their sound reproduction and noise cancelling ability are matched by few competitors.
However, given their astronomical price tag combined with their notable omissions and first-gen quirks, most mainstream buyers are better served by more affordable cross-platform offerings. For higher end headphones in the $200-$400 range, the Sony WH-1000XM4s represent an ideal AirPods Max alternative for both iOS and Android users alike.
So unless you bleed Apple blue and must have the very latest Cupertino kit, take a pass on being an early AirPods Max adopter. Either grab the Sony XM4s or wait for the inevitable Max version 2.0 refresh. Your wallet will thank you.
