Apple’s entry into the earbuds and headphones segment with the first-generation AirPods was revolutionary for the brand and has allowed it to keep innovating. But the AirPods Max launched with a lot of promises and a heavy price tag, which even Apple purists found hard to justify. However, with positive reviews from tech enthusiasts and journalists, it has created a niche for itself in this ever-growing and competitive market. These are Apple’s first over-the-ear headphones, which excel in noise cancellation and audio quality, in typical Apple fashion.
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Head over to Best Buy to grab a pair of the Apple AirPods Max wireless headphones for just under $450 instead of their MSRP of $550. That’s a saving of $100, which is refreshing to see from Apple, which is stringent with discounts.
Why Buy The Apple AirPods Max?
Build
Following the brand’s design language and build quality, this pair of headphones features a minimalistic design and an aluminum build, which feels premium and sturdy. The mesh lining of the headband allows ventilation for long sessions, while the ear cups sit snug on the ears. The clamping force is slightly on the higher side, so some users might feel fatigued after a while, but it’s not a deal-breaker. The cups are soft and comfortable, and you can replace them if they wear out. The crown on top of the right cup lets you adjust the volume, change tracks, and interact with incoming calls.
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Battery and Charging
This is the revamped version with new colors and, more importantly, a USB-C charging port rather than a Lightning one. It comes with a leather carrying case that features a polarizing design, effectively securing the ear cups. They last for about twenty hours on a single charge with the ANC turned on, and can gain 1.5 hours' worth of play if plugged in for only five minutes.
ANC and Transparency Mode
These have Apple’s accoustic noise-cancelling, which effectively cancels out loud ambient noises. This is especially helpful during commutes, as it can mask the sound of traffic and people. You can turn on/off the ANC using the dedicated button on the ear cup, located beside the digital crown. Transparency mode also works well, letting in more ambient sounds so you're aware of your surroundings even when listening to music, although you will hear a noticeable hissing sound due to the microphones working. This feature is useful if you don’t want to miss out on important sounds or announcements.
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Ecosystem
The headphones also take advantage of Apple’s cohesive ecosystem that allows you to effortlessly switch between Apple devices on the same iCloud account. If you’re already a part of the family, then investing in the AirPods Max makes more sense for you. Call audio quality is decent, but the microphone leaves a bit more to be desired.
Sound Quality
The biggest reason for anyone to consider this pair of headphones is its audio quality, which vastly justifies the price. The highs and lows are punchy and bass-heavy, and the audio adjusts itself depending on their placement on the ears. Spatial Audio mimics a stereo setup to give a multidimensional feel to the sounds.
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