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The flimsy case doesn’t offer much protection, but you have to use it to force the headset into low power mode.
Photograph: AppleApple’s noise cancellation is once again excellent, with HVAC and keyboard noises instantly disappearing. I am not shocked, given that senior writer Adrienne So says her toddlers regularly scare her when she uses AirPods Pro. Fear not though, talkers: with a quick press of the button on the top of the headset, the sound of the room is streamed into your ears, making quick chats easy.
It’s really the sound quality itself that sets the AirPods Max above its competition. Put simply, these are the best wireless headphones I have ever heard by far.
I honestly say this as definitively as possible. When they arrived, I put the AirPods Max against the Sony WH-1000XM4, Bose Noise Canceling 700, Mont Blanc MB01, Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon, and Shure Aonic 50.
The main difference between these headphones and all the others is their openness. From rumbling lows to crisp, crisp highs, everything finds its place. Bands seem to be playing in bigger rooms in your mind, and each instrument becomes more distinct than ever in the fog of busy mixes.
I love listening to detailed pop from newer artists like Billie Eilish, as her brother Finneas’ creative production techniques are perfectly perfected. Every little shimmer and rumble seems more distinct than ever. Hip-hop is just as exciting because the bass is punchy and defined, but never loud or flabby. 808 kicks and detuned vocals never blend together, and the brighter elements of each song overlap them perfectly.
Listening to harsh sounds like Elliott Smith’s guitars, they feel like they’re at the limit of my musical vision, giving plenty of room in the middle of the sound. The overwhelming sense of musical clarity is insane to noise canceling headphones. Some competitors may keep up with Apple’s work better than others, but in most cases, it’s like removing a layer of wool from other flagship noise-canceling headphones when you upgrade to the AirPods Max.
Good for movies
Another great feature that sets AirPods Max apart is the spatial audio which is actually usable. If you watch on a compatible app (I watched HBO Max on an iPad), the AirPods Max will simulate object-based surround sound like Dolby Atmos, so the audio effects seem to materialize from “high- imaginary ”speakers placed all around you in a 3D space.
Rotate the head and the audio remains locked in the original orientation. This makes the sounds a bit hissier (or “brighter”), but the feature really immerses you in the visual experience. It’s like you’re in a real home theater with surround speakers all around you. I can’t wait for this feature to be available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video as well.
To buy or not to buy
AirPods Max, like any $ 550 accessory, obviously isn’t for everyone. But despite their exorbitant price tag (and a few small quirks), the build quality, ease of use, and amazing fidelity they offer make them worthy of the cost.
Unlike other Apple products, they are objectively the best in their class. Somewhere in the ether, Steve Jobs is probably playing with pride.
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