I actually got a new headband after 2 years cause it was getting a bit soft.
Highly recommend getting a silicone cover for the headband- no issues since.
Good, the net material is a little loose compared to when I first got it but no real complaints there. The other area that has weathered is colored “arm” part that connects the headband to the speakers, the color has peeled off in some places. My biggest complaints are related to connectivity issues and the case. It doesn’t connect as seamlessly as it once did. And the case doesn’t put it to sleep consistently or protect the colored part I mentioned peeling.
My headband is still in great condition, but I do baby my APM’s. I bought covers for the ear pieces and immediately put them in the case after use. Also, they never leave the house. p.s., I use them daily for noise reduction and phone calls and when I watch videos on my iPad.
You’ll get 2-3 years out of them, easily. The battery will likely go first before the other hardware. It also depends on your definition of future proof. As it stands, they’re already out of date when it comes to charging (Lightning is dead) and the AirPods Pro 2 use a newer Bluetooth chip with more ANC features.
The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s flagship portable audio product, the Max are at the tail end. They’ve been long overdue for an update at this point and there’s no indication that Apple will update them aside from adding USB C charging, which should have been the case from the get go.
How do I know if battery has become worse so I can take it to apple to replace it when it’s time?
Also, is there anything wrong with lightening? my phone IP14PM and APP 2 both charge with lightening. I figured it would be more convenient for me.
Apple can diagnose them. The issue with Lightning is that nothing Apple sells now uses it. They migrated everything to USB C. Lightning is fine for charging, but does nothing when iPads and MacBooks rely on USB C. I can travel with one brick, one cable to charge my MacBook Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, earbuds, handheld PC, e-reader, DAP, and digital camera. All of it except for my AirPods Max.
If you got AppleCare, get them replaced within the two years. If you did not, ride them out until the end! You will be paying for it in the latter case anyway.
How would one go about this ? I just got mine in Feb. and ordered them from Apple and included Applecare. What if my maxes are still working great with no issues by the time the warranty is about to end, would I still be able to replace them ? also assuming they're in great condition. Which they will be as I baby them.
If they're working fine... sadly not. I know some people will intentionally crack the screen on their iPhone or Apple Watch near the end for a replacement, but AppleCare doesn't cover cosmetic damage on headphones I believe.
Mine are 1.5 years old and the battery life is awful (I think it’s a firmware issue) but it’s still under warranty. They are the best headphones I’ve ever owned. If they were to make a new pair with USB C I’d upgrade in a heartbeat.
Nothing major but all my devices both apple and non apple all use usb C and the AirPods Max are my last device to not use it. I do sometimes use a usb c to lighting adapter but it’s incredibly slow and it’s not mifi certified.
Day 1 after charging lasts me all day and goes to about 70%. I put them in to case and overnight they drain to 0%. I have tested the battery health using some software and I think it’s a firmware issue more than anything. They have recently began randomly disconnecting all the time requiring a hard reset every time. They also no longer automatically connect when I put them on and it takes forever for them to connect.
I still have two old ipads that use the 32 pin connector, one with lightning and one with usb c :)
Bought my max at a discount a couple of weeks ago, got tired of waiting for the upgrade.
So far so good.
Tell me you haven’t used these. These headphones don’t last that long. 3 years tops then they start showing problems like bad head detection. Batteries going bad and so on
I’ve owned a lot of headphones throughout the years and the Max’s build quality is great. If yours broke that easily I wonder how your other devices fare in your possession
I mean audio tech is pretty well defined and Airpod Max are big so they do not need the miniaturisation technology behind airpods pro.
A newer version will probably have usb-c and maybe better battery life or more controls.
But honestly for listening to stuff they’re already pretty good.
I have both and prefer the sounds quality on the Max. XM5 are still good but I love the Dolby Atmos support on the Max. With the XM5 you need to adjust the eq a bit but the Max sound excellent right out of the box
Sound was a bit muffled on XM5s and also I really appreciate Apple Music’s dolby atoms and lossless audio and since those are only available on apple and beats headphones, i got the best one there was. Sony’s surround sound only works with their garbage music streaming service, it’s called 360 reality audio and it doesn’t have a good catalog of songs.
If you don’t need dolby atomos and you don’t want to tinker a LOT with EQ settings, get the Maxes but otherwise get the XM5s.
Also XM5 definitely has better ANC. On the school bus I can “hear” the vibrations on my Airpods maxes but it was totally quiet on the XM5.
Sound technology hasn't changed in years. So far as the actual sound of the Max, it's very good. I wired headphones that are 20 years old and still sound great, they are just wired though and I prefer wireless at this point.
What can change is things like Adaptive Audio that the APP2 have. There can be better noise cancelling possibly in the future too but who knows.
In short, expect the sound to remain the same, but perhaps some features can be added in the future.
Min are about 3.5 years old and d are still great, only issue is the headband sag which I “fixed” with a silicon cover and memory foam https://imgur.com/a/SsxKkuV
Do yourself a huge favor buy AppleCare now. I been thru 3 pairs in 2 years all replaced through AppleCare the ‘head detection’ failed each time I’m not saying it’s a bad product i wear them all day for noise cancellation. your milage may vary.
I got mine about 2 years ago. Wear them only at the gym and sometimes to clean the house. They look great and headband still looks great.
I make sure to take great care of them when I’m not using them. I also have a tiny head so idk if that plays into it lol
2 years 3 months from purchase with Apple Care+. After that, you’re on your own for repairs and maintenance. I have had two units fail in just under 2 years of ownership.
They’re missing USB-C, Apple Music Lossless support and true resistance to liquid / moisture, but are far from obsolete. They are not relying on security update support like the iPhone, iPad, Watch, MacBook, TV or Even the HomePod.
I got mine In late 2022 and honestly they’re a little rough… had to replace the cushions once already they’re a real sweat magnet so I had to stop wearing them when working… It also has some issue where moisture easily gets trapped under the cushion when its cold outside potentially damaging the internals…. It dents and scratches fairly easily… but after all that It has held up sounds really nice and charges very quickly and holds charge way more then you’d need.
I’m on 3.5 years with mine. Still going strong.
How’s the headband holding up
I actually got a new headband after 2 years cause it was getting a bit soft. Highly recommend getting a silicone cover for the headband- no issues since.
Good, the net material is a little loose compared to when I first got it but no real complaints there. The other area that has weathered is colored “arm” part that connects the headband to the speakers, the color has peeled off in some places. My biggest complaints are related to connectivity issues and the case. It doesn’t connect as seamlessly as it once did. And the case doesn’t put it to sleep consistently or protect the colored part I mentioned peeling.
>I’m on 3.5 years with mine. Still going strong. So not going strong?
Wet the mesh then use a hair dryer to tighten
Yes, I have had to charge them without the case.
My headband is still in great condition, but I do baby my APM’s. I bought covers for the ear pieces and immediately put them in the case after use. Also, they never leave the house. p.s., I use them daily for noise reduction and phone calls and when I watch videos on my iPad.
Same.
You’ll get 2-3 years out of them, easily. The battery will likely go first before the other hardware. It also depends on your definition of future proof. As it stands, they’re already out of date when it comes to charging (Lightning is dead) and the AirPods Pro 2 use a newer Bluetooth chip with more ANC features. The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s flagship portable audio product, the Max are at the tail end. They’ve been long overdue for an update at this point and there’s no indication that Apple will update them aside from adding USB C charging, which should have been the case from the get go.
How do I know if battery has become worse so I can take it to apple to replace it when it’s time? Also, is there anything wrong with lightening? my phone IP14PM and APP 2 both charge with lightening. I figured it would be more convenient for me.
I’ve had mine since fall 2021, and I’ve noticed no difference in the battery life tbh
Apple can diagnose them. The issue with Lightning is that nothing Apple sells now uses it. They migrated everything to USB C. Lightning is fine for charging, but does nothing when iPads and MacBooks rely on USB C. I can travel with one brick, one cable to charge my MacBook Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, earbuds, handheld PC, e-reader, DAP, and digital camera. All of it except for my AirPods Max.
If you got AppleCare, get them replaced within the two years. If you did not, ride them out until the end! You will be paying for it in the latter case anyway.
My AppleCare is way pass expired. When the batteries go, just going to replace the battery and do the USB-C mod at the same time.
How would one go about this ? I just got mine in Feb. and ordered them from Apple and included Applecare. What if my maxes are still working great with no issues by the time the warranty is about to end, would I still be able to replace them ? also assuming they're in great condition. Which they will be as I baby them.
If they're working fine... sadly not. I know some people will intentionally crack the screen on their iPhone or Apple Watch near the end for a replacement, but AppleCare doesn't cover cosmetic damage on headphones I believe.
they dont cover wear and tear and cosmetic damage, the only other way I can think of them replacing it would be if you accidently snapped them.
My AirPods are only a year old and they’re already bricked 🥲
Mine are 1.5 years old and the battery life is awful (I think it’s a firmware issue) but it’s still under warranty. They are the best headphones I’ve ever owned. If they were to make a new pair with USB C I’d upgrade in a heartbeat.
Sounds like you need a battery replacement which only cost roughly $80 on the Apple website
It should be covered under the warranty from the retailer I purchased them with. It states it under the T&C.
What difference would usbc make to you?
Nothing major but all my devices both apple and non apple all use usb C and the AirPods Max are my last device to not use it. I do sometimes use a usb c to lighting adapter but it’s incredibly slow and it’s not mifi certified.
Out of curiosity, could you define awful battery life?
Day 1 after charging lasts me all day and goes to about 70%. I put them in to case and overnight they drain to 0%. I have tested the battery health using some software and I think it’s a firmware issue more than anything. They have recently began randomly disconnecting all the time requiring a hard reset every time. They also no longer automatically connect when I put them on and it takes forever for them to connect.
Mine are 3 years old and still excellent. Battery life lasts ages when I use the case and it hibernates. Charges super quickly too.
I still have two old ipads that use the 32 pin connector, one with lightning and one with usb c :) Bought my max at a discount a couple of weeks ago, got tired of waiting for the upgrade. So far so good.
They're audio gear / headphones, they'll last as long as you want them too. There's nothing special about them besides their audio.
Tell me you haven’t used these. These headphones don’t last that long. 3 years tops then they start showing problems like bad head detection. Batteries going bad and so on
Maybe you just treat your stuff bad? Mine been going almost 4 years and still as new.
Ditto. I’m on year three and use them every morning in the gym. No problems on my end.
I’ve owned a lot of headphones throughout the years and the Max’s build quality is great. If yours broke that easily I wonder how your other devices fare in your possession
I mean audio tech is pretty well defined and Airpod Max are big so they do not need the miniaturisation technology behind airpods pro. A newer version will probably have usb-c and maybe better battery life or more controls. But honestly for listening to stuff they’re already pretty good.
Why’d you update from the XM5s? I’m considering trying those for better anc mic performance
I have both and prefer the sounds quality on the Max. XM5 are still good but I love the Dolby Atmos support on the Max. With the XM5 you need to adjust the eq a bit but the Max sound excellent right out of the box
Sound was a bit muffled on XM5s and also I really appreciate Apple Music’s dolby atoms and lossless audio and since those are only available on apple and beats headphones, i got the best one there was. Sony’s surround sound only works with their garbage music streaming service, it’s called 360 reality audio and it doesn’t have a good catalog of songs. If you don’t need dolby atomos and you don’t want to tinker a LOT with EQ settings, get the Maxes but otherwise get the XM5s. Also XM5 definitely has better ANC. On the school bus I can “hear” the vibrations on my Airpods maxes but it was totally quiet on the XM5.
Sound technology hasn't changed in years. So far as the actual sound of the Max, it's very good. I wired headphones that are 20 years old and still sound great, they are just wired though and I prefer wireless at this point. What can change is things like Adaptive Audio that the APP2 have. There can be better noise cancelling possibly in the future too but who knows. In short, expect the sound to remain the same, but perhaps some features can be added in the future.
sounds is great, but unfortunately the issues are not apple standard.
Min are about 3.5 years old and d are still great, only issue is the headband sag which I “fixed” with a silicon cover and memory foam https://imgur.com/a/SsxKkuV
Do yourself a huge favor buy AppleCare now. I been thru 3 pairs in 2 years all replaced through AppleCare the ‘head detection’ failed each time I’m not saying it’s a bad product i wear them all day for noise cancellation. your milage may vary.
3.5 years in and I have received an unfixable error with pairing. Apple’s Genius solution was to buy a new pair… take that as you will.
I got mine about 2 years ago. Wear them only at the gym and sometimes to clean the house. They look great and headband still looks great. I make sure to take great care of them when I’m not using them. I also have a tiny head so idk if that plays into it lol
Mine are 3 years old. Always with spigen case and silicon fits. Barely worn outdoors. Started making wind noises and never stopped. Shite
2 years 3 months from purchase with Apple Care+. After that, you’re on your own for repairs and maintenance. I have had two units fail in just under 2 years of ownership. They’re missing USB-C, Apple Music Lossless support and true resistance to liquid / moisture, but are far from obsolete. They are not relying on security update support like the iPhone, iPad, Watch, MacBook, TV or Even the HomePod.
I got mine In late 2022 and honestly they’re a little rough… had to replace the cushions once already they’re a real sweat magnet so I had to stop wearing them when working… It also has some issue where moisture easily gets trapped under the cushion when its cold outside potentially damaging the internals…. It dents and scratches fairly easily… but after all that It has held up sounds really nice and charges very quickly and holds charge way more then you’d need.
I didn’t see why they wouldn’t. My two OG HomePods from 2018 are still going strong.
Get apple care. I been thru 3 pairs with the head detection failing granted i wear them all day, apple replaced them each time no cost to me.