So far so good. I like the replaceable magnet pads gosh knows how hard it is to replace my Bose and Sony pads after a few months of use. audio test nalang
Mm...I like this review. https://www.cnet.com/news/airpods-max-review-the-price-hurts-but-they-are-excellent/
... It does look like earmuffs when worn outside on a wintry day! The thread for the APM in Headfi.org is very active. What caught my eye is someone saying that the sound reminds him of the non-ANC B&W P7 wireless, and another citing the fact that the current VP of Acoustics in Apple is Gary Geaves, who was head of R&D at B&W (an established British speaker brand, known for, among other things, being the preferred speaker brand by the legendary Abbey Road studios) for 7 years and worked there for a total of 16 years. Hmm, ... sounds like something I will like (better than the Sony XM4s). Another described the tuning as "audiophile fun." Looks like a home run, again, for Apple.
Mm....universal dislike of the carrying case for the Max......too girly, looks like a bra or a purse...from the male reviewers......everything Apple does IS deliberate. My guess is the feminine carrying case was designed that way to add some feminine appeal to Airpods Max. After all, half the world's population IS female. Traditionally, headphone listening IS male-dominated hobby. Maybe, this is Apple's way of appealing to the fairer sex. The case may repel some men but not enough to make the Max a non-starter. Speculation on my part. I like the blue. I don't have ANC HPs. I own more than 60 headphones and in-ears, all audiophile-grade. An ANC will be a thoughtful niche addition. Looking to purchase one (after audition) in preparation for post-pandemic travel in late 2021 to 2022.
Here is what I think is one example of a case done right—meaning it serves its primary purpose as carrying case that protects the HP in transport (and not as just a replacement to an actual standby/off button)—while appealing to the fairer sex: When my wife first saw the case, she remarked that's a very nice handbag! (P.S. The case could be smaller/slimmer though.) Having said that, I really think Apple intended the case to be like that: to open another (3rd-party) market for replacement cases, or cases that will fit the entire APM with its "smart case."
mm...I have never used headphone carrying case for travel. Too big. Too cumbersome to use. What I use is plain bag (leather or cloth) with drawstrings and my HP is placed inside my backpack whenever I travel. No problem at all (breakage or scratching. My backpack carry-on is protective enough to transport travel headphones (usually closed backs) and other headfi equipment. So no big deal for me.
It's interesting that they didn't put a subtle Apple logo on the outside of one or both of the earcups. I was kind of expecting that since the sides looks so bare.
Mm...I agree. A small shiny metallic logo embedded on the external side of the anodized aluminum enclosure would have been a nice touch.
need to audition this first, for me. Coz at that price, there maybe a better option even wired ones (with the right adapter). I mean the Focal Studio headphone ones could be cheaper that this. Yet sound flat and balanced. I can already see the hype. admittingly I got curious too. so I watched a lot of youtube videos yesterday and the opinion of reviewers are almost split. But for those who has it hands-on for test, out of five that I watched so far (Booredatwork, Briang Tong, MKBHD, Max Tech, Flossy Carter) Three says GO, One says NO, and another one is undecided / need more ear time but unimpressed initially. But I have no doubt on it's abilities to wow everyone with great audio reproduction. I can always go back to my B&O H7 wired headphones That one has a really good and wide soundstage. No DSP needed
Yes, a logo on the cup or cups would be nice. Aside from the case, my other questions regarding fit and finish would be: 1) the mesh headband: how will it stand daily wear and tear, will it tear (pun intended) in the long or even short run? 2) the aluminum surface of the cups: are they prone to scuffs? Will this spawn another market for silicon cup protectors (like the apple watch protectors, etc.)? Hopefully the above would be minor or non-concerns.
When will airpod max be locally available? Our neighbor Vietnam are the ones making these. Sho it shouldnt be too long naman