Replace November 21, 2022: I’m re-upping my assessment from August 2021 whereas AirPods Max are on sale for $450 on Amazon and Greatest Purchase.

Whereas I’m right here, I’ll add that AirPods Max are nonetheless an excellent buy in November 2022. They’re that good and the one rumored change has been new colours, however we not anticipate that to occur this 12 months. I like to recommend AirPods Max at $549, and the value is much more palatable for $100 much less.

AirPods Max weren’t an instantaneous buy for me once they confirmed up on-line final December, however I talked myself into giving them a shot once they confirmed up in shops per week later. Eight months later, I can’t cease recommending them to anybody who can abdomen the $549 price ticket (or discover a deal).

My validation for the acquisition was closely weighted by my position as a author and podcast host for 9to5Mac, but it was my appreciation for music that satisfied me to shut my eyes and click on the purchase button.

There are such a lot of higher methods to spend $589 (after tax) than on a single pair of headphones. Already proudly owning and loving AirPods Professional actually made me iffy concerning the buy. Stock was nonetheless severely restricted in February, so I offloaded them at value earlier than an costly transfer.

However because the proverb goes: in case you love one thing, set it free; if it comes again, it’s yours. I actually missed how music sounded on AirPods Max in comparison with AirPods Professional. Six weeks later, I closed my eyes as soon as extra and changed my AirPods Max with a brand new pair. I believe I’ve used them for at the least an hour each day since shopping for this set.

Everybody’s expertise varies, however that is mine. AirPods Max really feel as vital to me proper now because the iPod did within the 2000s. AirPods Professional earbuds are my go-to answer in loads of conditions the place carrying headphones wouldn’t be acceptable or potential, however AirPods Max raises the ceiling for me of how audio ought to sound. Issue within the Apple sauce to create a handy person expertise (wi-fi, stable connection, new options by way of software program), and I’m completely bought lately.

I’m 30 and counting, however I vividly recall distinguishing totally different instrument tracks in music for the primary time after I was 15. I may hear to at least one track 5 occasions and deal with a special observe every time. This additionally occurs to be after I realized the bass guitar is as vital in rock music as lead and rhythm guitars.

AirPods Max recreate that have for me once more. I’ve gotten so accustomed to the standard of Apple’s white earbud selection that AirPods Max make me notice there are tracks in songs I didn’t decide up on earlier than. Most lately, I’ve been revisiting songs from the late 2000s and choosing up on background vocals and different tracks that weren’t as distinct earlier than. This expertise is what makes AirPods Max really feel value it, even when they’re so freaking costly. “You solely have to purchase as soon as,” I preserve telling myself…

Music isn’t the one particular expertise created with AirPods Max for me. Watching a film or TV present on Apple TV or iPad Professional with AirPods Max is a implausible expertise. I’ve a Dolby Atmos sound system, however typically sufficient, it’s extra immersive to absorb a film with AirPods Max after I’m watching alone. The noise cancellation and transparency options are additionally significantly efficient for protecting my head on whereas single parenting my 4- and 8-year-old children.

The $550 value remains to be the largest hurdle to beat with AirPods Max at this level, however I’m past the purpose of seeing the worth within the buy for me. Criticisms at launch like the shortage of wi-fi charging or a USB-C port go away as soon as you discover your charging rhythm (particularly if that’s every day).

The bizarre case state of affairs was remedied by way of firmware, and in actuality, mine simply lives within the high of my closet. My AirPods Max have their very own pocket in my backpack for safekeeping.

I’m solely barely miffed that there’s no compatibility with Apple Music’s hi-res lossless audio high quality, however that’s the character of wi-fi headphones anyway. I’m nonetheless saving exploring the world of DACs and reference headphones for an additional time.

For those who’re on the fence over AirPods Max however may think about the same use case as mine, I extremely suggest closing your eyes and urgent the purchase button, too.

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