Apple AirPods Max (2020) Review: Insanely Great, Insanely Expensive

The cancellation of the noise from Apple is superb once more, because the HVAC noise and the keyboard disappear instantly. I’m not shocked, given this Senior writer Adrian is like this She routinely claims her children that scare her foolishness when she makes use of AirPods Professional. By no means be afraid, conversations: with a fast push of the button on the prime of the headphone, the sound of the room is in your ears, making the quick chats breezes.

It’s actually the identical sound high quality that transmits AirPods Max to the extent above its competitor. Merely put, these are essentially the most sound wi-fi headphones that I’ve ever heard, and a big margin.

Frankly, I say this categorically as potential. After they first arrived, AirPods positioned a most in opposition to Sony Wh-1000XM4, canceling the Bose 700 noise, MB01 Mont, Bowers & Wilkins Px7 Carbon, and Shure AONIC 50.

The principle distinction between these headphones and all others is the way it appears to be like open. From its lowest ranges to its highest stage, every little thing finds a spot. The gangs appear to play in bigger rooms in your thoughts, and every software turns into extra distinctive than ever in crowded fog.

I like listening to the detailed pop music of latest artists equivalent to Billie Eilish, as a result of the inventive manufacturing strategies of her brother Finneas are totally centered. Each small flash and a warmth appears to be like extra distinctive than ever. The hip hop is an equal footing as a result of the bus is vibrant and particular however by no means prospers or Serio. 808 Separate kicks and sounds are by no means combined, and extra brighter components for every tune on the right prime.

When listening to superior sounds equivalent to Elliott Smith, they really feel that they’re in the best way of my musical imaginative and prescient, giving numerous subject in the midst of the sound. The large sense of musical readability is loopy for headphones. Some rivals can sustain with Apple’s work higher than others, however typically, it appears that evidently you pull a layer of main headphones within the noise cancellation while you swap to AirPods Max.

Good for films

One other glorious characteristic that distinguishes AirPods Max Aside is already used. If you’re watching a appropriate utility (watch HBO Max on the iPad), AirPods Max simulates the peripheral -based encompass sound equivalent to Dolby Atmos, in order that the sound results appear to take a look at pretend “amplifiers” positioned round you in a 3D space.

Flip your head and the sound stays closed to the unique route. It makes sounds a little bit extra (or “brighter”), however the characteristic actually overwhelms the viewing expertise. It appears as should you have been in an actual dwelling theater with amplifiers surrounding in all places round you.

Apple says the AirPods MAX USB-C will even be the one headphones that enable “musicians to create and blend the designated spatial sound with head monitoring” with the newest promotions of options, making the spatial sound extra helpful.

To purchase or not purchase

AirPods max, like every $ 550 complement, just isn’t everybody. However regardless of its excessive worth (and some small dribbling), the standard of building, the convenience of use, and the wonderful loyalty they provide makes them price the associated fee.

In contrast to different Apple merchandise, that is the most effective of their class. Someplace within the ether, Steve Jobs could also be proudly confused.

Advance promotions

Probably the greatest and most appreciated options in an important Apple headphones is the introduction of latest options that assist it to maintain it not solely related, however aggressive with modern rivals. After launch the USB-C mannequin in 2024, Apple added some attention-grabbing new options in March 2025, together with 24-bit/48 kHz audio help when linked to the Apple machine that was up to date utilizing iOS 18.4, iPados 18.4 and MacOS Sequoia 15.4 for AirPods Max Max with USB-C.

Is that this essential? It could rely upon who you ask. Many sound specialists affirm that most individuals can’t hear the distinction between the compressed sound path and a excessive -resolution path, particularly with excessive -quality compressed tracks in the present day on broadcasting companies equivalent to Spotify or Apple Music. The truth is, that is what our check with AirPods Max revealed. Within the blind A/B check between the most effective compressed Spotify paths and unacceptable paths on Apple Music or Tidal, our outcomes have been primarily inconclusive. In different phrases, we may at all times hear the distinction.

What made a exceptional distinction is listening to the music described in opposition to broadcasting over Bluetooth. That is excellent news for Lightning Airpods Max customers, which didn’t get the sound replace and not using a loss. As such, in case you are contemplating improve to help the brand new sound and not using a loss, you might discover or not discover a distinction – and should you achieve this, it’s prone to be easy.

Musicians, producers and amateurs could have one more reason to think about the improve to AirPods Max USB-C, as Apple has additionally introduced “a really low switch time” that should make work in Apple music recording functions equivalent to Logic Professional a smoother expertise. This characteristic can even profit gamers and virgins because of the late time that Apple is equally known as with “authentic compact loudspeakers”. -ryan waniata