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I’ve been a long‑time fan of over‑ear headphones, but nothing quite hit the sweet spot between premium sound and all‑day wearability—until I recently tried the AirPods Max in a local Apple Store. Apple’s mid‑cycle refresh of the AirPods Max manages to feel remarkably light on the head, thanks to its thoughtful weight distribution across the stainless‑steel frame and mesh canopy. Even after marathon listening sessions I’ve noticed far less ear fatigue than I ever did with in‑ear buds, which for me start to feel intrusive after about an hour.
That’s a stark contrast to my experiences with AirPods Pro, which have a tendency to loosen and sometimes literally fall out during a jog or quick head turn. I generally find anything inside my ear canal uncomfortable for long stretches, so the airy cushion of the Max’s earcups has been a genuine relief.
As far as a listening experiance goes, I personally didn't notice a massive difference between the Max's audio and the Pro's however that's fairly subjective. I encourage you to try both yourself in store.
Another standout benefit: hair indention is practically a non‑issue. Which has always been an annoyance side effect of headphones. The breathable knit‑mesh headband gently hugs your crown without pinching, so I don’t end the day looking like I’ve slept with them on and I don't get a tension headache from them squeezing too tightly. And should anything mishap occur—say, my toddler commandeers them—the process to send them back to Apple for repair is straightforward (just pack them up and ship via the Apple “Get an Estimate” tool; fees apply if you’re out of warranty or don’t have AppleCare+). Something that requires a bit more involvement with other brands.
List Price & What Changed
All told, the 2024 AirPods Max update is delightfully minimal—no new chips or feature overhauls—yet hits the key marks for EU‑driven USB‑C compliance and a wider palette of hues. Personally, I’m eyeing the Blue model.