AirPods Max im Test: Beats bald entthront?

A good pair of headphones is part of everyday life for most people. It doesn't matter whether you're working on your PC at home or listening to music or podcasts on your mobile phone when you're on the go, good headphones are needed everywhere.

Not only the sound is decisive, but also the wearing comfort and the workmanship of the headphones themselves. With AirPods Max, Apple has had headphones on the market since 2020 that want to compete with top brands like Beats. But what do Apple headphones promise in contrast to other manufacturers? Who are they best for?

Equipment And Features Of The AirPods Max

You are probably familiar with the regular Apple AirPods, which have enjoyed great popularity for many years. For a long time, however, Apple has not dared to approach full-fledged headphones that completely enclose the ear.Then, in December 2020, the company launched the AirPods Max. They were able to convince with the simple design of the over-ear headphones. These promise a better sound, which is output via larger speakers and is not played directly into the ear.

The headphones work with Bluetooth and can be charged via a USB-C cable. Apple promises a runtime of up to 20 hours, which is a significant improvement over the AirPods. Your music can be controlled using the simple buttons reminiscent of the Apple Watch.One of the most important features in headphones is noise cancellation, which can also be found in the AirPods Max. This is very powerful and doesn't seem fake.

Noise from outside is minimized and in some cases can no longer be heard at all, which leads to an even better listening experience. In addition, the dynamic 3D sound from Apple means that the distribution is always based on your own movement.So they are great for long flights or a noisy environment. The same also applies to the opposite transparent mode, whereby noises from the outside are deliberately played back.

Some small features are the automatic connection with your Apple products and the ability to pause playback when the headphones are removed and then play them again when the headphones are put on again. The only thing missing is sweat and water protection, which makes the headphones almost useless for athletes.

Smart Case

The scope of delivery also includes the smart case, which ensures that the headphones can be switched on and off. There is no button for this on the device itself, so they must be stowed in the case. The design leaves something to be desired here and falls far short of protecting the entire headphone.In addition, they cannot be folded. Only the two ear cups can be rotated and are then protected by the case. To save battery, they should definitely end up in the case after use, otherwise they will only switch off automatically after two hours.

Design And Comfort 

The AirPods Max come in a simple design that is also known from other Apple products. There is now also a large selection of colors space grey, pink, green, silver and sky blue. The temple that sits on the head is slim and not too tight.It is covered with a fine and permeable fabric so that the scalp does not sweat. The headphones themselves are made of metal. This is rather a rarity for over-ear headphones, because it makes the headphones heavier compared to other manufacturers.

Although they adapt to the head thanks to their high flexibility, they can become too heavy if worn for a long time.The earphones are covered with a soft fabric that shouldn't cause any pressure problems, even with large ears. The headphones themselves are flexible despite being made of metal. Surprisingly, the earmuffs are' also removable as they are attached with magnets. This makes it easier to clean or replace the foam.

Sound Quality 

The AirPods Max belong to the most expensive price range for headphones and also belong to a group where a high standard of sound quality is required. Apple can also convince here without any major problems. The sound is clear no matter what style of music is being listened to. The headphones are loud enough and never need to be played at full volume to hear your music. Highs and lows are very well blended, with a focus on bass and lows.

Conclusion

The AirPods Max are successful over-ear headphones from Apple that come with a high price, but also offer a large list of features. The sound is very high quality and one of the best headphones on the market.Add to that the great noise cancellation.

With a simple metal design, they are comfortable but can become too heavy if worn for long periods of time. The included smart case might cause some frustration as it's only there to turn off the headphones. However, if you already use Apple products and can overlook the very high price, you are getting great headphones.