Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
VERDICT
The switch to USB-C makes the AirPods Max much easier to live with. The stainless steel build quality puts plastic competitors to shame, and the movie-watching experience with Apple TV is unmatched. However, it is disappointing that Apple didn't upgrade the chip to the H2 (found in the cheaper AirPods Pro), missing out on features like Adaptive Audio.
The Big Picture
Most headphones feel like gadgets; the AirPods Max feel like luxury furniture. The mesh canopy distributes weight perfectly, and the Digital Crown (borrowed from the Apple Watch) is arguably the best volume control mechanism ever invented. It doesn't rely on finicky touch gestures—just a satisfying, precise dial.
🌌 Personalized Spatial Audio
The Experience: It’s like strapping a home theater to your head.
How it works: Using gyroscopes and accelerometers, the headphones track your head movement. If you turn your head to the left, the dialogue still comes from the "screen" (the iPad or Apple TV). It creates an incredibly realistic soundstage that makes standard stereo sound feel flat.
👂 Best-in-Class Transparency
Often imitated, never duplicated.
The Tech: When you press the button to hear your surroundings, it doesn't sound like a microphone feed. It sounds like you aren't wearing headphones at all. The processing is so fast and natural that you can have full conversations without taking them off.
✅ The Pros
- USB-C Port: Finally, one cable for all your Apple devices.
- Build Quality: Premium aluminum and steel construction (no creaking plastic).
- Ecosystem Magic: Instantly switches between iPhone, Mac, and Apple TV.
- Incredible movie performance with Dolby Atmos.
❌ The Cons
- Old Tech: Still uses the older H1 chip (misses out on "Conversation Awareness").
- The Case: The "Smart Case" offers zero protection and still looks ridiculous.
- Heavy: Noticeably heavier than Sony or Bose alternatives.
🤔 Should you buy it?
YES if you live in the Apple ecosystem and prioritize build quality and movie watching over lightweight travel use.
NO if you want the absolute latest features (the tiny AirPods Pro 2 actually have smarter noise cancellation features thanks to the H2 chip).
See the showdown: Apple AirPods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 Comparison