The AirPods Max has been out for a while and has been a polarizing product for many Apple fans. The overhead headphones have come back in a massive way and have become a huge fashion trend in 2022. It’s polarizing due to a few reasons: some claim that the wireless headphones aren’t a great fit for some head types, and others also complain about the price point. On the other hand, many love its minimalist aesthetic, good sound quality, and portability.
However, there seems to be a lurking AirPods Max flaw that Apple hasn’t fixed until now, despite the product coming out years ago. What’s scary about this flaw is that it could happen to anyone’s pair, and Apple won’t fix it for you. If you’re looking for more information about this AirPods Max flaw, read on below.
The AirPods Max flaw has been around since the product’s inception and is when condensation, sweat, or water builds up inside the earcups when they’re warm. This happens either because of the aluminum construction of the AirPods Max, which stays cool, making the air around it hit its dew point, or because of a lack of ventilation. There’s a hole on the inside of the earcup that contains a disconnect release for the headband. Once liquid in any form travels down this hole in noticeable amounts, then it can destroy the power and audio connectors for the device. Once that’s destroyed, you have no way of using your AirPods Max headphones.
This has been a known issue for quite a while, with users in this Reddit thread from two years ago highlighting the problem. The user in this thread goes into extreme detail as to how exactly their pair of AirPods Max headphones broke. To fix this AirPods Max flaw, they state that you can tape the hole inside the earcup to prevent any water from seeping through. This can help, but customers shouldn’t be paying for a product only to have to take measures to prevent issues by themselves.
Why Is Apple Not Fixing It?
If you need a third-party repair for an Apple device, at least go about it smartly.
It’s unclear why Apple isn’t fixing this AirPods Max flaw. Customers claim that when they take their pair into the Apple shop for repair, the team didn’t acknowledge the issue and would send them off to a remote repair center. Many of the time, these customers would bring AirPods Max headphones that are under warranty, too.
One user claimed that they would have to pay approximately $280 to repair the broken headband connector issue. Therefore, it seems as if the Apple repair team are aware of the glaring issue but not the underlying causes. It could be that Apple is, in fact, aware of the condensation issue but is also aware that it’s a major design flaw present in all models. Admitting a major flaw would mean a mass recall, which would be extremely costly.
Is the AirPods Max Worth It?
Despite this particular AirPods Max flaw, many consumers still express satisfaction with the product (perhaps because they haven’t experienced the condensation issue themselves). Here’s a breakdown of whether or not the AirPods Max is worth it:
Price
The AirPods Max is not cheap at all. It’s $549, so while it’s not the most expensive pair of wireless headphones on the market, it’s definitely comparable to other high-end competitors. Those familiar with Apple products understand that the company does charge a more premium price because of its branding, user experience, and aesthetics. If you’re only considering the price, $549 may not be worth it, as you can get other wireless headphones for cheaper. The real differences come with the sound quality and functionality.
Functionality
The AirPods Max headphones are very portable, seeing as you can fold them and package them in the carrier. The carrier transforms your headphones into a carrier, which you can hold like a handbag when you’re not using them. Apart from that, you can link them up with all Apple products easily, and there are various controls that help you streamline your experience with the digital crown. If you have a pair of AirPods, then the AirPods Max will feel native to you. There’s not much more you can ask for in a pair of wireless headphones, but Apple doesn’t skimp on the functionality of these.
Sound Quality
The AirPods Max sound profile is described as clean and balanced, not leaning too much into the bass but definitely providing users with some pounding depth if required. Some say that the AirPods Max headphones have the same sound signature as the AirPods Pros, so if you already have a pair or are aware of how music sounds on them, then you can imagine that just in over-ear form. It has active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and spatial audio to help you immerse yourself in your sound.
Aesthetics
Of course, as is the case with most Apple products, the AirPods Max looks stunning if you like minimalistic aesthetics. The smooth, brutalist concrete-esque construction fits over your head great and can fit with literally any outfit you put on. It’s unassuming, more of a suggestion than a statement. And that is the appeal of these headphones. The wireless headphone market has plenty of choices, but from a design and aesthetic point of view, none of them hit the spot like the AirPods Max.
Ultimately, though, design and aesthetics are always going to be subjective. Some don’t enjoy the metallic brutalist design of the headphones. If that’s the case, you may enjoy the AirPods Pro, as they have a similar sound profile and are more subtle.
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