March 2021 • Macworld 49The AirPods Max feature a ‘custom acoustic design’ and feature all of the
technology Apple debuted in the AirPods and AirPods Pro.“a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic
driver that provides rich, deep bass,
accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean
high-frequency extension so every
note can be heard”. That sounds nice
and likely will sound nice, but a 40mm
driver isn’t all that uncommon in hi-fi
headphones. For example, Sony’s
high-rated WH-1000XM3 Wireless
Noise-Cancelling headphones feature
1.57in drivers, which convert to
39.878mm, while the Beats Studio 3
have a 50mm driver.
I have no doubt that the AirPods
Max will sound amazing, but at £549,
I wonder who they’re for. It’s true
that audiophiles spend thousands onhigh-end high-fidelity headphones,
but they have demands that everyday
listeners don’t. For one, they generally
want wired connections, something
the AirPods Max don’t offer without
a separate Lightning-to-3.5mm
adapter for £35 that is just 1.2m long.
Add a 20-watt plug, which also isn’t
included, and you’re almost £600.
You’re also not getting an equalizer
to let you tweak the bass and treble
to your liking. The AirPods Max
has the same Adaptive EQ as the
AirPods Pro that, according to Apple,
“adjust the sound to the fit and seal
of the ear cushions by measuring the
sound signal delivered to a user andMarch 2021 • Macworld 49The AirPods Max feature a ‘custom acoustic design’ and feature all of the
technology Apple debuted in the AirPods and AirPods Pro.
“a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic
driver that provides rich, deep bass,
accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean
high-frequency extension so every
note can be heard”. That sounds nice
and likely will sound nice, but a 40mm
driver isn’t all that uncommon in hi-fi
headphones. For example, Sony’s
high-rated WH-1000XM3 Wireless
Noise-Cancelling headphones feature
1.57in drivers, which convert to
39.878mm, while the Beats Studio 3
have a 50mm driver.
I have no doubt that the AirPods
Max will sound amazing, but at £549,
I wonder who they’re for. It’s true
that audiophiles spend thousands on
high-end high-fidelity headphones,
but they have demands that everyday
listeners don’t. For one, they generally
want wired connections, something
the AirPods Max don’t offer without
a separate Lightning-to-3.5mm
adapter for £35 that is just 1.2m long.
Add a 20-watt plug, which also isn’t
included, and you’re almost £600.
You’re also not getting an equalizer
to let you tweak the bass and treble
to your liking. The AirPods Max
has the same Adaptive EQ as the
AirPods Pro that, according to Apple,
“adjust the sound to the fit and seal
of the ear cushions by measuring the
sound signal delivered to a user and