Apple Air Pods

[DiggyGun]

Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone as this is my first post of 2026.

As we have an Apple ecosystem, just upgraded my Air Pods Pro 2 to the Air Pods Max.

As I’m awake a lot earlier than Mrs DG, I listen to Jazz on Qobuz using the Air Pods Pro 2 while surfing the “Net” whilst Mrs DG is still sleeping.

However, recently I’m finding that after a couple of hours, my ears begin to hurt. Tried the different supplied ear tips, aftermarket ear tips, but still hurts after a period of time.

So I thought that I’d give the Air Pods Max a try as they are an over the ear headphones model.

Looked at other brands, but you do lose some of the Apple features and ecosystem plus I do like the finish and quality of Apple products.

I will let you know how I get on with these.

 

[DiggyGun]

It’s D-Day today for the AirPods Max.

Two additional things I’ve done;
- Set up the Personalised Spatial Audio setting on my iPhone 16 Pro Max, which was a nice free improvement.
- Ordered an AirPods Max charging station, which has automatic sleep mode. Got this from Amazon USA and due on the 9th. Not bad, 10 days to Poland.

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

I tried IEMs for a while, some years ago, was very careful to make sure the tips were the right ones. After just a few uses they are in their box and, I’m back to over ear only. For some people, in ear just doesn’t work.

 

[DiggyGun]

I tried IEMs for a while, some years ago, was very careful to make sure the tips were the right ones. After just a few uses they are in their box and, I’m back to over ear only. For some people, in ear just doesn’t work.

I had some Fiio IEMs a while back prior to getting the AirPods. They were very comfortable and came with a huge selection of tips, so getting the right size was fairly easy. The problem with them was that being wired, you needed an Apple Dongle for them.

 

[jjbomber]

As we have an Apple ecosystem,

Looked at other brands, but you do lose some of the Apple features and ecosystem plus I do like the finish and quality of Apple products.

That's how their brain washing works. The best marketing company in the World. There is no escape!

 

[DiggyGun]

That's how their brain washing works. The best marketing company in the World. There is no escape!

Not a lover of Apple then, but thanks for your comment.

 

[nopiano]

I had some Fiio IEMs a while back prior to getting the AirPods. They were very comfortable and came with a huge selection of tips, so getting the right size was fairly easy. The problem with them was that being wired, you needed an Apple Dongle for them.

Is that why you chose the over-ear Max models too?

 

[DiggyGun]

Is that why you chose the over-ear Max models too?

Not initially no, I got the AirPods Pro and they were fine. Upgraded to the Pro2 last June, but using them more now.

They are very easy to use and the SQ is excellent for what they are, but after a couple of hours are beginning to hurt in both ears. Tried different tips and the Spin-Flo tips solved 50% as only the right ear started to hurt.

Keeping with the Apple ecosystem, it made sense to try the AirPods Max.

Having received them now, charged them and let them warm as they were very cold, I have tried them. They have a bit of weight to them when you hold them, but you don’t notice that when wearing them.

Will try them for real in the morning.

 

[DiggyGun]

Here I my initial thoughts on the Apple AirPods Max.

So far, so good. Trying the AirPod Max headphones after they were fully charged. Been using them for three days now, about two hours each time.

Most of my listening on Qobuz is Jazz and I always listen to the full album, like playing a record. However, I do have a “Test Playlist” of some 28 tracks that I use whenever testing new kit. Tracks are Jazz ones that I know well, but there is some electronic music to test the dynamics and bass for example. Plus, general Jazz listening on Qobuz of some of my favourite albums.

The AirPods Max have a bit of weight to them in the hand, but once you’re wearing them, you do not notice it.

They are very comfortable; the ear cups cover my ears well and no issue or pressure when wearing spectacles. There is no pressure from the headband and they don’t feel heavy on top of the head, with just the actual mesh touching my head.

The sound is very clear and detailed. Combine this with the “Personalised Spatial Audio” setting and the sound is very immersive. I was quite impressed with sound range that comes through. Bass is strong and clear, but not overwhelming. Percussion is clear and you can hear the brushes on the surfaces of the drum skins. The treble is sharp, but smooth and not shrill.

Apart from turning on the Personalised Spatial Audio setting, one other setting I’ve changed is the “Soft Music” setting. I’ve set this to Moderate as I have a bit of hearing loss, and this has helped to make some of the softer sounds more noticeable. There are three levels for this and it is beneficial as I tried on the lowest setting and was missing some of the detail.

The controls are very easy to use. The Digital Crown is very smooth for adjusting the volume, albeit, I haven’t used it for any calls yet. The push button used for the Listening Mode can be adjusted for two or three pushes. I’ve got it set on two pushes, but is set on “Transparency”, so that I’m aware of the surroundings around me.

The cover is strange I must admit, as it seems the only way to effectively put them into sleep mode. But to overcome this, I ordered a Charger Docking Station which puts them into automatic sleep mode.

Are they twice as good as the AirPods Pro, being twice as much? The materiel used is solid and high quality, the finish and fit is excellent. Sound quality, for me is much better, but that may be due to the better fit, but then it does have much bigger drivers, more dynamics. At the end of the day, to me yes, to answer my own question.

To conclude, I’m really enjoying them. The SQ is really good and they are really comfortable to wear. Plus no ear canal pain which is a bonus.

DG…