Dec 1, 2025Got these in "Fair" condition for a really good price
Got these in "Fair" condition for a really good price. They have noticeable scratches on both ear cups and the headband padding is a bit worn. One of the ear cushions has a small tear. But they work perfectly. Sound quality is excellent. ANC works great. Battery life is decent. If you're on a budget and don't care about looks, this is a good option. Just don't expect them to look pretty.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
PPatricia O.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Nov 18, 2025Bought these for my 16-year-old son and he absolutely loves them
Bought these for my 16-year-old son and he absolutely loves them. He says the sound quality is amazing and the noise cancellation helps him focus on homework. They look cool which is important to him lol. Build quality seems solid. He's had them for two months with no issues. Happy mom, happy kid.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
MMegan S.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Nov 15, 2025I work from home and wear headphones pretty much all day
I work from home and wear headphones pretty much all day. These are comfortable enough for 6-8 hour sessions. The ear cups are spacious and the memory foam is plush. They do get a bit warm after a few hours but not unbearable. Sound quality is excellent for music and calls. The ANC helps me focus. Battery lasts the whole work day easily. My only complaint is the weight — they're noticeable after a full day. But overall very happy.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
JJonathan P.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Nov 8, 2025I've been using the Airponds Max for about three months now, and I feel like I can give a proper, thorough assessment
I've been using the Airponds Max for about three months now, and I feel like I can give a proper, thorough assessment. Let me start with the sound quality, because that's really the main event here. The first thing I noticed was how wide the soundstage is. I listen to a lot of live recordings and orchestral music, and the sense of space is genuinely impressive for a closed-back wireless headphone. Instruments have clear separation — you can pick out individual elements in dense mixes that get lost on lesser headphones. The bass is tight and controlled rather than boomy. It extends deep enough for electronic music but never overwhelms the mids. Speaking of mids, vocals sound natural and present, which is important for someone like me who listens to a lot of singer-songwriter stuff. Highs are detailed without being sibilant — cymbals and hi-hats sound realistic rather than harsh.
Now for the noise cancellation. I've tried the Sony XM5s, the Bose QC Ultras, and the AirPods Pro 2, and I'd say the Airponds Max are competitive with all of them. They're particularly good at blocking out low-frequency noise like engine rumble, HVAC systems, and traffic. They're slightly less effective at sudden high-frequency sounds like someone shouting or a dog barking, but that's true of all ANC headphones. The transparency mode is excellent — very natural sounding, almost like you're not wearing headphones at all. I can have quick conversations without taking them off.
Build quality is where these really shine. The aluminum ear cups feel premium and should hold up well over time. The headband mechanism is smooth and has a satisfying amount of resistance. The memory foam ear cushions are plush and comfortable. However, and this is a big however, these headphones are heavy. At 385 grams, they're significantly heavier than the Sony XM5s (250g) and Bose QC Ultras (250g). I've gotten used to it, but for the first week or two, I definitely noticed the weight after an hour or two of wear. The clamping force is also fairly strong out of the box, though it loosens up over time.
Battery life has been a mixed bag for me. I'm getting about 16-18 hours with ANC on, which is less than the advertised 20 hours. It's still enough for most use cases, but competitors offer 30+ hours. The charging speed is decent — about 1.5 hours for a full charge via Lightning. Yes, Lightning, not USB-C, which is annoying in 2025/2026 when everything else I own uses USB-C. The smart case sleep mode is unreliable — sometimes I pull them out and they're at 100%, other times they've somehow drained to 50% overnight.
The digital crown for volume control is genuinely excellent. It's satisfying to use and more precise than touch controls. The lack of a power button is weird at first but you get used to it — they turn on when you unfold them and go to sleep when you put them in the case. Call quality is acceptable but not great. People can hear me fine in quiet environments but struggle to hear me on busy streets.
Overall, these are excellent headphones with some frustrating quirks. The sound quality and ANC are top-tier, the build is premium, and the design is iconic. But the weight, the case, the Lightning port, and the battery life all prevent them from being perfect. I'd give them a strong 8.5/10. If you can find them at a discount, they're absolutely worth it. At full retail, you need to decide whether the sound quality and build justify the compromises.
Pros- Outstanding sound quality with wide soundstage, - Excellent noise cancellation, - Premium build materials, - Digital crown is a great control method, - Comfortable for 2-3 hour sessions
Cons- Very heavy compared to competitors, - Lightning charging in 2025/2026, - Smart case is poorly designed, - Battery life below advertised, - Call quality is mediocre, - Bulky carrying case
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
DDaniel K.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Oct 28, 2025Just a heads up to potential buyers — the ear cushions are replaceable
Just a heads up to potential buyers — the ear cushions are replaceable. Mine started to flatten after about 6 months and I bought replacements for $35. Easy to swap out and they feel like new again. The headphones themselves are excellent — great sound, great ANC, great build. Just factor in eventual cushion replacement.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
RRyan M.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Oct 22, 2025Ordered "Good" condition and these look almost new
Ordered "Good" condition and these look almost new. Maybe a tiny mark on the headband that I had to really look for. Everything works perfectly. Sound is incredible. ANC is amazing. Battery life is great. Very happy with this purchase. The seller was accurate with the condition description.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
CChris T.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Oct 20, 2025This is my second pair of Airponds Max
This is my second pair of Airponds Max. My first pair lasted over two years of daily use before the battery started degrading. I sold them and bought a refurbished pair and they're just as good as new. The sound quality is incredible, the ANC is still best in class, and the build quality means they hold up really well over time. If you take care of these they'll last years. Highly recommend.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
DDavid W.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Oct 15, 2025Bought these used and they arrived in perfect condition
Bought these used and they arrived in perfect condition. Clean, no scratches, works like new. Sound quality is incredible. ANC is amazing. Battery life is great. Very happy with the purchase. Would definitely buy from this seller again.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
EEmily W.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Oct 14, 2025I ordered these in "Good" condition expecting some visible wear, but they showed up looking almost new
I ordered these in "Good" condition expecting some visible wear, but they showed up looking almost new. Maybe a tiny scuff on the bottom of the right ear cup that you'd never notice unless I pointed it out. Everything works perfectly — Bluetooth connects instantly, ANC works great, battery holds a solid charge. The sound quality is fantastic, especially for rock and electronic music. For what I paid, this was an incredible deal. Would definitely buy from this seller again.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
RRebecca T.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Oct 3, 2025I've had these for about six months now, so I wanted to share my long-term experience
I've had these for about six months now, so I wanted to share my long-term experience. I'll try to cover everything I can think of.
Let's start with the unboxing experience. The packaging is very Apple — minimal, premium, satisfying to open. The headphones come in that distinctive case that everyone makes fun of, and honestly, the criticism is warranted. It looks like a purse or a bra or something. It doesn't offer much protection either — it's basically just a sleeve. I bought a hard case on Amazon for $20 and it's way better. The headphones themselves, when you first pick them up, feel incredibly solid. The aluminum is cold to the touch and the mesh headband looks elegant. But then you realize how heavy they are. My first thought was "there's no way these are comfortable for long periods." I was partially wrong.
After the first week of adjustment, the weight becomes less noticeable. The memory foam ear cushions distribute the pressure well, and the headband does a good job of spreading the weight across the top of your head. I can comfortably wear them for 3-4 hours at a time. Beyond that, I do start to feel the weight. I've fallen asleep with them on a few times on long flights and woken up with a slightly sore neck. So they're comfortable, but not all-day comfortable like the Sony XM5s.
Sound quality is where these really excel. I listen to a very wide range of music — everything from classical to death metal to hip hop to jazz — and these handle it all beautifully. The frequency response is remarkably balanced. There's a slight warmth to the sound that makes everything pleasant to listen to, but it's not so colored that it distorts the music. Detail retrieval is excellent. I've been hearing subtle details in recordings that I've never noticed before — background vocals, room ambience, the sound of fingers sliding on guitar strings. It's genuinely impressive.
The noise cancellation has held up well over six months. No degradation in performance. It's still just as effective at blocking out my noisy neighbors and street traffic. The transparency mode is still one of the best I've used — very natural sounding. I use it all the time when I need to be aware of my surroundings.
Battery life has degraded slightly. When new, I was getting about 18-19 hours with ANC. Now I'm getting about 16-17 hours. That's still acceptable, but it's worth noting. The Lightning port is genuinely annoying. I have to keep a separate cable for these when everything else I own charges via USB-C. It's a small thing but it adds friction to the daily experience.
The build quality has held up perfectly. No creaking, no loose parts, no signs of wear on the ear cushions or headband. The aluminum ear cups still look like new. These are built to last. I've dropped them a few times and there's not a single scratch. The digital crown still works perfectly — it's one of my favorite features.
Connectivity has been rock solid. They pair instantly with my iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Switching between devices is seamless. Range is excellent — I can walk to the other end of my apartment without losing connection. No dropouts or stuttering.
Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. They're not perfect — the weight, the case, the Lightning port, and the battery life are all legitimate criticisms. But the sound quality, ANC, and build quality are best-in-class. If you can accept the compromises, these are fantastic headphones. I'd recommend them to anyone who prioritizes sound quality and build over portability and convenience.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
AAshley B.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Sep 30, 2025Got these on sale for $350 and at that price they're excellent
Got these on sale for $350 and at that price they're excellent. Sound quality is great. ANC is very good. Build is premium. They're heavy and the case is bad but for $150 off retail I'm happy. Wouldn't pay full price but on sale they're a great buy.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
TTyler N.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Sep 20, 2025I use these for PC gaming and they're excellent
I use these for PC gaming and they're excellent. The soundstage is wide enough for competitive shooters — I can hear footsteps and directionality clearly. The bass makes explosions feel impactful. ANC helps me focus. The mic is good enough for Discord. The only downside is they're not wireless with PC (Bluetooth has slight latency) so I use the cable. But the audio quality over cable is fantastic. Great gaming headphones.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
JJordan B.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Sep 15, 2025I bought these to compare with my Sony WH-1000XM5s and honestly I prefer the Sonys
I bought these to compare with my Sony WH-1000XM5s and honestly I prefer the Sonys. The Airponds Max sound good — detailed and clear — but they lack the bass punch of the Sonys. ANC is comparable, maybe slightly better on the Airponds for high frequencies. But the Sonys are way more comfortable and lighter. The Airponds feel premium but they're just too heavy for me. I'll be sticking with my Sonys and returning these.
Would not recommend this product
Was this review helpful?
JJade T.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Sep 8, 2025I have several ear piercings and these headphones press against them painfully
I have several ear piercings and these headphones press against them painfully. The ear cups are deep enough for my ears but the pressure pushes my piercings into the side of my head. I can only wear them for about 20 minutes before it hurts. Sound quality is great when I can wear them but the comfort issue is a dealbreaker for me. If you don't have piercings you'll probably be fine.
Would not recommend this product
Was this review helpful?
TTom B.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Aug 12, 2025Yes they're heavy
Yes they're heavy. Yes the case is too big. Yes they're expensive. But the sound quality is genuinely exceptional. The ANC is best in class. The build quality is unmatched. If you can get past the weight and the price, these are incredible headphones. I use them daily and have no regrets.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
FFatima A.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Aug 5, 2025Got these refurbished for $320 and at that price they're a steal
Got these refurbished for $320 and at that price they're a steal. Sound quality is excellent. ANC is very good. Build quality is premium. They're heavy but I got used to it. The case is still stupid though. For full retail price I'd probably give them 3 stars but for what I paid they're a 4.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
EEthan C.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Aug 1, 2025Picked these up refurbished for about 60% of retail
Picked these up refurbished for about 60% of retail. They look and work like new. Sound quality is excellent — clear, detailed, with good bass. ANC is very effective. Battery life is as advertised. The only minor issue is the ear cushions are slightly less plush than new ones, but still comfortable. For the price, this is an amazing deal. If you're considering buying these, go refurbished.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
RRobert K.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Jul 22, 2025I've been using wired headphones forever and finally decided to go wireless
I've been using wired headphones forever and finally decided to go wireless. So glad I chose these. The sound quality is comparable to my wired Sennheisers, which is saying a lot. No noticeable latency. The ANC is incredible. Build quality is premium. Battery life is great. I don't miss wires at all. These are the real deal.
Recommended
Was this review helpful?
LLily C.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Jul 12, 2025I have a smaller head and these headphones are way too big for me
I have a smaller head and these headphones are way too big for me. Even on the smallest adjustment setting, they slide around and don't get a good seal. This affects the sound quality and ANC performance. When I hold them in place they sound amazing, but as soon as I let go the bass disappears and the ANC lets in noise. If you have a smaller head, definitely try these on before buying. They seem designed for larger heads.
Would not recommend this product
Was this review helpful?
FFiona O.Verified purchase★★★★★★★★★★
Jul 8, 2025I listen to a lot of orchestral and classical music and the soundstage on these is phenomenal
I listen to a lot of orchestral and classical music and the soundstage on these is phenomenal. Instruments are placed precisely in space. I can hear the separation clearly. It feels like I'm in the concert hall. The ANC means I can appreciate the quiet passages without background noise. These are a dream for classical music lovers.