AirPods Max are high-quality headphones from Apple that have already won the love of users due to their design and sound. However, to make the next version, the AirPods Max 2 even better, Apple could look at a few features available from competitors.
RBC-Ukraine (Styler project) writes about this with reference to the TechRadar site, dedicated to news and reviews in the field of technology.
The best carrying case from Bose, Earfun and Sony
The original AirPods Max carrying case was controversial. Not only because it looked a bit silly, but also because it offered minimal protection for incredibly expensive headphones.
Sure, you can pay extra for a hard case, but these headphones are a big expense. Especially considering that many other high-end headphone brands offer much better, more durable and less silly-looking cases.
For example, both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless come with simple hard-shell cases that fit full-sized headphones.
Even less-than-ideal cases like the one that comes with the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, which are quite large and bulky, offer a decent level of protection.
Lossless sound from Sonos and Sony< /h2>
At the start of AirPods Max 549 dollars. Even now, they're still incredibly expensive headphones – more expensive than some of the best headphones made for audiophiles. Still, they don't support lossless audio. Instead, you get Apple's compressed AAC codec over Bluetooth here.
In AirPods Max 2, I would like to see the possibility listen to Apple Music in Lossless or Hi-Res. It makes sense for the price, and many headphones – some of which are available for much less – offer lossless listening.
For example, the Sonos Ace are excellent movie headphones with a USB-C port that allows for high-quality Hi-Res lossless audio.
Apple could also take an example from Sony. The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have the LDAC codec – Sony's high-resolution audio option – and DSEE Extreme support.
Extended battery life from Cambridge Audio, Earfun and Sennheiser
Apple AirPods Max offered 20 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. That's a decent endurance time, especially considering that these full-sized headphones work well for every second of those 20 hours.
But a few years after their launch, competing brands are now producing devices that sound just as good (or almost) with double or even triple the battery.
For example, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones offer 60 hours of operation even with activated ANC. Like AirPods Max, they also sound amazing, offer an incredible noise canceling experience and look great.
The same story with Cambridge Audio headphones The Melomania P100s, which boast 60 hours of battery life with ANC on and a whopping 100 hours with ANC off. Even budget headphones like the Earfun Wave Pro have 55 hours of battery life.
Improved design from Bose and Sony
Some people consider the design of the original Apple AirPods Max one of the most stylish full-size headphones on the market today. But there are some design updates that will make AirPods Max 2 much better.
Firstly, they do not add up. This is not unusual for high-end headphones such as Bowers & The Wilkins PX8s don't add up either, and the same goes for the Dali iO-12s (which sound great but also come with a huge case).
But this means that AirPods Max are harder to transport than necessary.
Other high-end brands do it better. Just look at the Bose Quietcomfort Ultra and the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. That doesn't mean you can squish these headphones down to tiny sizes.
But being able to fold the cups and then use the hinge to squeeze them in a bit really cuts down on the space they take up, making them much more portable.
While we're focused on design, it would be nice if the AirPods Max 2 were a little easier Of course, this is a difficult balance. Can the premium materials that make these headphones so special also be weightless?
Let's look at the characteristics. AirPods Max currently weigh 385g. But both Sony WH1000XM5 and Bose Quietcomfort Ultra headphones weigh 250g, while sounding great and looking stylish.