Apple AirPods Max: Are They Worth the Hefty Price Tag?

As with any other product, Apple seems to have out-priced the market with their AirPods Max over the ear headphones. Competitors on the market have much lower prices and may have just as good of an overall sound as their Apple counterparts. So why would you fork over your hard-earned cash when there’s a cheaper alternative on the market? Are they worth the extra money?

Surely, the only people willing to pay extra are the “fanboys” that simp over everything Apple, right? Yes and no. Clearly, Apple has found their groove to appease a fanbase with everyone loving the “ecosystem”. Fans can’t get enough of how flawlessly these devices all work seamlessly together to the point they won’t shut up about it. But that alone shouldn’t be worth the extra price tag.

The simple answer is no. When it comes to Apple products, including the AirPods Max, the extra price comes down to quality or perceived quality. Throw all the way back to when MP3 players became a thing. Apple released the iPod and Microsoft the Zune. Holding the two in hand, the iPod felt durable, it felt like if you dropped it it would survive. The Zune felt like it would shatter on impact.

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From then out on, Apple sold its customers on quality over speed of delivery on pretty much all their products. So it’s no surprise that’s their selling point for the AirPod Max as well. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives in the wearable over-the-ear headphone market. You can even get as good quality sound, but they don’t feel the same in terms of quality. Apple has put a point of pride on the little things.

For instance, the Max are outfitted with a pivot point for the headset to store inside the leather case, but as a consumer, it has another benefit. If you’re anything like me, I’m a bit absent-minded so if I set my headphones down and am not paying attention accidentally sit on them, they don’t break they pivot. The strap attached to the ear band isn’t a plastic band that will snap under carelessness, they’re metal bars.

As sturdy as they’ve made them, the impressive part is it doesn’t sacrifice comfort. The cushions over-the-ear pads are spacious enough for your ears to sit comfortably. They also don’t put a ton of pressure on them to squeeze your head and cause you to have to constantly adjust. Trust me, as someone with a big head, finding a comfortable pair of headphones is important.

So circling back to the main question, why would you pay that price if there’s a cheaper alternative on the market? Sound quality is comparable across the market, but could you give up the ecosystem, durability, and comfort? Apple isn’t even the highest in the market for these style headphones, and they’re not too much more than cheaper competitors. In the end, the AirPods Max are worth that little bit extra.