Deals: AirPods Max on Sale for $449.99 on Amazon ($99 Off)

Max still too expensive IMO, even with the 'discounted' price.

STILL too much. No reason these should cost more than the Sony XM5’s. It’s still more even at a discounted price. No thanks…

Oh Jeez critics :D ;) Granted, I'm somewhat of a reformed audiophile, having some "mid-range" audiophile, full blown stereo systems over the years. But, if you look at the price of some higher end wireless headphones, the AirPods Max aren't way out there price wise. Just check out the price of Masters & Dynamics MW75s recently released.

Still I suppose there are not a huge number of people that will want to spend that kind of money on BT headphones. Wired headphones, with an DAC and amp. are usually, always going to sound better than BT. But those combos are generally not inexpensive.

The convenience of wireless, as well as the easy BT connection to Apple products makes these Apple headphones worth it if:

1. You can adjust expectations regarding BT wireless sound quality vs. full blown wired systems.

2. You enjoy the freedom of walking about the house or office not entailed in a wired headphone connection (and getting better sound than inexpensive BT headphones).

Yes, if Apple or someone else can do wireless "lossless" that will be a game changer. In the meantime I do enjoy these Apple headphones. Great for watching movies when not groovin' to the music.

Finally don't be afraid to audition any headphones, from any brand, if you can. Somewhere out there is your "Unicorn" of headphones, at least until something else comes along ?

If the price of an unwanted product drops in the woods does it make a sound?

In my home studio, I use a Sennheiser HD650. It costs US$550. It passes through a US$480 Monoprice Monolith 24459 headphone amp, and US$300 SoundID Reference calibration software. While I primarily use speakers for mixing, I need this headphone setup to be as balanced as my speaker setup, but with a closer perspective while I am bringing up individual tracks, and checking mixes. I could have gotten the cheaper Drop HD6xx, but they are not available in my country, and didn't want to buy second hand. Regardless, I think the HD650s and the associated hardware and software are definitely worth it.

For casual listening, I use the same HD650 plugged straight into my MacBook Pro M1. I like it because it is not hyped in any particular part of the spectrum. While I'm not a basshead and usually listen flat, the bass region responds well to a gentle tweak without much distortion if the recording is too reticent.

For wireless casual listening, I got an AirPods Max. It sounded closer to my HD650s than the XM4 (too bassy and claustrophobic), and the QuietComfort 45 (too sparkly). They also cost about US$550. The NC and transparency mode is second to none, and the dynamic head tracking is amusing. I like them. I think they were worth it. It's nice that they are being discounted now.

Can't do it. Especially if they can't do lossless playback. Just crazy for that cost.