Apple AirPod Max headphone test

reinventing the wheel and Dolby Atmos

Today we have an unusual headphone test, because there are two main characters: the headphones themselves and a new audio format. Dolby Atmos in music is not a case where the processor has taken and added psycho-acoustic processing, reverb and delay for the sake of “simulating a big stage”.

Dolby Atmos is a mixing of a track with additional tracks prepared in advance by the sound engineer. All for the sake of spatial sound, and in our case - also in headphones. The topic is interesting and relevant.

I will divide the test into two parts: first I will talk about the headphones themselves, and then about why Dolby Atmos is, in a sense, a revolutionary technology that can greatly affect the stereo that is familiar to everyone.

under the apple tree

I have been using Apple technology for a very long time: I had the first iBook plastic laptop, and the first iPhone, and only the first iPod passed me in my hands - I started using their player from the iPod Mini version.

In the comments, I already somehow mentioned that initially I tend to positively evaluate apple technology. However, for example, I did not like the Apple AirPods Pro headphones ( details in the test ).

These are, as it were, good headphones, but there are a dime a dozen “good headphones” on the market, and here you expect some kind of special approach, innovation, that very “think different”. Yes, and gags, but I don’t like this format in principle.

In fact, I believe that Apple has always been not very good with sound - where there is mechanics. Their first Apple iPod Hi-Fi speaker looked rather absurd in appearance, but played just like the inexpensive computer acoustics of those years.

I consider Apple Pods headphones and their subsequent wireless versions to be brilliant in terms of ear anatomy and comfort, but to be honest: in terms of sound, they do not even reach the average level. The new HomePod costs three times what it plays for (if you really want a smart speaker with Siri, it's better to take its Mini version).

And that's just about the AirPod Max headphones (after a long test), I'm ready to say that they play. Though not by 62,000 rubles (the official price at the time of writing) in comparison with competitors, but good enough to say that Apple has finally reached the level of entry-level Hi-Fi. And this is already a lot!

unboxing

As befits Apple technology, the headphones come in a beautiful white cardboard box, inside which, in addition to a pair of headphones, there is a bag and a USB-C to Lightning charging cable. The charger itself (like the iPhone) is not included.

The joke about the AirPod-Max bag looking like a bra has probably been seen by everyone. However, I want to say that this cover has advantages. Firstly, it is really small and does not take up space, unlike standard headphone cases.

Secondly, it is made of high quality - made of artificial leather, with a magnetic clasp. Looks good and easy to use. Finally, it is original - and I see this as a serious advantage. After all, it takes courage to bring a non-standard design to the market - and it's good that Apple has not lost it.

The headphones themselves are cool. The metal frame (stainless steel) of the headband is covered with a soft, pleasant to the touch rubberized material, and the wide upper part is covered with mesh. As a result, my head does not sweat: I sat in them for several hours this summer during the Moscow heat and did not notice any discomfort.

The headphones have telescopic temples, but they have a long landing. If you have a small head, I would recommend trying it on first because I didn't have to extend the temples at all and I have a medium sized head.

The hinge for attaching the earpiece to the body of the earpiece itself is conceived very well. It allows not only to rotate the case, but also has a small springy move back, changing the angle of the ear pads to the head. As a result, the lower part of the earpiece sits well and does not leave a gap between the neck / upper jaw and the ear (unless, of course, the headphones fit you in size).

The ear pads themselves are some of the most comfortable I've come across. They're covered in mesh fabric and made from what the company says is "acoustically optimized foam." They are large in size, and the ear fits easily inside - it does not press anywhere. The material is skin-friendly, very soft. The above-described hinge presses the headphones to the head, but does it without too much zeal, so I did not have a feeling of pressure on my head even after wearing it for a long time.

The ear pads are easy to remove and replace with new ones - in the Apple Store and are available in all five colors.

Headphones are not light - 384.8 grams according to passport data. They are felt on the head and make it heavier, which is especially noticeable when you turn or tilt your head - additional inertia appears. But they hold up very well. I tried to shake my head, performed a short headbang - they held like a glove (I think this is again the merit of a wonderful hinge). 

Headphone cups are a purely apple theme: an aluminum case, familiar to laptop owners and personally reminiscent of the first iPhone to me. Pleasant to the touch and, I think, strong. The headphones are of a closed type - what the person wearing them is listening to is almost inaudible, even if you turn up the volume.

However, in the case itself there are small slots on the bottom - apparently, microphones are located there and air from the driver is also removed there.

Inside there is one broadband emitter - judging by the photo on the site, it is quite a decent size. It also states that it has two ring neodymium magnets - “like in professional floorstanding speakers.”

With the last phrase, if I were Apple marketers, I would still not be dishonored, but perhaps people believe everything that is written. The main thing is that, apparently, there are no unique technologies - a large classic speaker. For some reason, I think that this is even good, since in the balance we have normal headphones made according to classic recipes.

Wheel reinvented

And, of course, Apple wouldn't be Apple if the headphones had mediocre controls. The most important discovery is the wheel. At the top of the right earpiece is a small wheel with a ribbed surface, turning which changes the volume.

In a sense, it looks like the wheel on the Apple Watch and clearly came from there, only with larger dimensions. It has no limits, it just spins left or right. The move is light but noticeable. It is called, like a watch, snobbishly - Digital Crown.

For me, it would be better if it was located on the left earpiece - traditionally, right-handed people have their right hand busy with something. But Apple has always tried to walk the line, when left-handers are also quite comfortable using their products.

You can press the wheel: single press - pause / play, receive a call, double - next track, etc. All functions are in the settings in the Bluetooth connection.

On the other side of the bow on the right cup is a regular button. It is responsible for the noise reduction mode and vice versa - transparency.

I must say right away that the active noise cancellation in the headphones is implemented very well. When turned on, almost all external noises are removed, including loud ones - even the rumble of the subway becomes barely noticeable. But most importantly, the sound does not change at all. No distortion at high frequencies. Everything is as it was - only without noise. And this, perhaps, is good.

Finally, it will become even easier for those living with apple infrastructure. AirPod Max switches almost seamlessly between different devices: laptop, phone or tablet.

Moreover, if this is a laptop, an alert will appear with a connection button, you just have to pick them up near the computer. And they are just as easy to turn off if you turn the earcups. If you remove it from your head, playback will stop. Put it back on and it will continue. They have never failed me - for this there is a separate prize in the studio.

And here it is all together: the wheel, position sensors on the head, seamless switching, stability of work - downright fire. AirPod Max does not require unnecessary gestures, settings, endless Bluetooth connection - living with them is easy and simple, as promised in advertising.

Computational Audio

When we talk about cameras in modern phones, glass somehow escapes our attention. At the same time, any serious photographer knows that the lens is 99% successful. And here - some megapixels, for some reason three (and already more) almost identical cameras ...

Users of non-Google Android are usually aware that as soon as they put the Google Camera on, the lens seems to have been changed - the photos suddenly become more natural, and even in the dark, the smartphone began to shoot a little better. In short, processing algorithms are more important than real glass and matrix.

Headphone manufacturers are starting to follow a similar path, which is clearly seen in the example of this model. In the advertising description, you will come across the term computational audio (computational audio), which is worked on by two powerful 10-core Apple H1 chips (one in each earbud). According to the description, their task is to provide “amazing sound quality”.

They are responsible for noise reduction, transparency mode and, most importantly, “adjust the sound taking into account the position and quality of the fit of the headphones.” Apple didn’t come up with this first, but the point is that somehow the headphones “listen” to what is happening in the ear, and adjust (probably equalize) the sound to the current position of the headphones and the position of the head (more on the latter a little later). Thus, in fact, the algorithms are able to correct the shortcomings of the driver.

I noticed that if you move the headphones further to the back of your head or closer to your eyes, higher / lower, press them with your hands to your ear, the sound changes slightly. By the way, this is unusual even for overhead headphones. I don’t know exactly how this effect was achieved, but it is definitely worth attention.

If you turn on the headphones in normal stereo mode, it will not be possible to say that the headphones fully win back their price. They have decent, but not particularly dynamic bass. There is clearly a slight rise below 100 Hz. To my joy, the highs do not press, but again - no microdynamics. Apparently, everything above about 18 kHz is already pressed down. Perhaps there is a problem with the wireless connection, but these headphones do not have a wired connection ...

The mids are where the headphones work best, and this is where the focus on the vocal range really shines. There is already a decent microdynamics and sensitivity. In general, their frequency response is more or less even, which is also shown by measurements - for example, on rtings.com . 

Roughly speaking, they play well, but boring. The sound character of the AirPod Max is somewhat similar to Bang & Olufsen, and not at all like Sony or any Sennheiser, in my opinion.

Together with @krotovaaa, we compared them with the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless (they are a couple of thousand cheaper than the official AirPod Max price) - they, of course, play noticeably more transparently, and their character is more related to the concept of high-fi sound. But I also found one hi-fi property with AirPods - they require warming up after unpacking: after a few days, their microdynamics slightly improved.

And now it's time to move on to what all this was started for - not stereo.

The Dolby Atmos Revolution

There is, I would say, a cultural theory about sound mixing in Hollywood and European cinema. According to her, Europeans (and I would say that Russian cinema, especially in the past, also belongs to this type) try to put the viewer inside the event.

A good example: in Luc Besson's "Taxi", the viewer literally sits in this very taxi, all the sounds surround him tightly. Voices are thick, objects are close. And vice versa: take any Hollywood blockbuster - here is the screen, and as if “behind it” the action takes place. This means that all sound sources are located there, and there is no need to try to put the viewer inside the stage.

Both options seem interesting and relevant to me, but they are different. And this is exactly the difference that can be heard between tracks in stereo and Dolby Atmos. 

NB All my test listening was on Apple Music streaming, which launched Hi-Res and Dolby-Atmos tracks this summer as part of its base plan. And all of the following is consistent with the Dolby Atmos experience on the Apple AirPod Max. I didn't listen to the tracks on a full multi-channel system. It would be great if those who were able to start streaming on their DC would write about their experience in the comments.

My first impression of Dolby Atmos in music is that I'm sitting in a movie theater listening to a movie soundtrack. But only there is no screen and the voice is a little closer than usual. Very similar to live ones, if anyone included them on full-fledged multi-channel systems. 

Listening to stereo in headphones, we are used to the fact that the instruments are close, the voice and the snare drum are most often literally in the center of our head. The whipping barrel holds the beat, and the rest of the instruments are located on the stage to the left and right, usually also nearby and, as it were, within the size of our head.

It's a completely different story with Dolby Atmos. The stage is much larger and is separated from the head. Here it must be said that the format is new, and now everyone is being reduced to something - one cannot say that it is always successful.

For example, the popular Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) is promoting the new format, there is a small audio guide on Apple Music where he explains how important the appearance of Atmos is. However, if you listen to this guide with headphones, then it will not be so easy to say what is better than Atmos. Moreover, I gave several people to compare The Weeknd songs in Dolby Atmos and stereo, and everyone said that stereo is more interesting - I agree with them.

In the stereo version, the beat and pressure are better felt, while the “space” for some reason kills the emotionality and makes the sound blurry. The same story with Billie Elish: her music is known for “intimate communication” with the listener in headphones, but, in my opinion, it was not possible to recreate the same effect in Atmos - as a result, Billie lost all her charm.

Moreover, in most of the dance tracks in Dolby Atmos, the bass becomes sluggish, which is detrimental to this genre! In short, I didn't find a single Dolby Atmos track that played well in the Spatial Pop playlist . Bottom line: pop music sound engineers need to do something about it, because they will ruin the idea ...

Another important point is that in Dolby Atmos mode, the music sounds quieter, so when switching quickly in the settings, it is better to immediately change the level by 2-3 divisions so that the comparison is fair.

Now let's move on to the good. First, I advise you to listen to the guide from Marvin Gaye - it is much clearer than The Weeknd, showing the differences between mono, stereo and Dolby Atmos. Then, if you are interested, you can listen to the hip-hop playlist , where already in the part of the tracks Atmos definitely wins.

For some reason, the sound engineers of this style were able to keep the bass for the most part (apparently because they have it in reserve), and the music did not become sluggish. For example, listen to Bas & J. Cole "The Jackie" - the track definitely wins in the Atmos version, and the bass there is such that your head is shaking.

Next, I recommend checking out the Spatial Rock playlist and especially the classics. Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody", REM "Drive", The Rolling Stones "Angie" and others sound unusual and interesting in a good way. Here I began to listen and catch "new notes" in long-familiar songs.

You can even listen to the composition “Hotel California”, well known to our audience, in the live version of Live From The Forum, Inglewood, CA. I won't say it's necessary, but it's possible. In Dolby Atmos, she has a sluggish bass, but the guitars are well spaced around the stage. However, the stereo version here is also missing stars from the sky.

You can exit to Dolby Atmos settings on Mac by clicking on the icon

Now let's move on to jazz - the playlist " Jazz in Spatial Sound ". For this style, the Dolby Atmos format fits the theme. For the most part, chamber compositions received an extended stage, an even lighter sound in those places where, due to complex polyphony, porridge sometimes turned out, and the instruments became easily distinguishable separately. I definitely recommend.

And the classics - " Classics in spatial sounding ". Of course, this is not High End - audiophiles know how a big orchestra can sound on a serious system (and even in serious headphones). But it's definitely better than what you usually hear in headphones, even Hi-Fi-level.

It was here that the sound engineers, in my opinion, approached the material and its spatial mixing more carefully than others, and the result was truly pleasing. For example, I enjoyed listening to The Nutcracker performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in Dolby Atmos, as well as Mozart's Requiem, Max Richter's Exiles and other works.

If we talk about the small stage, I recommend the German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott with her latest album " Echoes of Life ", recorded on Deutsche Grammophon. By the way, she attended the online presentation of Dolby Atmos for journalists and told how good the piano began to sound in this format. But I would rather note that her sound engineer did a very fine job. The recording is not so different from the stereo version, but still for the better. 

One caveat: if you like to listen to music very quietly, Dolby Atmos will not work - it shows at least an average volume.

Spatial Audio

Headphones support not only Dolby Atmos, but also Spatial Audio (spatial audio). This is now called the ability of headphones to respond to the movement of the listener in space. For example, it is important for games that if a person turns sideways to the screen, then the sound environment surrounding him also changes.

But why films need it - I don’t know. But it works!

Currently, Spatial Audio only functions on iOS devices (phone and tablet, and laptops are promised to be connected in the next OS and only for models with an M-processor) and is turned on, for example, when watching TV shows and movies with a Dolby track in the TV application.

I will not say that the sound becomes a full-fledged emulation of a multi-channel cinema. Sometimes the central channel is clearly outlined, the vertical is well implemented (if Atmos is available), but the rears are poorly expressed. Curiously, a couple of times I had the feeling that the subwoofer was working - apparently, raising the frequency response below 100 Hz is needed just for this.

To summarize: watching a movie is noticeably more interesting than with a stereo track. But that's why there is "spatial audio" - I'm at a loss. Let's imagine that you put the iPad just to your right for background viewing and turned your head to the laptop in front of you.

At this point, the "center" of the scene will change - it will remain where the iPad is. And you hear everything, including ambient sounds, with this same center shift and easily understand that the screen is to your right. I can’t say that this is bad - perhaps it’s even more correct, and in the future real life will begin to softly correlate with virtual life like this. But so far it is very unusual. 

Conclusion

Perhaps most importantly, it was in Dolby Atmos that I was able to listen to music for longer. I'm not a fan of headphones - especially closed ones. You can’t hear anything around you, the cymbals are hammering right into your brain, the sound is crushing. For background listening while working, all this is very uncomfortable. Yes, and for emotional involvement, when you listen to your favorite tracks, it’s also so-so.

And here Atmos-format works wonders. Due to the fact that the stage is moved apart, most of the instruments are located “outside the head” and the high ones play softer (probably, this is still the property of specific headphones), the sound stops pressing on your brain. Here you can enjoy your favorite tracks, and quietly listen to music in the background. And do it for several hours a day.

Long battery life, seamless switching between devices, decent noise cancellation - all this gives the AirPod Max a significant advantage. Let's add here the Apple brand itself - I think there are many people who will buy these headphones for the sake of conspicuous consumption, and others - because, in principle, they prefer Apple technology.

In this case, I don't see anything wrong with that. Nevertheless, the headphones turned out to be good and competitive, albeit a little expensive. So if you want to try how Dolby Atmos works on headphones, you use Apple Music and other Apple technology, the price is not too scary and you like to listen to music for a long time - this is the option for you. 

Pros

Dolby Atmos support, comfortable to wear design, well-implemented noise reduction

Cons

Price and considerable weight

OFFICIAL SITE

Apple AirPod Max

PASSPORT DATA

Chip: Apple H1 (in each earbud)

Controls: Digital Crown, noise canceling control button

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0

Battery: Up to 20 hours on a single charge with noise canceling listening, transparency mode, video playback, or conversation

Dimensions: 168.6 x 83.4 x 187.3mm

Weight: 384.8 g

Smart Case: 134.5 g