Apple's AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones may cost a bunch - $ 549 to be precise - but they sell so well that Apple can't keep them in stock. And while they may not be as popular as the standard AirPods and AirPods Pro, the Max is the latest example of a high-profile Apple product creating its own home industry for specialty accessories. In fact, there are numerous AirPods Max add-ons out there, including traditional "shell" cases, charging stands, and earcup and headband covers. Here are some of the best accessories available. Note that I've only tested the three while the other are alternatives that I think are cheap enough to roll the dice. I will update this list as more come in (and as I get more hands-on experience with them).
Continue reading: Best noise canceling headphones for 2021
David Carnoy / CNET
When Apple released the AirPods Max, it was very saddened by the headphones' unusual protective cover, which had a fair share of bra-to-wallet comparisons and was criticized for not fully protecting the headphones. I wasn't as excited as others, but I knew we'd be seeing a number of third-party cases soon, and some have already arrived, including the $ 89 Max Shield case from Waterfield Design.
Aside from its swanky design, it differs from all generic cases for $ 20-25 on Amazon in that it has a "Magnetic Butterfly" that puts the AirPods Max into sleep mode, just like the magnets on Apple's cover. In other cases, put the AirPods Max (with the cover on) in the case - they don't have magnets.
The Max Shield is designed to hold the AirPods Max naked or with their cover in place. Inside the pocket is the included USB-C to Lightning charging cable or the optional Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable for wired listening. There is also an outside zip pocket as well as an outside pocket made of stretch mesh for storing extra items. The Max Shield is available in eight color variants.
AirPods Max at your fingertips: the new king of noise cancellation
David Carnoy / CNET
Apple didn't come with a wired listening cable with the AirPods Max, which is quite irritating as the AirPods Max sound better in wired mode and sometimes it's easier to plug in a device than to pair it wirelessly, especially when we do have non-Apple devices that are not in your iCloud account.
The easiest way to hear high resolution audio is to connect it to a Mac or Windows PC and load some FLAC files, which I did too. Of course, you can listen to streaming services (and any other audio) this way too. The volume on the MacBook Pro I was using was very high and I noticed a subtle but noticeable increase in audio quality on the wired route.
The cable also eliminates any latency that can play a role in gaming or music production. Note that even in wired mode, the AirPods Max still needs battery power to deliver audio. There is no "passive mode" available.
Apple's cable lists are $ 35, but you can buy them for $ 30. It is available in black or white.
The AirPods Max mesh infused headband is designed to be quiet and durable. However, this headband pillow serves three purposes: it provides increased protection for the mesh, adds an extra pillow for the crown of your head, and customizes the look of the headphones.
It comes in a number of color options and is easy to remove and wash.
Continue reading:: Best AirPods Pro accessories
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