Level 1

108 points

AirPods Max Comfort?

I am finding two discomfort issues with my AirPods Max

the earpiece clamping pressure seems very high, and at times, uncomfortable
I constantly feel the bars of the headpiece, as if they are digging in to my head. I have the units extended as big as possible. I was expecting the headpiece mesh would distribute the pressure and I wouldn’t even feel the outer bars. When I try to adjust the earpieces to relieve the headpiece pressure, the headphones slid back down because of their weight

I have long used Bose and Sony noise-cancelling headphone and have never experienced anything close to this level of discomfort. Sometimes after wearing the AirPods Max, I get a headache, perhaps from reducing blood flow in my skull.

The sound quality of these is excellent, but I worry about the discomfort. Is anyone else experiencing this? Any suggestions?

iPhone XS Max, iOS 14

Posted on Dec 18, 2020 5:25 PM

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25 replies

ugaland

Level 1

20 points

Dec 30, 2020 8:04 AM in response to tecsi12

I am experiencing discomfort as well. For me, it is pressure on my temples from the ear cups. It has not yet given me a headache, but it feels close to it.

I own the Bose NC 700 and wear them all day while sitting on my computer, and I've never had any discomfort whatsoever. With the Airpods Max, it was immediate as soon as I put them on after opening the box.

The bars are not noticeable for me, but I have a lot of hair, so maybe that adds some cushion.

russnem

Level 1

4 points

Mar 30, 2021 10:45 AM in response to tecsi12

I am experiencing terrible ear and temple pain after just 30 minutes of use. I will have to return them after just two days, which is really unfortunate because I genuinely love the sound quality and the noise cancellation.

Jackkrok

Level 1

16 points

Mar 30, 2021 11:29 AM in response to domitrescu

Thanks just may try that. But for $550, I would think you could get them feeling right, right out of the box. I think their design engineer should have done a little more testing and less ohh and ahhs about the headphones design. But I may take your advice. thanks

Apr 1, 2021 7:20 PM in response to tecsi12

I am getting bad ear aches after using these headphone for barely half an hour. I don't get headache so far but its killing my ears. Going to give a shot for couple more days. Most likely they are going back. Sadly, the pressure on the ear is not worth the great sound quality :/

Apr 24, 2021 1:45 AM in response to tecsi12

I received my AirPods Max yesterday. I love the sound, but I immediately started hearing the bars on the headpiece as well, which translated to pain after about half an hour. I love them, but unfortunately I am forced to send them back.

lentario

Level 1

4 points

May 13, 2021 10:11 AM in response to tecsi12

I bought those Airpod Max. Love the Noise Cancelling and sound, but at that price the headache that I am getting after 1h is just ridiculous. I don't have a particularly big head. So as much as Apple says they are designing world class products, this is flaw seems ridiculous. Crap.

Jul 11, 2021 10:46 AM in response to tecsi12

I googled this issue and glad I found this thread as now I know I am not alone. I will be returning mine tomorrow.

wacho99

Level 1

4 points

Aug 2, 2021 10:24 PM in response to tecsi12

I've been experiencing identical issues with AirPod Max

• Very frequent headaches after using the headphones for some time

• Uncomfortable pressure feeling in back of my skull

• Issues with concentration.

I'm planning to go and return AirPods Max, but it's been more than 2 months since I've purchased.

Any advice how can I return this product as it really doesn't do me well? :(

tecsi12 Author

Level 1

108 points

Dec 30, 2020 11:52 AM in response to ugaland

That’s a good observation about your temples. I hadn’t thought about that, but just compared with my Sony and Bose units. And yes, they both put less pressure on the temples than the APMs.

Mar 30, 2021 11:46 AM in response to Jackkrok

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AirPods Max Comfort?