After I wear my Airpods Max for about half an hour, there is liquid accumulation on the inside of the headphones, especially on the round speakers themselves. These are expensive headphones and I don't want them to go to waste because of a design flaw. Will this damage my headphones and if it does, will Apple fix the problem they created?
Had and am still having this issue as well... in the Boston winter with very dry inside air. After 3 weeks of moisture build up, there was a crackling sound in Transparency mode or in ANC mode (not in OFF mode). I contacted Apple support via online chat (no wait), and after many check this-and-that steps, they advised me to get a replacement set. They indicated it would be 3 weeks for mail delivery or I could try a local Apple store to see if they had any in stock. I was able to get a Genius Bar appointment for the same afternoon (security-controlled during COVID, strict social distancing), and I received a replacement set that same day.
By this time, with this new replacement pair, I was aware of the condensation issue — and that if left unchecked, it could lead to a deterioration in audio or ANC quality. Armed with that knowledge, I purchased a full-size protective case with a zipper that fully encloses the AirPod Max. Into this new protective case I placed several silicon gel packages, and each night I charge my AirPod Max in this case. Additionally, after a few hours of wear, I’ve gotten in the habit of taking off the ear cushions to check for moisture, and I wipe with a paper towel if/when I find anything. (So far, I’ve found moisture/condensation on the metal edge under the ear cushions every day.) Now, a month later, they’re still going just fine with this (somewhat tedious) daily care.
Hoping someone will develop an improved ear cushion that has some moisture-absorbing properties. I’ve read a rumor that Apple is considering selling a “Sports” version of the ear cushions that could be more absorbent, but I can find no authoritative source on this.
Finally, I thought that perhaps a soft silicone protective cover on the metal exterior ear cups might help equalize the temperature of the metal/ear barrier, but they had no effect on the condensation. Rather, even a tiny bit of the protective cover over one of the microphones messed up with the ANC and the Transparency Mode. Bye-bye, silicone covers!
The Transparency mode is outstanding, and when I switch to my XM4s while the AirPod Max is drying out, I get sad when the speak-to-chat only has 60% of the transparency. Still, both excellent headphones.
eforehand Said:
"I am having the same issue as are many others. The condensation is on the speakers/plastic inside the ear cup. Quite concerning."
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Use of a Dehumidifier:
Its a guess, but it's probably no more than humidity gathering about your location. I use a dehumidifier nowadays, and if I didn't use it, my devices would be affected with indoor humidity. So, consider using one, if you are working out of you house, with high-end equipment.
To the OP & All:
Provide Apple With your Feedback:
Do your Part: Apple rarely reads these forums on their own time. So, to get the word out to Apple on this, provide them with feedback. They won't get back to you directly on this, but the more they hear of it, the more they will know what problems exist and how to go about fixing them. So, do you part and provide feedback on it. Be certain that you are positive with the feedback.
You better sell it to other people since apple doesn’t look like they will recall it. I think it’s a loop. If you have condensation issue, no matter how many APM you get, the issue will come back again. I send it back to apple store and they fixed it, now sending back to me, but I already sold it to other people.
It is such a simple fix…. Return them!! Thats it!! If you are out of the return period and within warranty …. Guess what? RETURN THEM FOR A FIX! Why are you people so end all with these. Cans?? Return them and go get something else!!
I had to send mine back because they had sever connection issues. Apple told me the inside components had badly corroded and I had to pay £270 to have them repaired - my airpod max headphones had never been near water, never used outside or in any kind fo environment with humidity). I was sent a replacement pair - so far they have cost me nearly £800. I complained bitterly to Apple and eventually spoke to someone who said they were looking into the condensation issue (I noticed it in the second pair they sent me) but they would not refund either my repair fee or the original purchase price. I don't use them any longer - most expensive and useless headphones I've ever owned and I'm deeply unhappy with Apple's response. I've now cancelled all my business purchases with Apple.
Return them !! Its a great option!
Return them and get something else? Thats an option …
so I’ve had these for just over a month, I was having awful connectivity issues when using the AirPods max for work calls. They’ve been sent back to Apple twice, the first time they were returned because the technician could not replicate my issue. The second time they replaced both drivers, and they worked perfectly for about a week. Then the same issues started, I then found out about this condensation issue and checked the inside of the ear cups. Look what I found! Outrageous design flaw
The likelihood of it being a user issue when numerous people have reported no perspiration or use while being wet is less likely than the very simple scientific explanation that the all metal design causes condensation.
For me, it’s my living room or home office in the somewhat dry New England winter and spring. I do a twice-a-day wipe of condensation, and I put them in a case with silicon gel packs at night. I’m typically wearing them 12+ hours/day for home video conferencing use, and I’ve already had to return one set that failed.
talhauzi Said:
"Condensation in the Airpods Max: I put on the headphones and after half an hour my whole ear is water. AirPods Max"
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Condensation is the Culprit:
It's no more than condensation from heat. So, what to do is use a dehumidifier in your house. In the winter it is much colder out (supposedly nowadays 😁). So, wheat will always reside. A pure downside, in technology.
Honestly 3 pairs it took me 3 months returning one pair but asked for a refund. Send them back and go with the Sony XM4’s that’s what I’ve done and have used them everyday battery lasts 10 hours extra even though I never got to drain the Barry of my AirPods Max. This issue is the worst from Apple and the fact they continue to sell them is just ridiculous.
Its called perspiration ! You are sweating and the “condensation” is your body water accumulating. Some people sweat more than others airpods max do not emit water...
I've had the same issue. I can confirm that it happens when there is no water on user's head and the climate here is very dry with no AC running whatsoever. A few hours of use and a teeny tiny bit of moisture around the drivers. It evaporates within minutes, but still concerning as I feel like it will have an effect over time seeing as how it is inside the earphones themselves. Hoping for official guidance on this, as it doesn't seem to be an isolated thing...
I was also affectless by this issue, and after a while they stopped working altogether. I don’t know if what was related to condensation or because it was a faulty one I got. Now I’m expecting for the replacement, the new ones Apple will send to me prior March 12th. I hear a lot of opinions (except from Apple) ranging from the ones who say this is normal because of the material (metal, in this case aluminum) and there are older headphones that had condensation but not affecting the product, to others that advise to return the AirPods Max. I don’t know what to do and Apple is not being very helpful. I guess that the only solution- if this is in fact a damaging issue - is to use another material for the earcups.
Condensation in the Airpods Max
