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forum thread Posted by melvco • Dec 24, 2024
forum thread Posted by melvco • Dec 24, 2024

AirPods Max - Open Box (excellent) - Space Gray - $315

$315

$550

42% off
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Deal Details
Open Box - Excellent

Works and looks like new. Restored to factory settings.
Includes all original parts, packaging and accessories (or suitable replacement). Same return and exchange policy as new items.

QA Note: Stock will vary by location. If OOS for you, try another store or city if you can.

AirPods Max (Lightning)

An Apple-designed dynamic driver provides high-fidelity audio

Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music

Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you

Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking provides theater-like sound that surrounds you¹

Computational audio combines a custom acoustic design with the Apple H1 chip and software for breakthrough listening experiences

Designed with a knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions for an exceptional fit

Magical experience with effortless setup, on-head detection, and seamless switching between devices²

Easily share audio between two sets of AirPods on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV

20 hours of listening, movie watching, or talk time with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled³

Store in ultra-low-power mode with the slim Smart Case

¹ Spatial audio works with movies, TV, and video in supported apps. Requires iPhone or iPad.

² Requires an iCloud account and macOS 11.1, iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, watchOS 7.2, or tvOS 14.3 or later.

³ Battery life varies by use. See apple.com/batteries for details.

What's Included
Apple AirPods Max, Lightning to USB-C Cable, Smart Case, Documentation

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/a...60/openbox
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About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Open Box - Excellent

Works and looks like new. Restored to factory settings.
Includes all original parts, packaging and accessories (or suitable replacement). Same return and exchange policy as new items.

QA Note: Stock will vary by location. If OOS for you, try another store or city if you can.

AirPods Max (Lightning)

An Apple-designed dynamic driver provides high-fidelity audio

Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music

Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you

Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking provides theater-like sound that surrounds you¹

Computational audio combines a custom acoustic design with the Apple H1 chip and software for breakthrough listening experiences

Designed with a knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions for an exceptional fit

Magical experience with effortless setup, on-head detection, and seamless switching between devices²

Easily share audio between two sets of AirPods on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV

20 hours of listening, movie watching, or talk time with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled³

Store in ultra-low-power mode with the slim Smart Case

¹ Spatial audio works with movies, TV, and video in supported apps. Requires iPhone or iPad.

² Requires an iCloud account and macOS 11.1, iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, watchOS 7.2, or tvOS 14.3 or later.

³ Battery life varies by use. See apple.com/batteries for details.

What's Included
Apple AirPods Max, Lightning to USB-C Cable, Smart Case, Documentation

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/a...60/openbox

Community Voting

Deal Score
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Price Intelligence

Model: Apple AirPods Max Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Headphones, Space Gray (MGYH3AM/A)

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Sale Price
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Current Prices

Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 2/10/2025, 12:59 PM
Sold By Sale Price
Walmart$449
Adorama$524
Target$549
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18 Comments

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Dec 24, 2024
1,904 Posts
Joined Aug 2011

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Dec 24, 2024
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Joined Sep 2011
Dec 24, 2024
johnny88
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
2,226 Posts
Quote from aboynamedjoshua :
USB-C or nothing.👏🏼

So normally I'd agree. However the price difference is just stupid between the usbc and lighting.

FURTHERMORE there's no usbc to 3.5mm that the maxes support whereas there is a lighting to 3.5mm cable. And before you get "we'll actually" no, no third party cable works for the maxes. It HAS to be an Apple cable due to the bidirectional nature.

I picked up a NIB for $270 lighting max. To pay $550 NIB usbc is just stupid considering the up charge.
4
Dec 24, 2024
13,722 Posts
Joined Dec 2015

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

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Dec 24, 2024
2,226 Posts
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Dec 24, 2024
johnny88
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
2,226 Posts
Quote from Spaceman6969 :
Cool. Let me ask this. Is this better or at least good as the 1000XM4?

Better. On par if not better than the xm5 however it depends on the device that you're using.

If you're using an Apple device you will benefit the most. If you're not using an Apple device you won't get the same benefits.

I have an iPhone and iPad as my main source of music. On top of which I use Apple Music and Apple TV sub (part of the Apple one subscription). I gain the most as it supports spatial and Dolby audio. The xm4/5 shines better with the EQ but doesn't work as well on Apple devices as it's not native to the os. If you've never experienced Spatial Audio it's honestly incredible especially considering you get near lossless audio
2
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
13,722 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
Dec 24, 2024
Spaceman6969
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
13,722 Posts
Quote from johnny88 :
Better. On par if not better than the xm5 however it depends on the device that you're using.

If you're using an Apple device you will benefit the most. If you're not using an Apple device you won't get the same benefits.

I have an iPhone and iPad as my main source of music. On top of which I use Apple Music and Apple TV sub (part of the Apple one subscription). I gain the most as it supports spatial and Dolby audio. The xm4/5 shines better with the EQ but doesn't work as well on Apple devices as it's not native to the os. If you've never experienced Spatial Audio it's honestly incredible especially considering you get near lossless audio

Interesting. Well here is my next question.

Does someone with a hearing loss or impaired be able to gain the said benefits on their iOS devices? You said Spatial Audio for example. I thought it is neat but idk if I as hearing impaired would truly benefit this.
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
2,226 Posts
Joined Sep 2011
Dec 24, 2024
johnny88
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
2,226 Posts
Quote from Spaceman6969 :
Interesting. Well here is my next question.

Does someone with a hearing loss or impaired be able to gain the said benefits on their iOS devices? You said Spatial Audio for example. I thought it is neat but idk if I as hearing impaired would truly benefit this.

If I'm being 100% honest you may be better of with AirPod pros 2 as it's designed for those with hearing loss. However it depends on if you have hearing aids or not.

I suggest trying it out especially if hearing impaired.
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
13,722 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
Dec 24, 2024
Spaceman6969
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
13,722 Posts
Quote from johnny88 :
If I'm being 100% honest you may be better of with AirPod pros 2 as it's designed for those with hearing loss. However it depends on if you have hearing aids or not.

I suggest trying it out especially if hearing impaired.

Yes, your honest takes are greatly welcomed and appreciated hence my question. I have nothing against your input as I want to be opened minded from users' perspective.

Yes I wear hearing aids too. I wish it can be, for a lack of better term, immersive with iOS listening device without having to take them off. Just annoying if that make any sense.

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Original Poster
Dec 24, 2024
34 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
Dec 24, 2024
melvco
Original Poster
Dec 24, 2024
34 Posts
I look at it like this: it's $480 for the USB-C Open Box (Excellent) model, so we are talking about a substantial price difference. Is not having to deal with an extra charging cable, or a tiny adapter, worth the $165 price difference to you? Because besides the cable (and colors), the two AirPods Max models are identical.
At $315, these are essentially the same price as the Bose QC Ultras and the XM5s (general sales pricing). I think the consensus is that the average user won't be able to tell a major difference in the sound quality between the three, but if you're an Apple user, there are significant benefits for going with the Maxes. Worth looking at, at this price IMO.
Dec 24, 2024
22 Posts
Joined Oct 2018
Dec 24, 2024
Legac
Dec 24, 2024
22 Posts
Bought them for $500 at the time (lightning). Like some of you, I do my heavy research before I buy anything, but here is my experience as a person who owned both the air pod maxes and xm4's.

However, the cons weighed out the pros.

Cons: no button to turn off airpod max completely, always stayed on. Computer connectivity is tedious. Too heavy on the head after a while. Condensation in the earmuffs if worn too long. Fingerprint and scratches could easily happen (I bought plastic covers). The case given could have been a lot better. At the time, price was an issue ($500 vs. $200 xm4's refurb ebay) so I sold them. Microphone quality is terrible.

Pros: Airpod max sound amazing, especially with apple music (do your research apple music vs. spotify. TDLR: You could hear the difference). Looks better imo (more personable). Apart of the apple ecosystem.

In the end, I got rid of them and made my money back figuring apple would create a new and better airpod max (boy was I wrong, 6 years to just put in USB-C). I ended up buying a pair of XM4's for $90 refurb off of someone and never looked back. $500 vs $90 for a casual user was a no brainer.
Honestly, I really wanted to love the airpod max and keep them. I am a casual fan of Apple's products, but they need to be better. These headphones were not worth $500 even the USB-C one. If they dropped a bit more, then the conversation is more balanced. In the future, if they dropped even more (new or refurb), I may even just buy a pair due being heavily in their ecosystem for the convenience of connecting easily between products (apple tv, macbook, etc.)
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
13,722 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
Dec 24, 2024
Spaceman6969
Pro
Dec 24, 2024
13,722 Posts
Quote from Legac :
Bought them for $500 at the time (lightning). Like some of you, I do my heavy research before I buy anything, but here is my experience as a person who owned both the air pod maxes and xm4's.

However, the cons weighed out the pros.

Cons: no button to turn off airpod max completely, always stayed on. Computer connectivity is tedious. Too heavy on the head after a while. Condensation in the earmuffs if worn too long. Fingerprint and scratches could easily happen (I bought plastic covers). The case given could have been a lot better. At the time, price was an issue ($500 vs. $200 xm4's refurb ebay) so I sold them. Microphone quality is terrible.

Pros: Airpod max sound amazing, especially with apple music (do your research apple music vs. spotify. TDLR: You could hear the difference). Looks better imo (more personable). Apart of the apple ecosystem.

In the end, I got rid of them and made my money back figuring apple would create a new and better airpod max (boy was I wrong, 6 years to just put in USB-C). I ended up buying a pair of XM4's for $90 refurb off of someone and never looked back. $500 vs $90 for a casual user was a no brainer.
Honestly, I really wanted to love the airpod max and keep them. I am a casual fan of Apple's products, but they need to be better. These headphones were not worth $500 even the USB-C one. If they dropped a bit more, then the conversation is more balanced. In the future, if they dropped even more (new or refurb), I may even just buy a pair due being heavily in their ecosystem for the convenience of connecting easily between products (apple tv, macbook, etc.)

Thank you