
Apple's $550 AirPods Max are getting roasted for looking ridiculous
By Mustafa GatollariUpdated
Apple's revolutionized the music industry in a number of ways. Even though mp3 players had existed before the first iPod ever debuted, it was that music device that really captivated the hearts and minds of music listeners all over the world. To be able to put that many songs in a single device seemed absolutely transcendent at the time.
The product naturally paved the way for Apple to launch its iTunes software and music service. While pirating tunes became the sort of widespread illegal-but-doesn't-really-feel-all-that-illegal pastime of folks since the days of Napster, Apple was able to get in early on the digital purchase music trend, which always went hand-in-hand with its software.
After several iPod iterations, which became somewhat obsolete with the smartphone market dominance of the iPhone cannibalizing its sales, Apple still managed to become a serious contender in the music space. Apple purchased headphones manufacturer Beats by Dre in May of 2014, bringing the popular headsets into its stores. A little over a year later, the Cupertino-based tech company then announced its launch of Apple Music to combat Spotify and other streaming services like Amazon Prime and Google Play Music.

Many folks wondered if Apple would officially make their own licensed headphones after they acquired Beats, and perhaps the best time to do that would be after the announcement of Apple Music's launch. It wouldn't be long before the trillion-dollar company would finally release its own pair of headphones: the truly wireless, instantly-connectable, AirPods.
"Sorry, I can't hear you. My AirPods Max automatically mute poor people." pic.twitter.com/SwDsPKNTKe
โ Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) December 8, 2020
๐ค #AirPodsMax pic.twitter.com/XVd50BqwJf
โ komocode (@komocode) December 8, 2020
Since the introduction of the product, Apple's released AirPods with wireless charging, and the AirPods Pro with noise cancelling. While the buds have become wildly popular and spawned countless knock-off versions and helped popularize pre-existing truly wireless ear buds, there were murmurings that Apple would be creating its own pair of over-the-ears headphones.
Apple has announced its new Sirpods Max at a price of $549. I think I'll wait for the next Apple Event, when they announce the new Airpods SUPERMAX, which according to leaked information, will be an actual pair of human ears for $750.#Apple
โ michaeldane (@michaeldane) December 9, 2020
After all, Beats became defined as a brand by its arresting over-the-ear headphones line and many wondered if Apple, after acquiring the company, would have their own "studio" headphones down the pipeline. And it turns out they did. However, like Beats, Apple has priced the AirPods Max at a point that many deem exorbitant.
It's funny to think that it wasn't too long ago when folks were lampooning the $160 price of AirPods and curating a whole bunch of memes about "poor people" not being able to afford them.
Those seem like an absolute steal in comparison with the $550 AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones, and folks have been quick to point that out in a variety of memes.
iPhone 6 when you try to connect it to the airpods max pic.twitter.com/RKmb4nHfgH
โ hisad (@pritiprivillage) December 8, 2020
When I thought @Apple AirPods Pro was a bit crazy with the rubber thing on em hurting peoples ears, now they come out with this big ass AirPod Max. #Weird
โ ๐๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐งก๐ (@LunaAmore_1989) December 9, 2020
Then there were folks who made some colorful comparisons to the carrying case that comes with the AirPods Max. If you're dropping $550 on a pair of premium headphones, then you're going to need to keep them protected. At least Apple is kind enough to give you a case to go with your shiny new piece of tech.
The original prototype for AirPods Max ๐ pic.twitter.com/9pnLX1bpuG
โ Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) December 8, 2020
The CEOs of Sony and Bose when they saw the AirPods Max pic.twitter.com/hUC5K5QrgT
โ Josh (@js_11m) December 8, 2020
Users just wish the case didn't look like undergarments. Many commented that the carrying case looks like a comfort bra.
Me looking at the AirPods Max price pic.twitter.com/g1cS3xDbO2
โ philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 8, 2020
i think design twitter is overreacting to the airpod max. they're about as ugly as most over-ear headphones and we'll get acclimated like we did with airpods.
โ Twittter User: (@george_bangs) December 9, 2020
the case however.. pic.twitter.com/kxGqlGEecR
Others mentioned that it looks like a purse. While others just couldn't get over how "weird" it looks. What do you think about the AirPods Max? Are you dying to have these underneath your Christmas tree? Or are you hoping to see how they perform in the studio? And by in-the-studio I mean you getting high and re-watching the same 10 YouTube videos while you're stoned and eating a microwavable burrito at 2 in the morning?
Should I spend 88K for this damn purse ? pic.twitter.com/itghWOxywi
โ Casey Newton (@CaseyNewton) December 8, 2020
I've figured out what the Airpods Max remind me of pic.twitter.com/5VY49JHNyv
โ 'Client Journalism' Expert (@ClientJournoExp) December 9, 2020
When you finally show off your new AirPods Max. pic.twitter.com/PDzXnzTTQi
โ 3uTools (@3utools) December 9, 2020
This mf bought the new Airpods Max pic.twitter.com/oyXPGiImIY
โ Dr. Hard Guy โ (@Eslawal) December 9, 2020
Those AirPods Max with noise cancellation for $550? It better canceling the voices inside my head too
โ Davs (@artoos_) December 9, 2020
AirPods Max design started 4+ years ago! pic.twitter.com/W8rHTZIbVx
โ Ryan Jones (@rjonesy) December 9, 2020
Those AirPods Max $550? I better hear when my man cheating on me
โ Annabelleโ (@Annabllebitch) December 9, 2020
BRUH HOW THE FUCK ARE THE AIRPODS MAX MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE PS5 pic.twitter.com/F6UCR4VJIr
โ ๐ง Chizu ๐ง (@cheesechiii) December 9, 2020
my car costs less than AirPods Max pic.twitter.com/6HeKTobsr1
โ chaysegr (@chaysegr) December 9, 2020
Who designed this AirPods Max case? I canโt be the only one who thinks it looks like robot boobs ๐ค pic.twitter.com/6anqi7jiHY
โ RPG Jess (@RpgJess) December 9, 2020
`Apple drops AirPods Max!!!
โ Naman Gupta (@andthenhetweets) December 9, 2020
Beats be like:#AirPodsMax pic.twitter.com/Iy09tag7Pj
Air Pods Max ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ pic.twitter.com/EFl1YbmcJF
โ Loco del Memeยฎ๏ธ (@locodelmeme) December 9, 2020
the airpods max got nothing on these mfs ๐ค pic.twitter.com/gW1zXJyxqQ
โ joหโงโ๐ชโบหณโง เผ (@jewelmanong) December 9, 2020
Just grabbing my AirPods Max case... pic.twitter.com/2R6qnFvoaV
โ Ashley the Elf ๐โ๏ธ (@CraftyAshley_) December 9, 2020
Me looking at the price of the Airpods Max pic.twitter.com/SBuPz3AfiQ
โ polodrizzy (@polodrizzy1) December 9, 2020