AirPods Max Users Report Susceptibility to Water Damage

AirPods Max users are filing numerous complaints about the detrimental effects of excessive sweating on their $500 audio equipment. Since the product’s release, this problem has been a source of frustration for users, as it involves the accumulation of water condensation around the inner drivers of the headphones.

The problem seems to start when elevated temperatures lead to moisture droplets forming on the inside of the ear cups, near the sensitive driver location. Over time, these water droplets seep into the speaker holes, causing catastrophic damage to these premium headphones.

A Reddit post on this topic, highlighted and cited by MacRumors, outlines a list of issues that result from this compaction issue. Users have reported everything from random power outages and connection issues to audio glitches that require repeated reboots and even complete factory resets.

Strangely enough, Apple has remained mum on this potential design flaw. However, reports are flooding in from Reddit and Twitter users claiming that Apple has settled for replacing damaged headphones due to water-related issues.

The crucial role of IPX ratings

But why do some headphones run into water problems while others remain unscathed? It all boils down to their construction and IPX (Ingress Protection) rating, which indicates their ability to prevent water and dust from penetrating electronic components.

The “IP” in IPX stands for ingress protection, which indicates the device’s ability to resist ingress of solids and liquids. The most common rating in the headphone industry is IPX4, which is designed to protect against damage caused by sweat. However, some high-end waterproof earbuds have IPX8 ratings for even more durable protection.

The crux of the problem with Apple’s AirPods Max is their glaring lack of water or dust resistance measures. Condensation therefore gets in with alarming ease and damages delicate internal components.

Interestingly, this is not the first time this issue has reared its head. In 2021, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple that repeated the same water damage. However, the outcome of the legal battle is still shrouded in uncertainty.