The fact that the headband doesn't stick out to the sides is something that I enjoy quite a lot, but is something that can be achieved with a very boring and traditional Y yoke design as well, it just depends on carefully designing the geometry of the headband, yoke and yoke to cup attachment to that effect. The XM4's headband doesn't stick much further from my head than the APM (the cups do though, because they're thicker, but that is a different problem).
That's very theoretical because :
- as the XM4 shows a traditional yoke design can still be low profile and not stick out too much from the head (counter examples : HD350BT, H95, these make you look like Teletubbies). Other headphones can also achieve a slim earcup profile (Huawei FreeBuds Studio for example. I've just received them today).
- the total weight of the APM is among the highest in its class - and I'm ready to bet that the pivot mechanism alone is significantly heavier than ugly, cheap but still reliable plastic Y shaped yokes,
- the width and height of the cups is among the largest in its class (some of it is just because there's a lot of empty air in them though. When apple introduced the Macbook 12" they said they don't want to ship air, well that's very much what they're doing with the APM).
And the drawbacks are quite many - mostly related to the actual spring rate being fixed, meaning that it simply won't adapt quite as well to various head shapes as a yoke mechanism that naturally evenly applies pressure around the ear without the need of a spring.
I'm not actually advocating for a boring plastic hinge of the XM4 kind. Just that the headband, extension arms and joint to cup area is where I would like to see Apple propose truly innovative and novel solutions to improve packability and time of deployment, and that I think that the pivot mechanism is a brilliant - and over-complicated - solution still in search of an actual problem to solve.
I understand what you are saying, but I think Apple's mechanism has some benefits over the Y yoke, regardless of if Apple intended it for that purpose or not. If I lie down with normal headphones, or rest my head against something (pillow on a plane) that tends to push against the headband, even on low profile yokes and puts some pressure on my head and normally results in a weaker seal on the cup on the opposite side. I really don't notice that with Apple's solution. I think discussing the actual weight of the joint is a red herring. Although it's not much, but the Y-yoke result in more material around the sides and overall this is probably a small part of the overall headphone. As many have said here, weight doesn't directly correspond to comfort, and unless lightweight is a specific goal I don't really think it matters in the case of Apple's hinge.
I see a lot of other headphones gets mixed comments on comfort too. Just having the Y-yoke doesn't seem to automatically make the headphones more comfortable to more people. Of course I'm just going on what I've read, but I'd like to see some researched numbers before declaring this mechanism less likely to work on various head shapes. That also seems quite dependent on the specific setup of the springs and the headband itself.
Packability is a little complicated I think. I'm finding the AirPods max to be quite packable in my daily use case, which is throwing them in a backpack or computer bag most of the time. I tried to find some numbers for various headphones regarding the cup thickness. how far it sticks out from the head. I couldn't really find any numbers. My impression is that the AirPods Max are quite thin. This makes them fit in the spaces in my bags I need them to fit. The fact they don't fold improves their time of deployment. Folding down like the XM4 is great if I'm going to back them in my check in luggage, or in a box for moving, but on a daily basis I don't need compactness in that dimension, or in overall volume. My daily bags aren't packed like a Tetris game. They are designed to get things in and out of easily and Apple's design works quite well for that, including the case. If anything the empty space makes it easier to get at things around the headphones I needed, compared to a large hard case. I know different people have different requirements, but I don't think Apple's tradeoffs are that bad. I wouldn't throw them in my large single compartment bag I use for scuba diving for free diving gear, but I wouldn't do it with an of the other headphones either as their cases aren't water proof. I'd be fine throwing the APM in if it was in it's own dry bag though.
The mechanical issues will likely get hammered out over time. Sounds like some manufacturing issues right now.
Your comments on the fabric Apple uses is really interesting. I often feel Apple goes to special lengths on some of their products that only a few people who are knowledgeable about a subject/material really appreciate. I hope someone does a little more research into this. It sounds like one of the more interesting parts of the APM from your description.
Thanks for the comments on my recovery. DIdn't want to take up posts responding to each one. As far as my leg, just got back from the hospital for a check-up and rehabilitation. I'm cleared to put my full weight on leg! No jumping, just walking, but it happened a lot more quickly than I expected. Due to the surgery things just feel 'weird'. Not painful, just different. Surprisingly not my break, but around my knee. Probably the more invasive part of the surgery where the put the metal plate down the middle of my tibia. It's going to take some time walking with the support of the crutches to get used to the feeling and gain confidence it won't fail me. I walk so slowly right now, but it's great to have both feet on the ground again. (literally).
