I find it funny that you mention beyerdynamic. Isn’t that brand like the apple of audiophile/studio headphones?

I wouldn't describe it that way. Beyerdynamic has some models which are generally reasonably performant for their price range and widely recommended when people are starting out. If I were to think of a brand that's like the "Apple" of studio headphones, it'd probably be Sennheiser, although they also make some very high quality products.

For the $500 a pair of Airpods Max is going to cost, though, you can get some /serious/ headphones, that gets you straight out of dynamic transducers and into the entry grade planar magnetic and even entry electrostatic earphones.

There's simply no reason to spend that much on Airpods Max compared to the available market if you actually care about performance and sound quality.

Yes you are right Sennheiser does have a very wide budget offering. However, beyerdynamic also sells 150$ headphones. What I meant was this weird cult following they have and this determination to do something very different from the rest of the industry and what is generally being considered as an upset to the established rules. I am of course talking about the unnatural bright sound profile for studio headphones, where the goal usually is to have them as flat as possible.

Also they do seem to care more about nice materials and Style than other brands, which is reflected in their commercials as well.

I've never seen a commercial for Beyerdynamic, so I'm quite curious what that looks like. Since both are German companies, perhaps their advertising is heavier in that market.

If you happen to have a link handy, I'd love to see what you're referring to specifically?