The sound distorted through headphones.

Hi Girshon Rutstein,

As we understand it, you hear distorted audio through your AirPods when you use one device, but the audio sounds as expected through a different iPhone, correct? We'd like to check a few things to see if we can narrow this down.

Which iOS version are you using on both devices? Updating the iPhone 11 Pro Max to iOS 16.1.1 is a good idea if you haven't tried that already. Be sure to back up beforehand: Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If that doesn't help, try resetting your AirPods and then test again. Here's How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro:

"You might need to reset your AirPods if they won't charge, or to fix a different issue.

1. Put your AirPods in their charging case, and close the lid.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Open the lid of your charging case.
4. With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > Bluetooth, or Settings > [your AirPods], and tap the More Info button  next to your AirPods. If you don't see your AirPods in Settings > Bluetooth or in Settings > [your AirPods], just go to the next step.
5. Tap Forget This Device, and tap again to confirm.
6. With the lid open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light on the front of the case flashes amber, then white.
7. 
8. Reconnect your AirPods: With your AirPods in their charging case and the lid open, place your AirPods close to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Follow the steps on your device's screen.

AirPods can be associated with one Apple ID. If you want to use AirPods (3rd generation) or AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation) that someone else has used, they first need to remove the AirPods from their Apple ID."

Resetting can help to clear up unexpected issues like this, so let us know if that makes a difference!

Take care.

Hey Girshon Rutstein,

Since it sounds like this happens only when you are listening with your AirPods Pro and not when just listening on your iPhone, it's more likely that the issue is with this particular connection rather than the iPhone. Try multiple locations and apps to see what happens there. That will help isolate the issue further. The below guidance from If the sound from your wireless headphones cuts out or is distorted - Apple Support is a good start.

Improve your Bluetooth connection

Your headphones communicate using Bluetooth, and a Bluetooth signal can be interfered with or weakened in some situations.

Your headphones might lose their connection more often with streaming audio than with content that is stored on your device.* With your device within a few feet of you, try to listen to music or other audio content that is stored on your device—not streamed—with your headphones. On your iOS or Android device, open the Music app. On a Mac with macOS Catalina, open the Music app. On a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, or on a PC, open iTunes. Then play a song that does not have the Download button  next to it. Or tap the Download button  to download the song.

If your headphones maintain their connection without distortion during this test, then here are a couple of things that can help in other situations:

Keep your iPhone or other device close to you, so that no obstructions, like walls or floors, are between you and your device.

If possible, move to a different place—in particular, move away from places with many people or a lot of Wi-Fi activity, poorly shielded cables, microwave ovens, and wireless speakers (or turn off the oven or speaker).

Best of luck.