Apple unveiled its first-ever over-the-ear headphones on Tuesday. and if you’ve got some loose coins, you can nab yourself a pair for a cool $899.00.
The AirPods Max is the highest model in the AirPods range and majorly steers away from the earbud wireless AirPods that were first released in December 2016.
AirPods Max combine a custom acoustic design, H1 chips, and advanced software to power computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio.
“AirPods are the most popular headphones in the world, beloved for their effortless setup, incredible sound quality, and iconic design. With AirPods Max, we are bringing that magical AirPods experience to a stunning over-ear design with high-fidelity audio,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
“The custom acoustic design, combined with powerful H1 chips, and advanced software enable AirPods Max to use computational audio to wirelessly deliver the ultimate personal listening experience.”
In case you wanted to add the latest model to your collection, here’s what you need to know about Apple’s AirPods Max.
Style
The biggest style difference of course is the over-the-ear design rather than the most recent earbud style.
According to Apple’s website: “The over-ear headphone has been completely re-imagined. From cushion to canopy, AirPods Max are designed for an uncompromising fit that creates the optimal acoustic seal for many different head shapes — fully immersing you in every sound.”
The canopy spanning the headband is made from a breathable knitted mesh, distributing weight to reduce on-head pressure. The stainless steel frame is wrapped with a soft-to-the-touch material for a remarkable combination of strength, flexibility and comfort.
Features
Apple’s AirPods Max is the top-of-the-line of the AirPods range, offering the same functionality but with an enhanced sound.
Here are some of the features:
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- Adaptive EQ: AirPods Max use Adaptive EQ to adjust the sound to the fit and seal of the ear cushions by measuring the sound signal delivered to a user and adjusting the low and mid-frequencies in real time — bringing rich audio that captures every detail.
- Active Noise Cancellation: AirPods Max deliver immersive sound through Active Noise Cancellation so users can focus on what they are listening to.
- Transparency Mode: With AirPods Max, users can switch to Transparency mode to simultaneously listen to music while hearing the environment around them — ensuring everything, including a user’s own voice, sounds natural while audio plays perfectly.
- Spatial Audio: AirPods Max use spatial audio with dynamic head tracking to place sounds virtually anywhere in a space — delivering an immersive, theaterlike experience for content recorded in 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos.
Apple says that its new headphones are “the highest quality listening experience possible” in an Apple product.
While the Apple AirPods Max is created to be used with Apple devices, they are still Bluetooth headphones which can connect via Bluetooth to non-Apple devices.
Colours
The initial run of AirPods Max come in five colours: sace grey, sky blue, green, pink, and silver.
Other important bits
AirPods Max automatically detect when they are on a user’s head using the optical and position sensors. Once in place, AirPods Max play audio and can pause once removed or when the user simply lifts one ear cup. With AirPods Max, voice calls and Siri commands are crisp and clear due to beam-forming microphones that block out ambient noise and focus on the user’s voice.
AirPods Max come with a soft, slim Smart Case that puts AirPods Max in an ultralow-power state that helps to preserve battery charge when not in use.
The AirPods Max last for up to 20 hours of high-fidelity audio, talk time, or movie playback.
How much?
From Tuesday morning Apple’s online store had the AirPods Max available for pre-order. The headphones will set you back $899.00 BUT you get a free engraving on them too, if you so wish.
