Apple's AirPods Max are Over-the-Ear headphones that align with Apple's premium pricing strategy.
In the world of headphone manufacturers, Apple is a major player, known for its partnership with Beats and its popular AirPods. Just as anticipated, Apple has finally entered the over-ear headphone market with its latest release, the AirPods Max. With a price tag that might leave competitors breathless, let's delve into what makes these earphones unique.
Initially, many speculated that Apple's acquisition of Beats for a whopping $3 billion was to rebrand Beats headphones as an Apple-specific product. However, Apple continued to use the Beats branding for its music streaming services, and it wasn't until the release of the AirPods in 2016 that people started wondering if they would ever venture into over-ear territory.
With the AirPods Max, Apple is stepping away from the Beats branding and presenting a new style with five vibrant color options: silver, space gray, sky blue, pink, and green. Each earcup features a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic driver. For a comfortable fit, the AirPods Max utilize a stainless steel flexible headband covered in breathable mesh, integrated with a "revolutionary mechanism" that adapts to the size of the user's head. Comfort is further ensured with memory foam cushions tightly sealing around the wearer's ears.
The AirPods Max differentiate themselves from competitors like Sony and Razer by incorporating Apple's wireless H1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices. Instead of touch-sensitive ear cup controls, the AirPods Max feature a Digital Crown, similar to the one on the Apple Watch, allowing for more precise volume adjustments and quick access to shortcuts.
The AirPods Max deliver around 20 hours of battery life, despite features like active noise cancellation, Adaptive EQ, and spatial audio. Active noise cancellation uses three microphones on either side, while Adaptive EQ monitors the sound and adjusts quotas. Spatial audio uses a gyroscope and accelerometer to create an immersive audio experience, repositioning sounds according to head movement.
Battery life can be conserved by using the included soft, color-matched Smart Case that puts the headphones into a low-power mode. The AirPods Max are available for pre-order with shipping starting on December 15, but they come with a hefty $550 price tag. With the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offering industry-leading active noise cancellation for $200 less, the AirPods Max will have to prove their worth.
Enrichment data indicates that while the AirPods Max offer superior sound quality and build materials, the Sony WH-1000XM5 excels in noise cancellation, comfort, and value. Irrespective, Apple's entrance into this space is a clear indication that it's taking headphones seriously.
The tech world was surprised when Apple announced the release of its over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, moving away from its Beats branding. The AirPods Max's unique operability is highlighted by its inclusion of Apple's wireless H1 chip and a Digital Crown, similar to the Apple Watch. The future of headphone technology seems promising with innovations like the AirPods Max's active noise cancellation and spatial audio features. Despite the high price tag of $550, competitors like Sony's WH-1000XM4 offer industry-leading active noise cancellation for $200 less, making the AirPods Max's worth a consideration.
