Apple's AirPods Max are the first headphones to carry the company branding. Apple claims these over-ear headphones provide high-fidelity audio, and are priced accordingly. Being a new form of AirPods, they do come with all of the best features associated with Apple's earbuds, including computational audio, active noise cancellation (with Transparency mode) and Siri interaction.
In 2014, Apple bought Beats Electronics, also known as Beats by Dre since the company was founded by rap legend Dr. Dre. The $3-billion purchase price was the largest acquisition Apple had ever made, signaling the importance of this market to the company. The Beats focus was on high-quality audio and Apple has continued that vision ever since. This means Apple is not in uncharted waters with AirPods Max over-ear headphones, even though they are the first set to be released under the Apple name.
Apple's AirPods Max headphones cost $549, making them roughly double the price of AirPods Pro, and are due to go on sale in the United States on December 15, 2020. Apple claims ultra-low distortion across the entire range of frequencies audible to the human ear. As with Apple’s top of the line earbuds, AirPods Max also feature active noise-cancellation (ANC) using internal microphones to tune the sound to what the wearer is actually hearing. A one-touch Transparency mode allows interaction with real-world events as and when needed, then a quick return to silence, the music, or a movie. The headphones also serve as a headset with six-outward facing microphones to identify and cancel noise, but also to detect and respond to the wearer’s voice. As to be expected with any Apple device, Siri is also on hand and ready to assist.
AirPods Max Specs & Orders
Apple’s new AirPods Max over-ear headphones come in quite the selection of colors, with silver, dark gray, light blue, pink and light green on offer. They include active noise cancellation with Transparency mode and adaptive equalization. Although these features aren't unique, Apple's headphones also come with Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. This is the same technology found in the AirPods Pro, allowing them to provide wearers with a more immersive and theater-like listening experience. This is made possible thanks to the inclusion of an accelerometer and gyroscope in AirPods Max.
AirPods Max also borrow a feature from the Apple Watch by offering a Digital Crown that allows the user to twist to adjust volume or pressing one or more times to control playback, answer calls and interact with Siri. The headphones are powered by the same H1 processor that is used in AirPods and AirPods Pro and Apple claims up to 20 hours of listening time while using ANC or Spatial audio. They are also capable of providing 1.5 hours of listening time following a quick 5-minute charge. A Smart Case that wraps around the ear cups are also bundled with Apple's new AirPods Max headphones and help to preserve battery.
Source: Apple