Apple announces $549 over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max – TechCrunch
The AirPods max join the AirPods and AirPods Pro in the Apple range of audio accessories. As you can see in the photo Apple launches its first over-ear headphones under the AirPods brand.
The wireless headphones offer active noise cancellation and cost $ 549. With this product, Apple competes directly with the Sony and Bose wireless headphones – the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose 700. Pre-orders start today and ship on December 15th.
These aren’t the company’s first over-ear headphones as Apple acquired Beats back in 2014. Apple has released new Beats headphones in the past few years. For example, last year Apple released the Beats Solo Pro, wireless headphones with Apple’s H1 chip that cost $ 300. They also have active noise cancellation.
The AirPods Max are available in multiple colors – silver, space gray, sky blue, pink, and green. They’re foldable and can be stored in a pocket – or, as Apple calls it, in a smart pocket. When you put your headphones in your pocket, the device goes into an ultra-low power state – but that’s about it. Apple promises 20 hours of battery life.
Credit: Apple
Powered by Apple’s 10 audio core H1 chip, they offer many of the same features you can find in the AirPods Pro – active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and adaptive EQ. The headband is made of stainless steel which probably explains the pricing strategy. The upper band is a flexible mesh. The ear pads try to create a seal thanks to memory foam.
In addition to a noise-canceling button, there is an Apple Watch digital crown that you can use to adjust volume, skip tracks, etc. There are 40mm dynamic drivers in the device. In combination with computer audio and a dual neodymium ring magnet motor, Apple promises very little distortion and high sound quality.
Credit: Apple
If you’re not familiar with Adaptive EQ, the feature was originally introduced with the AirPods Pro. The device uses microphones to adjust the sound based on the fit and sealing of the headphones or earphones.
With active noise cancellation, the AirPods Max use three outward-facing microphones on each ear cup. When you pair the AirPods Max with an iPhone or iPad, Apple uses the gyroscope and accelerometer in both devices to compare motion data and deliver sound in 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos. Music also stops automatically when you remove the AirPods Max.
Credit: Apple
