Audiophiles have been eagerly waiting for Apple-branded headphones, ever since the Beats Audio acquisition in 2014. Apple did introduce AirPods and AirPods Pro a few years back, but the truly wireless earphones could not compete with premium wireless headphones. Apple has finally put an end to the anticipation and endless rumours by announcing the new AirPods Max. These are Apple’s first over-the-ear headphones that promise class-leading sound quality along with supreme noise cancellation. Apple says these headphones have been in development for two years, and they offer top-notch looks along with great comfort. Here is everything you need to know about the new AirPods Max.
The AirPods Max balances retro-modern styling. They come with brushed aluminum earcups, connected to a U-shaped knit-mesh headband. The headband uses a stainless-steel frame, and they have telescopic arms for adjusting the fit. Apple says the headband’s breathable knit material evenly distributes weight on the head, so users can have a comfortable fit during long music listening sessions. The earcups use a pivot mechanism that allows them to rotate independently. Apple claims this design will help users to achieve a more personalised fit.
The AirPods Max’s earpads use memory foam, and the outer layer is made of acoustic fiber, which Apple claims is better at conducting sound. The headphones are available in Silver, Space Gray, Pink, Sky Blue, and Green colours. These shades are very similar to those used for the 2020 iPad Air, and the new iPhone 12 lineup. The earcups attach to the headphones magnetically, and Apple also sells standalone earpads leaving room for customisation.
The AirPods Max comes with Apple’s Digital Crown, a rotating dial that we have seen before, on the Apple Watches. Apple says the crown provides precise feedback, and you can simply turn it to control the volume or press it to play and pause music, and answer calls. Holding the crown for 3 seconds activates Siri while pressing it twice skips to the next track. The headphones also have a small button for controlling noise cancellation and activating the Transparency mode. The AirPods Max ships with a soft Smart Case that wraps around the headphones to provide protection. Apple says the case has been designed to put the AirPods Max into an ultra-low power mode that helps preserve battery life.
The AirPods Max claims to deliver an unparallel music listening experience with its High-Fidelity audio and Active Noise Cancellation. The headphones sport Apple’s custom-designed 40mm drivers to deliver rich and deep bass, along with accurate high, mids and lows. There is also a dual neodymium ring magnet, that allows the AirPods Max to deliver distortion-free music even at high volumes. The headphones are powered by Apple’s H1 chipset, the same processor seen on the AirPods Pro. Apple claims, the chipset’s 10-audio cores provide computational audio capabilities to enhance the overall music listening experience.
The H1 chipset also gives the AirPods Max premium noise-cancelling capabilities. The processor runs Apple’s advance software, and the headphones come with nine microphones to completely suppress background noise. There is also a Transparency mode, that allow users to have conversations with people around them without removing the headphones. The AirPods Max also comes with Apple’s Spatial Audio feature, that was recently introduced in the iOS 14 update. This feature aims at delivering theatre-like surround sound experience by using AirPods Max’s inbuilt gyroscopes and accelerometers. The headphones also feature Apple’s Adaptive EQ that uses inward-facing microphones to analyse an individual’s fit and adjust the frequencies for better music experience.
The AirPods Max also come with optical sensors that automatically pauses the music when you remove the headphones. You can also pause audio by lifting an earcup. The headphones also support an Always-on Siri feature, that lets you ask questions, and control music by using voice commands.
The AirPods Max supports one-tap setup like the other AirPods devices. The headphones support Apple’s Automatic switching feature that lets you jump between multiple Apple devices. This means you can stream music from an iPad or a MacBook and quickly switch to an iPhone to make or receive calls. The headphones also support an Audio Share feature that allows pairing of two AirPods devices to any Apple source device. This means you and your friends can listen to the same music simultaneously.
The AirPods Max promises up to 20 hours of battery life with both Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio enabled. The headphones can be charged using Apple’s Lightning cable, and Apple claims, 5 minutes of charge can provide up to an hour and a half of battery life. The AirPods Max are one of the most premium Active Noise Cancellation headphones, that offers seamless integration with Apple devices. The headphones are priced at Rs. 59,990* in India and they will be soon available at www.reliancedigital.in and your nearest Reliance Digital stores.
Note – Prices are subject to change. Refer to the product page for the latest prices and availability.
