Apple unexpectedly unveiled the ultra premium AirPods Max wireless noise-canceling headphones today. The tech giant’s first over-ear cans (Apple previously offered such products only via the Beats by Dre brand) are joining the insanely popular AirPods and AirPods Pro, bringing the number of audio products to carry the iconic AirPods moniker to three.
Priced at $549, the sleek new headphones are not only the biggest, but also the priciest AirPods to date. For comparison, the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 — two highly rated offerings in this product category — cost well below $400, making the AirPods Max some of the priciest headphones on the market in general.
The AirPods Max have an attention-commanding design with anodized aluminum cups, a stainless steel frame with telescoping arms, a headband with a mesh canopy, and textile-covered ear cushions. There are several colors to pick from: silver, space gray, sky blue, green, and pink.
For more than $500, we expect some really cool features to come with the AirPods Max, and one of the standouts is the built-in digital crown. A beloved Apple Watch feature, it is tasked with controlling the volume and the audio playback, taking calls, and activating Siri. A button for controlling the noise-canceling experience is also on board.
Equipped with Apple-designed 40-millimeter audio drivers, H1 chip, and custom software, the AirPods Max will deliver top-tier sound and noise cancellation. The chip brings adaptive EQ capabilities, which optimize the sonic experience in real time, based on the cans' fit and seal.
Each ear cup has a quartet of built-in microphones (three outward-facing and one internal), which combine to tune out ambient noise. A Transparency Mode is also available to help users stay aware of their surroundings without interrupting the listening experience.
Apple’s H1 chip gives the AirPods Max spatial audio capabilities, including the ability to deliver captivating Dolby Atmos- and surround sound-enhanced content. Dynamic head tracking, on the other hand, can ensure that compatible sound “moves” in space for complete in-content immersion.
Like all AirPods, the Max over-ear headphones will pair effortlessly with any Apple product the user owns. They will instantly connect to every iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac that’s using the same iCloud account.
According to Apple, the AirPods Max can deliver up to 20 hours of wireless playback between battery charges. The cans have a Lightning connector for charging, which can bring 1.5 hours’ worth of tunes after only 5 minutes.
I've you've got $500 to spare, you can preorder the AirPods Max today. Retail availability will begin next week, on Dec. 15.
Read More:
The Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds of 2020
Our Favorite AirPods and AirPods Pro Cases
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