And now that story is continuing with Apple’s new AirPods Max, which are challenging the boundaries of audio technology once more. The latest in a line of innovative audio devices, the over-ear headphones seem like they’ll be able to do it all – with the help of some astounding modern engineering wizardry, gorgeous styling and some truly top-notch features. Here’s what lies below the skin of what is bound to be one of the biggest technical innovations of the year.
Design:
And from the moment you first see them, they emanate style and panache: constructed in stainless steel and a fabric of knit mesh, both pleasing to the eyes and comfortable to the touch over long periods of wear; fitting to the contours of your head with telescoping arms and memory foam ear cushions, and a canopy design that keeps the headband weight evenly distributed.
Audio Quality:
In terms of sound quality, there’s nothing Apple has left out. Pumped through custom-built dynamic drivers paired with high-fidelity audio, the AirPods Max create an exceptional, balanced soundstage that is clear and deep across the spectrum, no matter if you’re listening to a song, podcast, or movie.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode:
The AirPods Max have spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, which thanks to a high-fidelity noise-cancelling ANC system and its next-generation noise-control technology ensures you hear the audio in exactly the right way. Transparency mode gives you the option of ambient sounds being mixed into your audio to keep you aware of your surroundings.
Spatial Audio:
One of the unique selling points of the AirPods Max is Spatial Audio: an immersive movie-theatre effect that places the sound all around your head. Using rudimentary but effective dynamic head tracking and on-board accelerometers in gyroscopes, the headphones place you in a virtual, 3D audio environment or soundstage, giving the soundstage depth and a sense of panning that rivals great studio recording techniques. And whether it’s videos or games, when that ‘Spatial Audio’ logo glows on your screen, you know your ears are in for a treat.
Battery Life and Connectivity:
While the AirPods Max can provide considerable oomph from just 1.5 meters, battery life for wireless listening is up to 20 hours with the noise-cancellation and Spatial Audio active (that’s the head-tracking virtual surround sound, which makes immersive music, films or games feel like they’re happening around you). The smart case extends battery life further still – the AirPods Max automatically power off when you put them away and fans out a flat interior to avoid annoying creasing in the fabric. When you are listening, the AirPods Max automatically switch on when you put them on your head – and switch right off when you take them away, plus instantly wirelessly integrate with iPhone or Apple Mac computers for immediate pairing and choosing-which-device-to-listen-to switching.
Conclusion:
In sum, the AirPods Max are the benchmark for what premium wireless audio and design can be. Their build quality, spatial audio capabilities, and smart features give the AirPods Max the high ground in the upper echelons of the wireless headphone field. While competition does exist for those with premium wallets, none can quite match the fruit borne from the Apple tree. The AirPods Max are simply stunning, anyone who wants the best of what headphones can be should not hesitate one iota when it comes to these.
