Tuesday, December 8th 2020
Apple Introduces AirPods Max, the Magic of AirPods in a Stunning Over-ear Design
Apple today announced AirPods Max, innovative wireless headphones that bring the magic of AirPods to an over-ear design with high-fidelity sound. AirPods Max combine a custom acoustic design, H1 chips, and advanced software to power computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio. AirPods Max come in five gorgeous colors, including space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink, and are available to order starting today, with availability beginning Tuesday, December 15.
"AirPods are the most popular headphones in the world, beloved for their effortless setup, incredible sound quality, and iconic design. With AirPods Max, we are bringing that magical AirPods experience to a stunning over-ear design with high-fidelity audio," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The custom acoustic design, combined with powerful H1 chips, and advanced software enable AirPods Max to use computational audio to wirelessly deliver the ultimate personal listening experience."
Custom Acoustic Design
From the canopy to the ear cushions, every part of AirPods Max is carefully crafted to provide exceptional acoustic performance for each user. The breathable knit mesh canopy, spanning the headband, is made to distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure. The stainless steel headband frame provides strength, flexibility, and comfort for a wide variety of head shapes and sizes. Telescoping headband arms smoothly extend and stay in place to maintain the desired fit.
Each ear cup attaches to the headband through a revolutionary mechanism that balances and distributes ear cup pressure, and allows it to independently pivot and rotate to fit the unique contours of a user's head. Each ear cushion uses acoustically engineered memory foam to create an effective seal — a critical factor in delivering immersive sound. The Digital Crown, inspired by Apple Watch, offers precise volume control and the ability to play or pause audio, skip tracks, answer or end phone calls, and activate Siri.
Breakthrough Listening Experience
AirPods Max feature a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic driver that provides rich, deep bass, accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean high-frequency extension so every note can be heard. A unique dual neodymium ring magnet motor allows AirPods Max to maintain total harmonic distortion of less than 1 percent across the entire audible range, even at maximum volume.1 Equipped with an Apple-designed H1 chip in each ear cup, a custom acoustic design, and advanced software, AirPods Max use computational audio to deliver the highest quality listening experience possible. Utilizing each of the chips' 10 audio cores—capable of 9 billion operations per second—computational audio powers a breakthrough listening experience that includes Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio.
AirPods Max join the existing AirPods family in delivering unparalleled wireless audio, whether a customer is listening to music, making phone calls, enjoying TV shows and movies, playing games, or interacting with Siri. The magical setup experience customers love with today's AirPods and AirPods Pro extends to AirPods Max with one-tap setup, followed by automatic pairing with all the devices signed in to a user's iCloud account, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
AirPods Max automatically detect when they are on a user's head using the optical and position sensors. Once in place, AirPods Max play audio and can pause once removed or when the user simply lifts one ear cup. With AirPods Max, voice calls and Siri commands are crisp and clear due to beam-forming microphones that block out ambient noise and focus on the user's voice.
Battery and Performance
AirPods Max feature great battery life with up to 20 hours of high-fidelity audio, talk time, or movie playback with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled.
AirPods Max come with a soft, slim Smart Case that puts AirPods Max in an ultralow power state that helps to preserve battery charge when not in use.
Additional Features
"AirPods are the most popular headphones in the world, beloved for their effortless setup, incredible sound quality, and iconic design. With AirPods Max, we are bringing that magical AirPods experience to a stunning over-ear design with high-fidelity audio," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The custom acoustic design, combined with powerful H1 chips, and advanced software enable AirPods Max to use computational audio to wirelessly deliver the ultimate personal listening experience."
From the canopy to the ear cushions, every part of AirPods Max is carefully crafted to provide exceptional acoustic performance for each user. The breathable knit mesh canopy, spanning the headband, is made to distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure. The stainless steel headband frame provides strength, flexibility, and comfort for a wide variety of head shapes and sizes. Telescoping headband arms smoothly extend and stay in place to maintain the desired fit.
Each ear cup attaches to the headband through a revolutionary mechanism that balances and distributes ear cup pressure, and allows it to independently pivot and rotate to fit the unique contours of a user's head. Each ear cushion uses acoustically engineered memory foam to create an effective seal — a critical factor in delivering immersive sound. The Digital Crown, inspired by Apple Watch, offers precise volume control and the ability to play or pause audio, skip tracks, answer or end phone calls, and activate Siri.
Breakthrough Listening Experience
AirPods Max feature a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic driver that provides rich, deep bass, accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean high-frequency extension so every note can be heard. A unique dual neodymium ring magnet motor allows AirPods Max to maintain total harmonic distortion of less than 1 percent across the entire audible range, even at maximum volume.1 Equipped with an Apple-designed H1 chip in each ear cup, a custom acoustic design, and advanced software, AirPods Max use computational audio to deliver the highest quality listening experience possible. Utilizing each of the chips' 10 audio cores—capable of 9 billion operations per second—computational audio powers a breakthrough listening experience that includes Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio.
- Adaptive EQ: AirPods Max use Adaptive EQ to adjust the sound to the fit and seal of the ear cushions by measuring the sound signal delivered to a user and adjusting the low and mid-frequencies in real time—bringing rich audio that captures every detail.
- Active Noise Cancellation: AirPods Max deliver immersive sound through Active Noise Cancellation so users can focus on what they are listening to. Each ear cup features three outward-facing microphones to detect environmental noise, while one microphone inside the ear cup monitors the sound reaching the listener's ear. Using computational audio, noise cancellation continuously adapts to the headphone fit and movement in real time.
- Transparency Mode: With AirPods Max, users can switch to Transparency mode to simultaneously listen to music while hearing the environment around them—ensuring everything, including a user's own voice, sounds natural while audio plays perfectly. Switching between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode can be done with a single press using the noise control button.
- Spatial Audio: AirPods Max use spatial audio with dynamic head tracking to place sounds virtually anywhere in a space — delivering an immersive, theaterlike experience for content recorded in 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos. Using the gyroscope and accelerometer in AirPods Max and iPhone or iPad, spatial audio tracks the motion of a user's head as well as the device, compares the motion data, then remaps the sound field so it stays anchored to the device, even as the user's head moves.
AirPods Max join the existing AirPods family in delivering unparalleled wireless audio, whether a customer is listening to music, making phone calls, enjoying TV shows and movies, playing games, or interacting with Siri. The magical setup experience customers love with today's AirPods and AirPods Pro extends to AirPods Max with one-tap setup, followed by automatic pairing with all the devices signed in to a user's iCloud account, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
AirPods Max automatically detect when they are on a user's head using the optical and position sensors. Once in place, AirPods Max play audio and can pause once removed or when the user simply lifts one ear cup. With AirPods Max, voice calls and Siri commands are crisp and clear due to beam-forming microphones that block out ambient noise and focus on the user's voice.
Battery and Performance
AirPods Max feature great battery life with up to 20 hours of high-fidelity audio, talk time, or movie playback with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled.
AirPods Max come with a soft, slim Smart Case that puts AirPods Max in an ultralow power state that helps to preserve battery charge when not in use.
Additional Features
- Automatic switching allows users to seamlessly move sound between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. When playing music on Mac, users can easily take a call on iPhone and AirPods Max will automatically switch over.
- Audio Sharing makes it possible to easily share an audio stream between two sets of AirPods on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV 4K. Simply bring AirPods Max near the device and connect with a single tap.3
- Siri capabilities include the ability to play music, make phone calls, control the volume, get directions, and more. Siri can also read incoming messages as they arrive with Announce Messages with Siri.
- AirPods Max are available to order starting today for $549 (US) from apple.com and in the Apple Store app in the US and more than 25 other countries and regions. AirPods Max will begin shipping on Tuesday, December 15.
- AirPods Max require Apple devices running iOS 14.3 or later, iPadOS 14.3 or later, macOS Big Sur 11.1 or later, watchOS 7.2 or later, or tvOS 14.3 or later.
- AirPods start at $159 (US) and AirPods Pro are available for $249 (US).
- Customers can add personal engraving to AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, and AirPods for free on apple.com and in the Apple Store app.
- Customers are able to find the same great shopping and support services at apple.com/shop, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple Store locations. Customers can get shopping help from Apple Specialists, choose monthly financing options, get special carrier offers for iPhone, trade in eligible devices, and get Support services and no-contact delivery or Apple Store pickup options. Customers are encouraged to check apple.com/retail for more information on the health and safety measures in place, and the services available, at their local store.
- Pickup options include in-store, curbside, or Express storefront, and vary by store. Same-day delivery may also be available. Customers can check apple.com/retail for services available at their local store.
- With Apple Card, customers in the US get 3 percent Daily Cash back when they buy directly from Apple and have the option to choose Apple Card Monthly Installments so they can pay over time, interest-free.
85 Comments on Apple Introduces AirPods Max, the Magic of AirPods in a Stunning Over-ear Design
What completely baffles me is people always raving at Apple taking something that was always open (as in universally compatible), in this case a pair of headphones, and turning it into something proprietary, that only works if you spend at least another grand on other Apple equipment.
Lets also not pretend like Apple doesn't upcharge for most of their products lol. That attitude doesn't come from nowhere, you know? And last I checked it's not just a TPU thing. Many people in tech do not think highly of them, and I don't think it has anything to do with price when people with custom builds costing every bit as much as an Apple workstation look at what's in one, laugh, and say it's not worth the money. Like man, when people who spend money on liquid cooling for builds that don't need them are telling you something is overpriced, I don't know what more you want! :p
If anything is cheap, it's that shot... implying that people can't question the value of things they've never bought or used is silly. Of all of the classist nonsense I've heard recently, that is rich. If you're selling a product, it's kinda on you to establish the value, not for the market to just accept it. I'm no big shot, but my whole audio setup at this point is approaching 3 grand. Am I being cheap by saying the $600 Apple noise cancelling headphones probably aren't a good value as I sit here with my $1000 Focal Clears plugged into another $1000 of upstream plugged into a PC that cost me ~$2000 when I built it? Or is it just too rich for my blood? What am I to you, chopped liver? :laugh:
Sometimes people simply don't buy things because they don't want to buy it or don't think it's worth it. Trying to make it about income is a low blow, and it's not accurate.
All I'm saying is... Apple isn't exactly known for BAD products (well... nah, not important,) but one thing they are DEFINITIVELY not known for is good value. They are a luxury brand. In tech, they are essentially THE luxury brand. You pay the markup for that name. And yes, the product is usually good. But the value gets eaten into for prestige.
It's interesting how most people come to poke fun at Apple itself, or at the product, but you guys have to come in and make it personal. I see you :wtf:
As for the context of this product;
$549? That'll be $60 for the headphones and $489 Apple tax. Hmm...
No, and get knotted Mr Cook.
When I got my first MacBook late in life I was very surprised by how good it felt to use. I was especially amazed by the build quality. I later bought an iPad and I wasn't disappointed at all, again. I still think every last penny for that iPad was worth it, if not for the MacBook. But with the new MacBooks without Intel, I will definitely get one of the next MacBook Pros again for sure. Look, I started building my own PCs in the 90s since I was 12. I use Linux exclusively for about 5 years on the desktop side. I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination, that's why I always found ways to build everything I have from scratch as much as possible. But with Apple, as I said, it just feels like luxury without actually being a complete ripoff. I would say that's the biggest strength of Apple. People like to have some luxury in their lives, even if it just feels like it. But for some people that's like a sin, I guess. Maybe they just like to deprive themselves and others? :wtf:
Why AMD is not better than Intel, an introspective look from an AMD fanboy.
What's your take on this? Putting individualistic want/needs over the collective wellbeing of people, not in your part of the world but perhaps elsewhere! You know what would be nice is that these multi trillion dollar megaliths pay an effing dollar (per hour) more to their slave laborer's in third world nations, but they're too sadistic & greedy for that & the consumers just about on par!
If you haven't seen the worst (& best) of humanity in 2020 I'm sure there's nothing that'll change your mind :rolleyes:
Everybody always wants to get the cheapest and best quality stuff. But the price of "cheap" is usually other people suffering or being ripped off as slaves somewhere else. Especially good ol' "Made in China". At least Foxconn is Taiwanese (a democratic country that is opposed to China) with some oversight. If you trust the oversight of a pure Chinese company, which is directly profiting from the slave labor, you will also trust the devil if he offered you candy.
The problem is with Chinese companies in China, which is very much a "socialist" country btw. But would you trust their oversight? The problem is not that we're not also socialist, obviously. The problem is that people still trust China, where there is no oversight. People buy cheap products from these Chinese state-owned companies and directly support only the Chinese government. No one else is getting shit. The $10 headphones? Maybe $9.50 goes to the Chinese state assholes and $0.50 goes to feed the workers so they won't die. I'm pretty sure Apple is paying way more to Foxconn workers than that already. And even if Apple is getting a big chunk as well, I'd rather actually support a company that isn't using, again, actual slave labor to make their products.
I would even go so far as to say western countries should all together go to war with China for these issues. And with any other country like China. Not full-blown military conflict, but end trade with all Chinese state-owned companies. All other countries need to have the balls to isolate them. But who wants to give up their fake $10 Chinese headphones? Now we are just supporting them with our money. It May sound radical, but we need a Cold War with China as we did with the Soviet Union. Just to take the wind out of some people, the Cold War was never actually as bad as any direct war. It was a necessary step western countries needed to take. I would say sooner or later it's inevitable anyway with the way China is developing. It just seems people want to give China way more time to cause more suffering in the world with their incompetence for people to figure this out.
And if people still think calling it slavery is overblown, watch this report. This proves how the system works there. It's also obviously just a small sample by a tiny group of researchers, and probably only scratches the surface. If known brands are doing it, imagine what all the ultra-cheap no-name brands are doing. "Yea, slavery and possibly torture in 2020 for some cheap ass knockoff headphones sure sounds great." :rolleyes:
:banghead:
Apple is also looking at using Chinese OEMs
asia.nikkei.com/Business/China-tech/China-s-Luxshare-aims-to-begin-iPhone-assembly-ahead-of-schedule
Don't get me wrong, I do see the value of Apple products. They are not my cup of tea but I do understand why other people trust them.
The only Apple products in our household are a MBP 2017, some iPhone and a pair of Airpod Pros, all of those are my wifes' working machines which she got from her employer. The iPhone has had battery problems forever, the Airpod Pros have had the cracking bug and had to be replaced just recently and the MBP has had the dirt in the keyboard problem. The mayor OS updates caused problems with iPhone and MBP over the years. Right now Big Sur gives her problems too.
But somehow all the Apple users I know, seem to be ignorant to these issues and keep believing that Apple stuff is somehow better than other stuff and therefore worth paying more than twice as much as they would have for comparable other premium hardware.
So all in all my take on Apple products is that they have the same issues as Windows and Android devices have. Not worse, but not better either. They are just about twice as expensive.
I have a Thinkpad T480 which is about the same age as my wifes' MBP, while the Thinkpad cost 1300€ and the MBP cost 2700€, the Thinkpad has faster hardware and better service. When my Thinkpads' mainboard was broken, I had a Lenovo technician here the next day to swap it out, while my wife had to bring her MBP in to an Apple Store to fix the keyboard and pick it up two days later. If I had to equip my employees with computers, I know what I would pick.
So yeah, Apple products are not bad but they are surely not better than other premium products, just more expensive. And there is always the fact that with Apple you are bound to their ecosystem while other manufacturers allow combining products by adhering to industry standards. You bought Airpods, so your next laptop will be a Macbook and your next Phone will be an iPhone because Apple just doesnt support most features on other platforms. You spend hundreds of bucks on cables and converters, so youre gonna make sure you have a use for those by buying Apple products with the same stupid proprietary connectors in the future!
What's really happening is that Apple is already moving out of China as fast as they can and moving their manufacturing to India.
www.imore.com/apple-moved-9-11-iphone-manufacturing-units-china-india-says-ministerI'd ask anyone, why would you support a company with your money that you wouldn't trust?
Taiwanese factories are quite notorious for always trying to squeeze a couple of free hours here and there out of people, so are some of the shoddy Chinese factories. Korean, Japanese, and US factories in China are much better
I don't know wtf is going on with Uighur people, that place is literally the furthest from where I live within China. All the stuff I'm hearing from news are bloody disturbing.
(not holding my breath on that one)
Well for the haptic qualities, when pressing the keyboard buttons of the MBP vs my Thinkpad, the MBP feels like shit. As for the aluminium body vs what you call plastic on the Thinkpad, the lid of the Thinkpads is kind of a rubber. I personally like modern polymers much more than slick metal. It has much better grip and is not as vulberable to scratches as aluminium. I carry mt Thinkpad to work without a protective case in a backpack every day while my wife works from home and uses a protective case when she is on business trips. Guess what laptop has more scratches... Well, its the aluminium one.
Also the MPB gets really hot on the lap while the Thinkpad is much cooler (and more quiet) under heavy load.
I think the MBP is much more of a lifestyle produkt that looks good on first sight, while the Thinkpad is a workhorse that is made with functionality first and looks last.
But yeah, of course lots of people think metal is better than plastic, otherwise Apple would use plastic, because Apple uses whats best.
Also you just confirmed what I said in the first place, that Apple users are just immune to arguments and always assume that for example desktop experience is more smooth on apple, while thats just not the case. I run several different OSes on my hardware and while MacOS certainly looks really smooth, actual load times are not faster than on other OSes with comparable hardware. Apple just spends a lot of time and money for their design, the outer appearance of the hardware with all the nice finish on the aluminium as well as the smooth appeal of the OS, (yes, Windows looks shit in comparison, thats true) but when it comes to measurable things like load times or computing performance, other premium products will give you so much more value for your money.
My wife carrys 5 adapters/converters with her when she goes on business trips, one for HDMI, one for Ethernet, one for USB, one for Lightning, and one for SD Cards and the USBc charger. So great to have the nice clean optics of the rounded aluminium finish on the desk with a whole zoo of ugly converters around it... While my Thinkpad, which you may find ugly looks much cleaner with all the integrated connectors in the same situation.