Apple announces its new headset: the AirPods Max

As several analysts had anticipated, the announcement of the new AirPods headset was simply made via press release. No video presentation therefore (but a short advertisement to be seen below), for the new Apple product which has possibly closed a year full of novelties. Welcome, then, toAirPods Max, the 3rd audio product in the AirPods range, which is installed alongside the AirPods and AirPods Pro.

High-end circum-aural

The AirPods Max is therefore presented as a wireless headset in a circum-aural headband format. This means that, by its design, it sits on the head, with the earpieces going all the way around the ears. Two major advantages arise from this type of headset: a much richer sound, particularly at low frequencies, thanks to a potentially larger transducer size, but also great wearing comfort.

In terms of sound precisely, Apple promises ahigh fidelity transmissionand above all enveloping sound for excellent immersion, especially in films.

In terms of designs, the helmet offers telescopic branches on the sides to adapt to different head sizes, a mesh fabric headband and a steel structure. On one of the earpieces, we find aDigital Crown, allowing you to adjust the volume, change songs and answer calls in addition to allowing you to control Siri.

Halfway between AirPods Pro and HomePod

Apple has also equipped its new headset with aactive noise reduction technology. In addition, as on HomePod and AirPods Pro, we find this automatic and intelligent adaptation of the sound to the listening environment and to the ears of the listener. This functionality is underpinned by 6 microphones capturing external sounds and 2 microphones capturing what is heard by the user. This means the sound is optimized to ensure the best quality no matter where we are, on the street, at home, on the bus, while our voice is also extremely clear to the other person on the line when phone calls, or for Siri during voice commands.

The brain of the beast is this famous H1 chip which we find in this AirPods Max (one chip per earphone), after having seen it on the AirPods.

Autonomy

The Californian firm announces 20 hours of listening time on a single charge and active noise reduction on the go. Same without active noise reduction. Charging is done via Lightning socket (the Lightning to USB-C cable is provided, unlike a power adapter). Finally, a protective bagSmart Caseis also in the box and allows, according to Apple, to preserve the headset's battery thanks to an ultra-low consumption mode.

AirPods Max price and availability

The helmet is available in 5 colors: Space Gray, Silver, Green, Sky Blue and Pink. It is sold629 €and has already been available for purchase for a few minutes. The first deliveries will be made onDecember 15.

Who has already given in?

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.