Poring over the technical specifications for AirPods Max, Apple’s newly announced over-ear headphones, reveals a potential point of concern with the premium $549 headphones: weight.
Weighing in at 13.6 ounces, which works out to 384 grams, the AirPods Max are heavier compared to many premium over-ear headphones on the market. Much of that weight likely stems from the use of stainless steel for the telescoping headband frame and arms.
MacRumors has put together a comparison list of weights for some of the current rivals:
- AirPods Max: 13.6 ounces (384.8 grams)
- Audeze LCD-1: 8.82 ounces (250 grams)
- Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless: 13.4 ounces (380 grams)
- Bose 700: 8.78 ounces (249 grams)
- Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II: 10.93 ounces (310 grams)
- Sennheiser PXC 550-II: 8 ounces (227 grams)
- Sony WH-1000XM4: 8.96 ounces (254 grams)
Needless to say, it’s definitely too early to start complaining about potential wear fatigue before first reviews of the new headphones start arriving.
For what it’s worth, Apple has highlighted the ergonomic design of the ‌AirPods Max by underscoring that its breathable knit mesh canopy, which spans the headband, was designed to distribute weight to reduce pressure on the wearer’s head.
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.
As MacRumors commented, “Whether Apple has managed to adequately balance the weight across the headband and cups so as to minimize wear fatigue, won’t be answered until the reviews start coming in.”
The new headphones are available to order starting today for $549 in the United States and 24 other countries and regions from apple.com and in the Apple Store app. The AirPods Max will begin shipping next Tuesday, December 15. The audio accessory requires Apple devices running iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, macOS Big Sur 11.1, watchOS 7.2 or tvOS 14.3 or later.
The AirPods Max ship with an included Smart Case and a Lightning to USB-C cable. Extended AppleCare+ coverage for the new headphones is priced at $59.
For further information, visit apple.com/airpods-max.