Apple AirPods Max

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Headphones | £549 | whf.cm/AirPodsMax

Apple’s first on-ear headphones were one of the tech world’s worst-kept secrets. But, while virtually no one was surprised by the announcement of the AirPods Max, what did come as a surprise was the price. At £549, they are vastly more expensive than the majority of premium wireless noise-cancelling headphones on the market.

Can they possibly justify such a comparatively huge outlay? The answer is that yes, they can. They’re so much better than the current competition that, arguably, they cross the line from wireless audio into wireless hi-fi.

While the styling may not be to everyone’s tastes, there is no denying the quality of the Apple AirPods Max’s build and the materials used in their construction. Place the AirPods Max next to a pair of Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones and most people will have no trouble at all believing that there’s a £200 price difference between them.

Lasting memories

The Sonys look and feel almost cheap compared with the Apples, which boast pristinely machined, single-piece anodised aluminium ear cups connected by a stainless-steel headband. Between the cups and your head are memory-foam cushions that easily surround even the largest ears, creating a seal that’s both gentle and surprisingly effective at physically blocking out sound.

The premium materials make the AirPods Max significantly heavier than