Dyson OnTrac vs Apple AirPods Max: The Noise-Cancelling War
By Elisabeth Christ
Updated July 2024
As the demand for high-quality audio experiences continues to rise, two contenders have emerged in the premium headphone market: the Dyson OnTrac and the Apple AirPods Max. Both models promise exceptional sound quality and advanced noise-cancelling technology, appealing to audiophiles and casual listeners alike. The Dyson OnTrac, with its customizable design and impressive battery life, aims to challenge the established reputation of the AirPods Max, known for their seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem and premium build quality. This article delves into the technical specifications and features of both headphones, providing a comprehensive comparison to guide your purchasing decision.
Key Takeaways
The Dyson OnTrac headphones boast an impressive 55-hour battery life and customizable design, making them ideal for users who prioritize personalization and longevity in their audio devices. In contrast, the Apple AirPods Max excels with its spatial audio capabilities and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, delivering a premium listening experience for those deeply embedded in Apple's product line. Ultimately, the choice between these two headphones hinges on whether you value customization and extended use or prefer high-end features and ecosystem compatibility.
Dyson OnTrac
High-end Headphone with Exceptional Battery Life
✓ Up to 55 hours of battery life
✓ Customizable ear cap designs and cushion colors
✓ Advanced noise cancellation
✓ Frequency range of 6Hz to 21kHz
Apple AirPods Max
Over-ear Wireless Headphones Effective for Apple Users
✓ Made of stainless steel and aluminum
✓ Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
✓ Advanced noise cancellation technology
✓ Seamless integration with apple ecosystem
#1 Price and Design
Dyson OnTrac
In the high-stakes realm of premium headphones, the Dyson OnTrac and Apple AirPods Max stand as titans, each commanding a price reflective of their cutting-edge technology and exquisite design. The Dyson OnTrac, priced at $500, introduces a fresh perspective to headphone aesthetics and functionality. While these headphones aren't yet available for purchase and the release date remains undisclosed, anticipation is mounting for their debut. Featuring swappable ear cushions and outer earcup caps, users can personalize their headphones to match their style, with options including aluminum, copper, nickel, and the striking ceramic cinnabar. The 40mm, 16-ohm neodymium speaker drivers promise an exceptional audio experience, complemented by eight sound-sampling microphones that capture sound with precision. Although the Dyson OnTrac lacks significant protection from the elements, the customizable ear cushions and caps, available for an additional $50 per set, offer a tailored fit and aesthetic appeal.
On the other hand, the Apple AirPods Max, with a heftier price tag of $550, embody the epitome of luxury and innovation. Weighing in at 385 grams, these over-ear headphones boast anodized aluminum ear cups and a stainless steel headband, exuding both durability and sophistication. The memory foam ear cushions create a perfect seal, ensuring immersive sound, while the plush padding and light fabric headband enhance comfort during prolonged use. A smooth Digital Crown on the upper side of the right earcup allows for seamless control of playback and call functions. Available in five color options—white, black, blue, red, and green—the AirPods Max offer a vibrant palette to suit various tastes. Despite the absence of a power button, the headphones intelligently enter a low-power mode when placed in their case, although failure to do so results in continuous battery drain. While the lack of folding hinges might be a minor inconvenience for portability, the inclusion of the H1 chip underscores Apple's commitment to delivering a seamless and intuitive user experience.
#2 Comfort
Apple AirPods Max
Comfort is paramount in the design of both the Dyson OnTrac and Apple AirPods Max, ensuring users can enjoy extended listening sessions without discomfort. The Dyson OnTrac's swappable ear cushions and outer caps not only add a layer of customization but also enhance comfort by allowing users to choose the best fit for their ears. The lightweight construction, combined with the adjustable headband, ensures a snug and secure fit, making these headphones ideal for prolonged use. The plush padding provides a soft and comfortable feel, reducing pressure on the ears and head. Additionally, the Dyson OnTrac's design includes a breathable fabric that prevents heat buildup, ensuring a cool and comfortable listening experience.
The Apple AirPods Max, with their memory foam ear cushions and plush padding, offer an unparalleled level of comfort. The over-ear design creates a perfect seal around the ears, providing an immersive sound experience while also reducing external noise. The stainless steel headband, combined with the adjustable ear cups, ensures a secure and comfortable fit for all head sizes. The lightweight construction of the AirPods Max, despite their robust build, ensures that they can be worn for extended periods without causing discomfort. The breathable fabric used in the ear cushions and headband further enhances comfort by preventing heat buildup, making the AirPods Max ideal for long listening sessions.
#3 Sound Quality & Calls
Dyson OnTrac
Sound quality is a defining feature of both the Dyson OnTrac and Apple AirPods Max, each offering a unique auditory experience that caters to audiophiles and casual listeners alike. The Dyson OnTrac, with its 40mm, 16-ohm neodymium speaker drivers, delivers deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs, creating a balanced and immersive sound profile. The eight sound-sampling microphones ensure precise sound capture, enhancing the overall audio experience. The wide frequency range of 6Hz to 21kHz covers a broad spectrum of sounds, from the deepest lows to the highest highs. Additionally, the Dyson OnTrac supports SBC, AAC, and LDHC audio codecs, ensuring high-quality audio playback across various devices and platforms.
The Apple AirPods Max, equipped with Apple's proprietary H1 chip, deliver exceptional sound quality with a focus on clarity and detail. The custom-built dynamic drivers produce rich, high-fidelity sound, with deep bass, precise mids, and crisp highs. The spatial audio feature, exclusive to Apple devices, creates an immersive surround sound experience that makes listeners feel like they are in the center of the action. The AirPods Max also feature a transparency mode that allows users to hear their surroundings without removing the headphones, enhancing situational awareness. The built-in microphones ensure clear and crisp call quality, making the AirPods Max an excellent choice for both music and communication.
#4 Noise Cancellation
Apple AirPods Max
Noise cancellation is a key selling point for both the Dyson OnTrac and Apple AirPods Max, each offering advanced technology to create a serene listening environment. The Dyson OnTrac claims to have best-in-class active noise cancellation, capable of reducing unwanted noise by up to 40dB. This impressive performance is achieved through a combination of advanced algorithms and multiple microphones that continuously monitor and adjust the noise-cancelling levels. The result is a significant reduction in ambient noise, allowing users to focus on their music or calls without distractions. The customizable ear cushions also play a role in enhancing noise isolation, providing a snug fit that further blocks out external sounds.
The Apple AirPods Max, renowned for their fantastic noise cancellation, use a combination of software and hardware to deliver an exceptional listening experience. The H1 chip, combined with multiple microphones, continuously analyzes and adjusts the noise-cancelling levels to adapt to the user's environment. The result is a seamless and effective noise cancellation that blocks out external sounds, allowing users to enjoy their music or calls without interruption. The transparency mode, unique to Apple, allows users to hear their surroundings with a simple switch, adding a layer of convenience and safety. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to stay aware of their environment while enjoying their audio content.
#5 Battery Life and Connectivity
Dyson OnTrac
Battery life and connectivity are crucial aspects to consider when choosing premium headphones, and both the Dyson OnTrac and Apple AirPods Max offer impressive performance in these areas. The Dyson OnTrac boasts an exceptional battery life of 55 hours with noise cancellation turned on, ensuring uninterrupted listening for extended periods. This impressive battery life is complemented by the 3.5mm-to-USB-C connectivity, allowing users to easily connect their headphones to a wide range of devices. The inclusion of multiple audio codecs, including SBC, AAC, and LDHC, ensures high-quality audio playback across various platforms.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max, while offering a shorter battery life of 20 hours with active noise cancellation, still provide ample playback time for most users. The use of a Lightning connector instead of USB-C is a notable difference, reflecting Apple's ecosystem integration. The AirPods Max are compatible with both Android and iOS devices, although some features, such as spatial audio, are exclusive to Apple products. Bluetooth 5.0 technology ensures a stable and reliable connection, while the AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs deliver high-quality audio playback. Despite the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack and no multipoint support, the AirPods Max offer a seamless and intuitive user experience, making them a popular choice among audiophiles and casual listeners alike.
Dyson OnTrac vs Apple AirPods Max
Final Thoughts
Dyson OnTrac vs Apple AirPods Max
Choosing between the Dyson OnTrac and Apple AirPods Max ultimately depends on your specific audio needs and lifestyle. The OnTrac offers remarkable battery life and customization options, appealing to users who want a tailored experience. Meanwhile, the AirPods Max provides an unparalleled listening experience with its advanced features and build quality, making it a top choice for Apple enthusiasts. As both models push the boundaries of audio technology, your decision should reflect your personal preferences and how you plan to use these premium headphones.
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