AirPods Studio
At a Glance
AirPods Studio are high-end over-ear headphones branded by Apple that will join the lineup of AirPods. It could be priced at $349 for AirPods Studio.
Expected Features
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Transparency Mode
- Equalizer settings
- Head/Neck detection
- Swappable ear cups
- $349 price tag
Apple's High-End Over-Ear Headphones
Apple is rumoured to be working on high-end over-ear headphones that could be branded "AirPods Studio," beginning at $349, and that could be priced.
We've heard reports about these new headphones since 2018, this will be the first Apple-branded over-ear headphones Apple has released, but rumours are picking up and it looks like we're going to see a launch this fall, maybe when new iPhones are introduced by Apple.
With the AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, AirPods Studio will join the AirPods lineup, and the new headphones will be different from the current Beats lineup of Apple, which has many options for over-ear headphones.
Current reports suggest that AirPods Studio will feature Active Noise Cancelling, iOS or Mac computer powered equaliser settings, and tracking of head and neck, similar to the AirPods' ear detection.
Apple could work on two designs, one that is a premium higher-end version and one that is fitness-focused and made from materials that are lighter in weight. Both versions may feature magnetic ear cups and headband padding that, similar to Apple Watch bands, can be swapped out for a customizable look.
On Tuesday, October 13, Apple is hosting an event that will concentrate on the latest iPhone 12 models, but that could also see the launch of other items planned this fall, such as the AirPods Studio.
Apple no longer sells third-party audio accessories such as speakers and headphones as of late September 2020, which may mean that the launch of the AirPods Studio is imminent, but it is not guaranteed because at least one rumour says the AirPods Studio will arrive later in the year and won't be available at Apple's event.
Design
An all-new concept will be featured in the AirPods Studio, and although we don't know anything about it, we do know some information shared by Bloomberg.
Apple is said to be working on two high-end over-ear headphone models, including a luxury one with leather-like fabrics and a fitness-focused model that uses small perforated, lighter, breathable materials for improved airflow. Based on the materials used these two models may have varying price points.
Headphone designs have been described as having a retro-like look with swivelling over-ear cups along with a headband linked to thin metal arms.
Apple aims to magnetically connect the ear pads to the headphone frame, enabling users to switch various colours and variations for customization purposes in and out.
In a leaked version of iOS 14, an icon representing AirPods Studio was found in the code, but little information can be gleaned from the imagery.
Alleged Leaked Images
The AirPods Studio appeared in September, featuring headphones with large oblong ear cups and grey fabric padding at the top of the headband, with pictures and a video clip said to represent it. The fabric appears to be identical to the mesh used for the HomePod in the ear cups and the headband.
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The design matches up with rumors indicating the AirPods Studio will have a retro-style look with ear cups that swivel along with a headband connected to thin metal arms.
Leaked Icon
The design of the AirPods Studio may hint at a mystery icon in the iOS 14.3 beta. It features a collection of headphones that do not look like any of the current headphones from Apple.
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The design does, however, look similar to leaked AirPods Studio images that we've seen with oval ear cups, thinner stems, and a padded headband.
Rumored Features
Active Noise Cancellation
Apple's over-ear headphones would feature active noise cancellation, a high-end feature baked into the Beats Studio 3 headphones, Solo Pro headphones, and the AirPods Pro, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Successful Noise Cancellation is meant to reduce ambient noise so that you can concentrate on what you listen to. There will be a transparency mode that will allow noise cancelling features if it mimics ANC on the AirPods Pro, but with an option to continue hearing what's going on around you.
In order to encourage users to hear what is going on around them, Transparency Mode will also be available.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is supposed to be higher than the AirPods and AirPods Pro sound quality, but so far no details about sound have been rumoured.
Head and Neck Detection
When an AirPod is removed, the AirPods and the AirPods Pro have an ear detection function that stops the music. It is said that AirPods Studio has similar characteristics that detect when the headphones are on the head or on the neck and play content when the headphones are worn on the head.
The sensor will probably stop the music that is playing when the headphones are pushed down to the ears.
Orientation Detection
For routing audio channels, AirPods Studio will have a sensor that can detect left and right ears, which ensures there will be no right or wrong side for the headphones to wear.
Equalizer Settings
Apple has not released AirPods or AirPods Pro equaliser controls, but the AirPods Studio could have equaliser options available. Custom equaliser settings with low, medium and high frequency adjustments available can be activated by pairing AirPods Studio with a Mac or iOS device.
U1 Chip
According to reports, Apple's AirPods Studio will feature an U1 Ultra Wideband chip. In the AirPods Studio, the U1 chip will maybe be used to monitor them via the Find My app to make sure they are not lost.
The chip may also play a role in the feature that is rumoured to recognise the AirPods Studio's orientation automatically, allowing them to be worn with no separate left and right ear cups in either direction.
In the iPhone 11 lineup and in the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple previously mounted an U1 chip. Apple didn't have much to say about the U1 chip, but described the Apple Watch chip as being able to enable short-range wireless location to support new experiences, such as next-generation digital car keys."
Delays
Apple still has the AirPods Studio in the works, according to Bloomberg, but over the last two years, the over-ear headphones have faced production problems, resulting in delays and scaled-back features.
In the fall of 2020, the AirPods Studio was expected to go into production, but production was held back due to headband issues, which were found to be too tight in some tests.
On the side of the headphones, Apple intended to add wide touch pads but had to scale that feature down, and some of the interchangeable functionality was also omitted. There will probably not be a replaceable headband in the current iteration of the device, but interchangeable ear pads might be included.
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