AirPods Max rival just launched with features that beat Apple

(Image credit: V-Moda)

Another AirPods Max alternative has come out of CES 2021: the V-Moda M-200 ANC, a $500 set of over-ear cans with customizable earcup shields and, as the name suggests, active noise cancellation.

The headphones, which are on auction at present, might be one of few headphones to well-nigh friction match the $549 price tag of the AirPods Max — but there'south no dubiousness the K-200 ANC are brimming with features, many of which Apple headphone's can't match.

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For example, the ANC is adaptable to 10 dissimilar levels via the mobile app, which also offers six EQ presets and full customization of the lows, mids and highs if you'd prefer to tweak them yourself. Personalization seems similar a major focus of the M2-200 ANC in full general, as the aluminum shields on the outside of the earcups tin be removed and replaced with different designs.

V-Moda says yous'll become six color options to kickoff with, and volition be able to have custom designs printed or light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation-engraved in the future. That's quite an respond to the AirPods Max's $69 replaceable earcup pads, though we don't know how much these shields will cost separately.

Sound-wise, the M-200 ANC are equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers and are, similar the JBL Tour One, certified for Hi-Res Audio playback from lossless music sources. The aptX Bluetooth codec is supported too.

The M-200 ANC'southward smart features might give the AirPods Max pause also. Covering the left earcup with your hand activates "Voice In" mode, whereby playback book is lowered and ANC is paused until y'all move away. This sounds like am ambient mode you don't need to manually trigger in an app or activate with a delicate serious of taps, which could exist a practical comeback on a lot of ANC headphones.

Battery life with noise counterfoil is given as a modest 20 hours, simply that'due south the merely matter near the M-200 ANC which isn't particularly extreme. That goes for the price, too: $500 may be a few dollars cheaper than the AirPods Max but it's still well in a higher place what yous'd pay for nigh of the other best noise cancelling headphones, like the Sony WH-1000XM4.

James is currently Hardware Editor at Rock Paper Shotgun, but earlier that was Audio Editor at Tom's Guide, where he covered headphones, speakers, soundbars and anything else that intentionally makes noise. A PC enthusiast, he too wrote computing and gaming news for TG, usually relating to how hard it is to find graphics carte du jour stock.