Active Noise Cancellation Offers a Magical Silence with the AIRPODS 4

Active noise cancellation offers a magic trick of sorts; it transforms a dull whirred roar into a clear and peaceful silence It’s easy to take the Symphony of Silence for granted. It’s like the rim of a tennis racquet; if it’s properly done, it’s invisible. And so you can wear AirPods 4 on a bus, or in an office, or on a plane and barely notice them. That’s the point, right? I’m the guy in my family who wears earbuds in public, when nobody else does. But it’s not like I can’t hear anything; it’s just that I’m tuning out much of what’s around me. What’s better than that? Active noise cancellation offers a magic trick of sorts; it transforms a dull whirred roar into a clear and peaceful silence. If you want to find something new and exciting, there’s usually a technology that meets your expectations.

Sometimes amid the noise of life, you want something gentle to talk to you. What is nicer than a pure signal? Which is why the ability to tune out the world is of immense value in the latest model of wireless Apple earbuds, the AirPods 4, which now features a feature in great demand in modern life: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Let’s listen closely and see how they do at the hardest test of all: an aircraft engine.

Unveiling the AIRPODS 4: A Leap Towards Perfection

Apple capped off its ‘Glowtime’ event on 9 September with the unveiling of the AirPods 4. It was the culmination of a long and strange journey for the family of Apple audio products. The additions of ANC, Conversation Awareness, Transparency Mode and Adaptive Audio mean that, in terms of features, the line between AirPods and AirPods Pro is probably thinner than ever before. It’s also set a higher standard for entry-level earbuds.

A Fit So Fine, It Feels Divine: The AIRPODS 4 Experience

Earbud fit is many people’s Holy Grail. I’ve had a saga of my own with the first-generation AirPods Pro – my personal peanut butter filling – which have a tendency to escape their silicon bear hugs. So going into the AirPods 4, I was pretty skeptical. And then, surprise! The thing attached to my ears like it didn’t want to go anywhere, and didn’t ever let go when I shook my head in disbelief. Apple’s obsessive study of ear shapes has paid off. The AirPods Pro 2 now feel like an extended ear hug, comfortable and secure on my odd-shaped pinnae.

Silence is Golden: The ANC Experience with AIRPODS 4

It was Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’, a song that wakes you up in the best way imaginable. When I pressed a button to toggle on the ANC, all outside noise receded to the botched notes in the background. This was Carpenter’s sultry vocal layered on top of a rhythmic bassline – just like any good espresso machiato. I was no longer in a fake room but transported to a Zen café. And Apple, it seemed, had magically silenced the world.

Given that ANC has rather humble origins, and since it’s an inherently imperfectic technology in an open-ear design, I was fairly doubtful that the AirPods 4 could accomplish what its sibling, the AirPods Pro 2, can do: create a cocoon of sound that’s truly intimate in nature. But not only did Apple manage it, but it didn’t require an ear-tight seal to kill background noise – the so-called silicon canal effect. The upgraded microphones, combined with its H2 processor and leading computational audio design, now makes any competitor in active noise cancellation seem dated.

Beyond the Silence: Additional Features and Pricing of the AIRPODS 4

The AirPods 4 provides ANC, but it’s much more of an auditory ‘sidekick’, a ‘be-all-you-can-be’ experience for all the different sides of your sonic self. Apple has recognised that we all have many different sonic sides. With its first headphone, we had class A analog purity. With AirPods and today’s AirPods 4, Apple offers that next level: so-called ‘pure’ digital – but with good, old-fashioned value and affordability. With the strong demand for the AirPods 4, Apple’s retail outlets are sold out. So, I was relieved to learn that I can purchase them at Best Buy, the leading US consumer electronics retailer, for just $179.99 (with ANC) and $129 without ANC. The price of great audio hasn’t remained an extravagant luxury. Apple’s commitment to non-bastardised sound, and making it available to as many consumers as possible, is evident.

Conclusion: The Verdict on APPLE's Latest Offering

The everyday noise around us vies for our attention like a swarm of bees, but the AirPods 4 from Apple are an oasis of sanity when it comes to sound. To be honest, I was wary at the beginning, but soon realised that these earbuds are in a class of their own, and a promising step towards the future of personal audio. If you want the best experience in ANC, opt for the AirPods Max. But if it’s sound in a mobile package that you’re after, AirPods 4 are worthy companions.

About APPLE

Apple Inc is still at the forefront of innovation – of design sophistication and technology development – creating products that work better and better because they’re placed more and more into the fabric of everyday life. From the Macintosh to the iPhone to the AirPods 4, the story of Apple is the story of a company trying its best to make the world a better place.