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Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth Headphones for iPhone – Pink
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Apple |
Model Name | AirPods Max |
Color | Pink |
Form Factor | Over Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wireless, Wired |
About this item
- BREATHTAKING AUDIO QUALITY — Apple-designed dynamic driver provides high-fidelity audio. Computational audio combines custom acoustic design with the Apple H1 chip and software for breakthrough listening experiences.
- FOCUS ON WHAT’S PLAYING — Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise so you can immerse yourself in music.
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — Transparency mode lets you hear and interact with the world around you.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — With sound that suits your unique ear shape along with dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max deliver an immersive listening experience that places sound all around you. You can also listen to select songs, shows, and movies in Dolby Atmos.
- ACOUSTIC-FIRST DESIGN — Designed with a knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions for an exceptional over-ear fit that perfectly seals in sound.
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Pair AirPods Max by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen. AirPods Max pause audio when you take them off. And Automatic Switching makes listening between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac completely effortless.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Up to 20 hours of listening, movie watching, or talk time with Active Noise Cancellation and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled.
- PRECISION CONTROL — Use the Digital Crown to play and pause music, to answer, end, and mute yourself on calls, and to control volume and skip between tracks.
- A SMARTER CASE — Store in an ultra low-power state with the slim Smart Case.
- LEGAL DISCLAIMERS — This is a summary of the main product features. See “Additional information” to learn more.
Top Brand: Apple
Compare Apple AirPods
Price | From: $479.99 | From: $99.00 | From: $149.00 | From: $189.00 |
Ratings | 4.6 out of 5 stars (14,641) | 4.7 out of 5 stars (609,327) | 4.5 out of 5 stars (18,954) | 4.7 out of 5 stars (12,628) |
Fit | Customizable | Universal | Universal | Customizable |
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode | - | - | ||
Chip | Apple H1 headphone chip (each ear cup) | Apple H1 headphone chip | Apple H1 headphone chip | Apple H2 headphone chip, U1 chip in charging case for Precision Finding |
Hey Siri | Always on | Always on | Always on | Always on |
Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | - | |||
Battery life (listening time on one charge) | Up to 20 hours of listening time | Up to 5 hours of listening time | Up to 6 hours of listening time | Up to 6 hours of listening time |
Battery life (listening time with charging case) | - | More than 24-hours | Up to 30-hours | Up to 30-hours |
Bluetooth | ||||
LED Charging Light Location | - | Top of Case | Front of case | Front of case |
Qi Compatible | - | - | - | |
Adaptive EQ | - | |||
Case | Smart Case | Lightning Charging Case | Lightning Charging Case | MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) with speaker and lanyard loop |
Technical Details
Apple AirPods Max
Weight |
AirPods Max: 13.6 ounces (384.8 grams); Smart Case: 4.74 ounces (134.5 grams) |
Dimensions |
AirPods Max: 6.64 by 3.28 by 7.37 inches (168.6 by 83.4 by 187.3 mm) |
AirPods Sensors (each): |
Optical sensor (each ear cup), Position sensor (each ear cup), Case-detect sensor (each ear cup), Accelerometer (each ear cup), Gyroscope (left ear cup) |
Power and Battery |
Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency mode enabled; Up to 20 hours of movie playback on a single charge with spatial audio on; Up to 20 hours of talk time on a single charge; |
Release Date |
12/08/2020 |
Additional Information |
Compatible hardware and software required for Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. Works with compatible content in supported apps. Not all content available in Dolby Atmos. iPhone with TrueDepth camera required to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio, which will sync across Apple devices running the latest operating system software, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS. |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the comfort, appearance, quality, and sound quality of the headphones. They mention that it gives a premium feel to the headpiece, and they are happy with the support on the headphones. That said, some complain about the weight, saying that it's heavy and bulky. Customers also differ on fit, connectivity, and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers generally like the sound quality of the headphones. They mention that it has a nice neutral sound, and the spatial audio is amazing. They also say that the sound is worth every penny and that the inside the ear ups and then adjusts the bass to sound best depending on the shape of their ears.
"...The bass is deep and impactful, the mids are clear and present, and the highs are crisp and defined.Active Noise Cancellation..." Read more
"...These have a wide range sonically and reproduce all kinds of music well. And unlike some Beats models they are not bass heavy...." Read more
"...In short, they are comfortable, they are expensive, they sound great, but if you want skull-rattling bass, there are better options...." Read more
"...1. The noise cancelling is better than 35 DB of safety earmuffs I wear for loud noises. Don’t get me wrong about earmuffs...." Read more
Customers like the quality of the headphones. They mention that they are super well-made, exude a sense of quality and refinement that is unmatched in the market. They are a great product and have proven comfort and reliability. The wow factor of these is unbelievable, and the ANC is amazing.
"...time you slip them over your ears, the AirPods Max exude a sense of quality and refinement that is unmatched in the industry...." Read more
"...Build Quality - Top notch in my opinion, make everything else I've ever used, anything else I've ever even tried, feel plasticky and cheap...." Read more
"...This is an excellent headphone. They blow away my bluetooth Sennheisers on sound quality. They even compete with some wired headphones...." Read more
"...cheaper headphones with equivalent sound quality, but these are well-constructed, comfortable for extended wear, have streamlined physical controls..." Read more
Customers like the comfort of the headphones. They mention that it fits and feels fine to them, and it gives them a premium feel. Some also appreciate the color and the support on the headphones, saying that they love the blue color.
"...Industry-leading ANCStunning designComfortable fitLong battery lifeEasy pairing and setupCons:..." Read more
"...2. Comfort/Fit. One goes with the other. The head band is comfortable for my large head and does not squeeze my ears...." Read more
"...Still, it's not like the comfort of earbuds, which I can wear all day, but for big over the ear headphones, the Max's are pretty good...." Read more
"...I hear a lot of people saying they are too tight but they are a comfortable fit and I have a lot of hair and wear a head covering and they feel very..." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the headphones. They say the design is typical Apple, the case is a nice touch, and the color is pleasing. They also appreciate the controls, which are few, unique, and function well. Overall, customers are satisfied with the appearance and quality of the product.
"...The sleek, stainless steel frame is beautifully sculpted, and the plush ear cushions are incredibly comfortable, even for extended listening sessions..." Read more
"...These Pro max ones are real nice. Apple foam quality. 4. Charges really fast, was at 50% and plugged in and in 20 mins was at 95%. 5...." Read more
"...The aluminum is beautiful, the mesh on the headband feels like a cloud, and the sound and noice cancelling is spectacular...." Read more
"...STYLEThe fit and finish on the AirPods Max is absolutely beautiful! Love it much more than the Bose...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the headphones. Some mention that the price tag is worth the investment, while others say that it's a little overpriced and fairly pointless.
"...So it’s now not worth the money at all!..." Read more
"...4. They are an excellent value. Usually a substantial discount means that there is a newer model is coming out...." Read more
"Yes they are expensive. But like all the other reviewers say - you get what you pay for...." Read more
"...In short, they are comfortable, they are expensive, they sound great, but if you want skull-rattling bass, there are better options...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the headphones. Some mention that they sound fantastic, fit perfectly, and are extremely well-made, while others say that they block out all sounds, are a little big on their ears, and almost too large for them. The pads are kind of itchy and the ear parts just don't fit their head right. They also say that it hurts their head/ears after long hours of flying and that they squeezed too hard on the arms of their glasses.
"...The knit-mesh canopy ensures a perfect fit, and the overall design is simply stunning.Audio Quality..." Read more
"...I have to use the smallest setting and they're almost too large for me - makes them fit looser and they will move if I try to run or jump in them...." Read more
"...Noise Cancelling - Absolutely top notch. Between the good fit of the headphones and the actual tech, you can block out a ton of stuff, they work..." Read more
"...I think they work best with Spatial Audio off. iMy only complaint is that the midlevel sound stage is a bit compressed regardless of volume...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the connectivity of the headphones. Some mention that they connect seamlessly between Apple devices, while others say that they are plagued with connection issues. Some customers also mention that the battery life is impressive. Overall, the connectivity is a mixed bag, with some customers reporting that the headphones connect seamlessly and automatically once on their head, while other customers experienced connection issues with Samsung TVs.
"...Automatic switching between Apple devicesUp to 20 hours of battery lifeEasy pairing and setup..." Read more
"...Only downside is it uses an iPhone plug, not USB C. I still have and need an iPhone plug so it's not a huge deal at the moment, but for the future,..." Read more
"...] These headphones connect seamlessly between Apple devices uncle my Apple pros. The sound quality is amazing...." Read more
"...When the cans are folded for storage, the metal shells kind of clack together without the case, and is definitely in keeping with Apple's design..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the weight of the headphones. They mention that it is heavy and bulky, making it look as if they have a head full of them. Some customers also say that the headphones are cheap and thin, instead of the normal thick.
"...Also, the Apple cable that you HAVE to use is super cheap feeling and thin, instead of the normal thick or braided casing most headphone cables use...." Read more
"...I have noticed that they feel a bit heavier than other headphones I’ve used, but the weight seems evenly distributed to me and so it doesn’t bother..." Read more
"...I do not notice any weight - these are much lighter than most wired headphones...." Read more
"...to use these while exercising I’d look somewhere else bc they are quite heavy and if you’re audiophile willing to spend $1,000+ on studio headphones..." Read more
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Design and Comfort
The AirPods Max are not just headphones; they are a statement piece. The sleek, stainless steel frame is beautifully sculpted, and the plush ear cushions are incredibly comfortable, even for extended listening sessions. The knit-mesh canopy ensures a perfect fit, and the overall design is simply stunning.
Audio Quality
The AirPods Max deliver truly exceptional audio quality. The custom-designed dynamic driver produces a rich, detailed soundstage that is sure to please even the most discerning audiophiles. The bass is deep and impactful, the mids are clear and present, and the highs are crisp and defined.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the AirPods Max is simply the best in the business. It effectively blocks out all ambient noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music, movies, or podcasts. The Transparency mode is also a great feature, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings without having to remove your headphones.
The AirPods Max are packed with features, including:
Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
Dolby Atmos support
Automatic switching between Apple devices
Up to 20 hours of battery life
Easy pairing and setup
The Apple AirPods Max headphones are the best wireless headphones on the market. They offer exceptional audio quality, industry-leading ANC, a stunning design, and a host of useful features. If you are looking for the ultimate listening experience, the AirPods Max are the only way to go.
Pros:
Exceptional audio quality
Industry-leading ANC
Stunning design
Comfortable fit
Long battery life
Easy pairing and setup
Cons:
Expensive
Conclusion
The Apple AirPods Max are a true masterclass in audio engineering. They offer an unparalleled listening experience that is sure to please even the most discerning audiophiles. If you are looking for the best headphones money can buy, the AirPods Max are the only option.
The Max version has always intrigued me but I have quite a few over ear headphones so until they went on sale there was nothing compelling me to purchase them.
I've had them long enough to break in the drivers to some degree. Yes like most dynamic headphones these need to be broken in for 20 to 50 hours before they can be judged for sound quality.
1. I'm a headphone guy so sound quality is my first priority. This is an excellent headphone. They blow away my bluetooth Sennheisers on sound quality. They even compete with some wired headphones. They may not reach the level of my Grado 325's but they are much more comfortable. My Focal Clears, which incidentally match well with the output voltage of my iPhone, are superior but are much more expensive. And wired. BTW you can't get Lossless audio through Bluetooth so a wired headphone has that advantage. And you can't talk through the Clears. My wired Sennheisers don't really have the output levels to match an iPhone so they are not in the consideration. These have a wide range sonically and reproduce all kinds of music well. And unlike some Beats models they are not bass heavy. I think they work best with Spatial Audio off. iMy only complaint is that the midlevel sound stage is a bit compressed regardless of volume. Apple did their home work in designing these headphones. I'd go so far to say that you will not find another headphone wired or not that has as good as sound for the money.
2. Comfort/Fit. One goes with the other. The head band is comfortable for my large head and does not squeeze my ears. The ear pad material is not what I'd like but it is surprisingly comfortable. Typical of any headphones they are best used without glasses for maximum comfortable. If you use glasses put the pads on your ears with the glasses on for maximum comfort. I do not notice any weight - these are much lighter than most wired headphones. The ear space fits my large ears although ideally a couple of extra mm's would be better.
3. They connect easily once you go through the initial connection procedure. Most importantly they have excellent battery life. They have double or more battery life than Pros. Put them in the case when you are through with them for the day as it is the only way they turn off. You will otherwise lose battery life as they are otherwise constantly scanning for possible bluetooth targets. The case is not great but it works well for being put into a bag or backpack. Generally they do a good job of picking up your voice in telephone or FaceTime mode.
4. They are an excellent value. Usually a substantial discount means that there is a newer model is coming out. My research suggests that is not the case. There is likely to be a newer model of the Pros coming out which explains their greater discount.
I am very pleased with these headphones and I think that you will be equally as pleased.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Mexico on March 3, 2024
Mi opinión sobre los Airpods Max teniendo experiencia con los XM4:
Definitivamente debes tener un dispositivo Apple para considerar la compra de los Airpods Max. Si no cuentas con un iPhone, iPad o Mac ve y busca otras opciones.
1. Presentación:
- No hay mucho que decir, los mejores de la gama. Calidad de los materiales bastante premium.
- En cuanto el estuche, una desgracia.
2. Comodidad:
- Son pesados, pero al utilizarlos se distribuye muy bien el peso siempre y cuando no se haga mucho movimiento en la cabeza.
- Las almohadillas son reemplazables lo cual es muy bueno que hasta se puede personalizar los colores, son cómodas pero prefiero el material suave de los XM4. Eso sí, creo que cubre mas mi oído los Airpods Max.
- 2 botones efectivos, uno de ellos es una coronilla para subir y bajar el volumen. Nada mejor que estos botones físicos los cuales aseguran una buena funcionalidad aparte en una ubicación bastante apropiada.
3. Tecnología
Desde aquí adelanto que es el mejor apartado de los Airpods Max.
- Ecualizador adaptativo, esto permite tener una fidelidad a como las canciones deben ser escuchadas.
- Noise Cancelling/Transparencia: Peleados por el reinato contra los XM4 de Sony. Puedo decir que los Airpods se llevan la victoria, para el noise cancelling no es una gran diferencia pero para el modo transparencia simplemente nadie supera a Apple, una cosa espectacular.
- Spatial Audio: Una maravilla al momento de ver series y películas compatibles, ésta tecnología integrada por Apple es única y ahora con la llegada de la compatibilidad con Apple Music y Dolby Atmos no tiene rival. El sonido 360° de Sony queda en ridículo.
- Ecosistema de Apple: la fluidez de sincronizarlos y utilizarlos de inmediato con tus demás dispositivos Apple es el paraíso del mundo del Bluetooth. No existe ninguna otra compañía que te ofrezca la calidad conectividad como lo hace Apple.
Calidad de audio:
(Apple Music como mi servicio de comparación)
El punto más importante pero puedo resumirlo fácilmente.
En efecto, los AirPods Max tienen una calidad bastante buena y sí, superior ante los XM4. Que tanto? Diría que un 10-15% más, a que se debe este %?
- Claridad y nitidez del sonido, un audio más limpio y sin distorsiones.
- Los Airpods Max estan hechos para adaptarse a la música que se reproduce y por ende permite tener un sonido personalizado para cada canción. Otros audifonos se ajustan a la configuración predeterminada y quizás esos ajustes no sean lo mejor al escuchar otros géneros.
- Al tener un balance los sonidos más beneficiados son los medios, así que si esperas unos graves robustos como ofrecen los Sony lamento decir que no serán así. Sí, tienen buenos graves pero no tan predominantes como muchas personas quisieran. Se podrán hacer ajustes dentro de la aplicación del servicio de música pero no directamente a los audífonos como lo es con los XM4 o los Bose 700. En mi opinión, prefiero más los sonidos como los artistas quieren que ma gente los escuche, así que prefiero la forma en que Apple lo hace.
En lo personal creo que los Airpods son una excelente opción para aquellos que tienen la oportunidad de pagarlos, que pueda sacarle provecho al ecosistema y que igualmente estén suscritos al servicio de Apple Music por las grandes novedades que tendrá y las ventajas que tendrán los Airpods Max, dándole más justificación a la compra.
Si no te interesa tanto el ecosistema y las funcionalidades que ofrecen los Max, no vale el precio extra al menos no por ese 10-15% de mejor calidad ante su mayor rival, los Sony XM4 que por cierto estan a la mitad del precio...
Reviewed in Mexico on May 26, 2021
Mi opinión sobre los Airpods Max teniendo experiencia con los XM4:
Definitivamente debes tener un dispositivo Apple para considerar la compra de los Airpods Max. Si no cuentas con un iPhone, iPad o Mac ve y busca otras opciones.
1. Presentación:
- No hay mucho que decir, los mejores de la gama. Calidad de los materiales bastante premium.
- En cuanto el estuche, una desgracia.
2. Comodidad:
- Son pesados, pero al utilizarlos se distribuye muy bien el peso siempre y cuando no se haga mucho movimiento en la cabeza.
- Las almohadillas son reemplazables lo cual es muy bueno que hasta se puede personalizar los colores, son cómodas pero prefiero el material suave de los XM4. Eso sí, creo que cubre mas mi oído los Airpods Max.
- 2 botones efectivos, uno de ellos es una coronilla para subir y bajar el volumen. Nada mejor que estos botones físicos los cuales aseguran una buena funcionalidad aparte en una ubicación bastante apropiada.
3. Tecnología
Desde aquí adelanto que es el mejor apartado de los Airpods Max.
- Ecualizador adaptativo, esto permite tener una fidelidad a como las canciones deben ser escuchadas.
- Noise Cancelling/Transparencia: Peleados por el reinato contra los XM4 de Sony. Puedo decir que los Airpods se llevan la victoria, para el noise cancelling no es una gran diferencia pero para el modo transparencia simplemente nadie supera a Apple, una cosa espectacular.
- Spatial Audio: Una maravilla al momento de ver series y películas compatibles, ésta tecnología integrada por Apple es única y ahora con la llegada de la compatibilidad con Apple Music y Dolby Atmos no tiene rival. El sonido 360° de Sony queda en ridículo.
- Ecosistema de Apple: la fluidez de sincronizarlos y utilizarlos de inmediato con tus demás dispositivos Apple es el paraíso del mundo del Bluetooth. No existe ninguna otra compañía que te ofrezca la calidad conectividad como lo hace Apple.
Calidad de audio:
(Apple Music como mi servicio de comparación)
El punto más importante pero puedo resumirlo fácilmente.
En efecto, los AirPods Max tienen una calidad bastante buena y sí, superior ante los XM4. Que tanto? Diría que un 10-15% más, a que se debe este %?
- Claridad y nitidez del sonido, un audio más limpio y sin distorsiones.
- Los Airpods Max estan hechos para adaptarse a la música que se reproduce y por ende permite tener un sonido personalizado para cada canción. Otros audifonos se ajustan a la configuración predeterminada y quizás esos ajustes no sean lo mejor al escuchar otros géneros.
- Al tener un balance los sonidos más beneficiados son los medios, así que si esperas unos graves robustos como ofrecen los Sony lamento decir que no serán así. Sí, tienen buenos graves pero no tan predominantes como muchas personas quisieran. Se podrán hacer ajustes dentro de la aplicación del servicio de música pero no directamente a los audífonos como lo es con los XM4 o los Bose 700. En mi opinión, prefiero más los sonidos como los artistas quieren que ma gente los escuche, así que prefiero la forma en que Apple lo hace.
En lo personal creo que los Airpods son una excelente opción para aquellos que tienen la oportunidad de pagarlos, que pueda sacarle provecho al ecosistema y que igualmente estén suscritos al servicio de Apple Music por las grandes novedades que tendrá y las ventajas que tendrán los Airpods Max, dándole más justificación a la compra.
Si no te interesa tanto el ecosistema y las funcionalidades que ofrecen los Max, no vale el precio extra al menos no por ese 10-15% de mejor calidad ante su mayor rival, los Sony XM4 que por cierto estan a la mitad del precio...
Note: I used to own the Bose 700 but returned them because the head band was so tight it gave me headaches and I couldn’t wear it for more than 20-30 minutes.
Here is my experience with each.
Best Noise Cancelling:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
I use all 3 headphones with televisions in the background, small children and outdoors. The Air Pods Max is very close to the XM4, I would rate it as a 10% difference – it’s almost tied. The QC35 on the other hand, I can hear faint television/small children in the background, even at high volume.
Long Term Comfort:
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Nothing will ever beat the QC35’s. I can wear them all day and take video and phone calls however, it does give me a slight disorientation effect and minor vertigo, similar to diving or moving to an elevated height (driving up a mountain for example).
The Air Pods Max are comfortable, and the ear cups surround my large ears just like the QC35 however, there the clamp is noticeable – this may go away after some time; the clamp causes minor discomfort with glasses; I removed my glasses for the purpose of this short review and the discomfort has faded, even after 60 minutes of listening – it does clamp more than the QC35 and XM4s.
Something to keep in mind is the XM4 earpads are not thick enough and my ear brushes against the speaker area; this also makes my ears get hot after 30 minutes and I eventually have to take a short break – this does not happen with the Air Pods Max – there is lots of room for my ears and the cushions are thick enough that my ears do not touch the speaker area.
Microphone:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC35
Sony XM4
I completed several zoom video/audio calls, Facetime and regular calls. I asked my friends/family to compare my voice quality on each headset and every time, the Air Pods Max was the winner. Bose QC35 is still great in this department however – I was using them as my primary driver for calls prior to getting the Air Pods Max.
The Sony XM4’s are below average; people cannot hear me clearly. In-fact, I stopped using them entirely for business calls because colleagues would make remarks about my microphone. They are ‘okay’ for personal calls, but not desirable for me at least.
Synchronization:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC 35
Sony XM4
I place the Air Pods on my head and it immediately connects to my phone. I do not have to touch anything on either of my devices. When I place the Air Pods Max around my neck or left one ear cup, the music pauses. When I place both ear cups back on my ears, the music auto resumes. I tested this for several hours and it has never failed.
As for the Bose QC35 and XM4’s, no matter if they both have multi device pairing, I am always having issues. Both headsets never switch to my other device without me having to manually disconnect 1 of 2 devices (the one I’m not using). This is frustrating and I hate doing this multiple times per day.
Music Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
The Air Pods Max I would rate have 30% better music quality than the XM4. I tested Hip-Hop, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Classical, Deep House, D&B, Techno, Trip Hop, Dubstep and Lounge. The must is more engaging, and I can hear the instruments and vocals in more detail – an elevated musical experience. The biggest difference for me was Jazz, Classical, Bossa Nova and Salsa – I would say a 50% better listening experience for these genres.
Build Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max are easily the highest quality headphones I have handled; they look at and feel premium and are crafted exceptionally well – even the buttons are strong and durable; these are basically on another level entirely. When extending the headphones, there is a steel connector with resistance when adjusting the sizing to fit your head properly.
The XM4/QC35 are hard plastic – nothing special or extravagant; the XM4 look better than the QC35 however.
Spatial Audio Note:
I was completely blown away when I loaded an Apple TV series on my phone to test the spatial audio feature. It felt like I had speakers surround me in a 360 fashion at the move theatres. I stood there for 5 minutes with my eyes wide opened in disbelief that headphones were capable of offering this level of experience. It is something that you have to try it to believe it. This is what sold me the most.
---
Are the Air Pods Max worth the price? Based on my experience so far, I would say yes. I was actually expecting them to be close to the XM4’s, but on certain categories, they have accelerated immensely.
Reviewed in Canada on February 26, 2021
Note: I used to own the Bose 700 but returned them because the head band was so tight it gave me headaches and I couldn’t wear it for more than 20-30 minutes.
Here is my experience with each.
Best Noise Cancelling:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
I use all 3 headphones with televisions in the background, small children and outdoors. The Air Pods Max is very close to the XM4, I would rate it as a 10% difference – it’s almost tied. The QC35 on the other hand, I can hear faint television/small children in the background, even at high volume.
Long Term Comfort:
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Nothing will ever beat the QC35’s. I can wear them all day and take video and phone calls however, it does give me a slight disorientation effect and minor vertigo, similar to diving or moving to an elevated height (driving up a mountain for example).
The Air Pods Max are comfortable, and the ear cups surround my large ears just like the QC35 however, there the clamp is noticeable – this may go away after some time; the clamp causes minor discomfort with glasses; I removed my glasses for the purpose of this short review and the discomfort has faded, even after 60 minutes of listening – it does clamp more than the QC35 and XM4s.
Something to keep in mind is the XM4 earpads are not thick enough and my ear brushes against the speaker area; this also makes my ears get hot after 30 minutes and I eventually have to take a short break – this does not happen with the Air Pods Max – there is lots of room for my ears and the cushions are thick enough that my ears do not touch the speaker area.
Microphone:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC35
Sony XM4
I completed several zoom video/audio calls, Facetime and regular calls. I asked my friends/family to compare my voice quality on each headset and every time, the Air Pods Max was the winner. Bose QC35 is still great in this department however – I was using them as my primary driver for calls prior to getting the Air Pods Max.
The Sony XM4’s are below average; people cannot hear me clearly. In-fact, I stopped using them entirely for business calls because colleagues would make remarks about my microphone. They are ‘okay’ for personal calls, but not desirable for me at least.
Synchronization:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC 35
Sony XM4
I place the Air Pods on my head and it immediately connects to my phone. I do not have to touch anything on either of my devices. When I place the Air Pods Max around my neck or left one ear cup, the music pauses. When I place both ear cups back on my ears, the music auto resumes. I tested this for several hours and it has never failed.
As for the Bose QC35 and XM4’s, no matter if they both have multi device pairing, I am always having issues. Both headsets never switch to my other device without me having to manually disconnect 1 of 2 devices (the one I’m not using). This is frustrating and I hate doing this multiple times per day.
Music Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
The Air Pods Max I would rate have 30% better music quality than the XM4. I tested Hip-Hop, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Classical, Deep House, D&B, Techno, Trip Hop, Dubstep and Lounge. The must is more engaging, and I can hear the instruments and vocals in more detail – an elevated musical experience. The biggest difference for me was Jazz, Classical, Bossa Nova and Salsa – I would say a 50% better listening experience for these genres.
Build Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max are easily the highest quality headphones I have handled; they look at and feel premium and are crafted exceptionally well – even the buttons are strong and durable; these are basically on another level entirely. When extending the headphones, there is a steel connector with resistance when adjusting the sizing to fit your head properly.
The XM4/QC35 are hard plastic – nothing special or extravagant; the XM4 look better than the QC35 however.
Spatial Audio Note:
I was completely blown away when I loaded an Apple TV series on my phone to test the spatial audio feature. It felt like I had speakers surround me in a 360 fashion at the move theatres. I stood there for 5 minutes with my eyes wide opened in disbelief that headphones were capable of offering this level of experience. It is something that you have to try it to believe it. This is what sold me the most.
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Are the Air Pods Max worth the price? Based on my experience so far, I would say yes. I was actually expecting them to be close to the XM4’s, but on certain categories, they have accelerated immensely.