Comparison: AirPods Max vs Sony XM4, Sennheiser Momentum and Bose NC 700

[sweetss2019]

just bought these and they’re going back. Here’s my assessment: THE BAD: They are very heavy and the ear cups are small, tight and made of non breathable material which means they are uncomfortable for extended wearing. The case does not adequately protect the mesh or top of the headphones - it’s useless for preserving what is an expensive item. Off-gassing is a significant problem when you open the box. There’s a strong chemical smell and I had to leave these outside for several hours to reduce the smell. Do we need to be exposed to such toxic odours? THE GOOD: Sound is superb. The spatial depth is amazing. These blew away my Bose QC35s with the clarity and detail of their sonic stage. But in the final instance, what good are a pair of expensive headphones if they’re uncomfortable and won’t stand the rigours of travel?

 

[vvrinne]

I sold home audio in high school, and early college. I was amazed at the people that would swear they could tell the difference between tube and transistor amps. Yeah, bull... And yet they would pay for them, buy them. They also would try to tell me that the new model of the same receiver from last year was so much better than the previous years model. Often they had the same specs! They would just move knobs around, or the big joke was making the volume knob bigger. One year, Nikko I think, brought out a complete white face line. Same insides as the past year, but white.

People will buy anything...

The ones that bothered me were the ones that bought the previous years equipment, and came back and bought the new stuff. On credit...

It's like wine, it's possible you feel a difference, because your brain is doing it for you. Actually knowing a wine is expensive can make it taste better for you personally, but you would never be able to tell in a blind test. So I'm fine with people spending megabucks on hifi, just like I'm fine paying a lot for champagne instead of sparkling wine. Just don't lord it over people as if your golden ears are somehow making a difference 🤣

 

[Maconplasma]

But in the final instance, what good are a pair of expensive headphones if they’re uncomfortable and won’t stand the rigours of travel?

Well the travel part, that's on you. There's nowhere on Apple's website do they promote the APM as ideal travel headphones.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I can’t for the life of me see what they have brought to the market that we haven’t already see before?

They didn’t raise anything but price in my eyes. Aluminum? Plenty of headphones are aluminum or other Hugh grade materials. They have mesh from a hookers stoking on them. I guess that’s high end.

Oh, they totally raised the bat.

 

[SBlue1]

I sold home audio in high school, and early college. I was amazed at the people that would swear they could tell the difference between tube and transistor amps. Yeah, bull... And yet they would pay for them, buy them. They also would try to tell me that the new model of the same receiver from last year was so much better than the previous years model. Often they had the same specs! They would just move knobs around, or the big joke was making the volume knob bigger. One year, Nikko I think, brought out a complete white face line. Same insides as the past year, but white.

If you are talking about guitar amps you can really hear a difference between tube and solid state amps, especially if you got a few amps and can test them side by side. I could hear a clear difference at least, back when I was young. Nowadays the solid state amps are so good they almost sound the same. Especially if you put pedals and effects and other instruments into the mix.

Now to bring this back to topic, I think most people will only tell the difference between the AirPods Max and headphones in the $200-400 range if you can test them side by side. The moment you walk out of the store and listen just to the headphones you wear the difference you may have heard is irrelevant.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Imagine if a car magazine put out a comparison between 3 cars worth around $35k, and 1 car worth $55k, and pretended they were all in the same class and price bracket?! How about some comparisons with other headphones that are also in the $500-600 price bracket?

 

[CPx]

Are there any comparisons to other Dolby Atmos headphones?

 

[kirk.vino]

just bought these and they’re going back. Here’s my assessment: THE BAD: They are very heavy and the ear cups are small, tight and made of non breathable material which means they are uncomfortable for extended wearing. The case does not adequately protect the mesh or top of the headphones - it’s useless for preserving what is an expensive item. Off-gassing is a significant problem when you open the box. There’s a strong chemical smell and I had to leave these outside for several hours to reduce the smell. Do we need to be exposed to such toxic odours? THE GOOD: Sound is superb. The spatial depth is amazing. These blew away my Bose QC35s with the clarity and detail of their sonic stage. But in the final instance, what good are a pair of expensive headphones if they’re uncomfortable and won’t stand the rigours of travel?

I’ve decided that I’m gonna keep them! I think you can break them in or I’m just getting used to them. The sound quality is important to me, so that’s the main factor. Also, if you spend that much money on a pair of headphones, you can buy a separate protective case from a 3rd party for travel as well. That’s definitely not a deal breaker.

 

[MacCurry]

Yet another subjective review. I'm waiting for one which shows frequency response and noise cancellation sound isolation.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Oh, they totally raised the bat.

Repeating that doesn’t really convince me to be honest. They appear to lack some fundamental features so for me that doesn’t qualify for ‘raising the bat’.

 

[newyorksole]

just bought these and they’re going back. Here’s my assessment: THE BAD: They are very heavy and the ear cups are small, tight and made of non breathable material which means they are uncomfortable for extended wearing. The case does not adequately protect the mesh or top of the headphones - it’s useless for preserving what is an expensive item. Off-gassing is a significant problem when you open the box. There’s a strong chemical smell and I had to leave these outside for several hours to reduce the smell. Do we need to be exposed to such toxic odours? THE GOOD: Sound is superb. The spatial depth is amazing. These blew away my Bose QC35s with the clarity and detail of their sonic stage. But in the final instance, what good are a pair of expensive headphones if they’re uncomfortable and won’t stand the rigours of travel?

Damn idk how so many people say they’re heavy. They don’t feel heavy to me whatsoever Lol they feel just fine and idk I kinda like the smell. Smells “new” to me.

Not diminishing your review at all, but it’s interesting how we all have different views. Glad I can use mine without issue.

 

[kirk.vino]

Damn idk how so many people say they’re heavy. They don’t feel heavy to me whatsoever Lol they feel just fine and idk I kinda like the smell. Smells “new” to me.

Not diminishing your review at all, but it’s interesting how we all have different views. Glad I can use mine without issue.

I wouldn’t call them super heavy either, but they’re a tad tight. However, it all comes down to your personal preferences, of course. Somebody else would have a different head shape, so it’s all very individual. I didn’t get the smell part either! They smelled like a brand-new car when I opened them and I liked that actually.

 

[decypher44]

I’ve been convinced. Just put in an order for the XM4. Chose blue. Picking up from BBY tomorrow (had plumbing emergency today).

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

It's like wine, it's possible you feel a difference, because your brain is doing it for you. Actually knowing a wine is expensive can make it taste better for you personally, but you would never be able to tell in a blind test. So I'm fine with people spending megabucks on hifi, just like I'm fine paying a lot for champagne instead of sparkling wine. Just don't lord it over people as if your golden ears are somehow making a difference 🤣

Or Choice-Supportive Bias?

 

[Ds6778]

Damn idk how so many people say they’re heavy. They don’t feel heavy to me whatsoever Lol they feel just fine and idk I kinda like the smell. Smells “new” to me.

Not diminishing your review at all, but it’s interesting how we all have different views. Glad I can use mine without issue.

I have not had any of the issues this poster has. I don’t really smell my products so I can’t comment on that. I also find these really comfortable to the point where I can leave these on for hours without feeling fatigued.

 

[Ds6778]

I do find it funny how people are upset that these $550 headphones are being compared to $350-$400 ones. When has Apples ever came to the market later, but cheaper? Maybe a few edge cases, but for the most part, there is the classic Apple Tax that most people are willing to pay. I was hopeful that these would be $350-$400, am I surprised at the $550 asking price? No.

 

[FriendlyMackle]

I think the review is largely good. Only thing for me is that APM's benefits over the other headphones don't seem to be worth the premium price. I'm a little biased because i have the XM3s and I really enjoy them. Having paid for those, I'm comparing the cost difference to the opportunity cost and the math doesn't check out for me.



I've had a really good experience with sony headphones and noise cancellation but i'm gonna have to side with @MauiPa and say it's largely subjective.

Maybe someone in this thread has already said something about this...but noise cancelling quality and range CAN be measured and IS measured (and compared) in competing personal audio devices by sites like Rtings. They have not yet profiled the Airpods Max, but I think it's only a matter of time. In the meanwhile you can see just how they evaluate the quality of ANC, in their profiling of the AirPods Pro. It's really very interesting to see just what so many people like about the quality of Apple's ANC.
—And, I don't have the AirPods, AirPods Pro, nor AirPods Max! I dislike the sound of the original AirPods (muddy), the AirPods Pro still have very short battery life and are only Bluetooth 5.0 — they should be 5.1 for MUCH improved battery life...like all of the competing small true wireless earphones released in the past year. I might consider the next iteration if they implement 5.1 and do improve the battery life. One holdout for me is the lack of any REAL EQ capacity. Now, that really bugs me with a $200 or $550 ear/head-phone.
—So as to these, well of course, I'm curious about the sound. If the ANC is similar to the AirPods Pro, it will be quite good. But...1) battery life should be better for these, 2) damn it all Apple, these things need a real EQ capability, and 3) the case is horrendous, and fails at the most basic purpose of a case, which is to protect the headphones. Just stupid.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I have the V-moda cross fade 2 codex edition and the px7’s, I just got the AirPods Max today, they sound better, wider sound stage than the other two.. specifically the mids kill them.. The AirPods Max are simply amazing..

According to people who never heard them and would never buy them (mostly because they’re made by Apple), you’re wrong.

 

[Realityck]

Imagine if a car magazine put out a comparison between 3 cars worth around $35k, and 1 car worth $55k, and pretended they were all in the same class and price bracket?! How about some comparisons with other headphones that are also in the $500-600 price bracket?

Think Planar Magnetic versus Dynamic drivers when looking at $500-$600 price bracket. Makes a heck of a difference with bass accuracy. Apple is not there with product. Just to show that exists even a the Sony 1000MX4 pricing, check out the Audeze Penroz. I have both types of headphones.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I do find it funny how people are upset that these $550 headphones are being compared to $350-$400 ones. When has Apples ever came to the market later, but cheaper? Maybe a few edge cases, but for the most part, there is the classic Apple Tax that most people are willing to pay. I was hopeful that these would be $350-$400, am I surprised at the $550 asking price? No.

I haven’t seen anybody upset that cheaper headphones are being compared to Apples for the way you suggest. I think it highlights how good the cheaper ones are if anything. I wouldn’t say most people are willing to pay this classic Apple tax either as it’s more likely most people won’t be buying these headphones. They are at the niche end of the consumer market and will have their consumers no doubt.

If there is one thing I have learned about the headphone they it’s the best in category are not always the most expensive.

 

[I7guy]

[...]

If there is one thing I have learned about the headphone they it’s the best in category are not always the most expensive.

Or the best in category doesn’t mean the best in every category?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Or the best in category doesn’t mean the best in every category?

That goes without saying. The ones I have are rated better than some that are four times the price so are compared across two categories. A lot of it is down to personal preferences too.

 

[mateytate]

Well the travel part, that's on you. There's nowhere on Apple's website do they promote the APM as ideal travel headphones.

Come on, what the hell else do you need noise cancelling headphones for? Do you really need ANC whilst sitting in your living room? Sure, they remove some of the noise when walking around the streets, but ANC is designed to eliminate the white noise of subway trains, planes and road - its simply what it does, and they are all considered 'travel' to me. At this point its I thought it was pretty well established that wireless head/earphones with ANC are considered good for travel, manufacturers don't have to advertise that as a selling point, do they?

 

[decypher44]

Come on, what the hell else do you need noise cancelling headphones for? Do you really need ANC whilst sitting in your living room? Sure, they remove some of the noise when walking around the streets, but ANC is designed to eliminate the white noise of subway trains, planes and road - its simply what it does, and they are all considered 'travel' to me. At this point its I thought it was pretty well established that wireless head/earphones with ANC are considered good for travel, manufacturers don't have to advertise that as a selling point, do they?

Do you live alone? I live with my wife and daughter. They both work and go to school from home. My wife teaches, so I constantly hear her talk to the class. And my daughter is in classroom for college, and she’s always participating in online video class. On top of that, a freaking “DJ” moved into the house next door, and he practices all the damn time.

So, having NC is pretty freaking important to me at home.

 

[Ma2k5]

Imagine if a car magazine put out a comparison between 3 cars worth around $35k, and 1 car worth $55k, and pretended they were all in the same class and price bracket?! How about some comparisons with other headphones that are also in the $500-600 price bracket?

Those car comparisons always happen...

Also, a lot of the headphones in that range (eg B&O, B&W) have extensively been reviewed and lose to the cheaper Sony/Bose - so this review is actually reviewing the Airpods Max against the best ANC wireless headphones out there, despite the price difference. I have an unlimited budget for these things and it always annoyed me I couldn’t get a more premium version of an XM4, or Bose which had competing sound quality and ANC. The more expensive ones always failed on certain features hard.

I don’t know if the Airpods Max might finally be the one for me though, not a fan of the case, the weight or the much inferior battery life, but we will see.