Prior to now few years, Bose, Sony, Sonos, and Beats have launched premium headphones to compete with one another and Apple’s AirPods Max.
I’ve worn all the AirPods Max’s prime rivals, they usually every excel in several classes. However for an older canine on this struggle, the AirPods Max are nonetheless kicking. Since their 2020 launch (and 2024 re-release), the Max have not obtained many vital software program or {hardware} updates, other than new colours, a USB-C port, and help for lossless audio through USB-C.
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So, 5 years later, set on the backdrop of a possible successor this fall, are the AirPods Max nonetheless price shopping for? After testing the most effective headphones available on the market, this is my shopping for recommendation.
The great: design, system interoperability, and nice sound
One factor is indeniable: the AirPods Max are a gorgeous pair of headphones. They’re easy, modern, and infrequently imitated — but by no means replicated. The chrome steel accents give it an elevated look, no logos or branding make them seem subtle, and the Digital Crown efficiently replaces a number of buttons that may be confused with each other.
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Within the design class, the Sonos Ace are the Max’s closest rival. They’re additionally outlined by clear traces, a easy design, metallic accents, and detachable magnetic ear pads, however have thinner earcups and a lighter construct. The Ace function their very own tackle the Digital Crown with a equally functioning Content material Key, however positioned in an easier-to-reach spot on the ear cup.
The Sonos Ace Content material Key (left) and the AirPods Max’s Digital Crown (proper).
Jada Jones/ZDNET
Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely sport aluminum yokes for enhanced sturdiness, however a lot of the headphone is fabricated from plastic. Equally, Sony’s XM6 is constructed with principally plastic — albeit with supplies which are extremely sustainable.
For Apple customers, the AirPods Max are the definitive over-ear headphones choice, because of their computerized pairing together with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. Whilst they close to their fifth birthday, the AirPods Max nonetheless sound unimaginable by as we speak’s normal. Apple’s Personalised Spatial Audio works fantastically, making a wider soundstage that does not sound too computerized.
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Within the spatial audio division, the Sonos Ace and Beats Studio Professional are fierce rivals, offering an analogous spatial listening expertise.
The AirPods Max have nice noise-canceling talents, owing to their efficiency with eight microphones for energetic noise cancellation (ANC). The Sonos Ace carry out simply in addition to the Max in canceling environmental noise, however Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely and Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are the kings of ANC.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 (left) and Bose QuietComfort Extremely (proper).
Jada Jones/ZDNET
Nonetheless, even 5 years later, the AirPods Max nonetheless have a leg up on all of their rivals’ Transparency Modes. Apple’s Transparency Mode is the clearest, most clear, and most natural-sounding.
The mesh ear pads of the Apple headphones, whereas totally different from these of different manufacturers, have additionally held up effectively. They’re agency with out being exhausting, offering a decent but snug seal round your ears for immersion. The shortage of polyurethane leather-based on the ear pads concurrently provides to their expense and person expertise.
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My colleague, Kerry Wan, ZDNET’s managing editor, says the Max’s mesh ear pads are the most effective issues about them. “I’ve discovered the AirPods Max’s mesh-style ear cushions to alleviate strain and sweat build-up higher than the waxy, silicone-based covers discovered on competing headphones,” he says.
And I’ve to agree; the mesh pads really feel higher towards my pores and skin and handle warmth buildup higher. However with nice energy comes nice duty. The mesh pads take in sweat, oils, and odors as a substitute of protecting them on the floor just like the rivals’ ear pads. Thus, you possibly can both throw them within the wash each occasionally or spend the cash to interchange them.
The dangerous: Software program, all issues battery life, and an ode to consolation
I nonetheless respect Apple’s H1 audio processor, but it surely’s clear that it could’t sustain with the {industry}’s extra superior software program options. That is why AirPods Max customers look longingly out the window when AirPods Professional 2 customers get all the cool software program updates each September.
Nowadays, adaptive noise cancellation is all the fashion. Headphone processors are clever sufficient to take heed to your surroundings’s noise ranges and make use of the suitable quantity of noise cancellation. This function can protect battery life, assist with situational consciousness, and usually be extra handy than manually switching ANC modes.
Additionally: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra: How to choose the best noise-canceling headphone
I usually rag on the Bose QuietComfort Extremely’s brief 24-hour battery life, however Apple’s is shorter at 20 hours. The AirPods Max have poor endurance in comparison with their rivals, with the Sonos Ace and Sony XM6 testing for round 30 hours with ANC on.
The AirPods Max enter low-power mode when positioned within the Sensible Case.
Jada Jones/ZDNET
My recommendation is that you simply should not purchase the AirPods Max if you do not have a minimum of one Apple product, and I usually attribute that to paying for options you possibly can’t use, like Discover My and Personalised Spatial Audio.
Moreover, and not using a companion app, software program updates are wrapped into iOS updates, making it inconceivable to replace your AirPods with out an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. ZDNET’s Kerry Wan is especially an Android person, although he shamelessly admits to protecting an iPhone round to replace the headphones and test the latest features. That is clearly not the case for many customers.
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One other unsurprising caveat is that the AirPods Max are a hefty pair of headphones. They’re heavier than all of their challengers, and their skinny mesh headband does not act as sufficient of a counterweight for the heavy earcups once I put on them for lengthy intervals. The Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Extremely have plushy earcups and sturdier headbands, they usually’re higher suited to long-term put on once I journey or work at my desk.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Because the AirPods Max put together to rejoice their fifth anniversary, it is spectacular that they are nonetheless within the premium headphone dialog; that is a testomony to their efficiency and future proofing. I’ve extra good than dangerous issues to say about them, however I do not assume they’re for everybody, not even for each Apple fan.
In the event you by no means stray from the iOS ecosystem and prioritize design, nice sound, and good noise cancellation, the AirPods Max will serve you effectively. Simply make sure to purchase them on sale; it occurs usually.
In the event you worth an AirPods Max-inspired design, consolation, sound, and full compatibility with iOS and Android, think about the Sonos Ace. If consolation and noise cancellation are on the prime of your checklist, strive the Bose QC Ultra. If impeccable sound, industry-leading noise cancellation are your must-haves, go along with the Sony XM6.
And if you’d like headphones with a easy, clear design that gives elements of Apple’s person interface and helps native Android options, the Beats Studio Pro are for you.
