AirPods Max vs. AirPods Professional: What is Apple’s Easiest Pair of Noise-Cancelling Headphones?

Likelihood is that you could have come to this tale as a result of you wish to have a couple of AirPods, and you are deciding between the AirPods Max and the AirPods Professional. Sure, there are many different very good headphones and true wi-fi earphones with robust ANC (energetic noise cancellation) available in the market that aren’t made by means of Apple, however let’s set the ones apart and think you indisputably need a pair of AirPods. The usual AirPods don’t seem to be in the similar league because the AirPods Max or AirPods Professional with regards to sound high quality or noise cancellation features, so we’ve got left them out of this comparability.

It’s no longer incessantly we evaluate earphones and headphones as they have a tendency to be fairly other, however the $549 AirPods Max and the $249 AirPods Professional provide a novel case in that they each be offering many identical options, like top of the range ANC, spatial audio, hands-free Siri get admission to, and Apple’s H1 chip for a unbroken pairing procedure with iOS gadgets. So it is sensible that iPhone and iPad customers, specifically, can be attracted to headphones which are designed to paintings in particular with their gadgets. Taking into account the $300 other in value, alternatively, opting for between the AirPods Max and AirPods Professional is not a call to be made frivolously, and we are right here that can assist you work out which pair you will have to get.

First, Who Shouldn’t Get AirPods?

We’ll be blunt right here: The costs for either one of those fashions are excessive, so in the event you’re searching for a cut price, that’s no longer going to occur with both the AirPods Max or Professional. Take a look at our roundups of the most productive noise-cancelling headphones and the most productive noise-cancelling true wi-fi earphones for an inventory of extra inexpensive possible choices.

The AirPods are made to paintings with iOS/iPad OS, so if you do not use an Apple telephone or pill, you can be lacking out on a large number of the wow issue. That isn’t to mention the AirPods do not shine on their very own, you simply would possibly not be getting the entire enjoy.

In spite of everything, audiophiles and purists in the hunt for a super-accurate listening enjoy will have to avoid AirPods. Those are audio signatures designed for listeners who don’t thoughts a variety of boosting and sculpting. Do not be expecting a lot regulate over the sonics, both—neither pair has adjustable EQ. Sure, Apple Track has integrated EQ, however there’s no graphic EQ within the settings menu for both pair of AirPods.

Lively Noise Cancellation

At their easiest, the AirPods Max have probably the most tough ANC for low frequencies we’ve examined thus far. At their worst, they’re nonetheless beautiful cast, however mysteriously inconsistent. The ANC here’s adaptive, and whilst that’s most commonly a excellent factor, it can lead to some inconsistent noise cancellation. It is in a position to totally getting rid of tough low-frequency rumble such as you’d pay attention on an plane, however in the event you modify the have compatibility of the headphones even moderately, that noise cancellation can exchange. Infrequently a legitimate being cancelled out will in fact be louder in a single ear, although the sound is just about equivalent in each ears while you pay attention it with the headphones off. However in the event you get a outcome you don’t suppose is superb, all it’s important to do is flip your head somewhat or shift the earcups and, in most cases, the ANC will recalculate and (typically) fortify.

Highs are somewhat problematic for the AirPods Max. Examined in opposition to a recording of a crowded eating place, they have got no drawback with the lows and mids, however the highs would reputedly go in the course of the ANC every now and then undetected, virtually as though they have been being highlighted or the headphones have been in ambient mode. This, too, wasn’t a wholly constant factor in trying out, however in most cases talking, the headphones fare higher with lows and mids. 

The in-ear Execs, in the meantime, are way more constant of their noise cancellation. They do not hit the similar highs, and they do not hit the similar lows (each figuratively and actually). They are able to’t dial again bass rumble just like the Max can, and whilst they do an ideal task with lows and mids, they can also combat somewhat getting rid of the very best frequencies. However in addition they do not have a tendency to shift as wildly while you transfer them round.

So we’ll say that the AirPods Max are in a position to probably the most tough ANC, however their adaptive way incessantly ends up in inconsistencies, whilst the in-ear AirPods Professional are way more constant, if much less tough in opposition to deep bass drones and rumble. In the end, each are top-notch ANC choices.

Winner: Tie

Audio Efficiency

Apple more than likely attempted actually onerous to check the sound signatures of the AirPods Max and Professional, which isn’t any simple feat as a result of your ears will naturally pay attention issues another way when listening thru headphones as opposed to earphones. In most cases, the variations may also be drastic, however right here the variations between the 2 sound signatures listed here are delicate. Each spice up the lows to a point, however no longer an excessive amount of, and each be offering crisp high-mids and highs.

I’d say that, between the 2, the in-ear AirPods Professional sound somewhat extra sculpted—they are each somewhat extra bass-forward and brighter, however we are speaking only a smidge. The over-ear Max headphones sound somewhat extra herbal and not more sculpted, however once more, no longer wildly so. Listening for drastic variations whilst taking part in our check suite, the bass drum on a selected monitor would possibly have somewhat extra low-end push in the course of the AirPods Professional, however simply slightly. And that may have extra to do with the in-canal seal than the drivers themselves.

So, sonically, it’s somewhat of a toss-up. One be aware of passion: Each fashions simplest enhance AAC and SBC Bluetooth streaming (there’s no AptX enhance). That is no actual marvel for an Apple product, however you will have to nonetheless be expecting extra out of your conventional high-fidelity, dear headphones or earphones. Regardless, they each sound nice—exaggerated, certain, however extra subtly sculpted than a variety of competing fashions we check.

Winner: Tie

Fingers-Loose Siri, iOS Integration, and Spatial Audio

The enjoy for all the above-mentioned options is just about an identical with the AirPods Max and AirPods Professional. Neither has a notable benefit relating to Siri, spatial audio, or how the headphones paintings together with your iPhone or iPad. That mentioned, those options are both totally or most commonly distinctive to AirPods, so it is value going into somewhat extra element.

For starters, each fashions paintings fairly neatly with hands-free Siri instructions. Integrated mics select your voice up, and Siri can come up with climate studies or play your Apple Track requests inside of seconds, amongst many different chances. You’ll additionally disable this selection if you do not want the mic to at all times be on.

iOS integration is otherwise those fashions stand out. They each mechanically cause an on-screen pairing procedure together with your iPhone or iPad when used for the primary time. This actually simplest saves you a small step of handbook pairing, however it is a cool approach to get started issues off, and it provides a way of luxurious to the consumer enjoy, with the sensation that the goods are tailored for one every other. When you personal each pairs and they are each attached in your iPhone, your telephone will locate which pair you are dressed in and turn to that one. It is impressively fast, and saves a large number of further Bluetooth menu paintings. Every type additionally has its personal settings menus on your software’s Bluetooth menu to make some fundamental changes.

Spatial audio is every other cool function, however in the long run, it is nonetheless roughly a gimmick. It takes 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos movie audio and applies an impact that makes it appear as despite the fact that it is taking place within a room or theater. It is not encompass sound, however somewhat of magic that creates a relatively extra sensible sense of area. It sounds nice on each pairs of headphones, most likely somewhat extra so at the Max, however no longer sufficient to tip the scales by hook or by crook.

Winner: Tie

Have compatibility

Earphones have compatibility everybody another way. My very own intensive use of the AirPods Professional tells me that folks with ears like mine will most commonly experience them, however would possibly to find that the have compatibility has a tendency to get much less and not more protected because the day is going on. For brief-term listening situations, this is not a large worry, but when your day is full of a number of lengthy Zoom conferences, chances are you’ll really feel them begin to wiggle and unfasten. This might be much less noteworthy if Apple incorporated extra eartip have compatibility choices, however in its true minimalist type, you get 3 white eartip pairs to paintings with, and no stabilizer fins or hooks.

If there’s something you be told temporarily dressed in the AirPods Professional for a protracted length, it’s that you simply will have to by no means modify them by means of casually grabbing the stems, except you wish to have to by chance cause the contact controls and play or pause track playback. It’s unlucky, as a result of adjusting the have compatibility by means of seeking to protected the slippery rounded height a part of the earpiece is much less efficient. Sparsely grabbing the stems is indisputably one of the simplest ways to temporarily modify the have compatibility, and with some apply, it may be performed with out misfiring at the regulate panel.

With the AirPods Max, those issues roughly cross out the window. The have compatibility may be very protected and not likely to require a lot adjustment over lengthy listening classes. That mentioned, while you do modify the have compatibility, you do not want to drag down from the highest of the earcups—that is the place the controls are, and it’s really easy to by chance bump the Virtual Crown regulate and play track or all at once blast the quantity.

If we’re speaking about which pair is prone to retain its ultimate have compatibility over the process an hour or extra, the AirPods Max have the transparent benefit. Even if have compatibility is subjective, the Max’s scarf is extra adaptable to other head shapes than the 3 pairs of AirPods Professional eartips are to other ear canals.

Winner: AirPods Max

Primary Design Variations and Battery Lifestyles

The AirPods Max and AirPods Professional couldn’t glance or really feel extra other, however that is glaring. Previous the shape components, despite the fact that, there are nonetheless a variety of notable design variations to focus on. As an example, the AirPods Professional have an IPX4 ranking, which means they are able to resist gentle splashes and will have to be positive to wipe down with a moist material. The AirPods Max don’t have any IP ranking, and due to this fact you should not get them rainy.

Controls at the AirPods Professional are treated with urgent or retaining at the stems of every earpiece—they’re simple to function and reasonably intuitively laid out. We’ll give the threshold to the AirPods Max right here, despite the fact that, which merely have extra actual property to paintings with. The Virtual Crown is a dial/button combo that handles many of the fundamental purposes gracefully, and there’s a devoted ANC button that may transfer between 3 modes.

Charging is every other fundamental purposeful design distinction. The AirPods Max use a Lightning-to-USB-C cable for charging, and don’t send with an influence adapter for shops. This implies in the event you don’t have a approach to fee them by means of USB-C, you’ll want to purchase an adapter. The AirPods Professional, alternatively, additionally fee (within their incorporated battery case) by means of a Lightning-to-USB-C cable, however the case could also be appropriate with Qi wi-fi charging pads. There’s not anything similar with the AirPods Max—their incorporated Sensible Case simply places the headphones into sleep mode.

And talking of the Sensible Case, whilst it appears to be like roughly cool, its floor is a mud magnet and it rarely protects the headphones in any respect. What seems like probably the most susceptible a part of the AirPods Max—the knit mesh cover—sits out of the case within the open with 0 coverage.

In terms of battery existence, the AirPods Max have kind of 20 hours of battery existence, whilst the AirPods Professional have round 5 hours of battery existence, with every other 20 hours within the charging case. Evaluating battery existence between cumbersome over-ear headphones and tiny true wi-fi earphones is like evaluating apples with oranges, however in the long run, each are beautiful moderate of their respective classes.

Winner: Tie

Worth

Merely put, you’ll purchase two pairs of AirPods Professional for the cost of a couple of AirPods Max—and also have $50 to spare. There’s no query which type wins the price cutting war. The AirPods Professional be offering probably the most easiest in-ear ANC we’ve examined, and are some of the maximum inexpensive of the highest true wi-fi fashions, making them a relative cut price.

Not anything concerning the $550 AirPods Max may also be described as a cut price. The headphones are implausible, sure, however their closest pageant, the $399.95 Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and the $349.99 Sony WH-1000XM4, each value considerably much less. Package deal that with the truth that the AirPods Max aren’t prone to get a markdown anytime quickly, and what we you’ve gotten is a couple of lovely, extremely efficient ANC headphones that, even with all in their positives taken into consideration, are overpriced.

Winner: AirPods Professional

It Comes Right down to Price

Do I believe you’ll be apologetic about spending $550 at the AirPods Max? No—if you’ll come up with the money for them, I believe you’ll actually experience near to the entirety they carry to the desk. I do need to admit that, for probably the most phase, the AirPods Max are moderately higher than the AirPods Professional within the ANC realm, and extra visually pleasurable. You’ll simply have spend two times up to you are going to for a couple of AirPods Professional.

However I’m no longer certain the variation is sufficient to warrant the associated fee gulf between them. In my opinions of each fashions, simplest the AirPods Professional earned our Editors’ Selection award, and you’ll wager that pricing has so much to do with it. Buck for the buck, you merely can not deny that the AirPods Professional be offering a lot better price, making them the simpler selection for most of the people.

If you wish to have extra assist deciding, and you are keen to appear past Apple, take a look at our tales on AirPods Professional vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and AirPods Max vs. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4.