The AirPods Max are Apple's high-end over-ear headphones and stand for impressive sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC) and an elegant design. Since their release in 2020, they have secured a firm place in the premium segment. But with the new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and the 2024 USB-C update for the AirPods Max, the question arises: Which AirPods are better suited to your needs?
In this buying guide, we take a closer look at the AirPods Max, examine their strengths and compare them to popular in-ear models like the AirPods Pro. Whether you're a music lover looking for the best sound or a practical companion for everyday life, this guide will help you make the right decision.
Technical features of the AirPods Max
- audio quality:
- High-resolution sound with a special dynamic driver from Apple.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for an immersive sound experience.
- Adaptive EQ that automatically adjusts the sound to the fit and position of the headphones.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC):
- Powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce ambient noise.
- Transparency mode that allows ambient noise to pass through when needed.
- Design and comfort:
- Over-ear design with acoustic foam ear pads for comfort and cushioning.
- Stainless steel headband with a breathable mesh that distributes pressure evenly.
- Digital crown to control volume, playback and calls, similar to Apple Watch.
- Chip and connectivity:
- Apple H1 chip in each earbud for faster connections and stable wireless performance.
- Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless connection with Apple devices and other compatible devices.
- battery life: Up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC or Spatial Audio enabled.
- charging and connection: Lightning connector for charging and wired audio playback with an optional Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable.
- sensors: Optical sensors, position sensor, case sensor, accelerometer and gyroscope for intelligent control and automatic detection when the headphones are removed.
- compatibility: Fully compatible with iPhones, iPads and Macs. Also compatible with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
AirPods Max Update 2024 – what’s new?
On September 9, 2024 Apple released an update for the AirPods Max Here are the most important changes:
- USB-C port:
The biggest innovation in the AirPods Max is the change from Lightning to USB-C for charging and connection. - New colors:
There were new color options added, including midnight (blue), Starlight (violet) and Orange. - No hardware upgrades:
Apart from the change to the USB-C port, the technical specifications unchanged. The H1 chip remains the same, and there was no introduction of a H2 chips or other significant performance improvements.
AirPods Max vs. AirPods Pro
Sound quality comparison – over-ear vs. in-ear
The AirPods Max offer outstanding Hi-Fi sound quality, which is achieved by combining major drivers and the over-ear design enables particularly clear and precise sound reproduction. The larger volume of the headphones ensures that every sound is reproduced in great detail. The over-ear design allows the listener to completely immerse themselves in the music, resulting in an overall spatial and immersive experience.
In comparison, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) for in-ear headphones an impressive sound quality, which are made possible by technologies such as Personalized Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ These features adapt the sound to the individual shape of your ears and create a powerful, immersive listening experience. Nevertheless, the AirPods Pro Due to their design, they cannot match the sound quality of the AirPods Max. The compact design of the in-ear headphones cannot deliver the same physical depth and sound volume that the larger housing of the AirPods Max enables. The AirPods Max show their strengths especially in the lower frequencies and the spatial imaging of instruments by offering a wider sound stage and clearly highlighting even the finest details in complex pieces of music.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in comparison
The over-ear design of the AirPods Max combined with the powerful ANC technology ensure particularly effective noise cancellation. Ambient noise is completely isolated, making them an attractive option especially for frequent travelers and commuters. This function is particularly useful in noisy environments such as airplanes.
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) also have excellent ANC, which is impressively strong for in-ear headphones. Although their smaller design and silicone tips mean they don't offer the same level of passive noise isolation as the AirPods Max, for many users the performance is perfectly sufficient.
Both standard AirPods you have to go for at least the 4th generation if you don't want to miss out on active noise cancellation. This is almost as powerful in the standard model as in the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). However, the open design means that less noise is passively isolated and therefore more ambient noise is allowed through.
portability and suitability for everyday use
Due to their size and weight, the AirPods Max are less portable than the in-ear models.This makes them more interesting for use at home or in the office and less useful for sports or daily mobile use.
The AirPods Pro, on the other hand, are much more practical for everyday use. They fit in any pocket and are ideal for sports or quick use on the go. Their sweat and water resistance (IPX4) also makes them a better choice for active users.
battery life and charging options
The AirPods Max offer a battery life of up to 20 hours with noise cancellation and spatial audio enabled. The larger design allows for longer listening times without frequent charging, whereas the in-ear AirPods offer shorter listening sessions and need to be charged more often. The AirPods Pro and the AirPods 3 and 4 offer around 6 hours of listening time with ANC and up to 30 hours in total with the charging case.
Conclusion - Which model suits you?
The AirPods Max are Apples high-end over-ear headphones, which through their excellent sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC) and that comfortable over-ear design They offer a particularly precise sound reproduction with a wide sound stage and are ideal for music lovers or users who enjoy longer listening sessions with maximum comfort and sound volume Thanks to the USB-C update in 2024, they are also future-proof without having received significant hardware upgrades.
In comparison, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) a strong performance for in-ear headphones, including Personalized spatial audio and adaptive EQ. Although they do not offer the same sound volume and depth as the AirPods Max, they are still a compact and suitable for everyday useThey are particularly suitable for active users who value portability and sweat and water resistance place.
However, if you want active noise cancellation but don't prefer an over-ear design, the AirPods 4 are the first to offer ANC in an open design. They're almost as powerful as the AirPods Pro, but the open design passively isolates less noise.
In summary
Choose the AirPods Max if you're looking for maximum sound quality and comfort, or the AirPods Pro if you prefer compactness and everyday usability. The AirPods 4 are a great choice if you want ANC in a standard model at a lower price.
FAQ - your questions about the AirPods Max
How long does the battery of the AirPods Max last?
The AirPods Max offer up to 20 hours Listening time when activated active noise cancellation (ANC) or Spatial Audio.
How to charge AirPods Max?
The AirPods Max are powered by the Lightning connector loaded. The 2024 update now offers the possibility to use the headphones via a USB-C port to load.
Are the AirPods Max waterproof?
No, the AirPods Max are not water or sweat resistant, so they should not be used in heavy rain or during intense sporting activities.
Do the AirPods Max support lossless audio?
The AirPods Max support no wireless lossless audio, although Apple Music offers Lossless Audio. However, you can listen to Lossless Audio via a Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable use, but with restrictions.
What is Transparency Mode on AirPods Max?
The transparency mode lets ambient noise through so you can be aware of your surroundings while listening to music. This feature is especially useful in situations where you need to be aware of your surroundings.
