Are there any differences between the AirPods Pro and the brand new AirPods Max that you need to consider? The AirPods Pro have an in-ear design, while the Max have an over-the-ear design, although there are some differences. This is to be anticipated, given how well-known Apple and the AirPods are as a whole.
Over-ear noise-cancelling headphones from Apple, the AirPods Max, have a larger, more comfortable design. It is clearly worthy of recognition for its unique design, amazing functionality, and sound quality. Some individuals, on the other hand, do not like contemporary headphones’ aesthetics or price.
They are considerably simpler to use, and they include a number of additional capabilities, such as customizable EQ and noise cancellation as its main selling points.
However, I believe the AirPods Max are the greatest choice going forward. There are still other factors to consider as well. It’s a lot more expensive than the standard AirPods.
AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Specification
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|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple | Apple |
| Sound Output Mode | stereo | stereo |
| Type | Over-ear | In-ear |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Rechargeable Battery | rechargeable | rechargeable |
| Run Time (Up To) | 20 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Intelligent Assistant Compatible | Siri | Siri |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | 5.o | 5 |
| Microphone number | 9 | 2 |
| Included Accessories | Smart Case, Lightning to USB-C cable | 3 pairs of silicone ear tips, Lightning to USB-C cable, wireless charging case |
| Color Category | Sky Blue, Space Gray, Silver, Pink, Green | White |
| Width | 6.64 inches | 2.4 in |
| Profile width | 3.28 inches | 0.9 in |
| Height | 7.37 inches | 1.8 in |
| Weight | 13.6 ounces | 1.6 ounces |
Build and Design
AirPods Max headphones have a custom-designed 40-millimeter dynamic driver and custom-made chips by the Apple Company (one in each ear cup). It delivers more personal feedback as it comes to silver, dark-grey, light-blue pink, and light-green. In comparison to AirPods Pro that is covered in iconic white plastic.
However, in a sea of headphones, the AirPods Max will appear almost unrecognizable, although this AirPods is itself a style symbol. The color spectrum of AirPods Max is very appropriate for a retro look. These swivel cans, wrapped in oval memory foam pillows, look enormous. They would surely cover most ears, providing an ideal sound output seal.
The cans are joined by a steel frame headband which stretches into a mesh canopy that prevents the pressure of the head. In the meantime, telescoping arms are slimmer and contain some smart hardware material. The cups are made from aluminum with a single button on each ear, allowing the external noise to be produced between ANC and Transparency Mode.
There is a Digital Crown for change of volume instead of touch buttons, which appears like a bigger version of the Apple Watch Digital Crown. Siri may also be enabled by the Digital Crown. In total there are 9 microphones in AirPods Max.
On the other hand, the AirPods Pro has two microphones, one outdoor for detection of incoming sound cancelable by noise, and one within that senses some sound through a seal, and analyzes how the music responds to your ear’s geometry.
The stem is thinner than in previous AirPods models and has now been cut to a limited degree. You can either pinch or find an embedded Force sensor that allows you to switch from ANC to Transparency modes (more on that later).
The AirPods Max headphones have the best audio quality, but they’re also the most inconvenient and difficult to customize. AirPods Pro are wireless earbuds that vanish in the ear and may be used while exercising to develop a personal style.
Winner: AirPods Max
Noise Cancelling Feature
The AirPods Max has successful noise cancelation, as you might imagine. Both ears including three external mics for noise detection and inside the earcup there is a microphone for sound monitoring. Again, depending on the headset fit and movement, computational audio adapts the noise cancellation in real-time.
There are also noise cancellation functions in AirPods Pro. Continuous repetitive noises like trains are eradicated more or less, while less predictable sounds like chattering in the workplace are relegated to whispers. And as expected, when you start the noise cancellation there is no feeling that air is brushed off your face.
The trend for user-selectable noise-canceling modes was overlooked by Apple. Noise cancelation is either allowed or disabled, instead. The exception is the mode ‘transparency’ where the sound from the outer environment is deliberately possible.
Winner: AirPods Max
Sensors
When the new AirPods respond to taps on the body, the controls of AirPods Pros were transferred to the stalks that are now operated by sensors. Either the stem splits or retrieves a track, a dual squeeze goes ahead, a triple squeeze skips back as well as a longer squeeze switch between the noise modes.
The AirPods Max uses head tracking to create a sound sensation around you. With the built-in gyroscope and accelerometer, the AirPods Max will monitor your head. And as with AirPods Max, built-in positional sensors monitor the wearer’s head and replace the audio in accordance with the movement of the wearer.
Optical sensors are used to decide if even the headphones are on the head; whether you listen to music and raise a cup from your ears, the music ceases, close to when it stops when you take a tiny AirPods from your ear.
Winner: AirPods Max
H1 Chip
Both use the H1 chip, the same interaction with Siri, and the same Transparency Feature Adaptive ANC.
The whole experience is driven by the same H1 chip incorporated in AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. This is known now for the ability to work perfectly wirelessly and very rapidly. There are no drop-outs and automatic coupling that attaches automatically to your handset is enabled to be predictably genius as you reach an earphone.
Transparency Mode
You can only press the noise reduction button to turn to transparency mode to hear stuff around you. However it is surprisingly like wearing a couple of completely non-isolating headphones, such as the original AirPods, and you have both AirPods Pros and AirPods Max.
The mode of clarity resembles that of a pair of totally non-isolating headphones such as the AirPods original. Again according to Apple, this is due to revenue and continuous production. There appears to be a small change of midrange sonority that makes you respond to voices, but it’s achieved so softly that nothing but normal is felt.
You can only press the noise reduction button to turn to transparency mode to hear stuff around you. Spatial Audio is the killer audio element. There are 9 microphones, one of the aspects AirPods Max sets apart from standard AirPods; 8 of them are microphones that cancel sounds, and one is devoted to phones and Siri commands.
Winner: AirPods Max
Other Features
Apple wants a listening environment that’s unmatched at such a premium amount. Both of these headphones are full with new features.
Drivers
It begins with a dynamic driver built by Apple of 40mm. It delivers deep bass, detailed intermediate sounds, and clean high-frequency speeds. There is also an AirPods Max double neodymium ring magnet generator, which makes a harmonic distortion of less than 1 percent even at high volume.
Adaptive EQ
Adaptive EQ is used by both AirPods Max and Pro to adjust the sound depending on the fit and seal of the ear cushions. The sound pulse can be measured to the consumer and frequencies can be modified in real-time.
This is a really impressive feature. Some sound-canceling headphones have a similar trait, but it sometimes tends to be unnatural or synthetic, some of them are quieter than others and which seem not to match the music with regular rhythms.
Connections
They charge with a Lightning-to-USB-C cable, but the package does not have a power adapter. They can be used as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple users, as with other AirPods versions, but Apple warns against the restriction of the feature.
For those times when you want the AirPods Max to be attached to wired networks, as on an airliner, Apple has an Audio Cable Lightning to 3.5 mm. The cable can also be used to connect an iPhone or iPad to speakers using a Lightning port.
The AirPods Pro uses Bluetooth 5.0 that connects quicker and more reliable than previous versions to other smartphones. It can also be attached to other computers.
Siri
The AirPods Max also helps Siri via voice control, while you can click the Digital Crown to enable Siri. But in terms of Airpods Pro, one deception is that Siri which is the only way to change the volume without touching your control pocket. Other manufacturers have effectively moved the volume buttons into their actual wireless gadgets and we would like Apple to do the same.
Waterproof
In addition, AirPods Pro has an IPX4 rating that allows them to carry water sprinklers regardless of the direction. That means that AirPods Pro should not be overloaded but should not be protected from sweat and light rain.
There is no waterproof or water resistance for AirPods Max or Smart Case, so make sure there isn’t any water in any holes. For liquid spills like sweat after a workout, use a dry microfiber towel to clean your AirPods off.
Battery life
Up to 20 hours of listening time are provided by the AirPods Max. Apple also guarantees up to 20 hours of movie streaming with spatial audio for a single charge and up to 20 hours of speaking time for a single charge.
AirPods Pro has a 5-hour audio time which would be very limited if it did not allow the earbuds to be continuously charged in the wireless charging case, thereby allowing up to 24-hour use.
Sound Performance
Comfort
The airy mesh canopy of Air Pods Max spreads weight and reduces head strain. The stainless steel headband Frame is versatile and comfortable. Telescoping bracelets stretch easily and maintain the required fitness.
Nothing groundbreaking when compared to other high-end noise-canceling headphones, but the memory foam ear cushions should provide good cushioning. Compared to comparable premium noise-canceling headphones. They can even be removed and reconnected by magnets, making replacement simple.
In-ear and elliptical headphones have a longer range than AirPods Pro silicone tips. The main body is still larger, but the stem is thinner, making the AirPods Pros less visible when worn.
Third-party fins/hooks that make the fit even safer are now widely available and appreciated by the review crew. Apple provides three sets of tips, two hidden behind a box flap. The advice is to stick to the pre-attached, medium-sized pair and only dabble if you’re worried.
‘Ear Tip Fit Test’ plays five seconds of the assessed music in an effort to detect a sound leakage while recorded. This is great since the pros do not sound like most earphones because they do not burrow into the ear canal as deeply and produce less discomfort.
In short, they are more relaxed, although looseness may be mistaken with relaxation.
Others may find the three silicone ear tip choices inadequate for comfort. The over-ear design and superb sound quality of the AirPods Max may be worth the additional expense.
Winner: AirPods Max
Sound Quality
In order to increase efficiency, these provide high-fidelity sound with adaptive ANC, and computational audio plays an important role. Both offer a fast transparency one-touch mode which unlocks real-world interactions in advance of a quick return to silence, music, or films.
Over-ear headphones typically have superior sound quality than even the finest earbuds, and it is fair to expect that AirPods Max can exceed AirPods Pro in bass depth and quality, and thus provide richer audio overall.
Considering the differences in design, the AirPods Max provide a superior audio experience. The AirPods Max have become my go-to headphones for listening to music across a number of different applications.
They offer a more powerful bass response and great clarity across the whole frequency range compared to other speakers. The best way I can describe the sound is clean. Even at greater levels, the sound is very clear.
While the AirPods Pro sound great, they lack the AirPods Max’s dramatic and enthralling quality. If you’re doing several things at once, such as listening to music, making phone calls, or listening to a podcast, this is very useful. You can adjust the equalization separately in various music applications, from Spotify to Apple Music, on both AirPods’ adaptive equalizer.
Winner: AirPods Max
Price
As the $549 price indicates, these should have the studio standard, as Apple calls the new headphones the last personal listening experience” The AirPods Pro, by comparison, costs $249 but does not deal with top-end headphones. However, AirPods Pro can be useful for personal use.
Apple’s pricing indicates the quality of work, but Apple described the AirPods Max as a seasoned listener. This begs the question of whether the new headphones are safer for home and travel purchasing than AirPods Pro.
Winner: AirPods Pro
AirPods Max
Pros:
- Comfortable Design
- Superb Audio Quality
- Favorable Battery Life
- Ear Detection
- Multiple Color Options
Cons:
- Expensive
- No 2.5mm Or 3.5mm Analog Audio Input
- No Power Button
AirPods Pro
Pros:
- Impressive noise cancellation for the size
- Really great audio quality
- Modern, functional design
- Acceptable battery life
- The pressure-sensitive stem is great
- Still comes with super portable charging case
Cons:
- Silicone tips feel like they could wear out easily
- Still feel very iOS-focused
- Charge via lightning cable
Alternative options
Sony WH-1000XM3
Pros
- Extraordinary noise canceling
- Very comfort
- Generous battery life (30 hours)
- Lots of personalization options via the app
- Hands-free operations.
- Bluetooth and NFC compatible.
- Android and iOS are compatible.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
Cons
- Irritating LED status light flashing on the left ear cup
- A Google Assistant premium price is not very beneficial,
- The app will create some misunderstanding in the selected mode.
Beats Solo 3
Pros
- Fun, energetic sound
- Apple W1 chip enhances experience with iOS devices
- Superb Battery Life
- Detachable cable with inline remote for passive listening
- Rock-solid wireless performance
- Light and comfortable
Cons
- Flimsy, plastic-rich construction
- Not great at handling acoustic music
Verdict
While the AirPods Max is still fresh and yet to be reviewed outside Apple laboratories, the AirPods Pro is a proven quantity with plenty of good feedback to draw on. AirPods Pro is definitely the perfect option for those with little to pay and plan to fly. But Apple’s AirPods Max must be the winner for audio quality and design.
Author’s Pick : Apple AirPods Max
I hope this article will help you to choose between these amazing premium headphones. For Apple users, both of these are kind of must.
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Freelance tech journalist & author of soundboxlab.com …Read More