AirPods Max vs. AirPods Pro: Discover key differences in sound, noise cancellation, and convenience to help you choose the best option.
Introduction
If you look at the history of wireless headphones, it’s not a surprise that Apple has made the AirPods line. Both regular listeners and audiophiles would enjoy having the Apple AirPods Pro or the Apple AirPods Max. Each has some advantages over the other. However, which one is more suitable for your requirements? This article will talk about everything that matters, from the device’s size and flexibility to its build quality, noise cancellation, and sound quality.
For a closer look, check out the AirPods Max vs. AirPods Pro – Are They Worth $300 More? video.
AirPods Max vs. AirPods Pro: Key Comparison Points
Portability and Design
In terms of portability, AirPods Pro is the winner. They are small enough to fit in a charge case that is small enough to fit in your pocket. On the other hand, the AirPods Max come in a case that looks more like a bag. This case can put the headphones into deep sleep mode, but it’s not as easy to carry around. The AirPods Pro are, in fact, the best choice if you like to listen to music on the go and want to save time.
Build Quality
AirPods Max on the other hand boasts on the build quality with its nice looking design. The AirPods Max consists of aluminum, stainless steel and soft fabric that gives one a feeling of a high-end product.
Whereas AirPods Pro is completely composed of plastic but is surprisingly well built. Yes it is built well but is not able to stand up to the metal and fabric combination used in the making of AirPods Max.
Control Features
The control methods of the AirPods’ range are quite different. AirPods Max has a digital crown which makes it possible to adjust volume and playback control by simply pressing and rotating the crown.
AirPods Pro has a simpler technique which allows the user to toggle between songs using a set of modes that involve squeezing the stem of the Pro. The methods are excellent and very efficient.
An important piece of information is that Pro users have to ask Siri to adjust the volume but Max gives volume control directly to the users.
Audio Cable Compatibility
Using a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter to connect the AirPods Pro is a great feature over the AirPods Max. The Max is a great choice for recording workstations because it has this great feature for people who use devices that don’t have Bluetooth.
Comparison of Battery Life
For the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro, battery life is as per varying usage modes. AirPods Max has 20 hours of listening time on a single charge, which is remarkable for over-ear headphones. AirPods Pro can last 4-5 hours per charge and 24 hours with the charging case.
The Pro delivers a fifth of an hour from a five-minute charge, but the Max gives one and a half hours.
Results of Latency Test
For gamers and video editors in general, latency is one of the critical concerns. The AirPods Pro have an admirably low average latency of about 150 milliseconds, especially for wireless earphones. It’s interesting to see that AirPods Max users have shared similar low latency experiences. This shows how few options there are for customers who usually have a lot of game or media work options, especially when you consider how low the latency can be.
Microphone Quality Test
In ideal conditions, both models are quite good at recording audio for both clean environments and mildly loud ambience. The Pro model and Max model were studied and tried again, and the Max models did better at making recordings clearer and isolating noise. This may be because the microphones got bigger, which made the driver bigger as well.
Want more microphone insights? Check out AirPods Max Review in 2024 – Still Misunderstood!.
Sound Quality: AirPods Max vs. Airpods pro
For a majority of people, the main and most important factor is how well the audio sounds which begs the question of how well do these devices perform. Here is a closer look:
- Vocals and Highs: There is a clearer soundstage with the Max, which makes the experience more enjoyable with its richer tones, which makes high notes a lot easier and more natural, and, as a result, serves as a smoother experience as well.
- Bass Response: When it comes with the AirPods Max, what really sets them apart is how much attention they pay to the bass. They also have powerful, deep, and rich sounds that you can feel as well as hear. For Earbuds, the AirPods Pro does handle bass quite well, but it isn’t able to achieve the full bodied depth of the Max, which is a shame.
- Rock and Classical Music: The same goes for max, there is a sense of increase in clarity especially with rock and classical tracks where one might find the separation of instruments as extremely important.
Overall, the AirPods Pro can hold its own against most comparisons and maintain comfort, but it can’t match the comfort of over-ear headphones. This leads us to believe that the AirPods Max offer the most comfortable and wide sound quality, similar to a concert.
Noise Cancellation Performance
High-frequency noises are blocked out by the mics in the AirPods Max, which is their best feature. This makes the Max one of the best devices for blocking out noise. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro is useful as well but is more effective at blocking out smaller sounds as it is much smaller in size, but it is not as great as the Max in this regard. Overall, if the goal is to maximize protect any distractions, the AirPods Max are the way to go.
Transparency Mode
The AirPods Max introduces the right kind of functionality for effective transparency that allows a natural sound to be produced, something the AirPods users would enjoy. However, I am afraid the Pro version does not sound that clear.
Real-World Reviews and Feedback
Social media interaction that allows users to engage within enhanced spaces, and here are some of what people voiced out.
@SoonerCreative_ was a fan of how many loved AirPods Max due to the rich quality they provide for fans of classical and rock music.
Alright, I think I'm all in on the iPhone 16 Pro and the AirPods Pro 2. The upgrade on the phone from the 14 Pro will be worth it, but I'm still undecided on Pro vs. Pro Max. The AirPods sill be MUCH needed since mine die in about an hour.
— Sooner (@SoonerCreative_) September 9, 2024
The Watch Series 10 I'm on the fence… pic.twitter.com/vOH1su7qRz
According to @macrumorslive, yes both items keep their worth though he did admit that from his experience, Max has the best noise cancellation.
Apple is refreshing the AirPods Max with new colors and USB-C. Available in Midnight, Blue, Purple, Orange and Starlight. Pricing still starts at $549, preorders today, launch September 20. pic.twitter.com/yTP8Y7brKC
— MacRumorsLive (@macrumorslive) September 9, 2024
As written by @superscientific, for his everyday use, the AirPods Pro was his go to because of its size.
I got my Airpods Pro Late but here are my initial impressions:
— Danny Winget (@superscientific) October 31, 2019
-Fit is so much better than OG Airpods
-ANC is decent. Not great but good
-Transparency Mode is 👌🏻
-Sound is slightly better than OG Airpods especially overall volume but not huge.
What are your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/52k3xtRmtM
These are also sentiments shared by other users that are worth paying attention to:
AppleInsider on AirPods Pros’ performance
#Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro
— AppleInsider (@appleinsider) April 1, 2024
Which style of headphones do you prefer?👀
Let us know! pic.twitter.com/4yvaKQoaR2
Comparison spotlight: Audio Pods vs AirPods Pro vs AirPods Max on Apple Vision Pro#Apple #AppleVisionProhttps://t.co/AdDjY2hPpo
— AppleInsider (@appleinsider) April 16, 2024
Final Verdict: Is AirPods Max Worth the Extra Investment?
Otherwise, it’s really up to how the individual would like to use their hearing devices.
- The AirPods Pro is rather a good fit for those who require some level of comfort and portability. These earbuds are amazing for their sound and even function for their size.
- The AirPods Max are the best choice if you are an audiophile who wants great noise cancelation or an immersive experience. The cost difference justifies the build quality, sound performance and dynamic noise cancelation that it provides.
Amazon allows me to express myself creatively through their newly introduced AirPods Max, Check it out below!
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation with Wireless MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) with Apple 1 Year Limited Warranty (Wireless Charger)
Some FAQs
- Between Airpods Max and Pro, who does the better job in cancelling noise?
Max’s slightly better noise cancellation is due to the fact that it is an over-ear headphone, while Pro is an in-ear headphone. Over ear headphones typically have more microphones thus which increases its ability to block out noise. - Is the variance in pricing between AirPods Max and Pro justified in terms of features provided?
Audiophiles would say that the AirPods Max are worth the price because of the sound quality, build, and sound they produce. But AirPods Pro would be better for people who only listen to music sometimes, which is probably most people who don’t already have AirPods Max or Pro. - Is there a possibility to connect Airpods Max and Pro towards other devices other than Apple’s line-up?
There is a possibility to connect other wireless devices that are not from apple, all you have to do is connect using Bluetooth but some specific features targeted towards enhancing user experience will not be present. - Which model provides better battery life when comparing between AirPods Max and Pro?
AirPods Pro provide around 5 hours of battery life from the get go while Airpods Max provide approximately 20–25 hours to the user. This is true as well since the whole case adds usage time exceeding 24 hours. - Which is better and more convenient for travel purposes, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max?
If you’re not careful, AirPods Max could get lost in your bag while you’re away. This is because of how they’re made and how well their case fits in your pocket. - In terms of sound, do AirPods Max outperform AirPods Pro?
Without a doubt, the AirPods Max have a broader sound spectrum and make it easier to hear more details during playback. This is especially true for classical music, rock music with a heavy bass line, and other types of music.
For further details on how to make the best of AirPods Pro, I encourage you to check out the video AirPods Pro 2 Hidden Features, Tips, And Tricks.
Conclusion
The AirPods Pro and Max are both great options for a variety of users, with each type being better suited to a certain type of use. They can be used for work or play, while traveling or just listening to music. If you want the best sound quality, the best looks, and the best noise-canceling features, you should look at the AirPods Max. If you don’t mind a little less sound quality in exchange for a smaller and lighter device, the AirPods Pro is the better choice. Choosing the right product in this case really depends on how one uses the devices on an everyday basis.
Pros and Cons Summary
| Feature | AirPods Max | AirPods Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation | Superior | Excellent |
| Transparency Mode | Very Natural | Excellent |
| Portability | Bulky | Highly Portable |
| Sound Quality | Exceptional | Excellent |
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 24 hours with case |
| Price | $549 | $249 |
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