AirPods Max

"The soundstage and airiness is very impressive for Bluetooth closed back headphones and much better than the XM5’s."

The sound quality is frequently lauded as a major strength, with users highlighting its clarity, spaciousness, and accurate reproduction, often preferring it over competitors even after EQ adjustments.

"However this much lighter design thanks to the materials chosen results in supreme comfort whereas the AirPods Max shows its weight after an hour or two on my head."

While some find the AirPods Max comfortable, a significant number of users report issues with the weight causing discomfort during extended use, and some mention pressure points or heat build-up.

"The AirPods Max has a 20-hour battery life which is inferior to the XM5s on paper but still more than enough for me since all I needed was 8-10 hours of run time to get me through the office for the day."

Battery life is considered adequate for most daily use cases, but it is notably inferior to many competitors, and the lack of a power-off switch is a recurring complaint.

"The AirPods Max feel like their price tag although it doesn’t translate too well in terms of listening comfort for some users."

The build quality is almost universally praised as exceptional, with users frequently describing the materials and construction as premium and luxurious.

"Call quality between the two is also excellent but the XM5s edge out the AirPods Max in the ability to literally make you sound like you’re in a quiet room despite there being wind or noises in the background."

Call quality is generally considered good, but users note that competitors often outperform the AirPods Max in actively reducing background noise during calls.

"The AirPods Max on the other hand are only really customizable on an iOS device through the Bluetooth settings and even then, there’s far less customization."

Seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem is a major plus, but the limited customization options compared to competitors and the proprietary Lightning port are seen as drawbacks.

"Musical, detailed, dynamic and spacious sound justifies their lofty price Natural, appealing balance and cohesive organisation"

The sound quality is widely lauded as superb, detailed, and engaging, with a natural tone that audiophiles and casual listeners alike appreciate.

"The Apple AirPods Max 2 is one of the heaviest headphones we’ve tested: The weight. The AirPods Max 1 and 2 are the heaviest wireless noise cancelling headphones we’ve tested for the class."

While many find the AirPods Max comfortable for long periods due to the design, the significant weight is a recurring con that causes discomfort for others.

"Unfortunately, I would say that battery life is the weakest aspect for the AirPods Max 2, and was hoping it would have been improved from the 1st Gen."

The 20-hour battery life is considered on the low side and a significant drawback compared to many competitors, especially given the premium price.

"One strong advantage of the AirPods Max 2 is premium build quality, especially against its plasticky competitors from Sony and Bose at its price range."

The build quality is universally praised as exceptional, with premium materials like aluminum and stainless steel setting them apart from competitors.

"Call quality so far appears to be very good – I’ve chatted to a friend for an hour on an outdoor walk with no complaints."

Call quality is generally considered good and clear, with one reviewer noting it was so good a friend didn't realize they were on hands-free.

"Superb iOS integration Below-par 20 hours battery life USB-C wired lossless audio (24-bit/48kHz) 3.5mm audio cable costs extra"

Features like Spatial Audio and seamless Apple ecosystem integration are highly praised, but the lack of a folding design and the peculiar case are noted negatives.

"I've never heard music this good. This is completely insane."

The sound quality is frequently highlighted as a major strength, with users describing it as amazing, outstanding, and a significant upgrade.

"They are just too heavy and squeezed my head too much. The fatigue effect was much worse on those."

While some find the AirPods Max comfortable, a significant number of users report them being too heavy and causing discomfort or fatigue during extended use.

"Battery life is ridiculous, and I’ve been less than careful with them."

Battery life is generally considered good, with some users finding it 'ridiculous' and 'outstanding,' though not a standout feature compared to some competitors.

"They are SUPER durable. SUPER comfortable. SUPER convenient."

The build quality is often described as premium and durable, though some users note issues with the headband mesh losing tightness over time.

"The microphone is fine"

Mentions of call quality are mixed and often overshadowed by complaints about the price, with some finding it 'fine' and others stating it sounds 'like absolute shit'.

"The fact that you can’t manually turn them off is such a turn off"

Seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem is a major draw, but the lack of a power button, the 'stupid' case, and limited Android support are significant drawbacks.