AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bose ANC 700 | Why did Apple make these?

Having seen a few reviews of the AirPods Max, I thought I knew what to expect, but a lot of what I've heard was wrong. Turns out, the AirPods Max are one of the most fun headphones I've reviewed in a decade. They aren't flawless, though. Here's what Apple got right, and what it got wrong.

So how do the AirPods max stack up against the reigning champ Sony WH-1000XM4, or the very popular Bose ANC 700? Here's our headphone comparison.

Click the links below to buy any of these headphones!

00:00 AirPods Max Unboxing
00:50 Intro
01:42 Design & Comfort
03:07 Connectivity
03:53 Controls
04:35 Battery Life
06:00 The Case
06:21 Noise-Canceling & Transparency Mode
07:29 Sound Quality
09:18 Which pair of headphones is the winner?

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#AirPodsMax #WH1000XM4 #ANC700 #AppleAirPodsMax #SonyWH1000XM4 #BoseANC700 #AirPods #Headphones #ANC #DigitalTrends #Comparison #AirPodsVsBose #AirPodsVsWH1000XM4

[KaranDeshmukh]

As someone on a limited budget, the XM4s made more sense to me, even though I'm deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem. Here in India, the price difference is even more pronounced. The XM4s cost about $343 (on Amazon India) while the AP Max cost the equivalent of $824 (on Apple's official online store). That makes the AP Max nearly $481 more expensive than the XM4s. That gulf in pricing is exorbitant, especially for Indians who have a much lower per-capita income than their US counterparts.

[maliktaukenov]

I chose Sony. Bought one just recently in January. I totally happy, sound is good and voice cancelling is outstanding. Finally fill comfortable in noisy Moscow metro

[g.k]

The title should be: Sony vs Bose vs Purse

[enzlaur]

Reviewers before AirPods Max: "Should have used touch controls rather than buttons"
Reviewers after AirPods Max: "Buttons are better than touch controls"

[MrSamuelini]

I bought the Sony XM4s 2 weeks ago and love them

[franksam]

For me Sony all the way and I own a iPhone and 2 iPad Pro’s

[supercricketfanatic]

Ordered the xm4's before this video was published, this affirms my decision

[JayCatterson]

I have the Sony XM4s. I bought a pair of AirPods Max. I returned them 2 days later. They don’t sound much better than the XM4s, and they’re SUPER HEAVY and so uncomfortable. I had pain around my ears and got headaches from wearing them. Plus I hated the way they shifted whenever I moved my head. They sound great, but horrible execution by Apple.

[jackjmaheriii]

I am an Apple fan boy, and a Sony fan boy. This is a trying time.

[LencoTB]

I tried the AirPods Max today and immediately thought that they were heavy and not something I could see myself walk with for longer periods. XM4 is a delight in how light they feel on the head. I really hoped they weren’t that heavy.

[redi]

Bose meanwhile : Why am I here?? Just to suffer.

[ozzyroscoman]

I will buy the Sony just because I love my bass. Thank you for the review.

[ezragoldberg]

These 700$ headphones will go great with my 999$ Apple stand!

[JKlein]

I'm an Android user, and by no means an apple hater. I love my xm4s. I get why apple keeps things in their ecosystem, but people like me will never try any of their products due to the lack of android support.

[cheongmj]

I had Sony and AirPods Max. The AirPods sound spectacular but it does not have the bass or depth of the Sony when you're out and about. They do well for home audio listening but they don't really match up to open back headphones of the equivalent or less price. It's in this awkward spot and i find them really hard to recommend unless you're really into the ecosystem.

[noahramos]

I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a more hyped intro to a simple headphone comparison video in my entire life good on you guys keep up the good work

[iancuspinera]

I remember a audio engineer said no flagship headphone is gonna give you the best audio experience you can have, but at least you can get close to it with Sony and Audiotechnica. I'll take the Sony's. Best price/value ratio, and quality is great.

[haula]

I’m definitely sure that Sony can make way better xm5 than AirPod max on these price point ❤️

[TailoringTalk]

I’ve always had problems with comfort - the XM4, Beats Studio 3, Bose QC35 I’ve had them all. I get ear pressure and they get hot quick. I’ve not had that problem with the AirPods Max and they’re the first over ears I’ve been able to wear for hours on end. That’s just me personally but having wasted money and time buying headphones over the years the fact the AirPods have worked so well for me and I use them constantly justifies the price paid. Sound quality, amazing ANC and Transparency mode are bonuses as far as I’m personally concerned!

[walmartpimp]

The first time I saw the AirPods Max I was enchanted. They are just so elegant and pristine I had to have them. I have had the Beats Studio 2.0’s, Sennheiser Momentum 2.0’s, Beats Studio 3.0’s, Microsoft Surface Headphones, and I currently have the Sony WH-1000MX3’s and the blue AirPods Max. The AirPods Max sound better than any headphones I’ve ever had, and they look better than any headphones I’ve ever had. The Sony’s come close in sound quality, but they are fugly in the looks department. When it comes to music, my AirPods Max sound 20% better than my MX3’s, but when it comes to watching movies on the iPad or iPhone the spatial audio feature on the AirPods nukes my MX3’s. If you have money to burn than get both the MX4’s and AirPods Max, if you can only buy one or the other and you plan on using them for working out or don’t have any other Apple devices buy the MX4’s. If you don’t need a pair of headphones for working out and just want a great pair for home or traveling get the AirPods Max.