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eclipse01

macrumors 68030
Original poster
May 16, 2011
2,844
404
Eau Claire, WI
Maybe i've missed it in my research, but i'm wondering how well Apple ANC cancels out background noise compared to the competition?
 

jazz1

Contributor
Aug 19, 2002
4,675
19,790
Mid-West USA
Maybe i've missed it in my research, but i'm wondering how well Apple ANC cancels out background noise compared to the competition?
Well I can state that the AirPods Max's ANC is better than my Bowers & Wilkins PX7. Not that I don't like the PX7, but the AirPods Max is superior in that way. Also the "transparency" hear through is like super hearing!
 
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mackya99

macrumors member
Feb 21, 2019
32
30
Maybe i've missed it in my research, but i'm wondering how well Apple ANC cancels out background noise compared to the competition?
It beats out all the other over the ear bluetooth headphones I have tried. Also, the transparency mode is really something special.
 
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Otflyer

macrumors 65816
Nov 14, 2017
1,474
999
SF Bay Area
I have the QC 35 and xm4’s. To my ears the Max’s anc is the best. If you’re in the Apple eco system they can’t be beat.
 
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CyBeRino

macrumors 6502a
Jun 18, 2011
744
46
I'd say the noise cancellation is in the same league as the Sony's is, one slightly ahead of the other depending on situation, but Apple's transparency mode is ridiculously far ahead.
 
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Cashmonee

macrumors 65832
May 27, 2006
1,504
1,245
As the others said, the transparency is really in a class of its own. It is at as good at ANC as well. However, for myself, I have found the pressure the APM produce to aid ANC is pretty hefty. They certainly can cause me to feel sick. YMMV.
 

Telesmurfen

macrumors regular
Apr 18, 2016
238
343
I own both the AirPods Max and the Sony WH-1000XM4, and to me the XM4s have better ANC.
The reason is that with my APM, I get a small gap beneath my ears when I turn my head, which affects the ANC a lot. Getting a good seal is alpha and omega to good noise cancellation, and as long as I sit perfectly still, or don't turn my head, the ANC of the APM is great! But, as soon as I turn my head, there's this gap that lets the noise in. I've tried just about "every trick in the book", without finding a good solution. But, I wish I did, as I prefer the sound (and the spatial audio) from the APM for longer listening sessions.
And, as others have said, the transparency mode of the APM is way better than the XM4s.
But, I find myself reaching for my Sonys most often when I want some over-ear headphones when out and about.
They fit perfectly, which again makes the ANC better (to me), and they have a more "fun" sound than the more neutral APM, when I want some extra bass and punch to the music (which I often prefer when I go for a walk).
 
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anticipate

macrumors 6502a
Dec 22, 2013
936
768
I have the Bose QC35 and tried the Sonys. The ANC is the best on the APMs but the others are close. However Apple's seems just to be a little better/well tuned. I have a solid fit though.

The transparency mode is better than the rest by far (the QC35 don't even have it I don't recall)
 

Otflyer

macrumors 65816
Nov 14, 2017
1,474
999
SF Bay Area
I have the Bose QC35 and Sony XM4’s. Overall, I like the AirPods Max best and rarely use the others anymore. To me the AirPods Max are more comfortable, sound better and have better anc though they are not as portable As Sony and Bose.
 
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