AirPods Max alternatives with tight integration with the Apple ecosystem?

[johannnn]

My ears are starting to itch when I use the regular AirPods or AirPods Pro, so I'm currently looking to use headphones instead of earbuds. Unfortunately, the AirPods Max are too expensive in my country (Sweden). I have a pair of Sony WH-1000XM3 at work, and I recently tried using it on my personal devices but I find it very cumbersome. For example, I connected it to my iPhone this morning, and when I started using my iMac it simply refused to connect. I had to take my phone, go into bluetooth, click the headphones, and then click forget. Only then could I connect it to my iMac. I miss how seamless AirPods are when switching devices (I want to use my headphones both with Apple Watch, iPhone, and my iMac).

Does newer models of headphones from Sony, Bose etc have any tighter integration with the Apple ecosystem?
I'm looking at some decent prices for Bose QuietComfort 45, Sony WH-1000XM5, Sennheiser Momentum 4 and some other headphones.
But given how frustrated I am with using Sony WH-1000XM3, I am prioritizing the integration with Apple devices more than the actual sound. And I'm looking at something cheaper than the AirPods Max (for example, I can get the Bose QuietComfort 45 for $250, whereas the AirPods Max are $650). Given that the WH-1000XM3 were released in 2018 which is 5 years ago, I'm hoping that newer headphones play better with the Apple ecosystem.

 

[boss.king]

I connected it to my iPhone this morning, and when I started using my iMac it simply refused to connect. I had to take my phone, go into bluetooth, click the headphones, and then click forget. Only then could I connect it to my iMac. I miss how seamless AirPods are when switching devices (I want to use my headphones both with Apple Watch, iPhone, and my iMac).

You don't have to forget the device each time, you just have to disconnect it. You can basically just toggle Bluetooth off in control center then pick the headphones from the Bluetooth device list on whatever you want to use them with (see attached image for the Mac version of this interface).

Alternatively, hold the power button down when turning them on to go into pairing mode and pick them from whatever device you want to use and it will connect to that.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't let other companies use its pairing system. Some devices can pair to multiple devices but I know its a very janky setup on my XM4s. My wife's QC45s are a little better with multi-device pairing, but I'm not sure how switching works on those.

 

[Coffee50]

In terms of integration with the ecosystem, there is the Beats brand (which is an Apple company). There are a few options for headphones (Studio 3's maybe?) The options are all on the Apple website, under the headphone sections of Beats.

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[Steve121178]

Bose products work well. You can connect at least two devices via BlueTooth to the headphones/earphones which is ideal if you want to connect your iPhone & Mac.

I still use my Bose QC35 (first gen) when I am at home and want to listen in comfort. And you rarely get more comfy than Bose over ear headphones...

They obviously smash the AirPods Pro's out the park with vastly superior sound as you'd expect.

 

[rockitdog]

Love my Bose QC45s.

 

[sunapple]

Talk about developing an itch, headphone headbands never fail to get itchy on the top of my head. Have been scratching my head for years trying to figure out how other people can wear them for so long. AirPods Pro have so much less contact area. But these experiences are very personal of course.

AirPods Max are also expensive in The Netherlands but I have noticed great deals every now and then saving like 200€ at times. However lately they seem to be as expensive as ever. I have been tempted a few times but even a 10 minute store demo wasn't super comfortable to me so I guess I'll skip.

 

[Misheemee]

I have the Sony XM5 after coming from the XM3's - no issue integrating with the Apple Ecosystem - absolutely LOVE the XM5's, great upgrade!

 

[kyriostrife]

I have the Sony XM5 after coming from the XM3's - no issue integrating with the Apple Ecosystem - absolutely LOVE the XM5's, great upgrade!

if applicable to your use case, how do you like the mic on the XM5?

I'm looking to go back to over-ears due to more traveling coming up and losing my Airpods Pro (first gen). The most important thing I need is ANC, quality mic, and comfort because I wear for long periods of time. Will probably use in the gym as well.

 

[Misheemee]

if applicable to your use case, how do you like the mic on the XM5?

I'm looking to go back to over-ears due to more traveling coming up and losing my Airpods Pro (first gen). The most important thing I need is ANC, quality mic, and comfort because I wear for long periods of time. Will probably use in the gym as well.

Love the mic on them - big improvement from the 3’s (this was a frustration for me on the 3’s)- I wear them in teams calls all the time. Feedback from people I speak to is that sound is great, and not a lot of background noise. It also has 4 mics, and a large focus on cutting out background noise when you speak. Love them!