AirPods Pro (2. gen) vs. AirPods Max?

[Shanghaichica]

Difficult to say as they are completely different. I have both. I would give the slight edge to the AirPods Max when it comes to ANC and for sound quality the AirPods Max are significantly better. I think they both have different use cases though. The AirPods pro are obviously more convenient to use but the Max have a more immersive sound. I use both outside. Tend to use the maxes more in winter and pros more in summer.

 

[throAU]

Two entirely different classes of device - in ear vs. over ear and one doesn't really replace the other. However if you're looking at over-ear headphones, i wasn't THAT impressed with the Airpods max vs. my Sony WH1000XM4s at less than half the price.

Are they "as good". Maybe not. But close enough for me at half cost - and a friend used the XM3 version for 5+ years and they're still working fine for him. So was pretty confident with the reliability potential of them. As is, i think my XM4s are 2-3 years old now and still good as new.

I have 1st gen Airpod pros for exercise and casual listening - different use case.

 

[Rradcircless]

Has anyone used either of these for gaming? How is the latency? I assume not that great, since it is only Bluetooth.

Child, I use a wire for gaming with AirPods Max. They are the one stop shop for me. The volume control is very useful, and the noise cancellation is top notch. I also notice Spatial Audio works great with AirPods Max. When I’m looking for something and I don’t know where it is, I stop and listen for the direction it’s coming from. Think collectibles that emit a sound or bracing yourself for a beast that attacks you from behind. AirPods Max are fantastic for gaming.

 

[dmccombs]

There's a simple answer here: absolutely not.

Longer answer:

I've tested multiple high end wireless ANC headphones and earbuds, ranging from the AirPods Pro 2 (cheapest) to AirPods Max to the Focal Bathys (around $599-$699). Others I've tested include B&W PX8s, Sony XM4s + XM5s (both buds and headphones), Sennheiser Momentum 4, B&W PX7 S2es, Bose QuietComfort Ultra etc....

I keep coming back to the AirPods Max.

Yes they AirPods Pro 2 are very good earbuds, but they can't compete for sound with AirPods Max simply due to driver size. The APMs have a MUCH wider soundstage, more satisfying bass and crisper highs. The sound just feels bigger and more 'authentic'. The APP2s are smaller sounding, much smaller soundstage. The cope well with highs but mid and bass noticeably weaker. They're more of an 'in your head' sound, whereas the Max are much bigger in scale. The bonus you get with APMs over other over-ear headphones is Spatial Audio, and watching movies/shows (especially with Dolby Atmos or via Apple TV+ is noticeably more enjoyable on the APMs.

That's not to say the APP2s aren't very good. I'd take them over multiple other, more expensive over ear ANC headphones. The Spatial Audio compatibility helps push them up the rankings.



Massively disagree here, it's not even a debate - just look at the replies so far saying similar.

Yes the APMs are overpriced (and were when they launched), but to say they should be the same price as APP2s is laughable. The APMs are considerably better in almost every way. Yes they have slightly newer tech - but nothing that improves the sound of the APP2s to near APMs. The newer tech is stuff like the H2 chip which helps with locating them, and features to do with transparency mode.

APP2s if anything are overpriced. Should be around $150-$180.
APMs should be around $350-$399.

Hello, can you share why you come back to the APM vs the Bose Ultra Quietcomfort? These 2 are on my short list. 🤪