I find AirPods Max very similar to AirPods Pro sound

[tyranne201]

Am I the only one? The difference is not that much.

 

[japanime]

APP1s or APP2s?

To me, the difference between the original AirPods Pro and the Max is significant. But I find the second-generation APPs and the Max to be quite similar, especially when used in a quiet environment.

 

[SkiHound2]

I'm not an audiophile, so... If I do an A vs B comparison using the same input source and music I find a pretty clear difference. The Max has better separation, what I'd call richer lows (not boomy base but a more substantial floor), more neutral mids, better isolation and ANC. I would say that I think isolation and ANC are somewhat based on how well any headset fits one's head and seals and I don't rely on ANC much. The excellent transparency mode on both is more important for my usual uses. I do think they have an overall similar sound profile and I think the AP2 sound very good and in general use I don't find myself saying I wish they sounded like the Max. If I chose 1 it would be the AP2; size, weight, convenience, price etc. carry the day and I find I use them more than the Max.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The Max has a "larger" sound to my ears.

I think it might also have something to do with over ear vs in ear

Human perception of sounds is absolutely impacted by how it interacts with your entire ear shape, which only over-ears offer (obviously).

Both are awesome products.
For around the house music and TV stuff - I love the Max, especially with physical controls and the ease of slipping them on/off as need be.

 

[GlenK]

Airpods for outside with iPhone but inside just listening to music it's max for me and not even close.

 

[TheSynchronizer]

The Max’s (from the time that I had to try them) definitely sound better to me than APP1 (which I own) and APP2 (tried my friend’s set). However, the APP2 definitely sound better than APP1 so are closer in quality to the Max’s, but not at the same level.

That being said, the Max’s themselves have really good sound but I wouldn’t say it’s amazing, especially not at the RRP they’re sold for. I’ve listened to various cheaper headphones that sound better than the Max’s. But then again you’re paying for other features such as the convenience, amazing noise cancelling and all the cool features of the H1 chip.

 

[CopyChief]

Am I the only one? The difference is not that much.

I have not done a direct A-B test, but in my observation the difference is in the better isolation of the over-ear design vs. the in-ear APP. It feels and sounds more natural to me, and needs less electronic adjustment for noise cancellation. That said, their sheer size allows for there to be larger drivers/speakers, which is always a sound advantage.

 

[playtech1]

I have found the APP1 and APP2s to sound very similar and the AP Max to sound significantly better than both APPs (although of course less convenient).

For me, the Max sound has significantly better separation, bass and clarity, although I will admit that the difference is highly dependant on the type of music I am listening to - some tracks don't seem to benefit from the Max whereas others are like night and day. I listened to a few Eurythmics tracks and the Max really made the most of them - Annie Lennox's vocals in particular - but some recent movie soundtracks barely sounded any different between the different AirPods.