Max sound excellent to me, what headphones that cost ~$550 sound even better?

[Luba]

I tried AirPod Max for the first time today and was surprised how much better they sounded compared to AirPod Pros. Perhaps over the ears are inherently better than buds?

Noise cancellation was great, better than AirPod Pro. Other noise cancellation headphones I tried in the past give off an unnatural sounding or feeling of "silence". It's like you can hear the phased out sounds. I tried them out for about 15-20 minutes and it was comfortable for the most part. It didn't feel heavy, but I did feel cooled-off and unburdened after I took them off . . . sort of like the cooled-off free feeling you get when you take your suit jacket off when you're dressed up.

Anyway, for noise cancelling headphones I suppose the Max are the best. I haven't tried BOSE 700s. But if I'm willing to forgo the noise cancellation feature and just use headphones in a quiet environment, what are some headphones that sound even better than the Max that cost around $550? Any suggestions?

 

[shenfrey]

I am not sure, but there are always going to be headphones that sound better, because it’s all subjective. Where one headphone lacks in a certain range, another exceeds. What’s important is buying a pair of headphones that you A. Like the look of. B. Are comfortable for YOU. And finally C. Sound good to YOU.

You will not find ‘the ultimate headset’, because it doesn’t exist at any price point, regardless of what anyone tells you. It’s all subjective, and you need to do your own research for your own use cases.

 

[Ilikechainrestaurants]

I don't think you'll find a ton of wireless options that exceed the APMs, although in my opinion the Sonys aren't far off (for far less money) and the B&O H9 3rd gen are comparable in sound quality. The Bower and Wilkins are likewise good.

The APMs have a good argument because they're on par with the top of the BT options for SQ and they have great NC and very good call quality. Almost everything else is deficient in one of those areas - Sony (calls), Bose (SQ), B&O (ANC and calls), etc.

 

[Cashmonee]

Most lower-end, open back, wired headphones will easily match and often better the APM for less than half the cost. Even adding a DAC and amp would still likely have you spending less. The cost of the AirPods is not in the sound quality. It is in all of the other features. In other words, the Airpods Max are not $550 worth of sound. More like $200 worth of sounds and $350 worth of features.

Disclaimer: I like how the AirPods Max sound and think they are great and worth every penny because of the features they have coupled with good sound.

 

[JCCL]

They're great, I just think the Sony WH-1000XM4 offer better value, with also leading sound and noise cancellation, but got them at almost have the price of Airpods Max. I also use Windows laptops and Surface devices, so the Sony's offer me better compatibility for those.

I tried the Airpod Max, and the only thing I considered to be better than the Sony's are the build quality - but not over 200 USD better. That, and the problems I've with rattling sounds on my Airpods Pro made me go for the WH-1000XM4 (wish Sony could have more customer friendly naming conventions)

 

[Htsi]

Won’t find anything better that’s wireless at the same price. Wired open back is a different story.

 

[bigshot]

I have Oppo PM-1s, which listed at $1200. I love them. They are absolutely perfect with no EQ needed. Comfortable, well build and luxurious. But I'm using the AirPods Max a lot more than those because wireless is a huge advantage. Ease of use is a significant reason to buy one set of cans over another. I see people with portable rigs with separate DAPs, DACs and amps and a million wires and big awkward cans. I don't care how good a system like that might sound. It would be a PITA to haul all that stuff around and set it up each time. I've got an iPhone and AirPods Pro for a minimal setup, and iPhone and AirPods Max for more careful listening. It works really well for me, and the sound quality difference between that and the Oppos is small enough to not make it worth bothering with the wire.