I know this topic might seem silly to some; surely it's obvious AirPods Max are superior in every way to the AirPods Pro 2 at around double the price?
I've spent a lot of time testing both the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 2 and just wanted to share my thoughts, comparing them both head to head in different areas. In short, yes AirPods Max are better, but it's really not as simple as that.
Disclaimer: I'm no audiophile, just a regular consumer so don't expect and in-depth technical analysis of sound quality...
Value for money
Here in the UK, Apple sell AirPods Max for £549 and AirPods Pro 2 for £249. At the moment there aren't many deals elsewhere to get them cheaper, although Amazon UK have had the APMs as low as £430-ish in recent months.
Can you get better earbuds for less than £249? Possibly. I think it's fair to say the AirPods Pro 2 are a little overpriced for what they are, but not extortionately so. As for the AirPods Max, I think it's generally accepted that the £549 RRP is too high, with rivals such as Sony's XM4s and XM5s available for around £200-£300(ish). Adding in the usual "Apple Tax", these should probably be around the £350-£400 bracket so at their current price point I'd say the AirPods Max are worse value for money than the APP2s.
Scores (value for money):
AirPods Pro 2 - 8/10
AirPods Max - 6/10
Sound quality
I can say right off the bat, the AirPods Max sound better than the AirPods Pro 2. Is the difference in quality worth the extra £300? Probably not. The AirPods Pro 2 sound flatter overall. The APMs have a more pronounced, stronger bass, and a wider soundstage. Spatial Audio is definitely more noticeable on the APMs, and watching movies is more immersive. The APP2s have distinctly less separation. Strangely, volume was something I found superior in the AirPods Pro 2. I found them just right at max volume, whereas with the AirPods Max I felt I needed probably another 20% more than the maximum on offer. Even though the APMs sounded better overall, they aren't perfect (although are damn good for wireless headphones).
Scores (sound quality):
AirPods Pro 2 - 7/10
AirPods Max - 9/10
ANC (active noise cancellation)
Both do a very good job, but again I found the AirPods Max to be slightly better than the AirPods Pro 2. Certain noises in my home were cancelled out or dulled down more on the APMs than the APP2s. The APP2s still do a great job and will be fine for most users.
Scores (ANC):
AirPods Pro 2 - 8/10
AirPods Max - 9/10
Comfort
Maybe a bit controversial here but the AirPods Pro 2 are more comfortable to me. The APMs have a strong 'clamping' effect with their rigid build, and whilst the cushions are soft the false vacuum sensation created by the enclosed headphones coupled with the very effective ANC meant I experienced an uncomfortable feeling of inner-ear pressure. This was much less pronounced on the APP2s, which were clearly more comfortable with just the earbuds compared to the bulkier design of the APMs. Wearing the APP2s around the house and outside was much more tolerable and easy going than the APMS.
If I wanted to live with both, I think the APP2s would be my daily driver, using them for short listening sessions, the gym, running, around the house etc. The APMs are more "session" headphones, the kind of thing I'd be fine using for a couple of hours watching a movie or maybe a new album.
Scores (comfort):
AirPods Pro 2 - 8/10
AirPods Max - 6/10
Build quality
Two different designs, both the usual high Apple quality. The APMs feel fantastic in hand, the cups feel expensive and metallic and the adjustive headband also feels premium. The APP2s, for what they are, feel great too. The case has a satisfying magnetic closure and lots of little extras that feel very Apple. Pretty even here.
Scores (build quality)
AirPods Pro 2 - 9/10
AirPods Max - 9/10
Battery life
20 hours-ish on a single charge for the AirPods Max compared to 6 hours-ish on the AirPods Pro 2 (excluding the case) might sound a no brainer, but it's not as simple as that. The AirPods Max continue to drain battery unless kept in the silly Smart Case (which barely anyone does). Like most people I leave my APMs hanging on a headphone holder or just on the side, meaning they drain battery when not in use. With the APP2s I just put them back in their case where they are charged by whatever charge is left in the case itself (usually more than enough to bump it up to the full 6 hours).
So whilst the APMs have the higher capacity for a single full charge, the APP2s manage their charge better with the case. Overall it just balances out.
Scores (battery life)
AirPods Pro 2 - 7.5/10
AirPods Max - 7.5/10
Overall
As mentioned earlier, the AirPods Max are the better listening device overall. That's indisputable. But which should you go for? For me it comes down to value. The AirPods Pro 2 are fantastic earbuds with great build quality, very good ANC and sound quality and at a price point which isn't too unbearable despite being a little overpriced for what they are.
The AirPods Max also have great build quality, very good ANC and have superior sound quality but feel a little more of a guilty purchase at full price. They're very good headphones and a better listening experience than the APP2s, but they aren't worth more than double the price and not as comfortable for regular use. Sony's XM4 headphones can be picked up for around £210/$210 or less brand new and offer 90% of what the APM's do.
For me, if you can get AirPods Max for under £350 then they are a no brainer, otherwise go for the AirPods Pro 2. With the APP2s you'll be getting 75% of the experience of the AirPods Max.
Scores (overall):
AirPods Pro 2: 8/10
AirPods Max: 8.5/10
I've spent a lot of time testing both the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 2 and just wanted to share my thoughts, comparing them both head to head in different areas. In short, yes AirPods Max are better, but it's really not as simple as that.
Disclaimer: I'm no audiophile, just a regular consumer so don't expect and in-depth technical analysis of sound quality...
Value for money
Here in the UK, Apple sell AirPods Max for £549 and AirPods Pro 2 for £249. At the moment there aren't many deals elsewhere to get them cheaper, although Amazon UK have had the APMs as low as £430-ish in recent months.
Can you get better earbuds for less than £249? Possibly. I think it's fair to say the AirPods Pro 2 are a little overpriced for what they are, but not extortionately so. As for the AirPods Max, I think it's generally accepted that the £549 RRP is too high, with rivals such as Sony's XM4s and XM5s available for around £200-£300(ish). Adding in the usual "Apple Tax", these should probably be around the £350-£400 bracket so at their current price point I'd say the AirPods Max are worse value for money than the APP2s.
Scores (value for money):
AirPods Pro 2 - 8/10
AirPods Max - 6/10
Sound quality
I can say right off the bat, the AirPods Max sound better than the AirPods Pro 2. Is the difference in quality worth the extra £300? Probably not. The AirPods Pro 2 sound flatter overall. The APMs have a more pronounced, stronger bass, and a wider soundstage. Spatial Audio is definitely more noticeable on the APMs, and watching movies is more immersive. The APP2s have distinctly less separation. Strangely, volume was something I found superior in the AirPods Pro 2. I found them just right at max volume, whereas with the AirPods Max I felt I needed probably another 20% more than the maximum on offer. Even though the APMs sounded better overall, they aren't perfect (although are damn good for wireless headphones).
Scores (sound quality):
AirPods Pro 2 - 7/10
AirPods Max - 9/10
ANC (active noise cancellation)
Both do a very good job, but again I found the AirPods Max to be slightly better than the AirPods Pro 2. Certain noises in my home were cancelled out or dulled down more on the APMs than the APP2s. The APP2s still do a great job and will be fine for most users.
Scores (ANC):
AirPods Pro 2 - 8/10
AirPods Max - 9/10
Comfort
Maybe a bit controversial here but the AirPods Pro 2 are more comfortable to me. The APMs have a strong 'clamping' effect with their rigid build, and whilst the cushions are soft the false vacuum sensation created by the enclosed headphones coupled with the very effective ANC meant I experienced an uncomfortable feeling of inner-ear pressure. This was much less pronounced on the APP2s, which were clearly more comfortable with just the earbuds compared to the bulkier design of the APMs. Wearing the APP2s around the house and outside was much more tolerable and easy going than the APMS.
If I wanted to live with both, I think the APP2s would be my daily driver, using them for short listening sessions, the gym, running, around the house etc. The APMs are more "session" headphones, the kind of thing I'd be fine using for a couple of hours watching a movie or maybe a new album.
Scores (comfort):
AirPods Pro 2 - 8/10
AirPods Max - 6/10
Build quality
Two different designs, both the usual high Apple quality. The APMs feel fantastic in hand, the cups feel expensive and metallic and the adjustive headband also feels premium. The APP2s, for what they are, feel great too. The case has a satisfying magnetic closure and lots of little extras that feel very Apple. Pretty even here.
Scores (build quality)
AirPods Pro 2 - 9/10
AirPods Max - 9/10
Battery life
20 hours-ish on a single charge for the AirPods Max compared to 6 hours-ish on the AirPods Pro 2 (excluding the case) might sound a no brainer, but it's not as simple as that. The AirPods Max continue to drain battery unless kept in the silly Smart Case (which barely anyone does). Like most people I leave my APMs hanging on a headphone holder or just on the side, meaning they drain battery when not in use. With the APP2s I just put them back in their case where they are charged by whatever charge is left in the case itself (usually more than enough to bump it up to the full 6 hours).
So whilst the APMs have the higher capacity for a single full charge, the APP2s manage their charge better with the case. Overall it just balances out.
Scores (battery life)
AirPods Pro 2 - 7.5/10
AirPods Max - 7.5/10
Overall
As mentioned earlier, the AirPods Max are the better listening device overall. That's indisputable. But which should you go for? For me it comes down to value. The AirPods Pro 2 are fantastic earbuds with great build quality, very good ANC and sound quality and at a price point which isn't too unbearable despite being a little overpriced for what they are.
The AirPods Max also have great build quality, very good ANC and have superior sound quality but feel a little more of a guilty purchase at full price. They're very good headphones and a better listening experience than the APP2s, but they aren't worth more than double the price and not as comfortable for regular use. Sony's XM4 headphones can be picked up for around £210/$210 or less brand new and offer 90% of what the APM's do.
For me, if you can get AirPods Max for under £350 then they are a no brainer, otherwise go for the AirPods Pro 2. With the APP2s you'll be getting 75% of the experience of the AirPods Max.
Scores (overall):
AirPods Pro 2: 8/10
AirPods Max: 8.5/10
Last edited:
