Apple is known for keeping its products unique and innovative. Every product comes with a certain set of unique features that you will not find anywhere else. Even when two products of the same categories manufactured by Apple are to be compared, one can easily find the difference. It all comes down to users’ preferences and desires. The same is the case with its wireless in-ear earphones and headphones. Apple’s AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have different fan bases. You can only compare Apple’s product with another Apple product because it has its niche defined.
If you are an Apple user, you would know the luxury and style it adds to your personality. Apple launched its two major products; in-ear AirPod Pro and over-ear AirPod Max. Both are extraordinarily amazing accessories, but you would want to know which one is better among them or perhaps for you. If you do, then read our detailed comparison.
AirPods Pro vs AirPods Max – Price Comparison
Before comparing the features, let’s consider pricing first. Certainly, people have to consider their budgets too. AirPods Pro prices start from $249 and AirPods Max starting price is $539. The $300 difference between the two products with similar functionality might appear weird but they are very different from each other.
If you want to buy a cheaper product between the two, you have your answer already. However, if you are truly looking for a proper comparison and then want to make an informed decision, then read on:
Also, you can read the full review of AirPods Pro.
AirPods Pro vs AirPods Max – Active Noise Cancellation
Both AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) features. However, let’s see, which is better in terms of ANC. If we talk about AirPods Max, one thing is certain that it is considered the best ANC for low frequencies to date. Although it is pretty solid, sometimes it may show inconsistency as well.
As these over-ear headphones are adaptive, if you try adjusting the ANC, it may result in inconsistent noise cancellation in both ears. The noise cancellation in one ear may be higher than in the other ear. However, you can eliminate this issue by adjusting the cups of your AirPods Max, which will help the processor to recalculate the ANC and will eventually resolve the issue. Moreover, if we talk about high-frequency sounds in AirPods Max, there is a problem with it.
To check out how ANC works for high-frequency sound, a small test was done in a crowded restaurant. The results showed that AirPods Max’s active noise cancellation feature couldn’t detect high-frequency sounds. It seemed as if the headphones were on ambient mode.
On the contrary, if we talk about in-ear AirPods Pro, it can’t dial back rumble like its competition AirPods Max. Moreover, it is also excellent at canceling low or mid-frequency noise, but it may struggle to fully eliminate high-frequency sounds. However, it doesn’t shift ANC like AirPods Max and is more consistent.
All in all, if we have to compare both digital accessories in terms of ANC performance, we would say that both have their advantages and disadvantages. However, rest assured that both of them are the best deals if you are looking for optimum noise-cancellation in-ear earphones or over-ear headphones.
AirPods Pro vs AirPods Max – Audio Performance and Audibility
Compared to the previous AirPods versions, the sound quality of AirPods Pro and AirPods Max is top tier. However, today we are talking about AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Max. If we talk about the two as a whole, Apple has done its best to ensure both have excellent sound quality, which is not an easy task. However, because of the difference in making, there is still a subtle variance between the both.
As far as the sound signature of AirPods Pro is concerned, it has sculpted sound quality. The highs and mids are crisp and clear, whereas the lows are also audible, however, not that strong. Moreover, it also has a bass-forward and brighter sound experience. On the other hand, AirPods Max also has a similar sound quality but AirPods Pro has clearer and AirPods Max sounds more natural and less sculpted.
Moreover, during a bass drum test, AirPods Pro showed a little more low-end push on a particular track with a bass drum in it. However, it was not as much different from AirPods Max. This slight difference equals the sound quality of both the Apple accessories nonetheless. However, both models support either AAC Bluetooth or SBC Bluetooth.
Altogether, you can expect high-quality audio performance and audibility from your investment. Moreover, we can claim that both of them have far better sound quality than other models.
Operating Siri via Apple Hands-free or Headphone, Spatial Audio Feature, and iOS Integration
If we analyze AirPods Pro and AirPods Max in terms of the above-mentioned three features, you will have a similar experience with a little difference. Apple always creates products that are compatible with each other. It is why, both the models, be it AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, there is not much difference when using Siri, spatial audio feature or how both connect with iPhone or iPad. However, these features were not present in the previous models of AirPods.
Let’s talk about the automatic and easy connectivity of both the devices with your iOS devices. When you use any of the models for the first time either on your iPhone or on iPad, your devices will automatically pair. Not only this, but this on-screen pairing is also a sense of luxury and offers an amazing user experience. Moreover, if you have both AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, your IOS device will automatically detect whichever you are using and will integrate that device. Apart from this, you can also customize your settings, as both the devices give you an option to change the settings when connected with any of the iOS devices.
Both the Apple Bluetooth accessories will make your life easier. If you’ve been using an iPhone, you know how much Siri is important for speech commands. Well, if you have any of the AirPods models connected, you can easily use the Siri feature. With this, all you have to do is command your wish and Siri will fulfill it. When you will speak, the in-built mic in the AirPods models will detect your voice and will command Siri to complete the action. With this feature, you can listen to music without touching your iPhone, you can ask Siri to read a message to you, and there are countless other possibilities.
As far as the spatial sound feature is concerned, although it is not that strong, you get the surround sound kind of experience. It works by taking 5.1,7.1, and Dolby Atmos film audio, then it applies a sound effect, which when we hear, we feel as if we are watching the video with surround sound. The sound is amazing on both the AirPods models, but AirPods Max has a slightly better experience due to it being a headphone. However, the difference is not enough that you would want to entitle it as a winner.
AirPods Pro vs AirPods Max Accessibility
Everyone has preferences, some would be comfortable with using in-ear hand free and some might feel more secured with headphones. When it comes to Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, let’s see what is the most preferred.
AirPods are surely more secure on your ears than any other Bluetooth device. However, when compared with AirPods Max, many complain that the fit starts to lose as time goes by. It would remain in your ear comfortably for an hour or two, but if you use it for a longer time, it will start causing discomfort. Moreover, although you get three variations of ear tips along with the original one, which you can use according to your ear canal, still it is not as comfortable as compared to AirPods Max. Moreover, if you have to use it all day long, then you need something that will remain on your ear and you won’t have to worry about adjusting it again and again. Moreover, AirPods Pro is very tiny, which can also prove to be its disadvantage because all the touch controls are on the stem side, you can trigger touch control accidently while adjusting it in your ears, which can be irritating.
However, as AirPods Max are headphones, you can adjust them according to your head size and it also fits securely. You can easily wear them for a longer period of time and these are perfect if you happen to be active or you have to be on foot all the time. However, these headphones weigh around 300 grams, which can make your head feel heavy after some time. Nonetheless, both models are equally similar: choose whichever you prefer. If you don’t mind adjusting AirPods pro, or you find a fit for your ear canal, you can go for it. However, if you want to go with the headphone and you have no problem wearing 300 grams on your head, or you have minimal use, then go for it.
AirPods Pro vs AirPods Max Design and Charging Differences
Other than AirPods Pro being an in-ear device and AirPods Max being an over-ear headphone, there are many differences in the design and making of each. For starters, AirPods Pro comes with IPX4 ratings, which means that you can wipe them with a damp cloth or if it is exposed to little splashes of rain, it won’t stop working. On the contrary, AirPods Max is not water-resistant, which is why; you have to ensure you keep it away from water.
Other than that, the controls on AirPods Pro are on the stems of each earpiece, whereas you will find the controls on the ear cup on AirPods Max. Along with this, another difference in the design of both models is their charging method. AirPods Pro comes with a case, which you can charge, via USB-C or through lightning. Whereas you can charge AirPods Max only with a USB-C. If you don’t happen to have it, you will have to invest it into it.
Bottom Line
It all comes down to preference, but if we are to select a winner then surely it would be AirPods Max. There’s a reason Apple has priced it higher than Airpods Pro. Not only it offers better sound quality and convenience, but the overall experience it provides is something worth the money.