I took a chance and purchased the Air Pods Max because I’m a big fan of noise cancelling headphones and already own the Sony XM4 and the Bose QC35.
Note: I used to own the Bose 700 but returned them because the head band was so tight it gave me headaches and I couldn’t wear it for more than 20-30 minutes.
Here is my experience with each.
Best Noise Cancelling:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
I use all 3 headphones with televisions in the background, small children and outdoors. The Air Pods Max is very close to the XM4, I would rate it as a 10% difference – it’s almost tied. The QC35 on the other hand, I can hear faint television/small children in the background, even at high volume.
Long Term Comfort:
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Nothing will ever beat the QC35’s. I can wear them all day and take video and phone calls however, it does give me a slight disorientation effect and minor vertigo, similar to diving or moving to an elevated height (driving up a mountain for example).
The Air Pods Max are comfortable, and the ear cups surround my large ears just like the QC35 however, there the clamp is noticeable – this may go away after some time; the clamp causes minor discomfort with glasses; I removed my glasses for the purpose of this short review and the discomfort has faded, even after 60 minutes of listening – it does clamp more than the QC35 and XM4s.
Something to keep in mind is the XM4 earpads are not thick enough and my ear brushes against the speaker area; this also makes my ears get hot after 30 minutes and I eventually have to take a short break – this does not happen with the Air Pods Max – there is lots of room for my ears and the cushions are thick enough that my ears do not touch the speaker area.
Microphone:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC35
Sony XM4
I completed several zoom video/audio calls, Facetime and regular calls. I asked my friends/family to compare my voice quality on each headset and every time, the Air Pods Max was the winner. Bose QC35 is still great in this department however – I was using them as my primary driver for calls prior to getting the Air Pods Max.
The Sony XM4’s are below average; people cannot hear me clearly. In-fact, I stopped using them entirely for business calls because colleagues would make remarks about my microphone. They are ‘okay’ for personal calls, but not desirable for me at least.
Synchronization:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC 35
Sony XM4
I place the Air Pods on my head and it immediately connects to my phone. I do not have to touch anything on either of my devices. When I place the Air Pods Max around my neck or left one ear cup, the music pauses. When I place both ear cups back on my ears, the music auto resumes. I tested this for several hours and it has never failed.
As for the Bose QC35 and XM4’s, no matter if they both have multi device pairing, I am always having issues. Both headsets never switch to my other device without me having to manually disconnect 1 of 2 devices (the one I’m not using). This is frustrating and I hate doing this multiple times per day.
Music Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
The Air Pods Max I would rate have 30% better music quality than the XM4. I tested Hip-Hop, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Classical, Deep House, D&B, Techno, Trip Hop, Dubstep and Lounge. The must is more engaging, and I can hear the instruments and vocals in more detail – an elevated musical experience. The biggest difference for me was Jazz, Classical, Bossa Nova and Salsa – I would say a 50% better listening experience for these genres.
Build Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max are easily the highest quality headphones I have handled; they look at and feel premium and are crafted exceptionally well – even the buttons are strong and durable; these are basically on another level entirely. When extending the headphones, there is a steel connector with resistance when adjusting the sizing to fit your head properly.
The XM4/QC35 are hard plastic – nothing special or extravagant; the XM4 look better than the QC35 however.
Spatial Audio Note:
I was completely blown away when I loaded an Apple TV series on my phone to test the spatial audio feature. It felt like I had speakers surround me in a 360 fashion at the move theatres. I stood there for 5 minutes with my eyes wide opened in disbelief that headphones were capable of offering this level of experience. It is something that you have to try it to believe it. This is what sold me the most.
---
Are the Air Pods Max worth the price? Based on my experience so far, I would say yes. I was actually expecting them to be close to the XM4’s, but on certain categories, they have accelerated immensely.
Compare Apple AirPods
| Price | From: - | From: $224.99 | From: $239.00 | From: $656.98 | From: $177.99 |
| Ratings | (54,178) | (22,144) | (39,257) | (15,398) | (20,317) |
| Bluetooth |
|
|
|
|
|
| Wireless |
|
|
|
|
|
| Fit | Customizable | Universal | Universal | Customizable | Universal |
| Active Noise Cancellation |
|
|
|||
| Adaptive EQ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Chip Type | H2 Chip | H1 Chip | H1 Chip | H1 Chip | H1 Chip |
| Hey Siri | Always On | Always On | Always On | Always On | Always On |
| Sweat and Water Resistant |
|
|
|
||
| Battery Life (Listening Time on One Charge) | Up to 6 hours of listening time | Up to 6 hours of listening time | Up to 6 hours of listening time | Up to 20 hours of listening time | Up to 5 hours of listening time |
| Battery Life (Listening Time with Charging Case) | Up to 30 hours | Up to 30 hours | Up to 30 hours | More than 24-hours | |
| Wireless Charging Case |
|
|
Reviews with images
#1 Wireless Headphones - Best Sound, Excellent Build Quality & Comfort - Full Detailed Review
I took a chance and purchased the Air Pods Max because I’m a big fan of noise cancelling headphones and already own the Sony XM4 and the Bose QC35.Note: I used to own the Bose 700 but returned them because the head band was so tight it gave me headaches and I couldn’t wear it for more than 20-30 minutes.Here is my experience with each.Best Noise Cancelling: Air Pods Max Sony XM4 Bose QC35I use all 3 headphones with televisions in the background, small children and outdoors. The Air Pods Max is very close to the XM4, I would rate it as a 10% difference – it’s almost tied. The QC35 on the other hand, I can hear faint television/small children in the background, even at high volume.Long Term Comfort: Bose QC35 Air Pods Max Sony XM4Nothing will ever beat the QC35’s. I can wear them all day and take video and phone calls however, it does give me a slight disorientation effect and minor vertigo, similar to diving or moving to an elevated height (driving up a mountain for example).The Air Pods Max are comfortable, and the ear cups surround my large ears just like the QC35 however, there the clamp is noticeable – this may go away after some time; the clamp causes minor discomfort with glasses; I removed my glasses for the purpose of this short review and the discomfort has faded, even after 60 minutes of listening – it does clamp more than the QC35 and XM4s.Something to keep in mind is the XM4 earpads are not thick enough and my ear brushes against the speaker area; this also makes my ears get hot after 30 minutes and I eventually have to take a short break – this does not happen with the Air Pods Max – there is lots of room for my ears and the cushions are thick enough that my ears do not touch the speaker area.Microphone: Air Pods Max Bose QC35 Sony XM4I completed several zoom video/audio calls, Facetime and regular calls. I asked my friends/family to compare my voice quality on each headset and every time, the Air Pods Max was the winner. Bose QC35 is still great in this department however – I was using them as my primary driver for calls prior to getting the Air Pods Max.The Sony XM4’s are below average; people cannot hear me clearly. In-fact, I stopped using them entirely for business calls because colleagues would make remarks about my microphone. They are ‘okay’ for personal calls, but not desirable for me at least.Synchronization: Air Pods Max Bose QC 35 Sony XM4I place the Air Pods on my head and it immediately connects to my phone. I do not have to touch anything on either of my devices. When I place the Air Pods Max around my neck or left one ear cup, the music pauses. When I place both ear cups back on my ears, the music auto resumes. I tested this for several hours and it has never failed.As for the Bose QC35 and XM4’s, no matter if they both have multi device pairing, I am always having issues. Both headsets never switch to my other device without me having to manually disconnect 1 of 2 devices (the one I’m not using). This is frustrating and I hate doing this multiple times per day.Music Quality: Air Pods Max Sony XM4 Bose QC35The Air Pods Max I would rate have 30% better music quality than the XM4. I tested Hip-Hop, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Classical, Deep House, D&B, Techno, Trip Hop, Dubstep and Lounge. The must is more engaging, and I can hear the instruments and vocals in more detail – an elevated musical experience. The biggest difference for me was Jazz, Classical, Bossa Nova and Salsa – I would say a 50% better listening experience for these genres.Build Quality: Air Pods Max Sony XM4 Bose QC35Air Pods Max are easily the highest quality headphones I have handled; they look at and feel premium and are crafted exceptionally well – even the buttons are strong and durable; these are basically on another level entirely. When extending the headphones, there is a steel connector with resistance when adjusting the sizing to fit your head properly.The XM4/QC35 are hard plastic – nothing special or extravagant; the XM4 look better than the QC35 however.Spatial Audio Note:I was completely blown away when I loaded an Apple TV series on my phone to test the spatial audio feature. It felt like I had speakers surround me in a 360 fashion at the move theatres. I stood there for 5 minutes with my eyes wide opened in disbelief that headphones were capable of offering this level of experience. It is something that you have to try it to believe it. This is what sold me the most.---Are the Air Pods Max worth the price? Based on my experience so far, I would say yes. I was actually expecting them to be close to the XM4’s, but on certain categories, they have accelerated immensely.
Top reviews from Canada
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in Canada on February 26, 2021
Note: I used to own the Bose 700 but returned them because the head band was so tight it gave me headaches and I couldn’t wear it for more than 20-30 minutes.
Here is my experience with each.
Best Noise Cancelling:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
I use all 3 headphones with televisions in the background, small children and outdoors. The Air Pods Max is very close to the XM4, I would rate it as a 10% difference – it’s almost tied. The QC35 on the other hand, I can hear faint television/small children in the background, even at high volume.
Long Term Comfort:
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Nothing will ever beat the QC35’s. I can wear them all day and take video and phone calls however, it does give me a slight disorientation effect and minor vertigo, similar to diving or moving to an elevated height (driving up a mountain for example).
The Air Pods Max are comfortable, and the ear cups surround my large ears just like the QC35 however, there the clamp is noticeable – this may go away after some time; the clamp causes minor discomfort with glasses; I removed my glasses for the purpose of this short review and the discomfort has faded, even after 60 minutes of listening – it does clamp more than the QC35 and XM4s.
Something to keep in mind is the XM4 earpads are not thick enough and my ear brushes against the speaker area; this also makes my ears get hot after 30 minutes and I eventually have to take a short break – this does not happen with the Air Pods Max – there is lots of room for my ears and the cushions are thick enough that my ears do not touch the speaker area.
Microphone:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC35
Sony XM4
I completed several zoom video/audio calls, Facetime and regular calls. I asked my friends/family to compare my voice quality on each headset and every time, the Air Pods Max was the winner. Bose QC35 is still great in this department however – I was using them as my primary driver for calls prior to getting the Air Pods Max.
The Sony XM4’s are below average; people cannot hear me clearly. In-fact, I stopped using them entirely for business calls because colleagues would make remarks about my microphone. They are ‘okay’ for personal calls, but not desirable for me at least.
Synchronization:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC 35
Sony XM4
I place the Air Pods on my head and it immediately connects to my phone. I do not have to touch anything on either of my devices. When I place the Air Pods Max around my neck or left one ear cup, the music pauses. When I place both ear cups back on my ears, the music auto resumes. I tested this for several hours and it has never failed.
As for the Bose QC35 and XM4’s, no matter if they both have multi device pairing, I am always having issues. Both headsets never switch to my other device without me having to manually disconnect 1 of 2 devices (the one I’m not using). This is frustrating and I hate doing this multiple times per day.
Music Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
The Air Pods Max I would rate have 30% better music quality than the XM4. I tested Hip-Hop, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Classical, Deep House, D&B, Techno, Trip Hop, Dubstep and Lounge. The must is more engaging, and I can hear the instruments and vocals in more detail – an elevated musical experience. The biggest difference for me was Jazz, Classical, Bossa Nova and Salsa – I would say a 50% better listening experience for these genres.
Build Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max are easily the highest quality headphones I have handled; they look at and feel premium and are crafted exceptionally well – even the buttons are strong and durable; these are basically on another level entirely. When extending the headphones, there is a steel connector with resistance when adjusting the sizing to fit your head properly.
The XM4/QC35 are hard plastic – nothing special or extravagant; the XM4 look better than the QC35 however.
Spatial Audio Note:
I was completely blown away when I loaded an Apple TV series on my phone to test the spatial audio feature. It felt like I had speakers surround me in a 360 fashion at the move theatres. I stood there for 5 minutes with my eyes wide opened in disbelief that headphones were capable of offering this level of experience. It is something that you have to try it to believe it. This is what sold me the most.
---
Are the Air Pods Max worth the price? Based on my experience so far, I would say yes. I was actually expecting them to be close to the XM4’s, but on certain categories, they have accelerated immensely.
Colour Name: Space GrayVerified Purchase
#1 Wireless Headphones - Best Sound, Excellent Build Quality & Comfort - Full Detailed Review
Reviewed in Canada on February 26, 2021
I took a chance and purchased the Air Pods Max because I’m a big fan of noise cancelling headphones and already own the Sony XM4 and the Bose QC35.Reviewed in Canada on February 26, 2021
Note: I used to own the Bose 700 but returned them because the head band was so tight it gave me headaches and I couldn’t wear it for more than 20-30 minutes.
Here is my experience with each.
Best Noise Cancelling:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
I use all 3 headphones with televisions in the background, small children and outdoors. The Air Pods Max is very close to the XM4, I would rate it as a 10% difference – it’s almost tied. The QC35 on the other hand, I can hear faint television/small children in the background, even at high volume.
Long Term Comfort:
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Nothing will ever beat the QC35’s. I can wear them all day and take video and phone calls however, it does give me a slight disorientation effect and minor vertigo, similar to diving or moving to an elevated height (driving up a mountain for example).
The Air Pods Max are comfortable, and the ear cups surround my large ears just like the QC35 however, there the clamp is noticeable – this may go away after some time; the clamp causes minor discomfort with glasses; I removed my glasses for the purpose of this short review and the discomfort has faded, even after 60 minutes of listening – it does clamp more than the QC35 and XM4s.
Something to keep in mind is the XM4 earpads are not thick enough and my ear brushes against the speaker area; this also makes my ears get hot after 30 minutes and I eventually have to take a short break – this does not happen with the Air Pods Max – there is lots of room for my ears and the cushions are thick enough that my ears do not touch the speaker area.
Microphone:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC35
Sony XM4
I completed several zoom video/audio calls, Facetime and regular calls. I asked my friends/family to compare my voice quality on each headset and every time, the Air Pods Max was the winner. Bose QC35 is still great in this department however – I was using them as my primary driver for calls prior to getting the Air Pods Max.
The Sony XM4’s are below average; people cannot hear me clearly. In-fact, I stopped using them entirely for business calls because colleagues would make remarks about my microphone. They are ‘okay’ for personal calls, but not desirable for me at least.
Synchronization:
Air Pods Max
Bose QC 35
Sony XM4
I place the Air Pods on my head and it immediately connects to my phone. I do not have to touch anything on either of my devices. When I place the Air Pods Max around my neck or left one ear cup, the music pauses. When I place both ear cups back on my ears, the music auto resumes. I tested this for several hours and it has never failed.
As for the Bose QC35 and XM4’s, no matter if they both have multi device pairing, I am always having issues. Both headsets never switch to my other device without me having to manually disconnect 1 of 2 devices (the one I’m not using). This is frustrating and I hate doing this multiple times per day.
Music Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
The Air Pods Max I would rate have 30% better music quality than the XM4. I tested Hip-Hop, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Classical, Deep House, D&B, Techno, Trip Hop, Dubstep and Lounge. The must is more engaging, and I can hear the instruments and vocals in more detail – an elevated musical experience. The biggest difference for me was Jazz, Classical, Bossa Nova and Salsa – I would say a 50% better listening experience for these genres.
Build Quality:
Air Pods Max
Sony XM4
Bose QC35
Air Pods Max are easily the highest quality headphones I have handled; they look at and feel premium and are crafted exceptionally well – even the buttons are strong and durable; these are basically on another level entirely. When extending the headphones, there is a steel connector with resistance when adjusting the sizing to fit your head properly.
The XM4/QC35 are hard plastic – nothing special or extravagant; the XM4 look better than the QC35 however.
Spatial Audio Note:
I was completely blown away when I loaded an Apple TV series on my phone to test the spatial audio feature. It felt like I had speakers surround me in a 360 fashion at the move theatres. I stood there for 5 minutes with my eyes wide opened in disbelief that headphones were capable of offering this level of experience. It is something that you have to try it to believe it. This is what sold me the most.
---
Are the Air Pods Max worth the price? Based on my experience so far, I would say yes. I was actually expecting them to be close to the XM4’s, but on certain categories, they have accelerated immensely.
Images in this review
Reviewed in Canada on May 8, 2024
Colour Name: PinkVerified Purchase
After owning a pair of white AirPods Max since their release in December 2020, I recently bought this pink pair for my girlfriend and we both absolutely love them.
The design is beautiful and understated without any garish logo anywhere. They fit well with your other Apple products. The Digital Crown (that small dial on the top right) is a great way to adjust volume levels.
Siri integration is very useful to change volume levels, make or take calls, or otherwise use your iPhone or Macbook without touching it.
They pair automatically to all your devices via iCloud, and can auto-switch between them.
Now on to the main event: sound quality. They sound amazing. They have a clean sound profile that should please most users with a powerful but not overwhelming bass. You'll discover sounds you never heard before in your favorite songs.
If you subscribe to Apple Music, you also get Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio that makes it feel like the music is all around you.
Furthermore, they're great headphones for watching movies without bothering anyone around you. They're almost like a home theatre for your ears!
They're a bit on the expensive side, but that should tell you how much we love them to have bought them twice!
If you're invested in Apple's ecosystem and favor design, sound quality and ease of use, then these are definitely for you.
The design is beautiful and understated without any garish logo anywhere. They fit well with your other Apple products. The Digital Crown (that small dial on the top right) is a great way to adjust volume levels.
Siri integration is very useful to change volume levels, make or take calls, or otherwise use your iPhone or Macbook without touching it.
They pair automatically to all your devices via iCloud, and can auto-switch between them.
Now on to the main event: sound quality. They sound amazing. They have a clean sound profile that should please most users with a powerful but not overwhelming bass. You'll discover sounds you never heard before in your favorite songs.
If you subscribe to Apple Music, you also get Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio that makes it feel like the music is all around you.
Furthermore, they're great headphones for watching movies without bothering anyone around you. They're almost like a home theatre for your ears!
They're a bit on the expensive side, but that should tell you how much we love them to have bought them twice!
If you're invested in Apple's ecosystem and favor design, sound quality and ease of use, then these are definitely for you.
Images in this review
Reviewed in Canada on May 11, 2024
Colour Name: Space GrayVerified Purchase
Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2024
Seriously - I wanted to wait for the XM6's, but nope - I'll try them and likely return them when they come out, and I know - the Apirpods Max 2's are coming at some point, but I can't wait. These are SO much more comfortable than the XM5's crappy cushioning that's very cheap in construction. These are also significantly better at noise cancelling, which is HUGE for me, as mentioned.
No one can beat these for ANC and the sound is phenomenal. I'm not even an Apple guy, except for these.
Try them for yourself. I realize sound is subjective, but hot damn, these are the best for ANC and the sound quality is the best I've tried (other than the Skullcandy Crusher Evo's for watching movies or during workouts, where heavy bass is desired in my case).
Thumbs up from Ontario, Canada! As I finish my up-coming mental health memoir and seek a book deal, these have me locked in! I'm sold on Airpods Max, even without the USB-C port, which the Max 2's will have. I'll likely buy a pair of those in a couple years.
Colour Name: Space GrayVerified Purchase
I Invested in The Best - Better than XM5's/BOSE QC Ultras and others! THESE are the best.
Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2024
March 2024: OK - First off, I've obsessively tried over 10 pairs of premium headphones - from Sennheiser 4's to EVO Crusher, to Sony XM5's, which I also have a pair of....and THESE are the BEST for noise cancelling (I'm a 47 year old Social Work student, so noise cancelling is HUGE for me, as you can probably imagine). *WAY stronger build quality than the BOSE QC Ultras in my opinion.*Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2024
Seriously - I wanted to wait for the XM6's, but nope - I'll try them and likely return them when they come out, and I know - the Apirpods Max 2's are coming at some point, but I can't wait. These are SO much more comfortable than the XM5's crappy cushioning that's very cheap in construction. These are also significantly better at noise cancelling, which is HUGE for me, as mentioned.
No one can beat these for ANC and the sound is phenomenal. I'm not even an Apple guy, except for these.
Try them for yourself. I realize sound is subjective, but hot damn, these are the best for ANC and the sound quality is the best I've tried (other than the Skullcandy Crusher Evo's for watching movies or during workouts, where heavy bass is desired in my case).
Thumbs up from Ontario, Canada! As I finish my up-coming mental health memoir and seek a book deal, these have me locked in! I'm sold on Airpods Max, even without the USB-C port, which the Max 2's will have. I'll likely buy a pair of those in a couple years.
Images in this review
Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2024
Colour Name: Sky BlueVerified Purchase
Reviewed in Canada on February 5, 2024
Colour Name: Sky BlueVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Rebecca
Comfortable, aesthetic, perfect noise cancellation
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2024Colour Name: PinkVerified Purchase
Rebecca
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2024
Images in this review
michael
Quality
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024Colour Name: Space GrayVerified Purchase
José Miranda
Para mi, Apple sigue siendo sinónimo de calidad
Reviewed in Mexico on May 13, 2024Colour Name: PinkVerified Purchase
C. Katherine Lambert
Excellent Headphones!
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024Colour Name: Sky BlueVerified Purchase
watch collector
Amazing Cancellation on Long Haul Flights! I was hesitant to pay $$, but glad I did
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024Colour Name: SilverVerified Purchase