Over-Ear Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
8.6/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$239.99at Amazon
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Apple
Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)
A perfect pair of headphones IF Apple would get out of its own way.
noise cancelling & sound
8.8/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling8.8
0.010.0
At 8.8, its noise cancelling beats 93% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 61 of the 238 we've cataloged.
4.5/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.5
1.05.0
A 4.5 puts its audio quality in the top quarter of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 44 of the 238 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality
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Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
22.8 hBelow average22.8 h
11 h100 h
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 238 we've cataloged.
Charging Method
Usb-c89%Micro usb8%Lightning1%Others2%
Lightning appears on 1% of the 135 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Bluetooth Version
5.0Most common5.028%5.325%5.216%5.411%
5.0 is the most common — on 28% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Connection Type
Most commonWired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others2%
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 22.8 h
- Charging Method
- Lightning connector
- Full Charge Minutes
- 120 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 20 h
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- No
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.0
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth, wired-3.5mm
- Bluetooth Codec
- AAC
- Multipoint Devices
- Yes - 2 devices
- Headphone Jack
- No
- USB Charging
- No
- Latency
- 177 ms
Design
- Weight
- 384.8 g
- Color Options
- Green, pink, silver, sky blue, space gray
- Ear Pad Type
- Memory foam and mesh textile
- Foldable
- No
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head with suspension design
- Wearing Time Max
- 4.5 h
Features
- Spatial Audio
- Head tracking
- Companion App
- No
- Control Type
- Physical controls (Digital Crown and Listening Mode button)
- Eq Customization
- No
- Auto Pause
- Yes
- Voice Assistant Support
- Siri
Build
- IP Rating
- None
- Material Chassis Primary
- Stainless steel and aluminum with memory foam and mesh
- Sweat Resistance
- No
- Water Resistance
- No
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam
- Material Headband
- Stainless steel with knitted mesh fabric padding
Microphone
- Count
- 9
- Microphone
- Yes
- Wind Noise Reduction
- No
- Noise Reduction Type
- Active noise cancellation for calls
- Type
- 4-mic array
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- Yes - adjustable level
- Anc Modes
- Off,anc,transparency
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic
- Frequency Response Signature
- Warm
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
Release
- Date
- December 15, 2020
- Msrp Usd
- 549 USD
- Year
- 2020
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 6.0 |
| 25 | 5.5 |
| 32 | 4.8 |
| 40 | 3.8 |
| 50 | 3.4 |
| 63 | 2.7 |
| 80 | 1.6 |
| 100 | 0.3 |
| 125 | -0.4 |
| 160 | -1.1 |
| 200 | -1.1 |
| 250 | -1.4 |
| 315 | -2.3 |
| 400 | -2.3 |
| 500 | -1.5 |
| 630 | -1.0 |
| 800 | -0.2 |
| 1000 | -0.0 |
| 1250 | -0.7 |
| 1600 | -0.5 |
| 2000 | 2.2 |
| 2500 | 4.1 |
| 3150 | 4.3 |
| 4000 | 1.2 |
| 5000 | -3.7 |
| 6300 | 6.5 |
| 8000 | 6.4 |
| 10000 | 5.1 |
| 12500 | 3.6 |
| 16000 | -4.2 |
| 20000 | -19.2 |
Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -2.5 |
| 26 | -0.5 |
| 33 | -0.0 |
| 41 | 0.5 |
| 52 | -0.5 |
| 65 | -3.8 |
| 82 | -3.6 |
| 103 | -2.1 |
| 130 | -2.5 |
| 163 | 4.4 |
| 205 | 7.9 |
| 259 | 11.1 |
| 325 | 14.2 |
| 410 | 15.2 |
| 516 | 16.8 |
| 613 | 17.0 |
| 772 | 17.5 |
| 972 | 20.7 |
| 1220 | 23.7 |
| 1540 | 23.9 |
| 1940 | 23.9 |
| 2440 | 30.3 |
| 3070 | 39.0 |
| 3870 | 35.7 |
| 4870 | 45.9 |
| 6130 | 40.7 |
| 7720 | 34.8 |
| 9720 | 24.5 |
| 12200 | 25.6 |
| 15400 | 27.1 |
| 19400 | 35.4 |
Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 9.7 |
| 26 | 10.7 |
| 33 | 18.3 |
| 41 | 19.0 |
| 52 | 22.2 |
| 65 | 20.8 |
| 82 | 24.9 |
| 103 | 23.8 |
| 130 | 19.4 |
| 163 | 35.0 |
| 205 | 36.3 |
| 259 | 35.4 |
| 325 | 35.2 |
| 410 | 33.6 |
| 516 | 28.6 |
| 613 | 29.5 |
| 772 | 31.3 |
| 972 | 33.6 |
| 1220 | 34.3 |
| 1540 | 31.4 |
| 1940 | 25.7 |
| 2440 | 28.3 |
| 3070 | 38.1 |
| 3870 | 36.1 |
| 4870 | 47.6 |
| 6130 | 40.4 |
| 7720 | 35.0 |
| 9720 | 23.5 |
| 12200 | 26.6 |
| 15400 | 27.7 |
| 19400 | 36.7 |
Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)
4.6
4.3
4.1
4.5
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Noise cancelling8.8
Isolation6.8
Battery life8.5
Comfort & fit8.5
Connectivity6.0
Design7.0
The verdict
While the Apple AirPod Max is a great pair of headphones with best-in-class active noise canceling (ANC) and a good sound signature, it also has a few annoying quirks that make it very obviously an Apple product. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and already love your AirPods Pro, then the AirPods Max is more of the same just in a pair of over-ears.
✓Liked: Nice design and solid build quality, Amazing active noise canceling and transparency mode, Comfortable ear pads and fabric headband, Decent battery life
✕Could be better: No 3.5mm headphone jack becomes a pain, Uses a Lightning connector instead of USB-C, Proximity sensors and voice assistant activation do not work on Android or Windows, No aptX or LDAC high quality codec support
Owners
How we verify ownersNobody who owns the Apple AirPods Max (1st gen) has written in yet.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
Own the Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
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Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
I built my own Dolby Atmos speaker system, but I still prefer headphones for musicInvesting in Dolby Atmos wasn't a waste, but listening through headphones is more than a gimmick.
Brady SnyderContributorAfter testing hundreds of headphones, here’s why I chose the AirPods Max in 2026The AirPods Max have aged like fine wine for the ears.
Harley MarananVideo LeadThe Sony WH-1000XM6 sounds better than the Apple AirPods Max, here's howWhile not a resounding victory, a victory nonetheless.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeDid a firmware update change the AirPods Max's sound?No post-hoc viewing of a rainbow squiggle on a chart should affect your listening.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largePlease stop wearing your AirPods Max at the gymApple won’t spot you when they inevitably break.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorIf the AirPods Max 2 have this feature, I will buy them immediatelyThe AirPods Max are one feature away from being my perfect headphones.
Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships Manager3 earbuds you should buy instead of AirPods 5I wouldn't buy the AirPods 5, but I would pick these earbuds instead.Brady SnyderContributorDo we really need two AirPods 5? It all comes down to $20Apple made the AirPods 5 cheaper, so why am I still complaining about $20?
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe Beats 360 fix the one thing AirPods Max owners can't replaceThe Beats 360 leak is packed with specs, but one detail stands out to anyone whose AirPods Max headband has worn out.Adam BirneyManaging EditorI fixed my AirPods Max headband for pennies after Apple quoted me hundredsI can't believe Apple shipped over-ears with a flawed headband... twice. Brady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer
Brady SnyderContributorAfter testing hundreds of headphones, here’s why I chose the AirPods Max in 2026The AirPods Max have aged like fine wine for the ears.Harley MarananVideo LeadThe Sony WH-1000XM6 sounds better than the Apple AirPods Max, here's howWhile not a resounding victory, a victory nonetheless.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeDid a firmware update change the AirPods Max's sound?No post-hoc viewing of a rainbow squiggle on a chart should affect your listening.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largePlease stop wearing your AirPods Max at the gymApple won’t spot you when they inevitably break.Adam BirneyManaging EditorIf the AirPods Max 2 have this feature, I will buy them immediatelyThe AirPods Max are one feature away from being my perfect headphones.Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships Manager3 earbuds you should buy instead of AirPods 5I wouldn't buy the AirPods 5, but I would pick these earbuds instead.Brady SnyderContributorDo we really need two AirPods 5? It all comes down to $20Apple made the AirPods 5 cheaper, so why am I still complaining about $20?Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe Beats 360 fix the one thing AirPods Max owners can't replaceThe Beats 360 leak is packed with specs, but one detail stands out to anyone whose AirPods Max headband has worn out.Adam BirneyManaging EditorI fixed my AirPods Max headband for pennies after Apple quoted me hundredsI can't believe Apple shipped over-ears with a flawed headband... twice. Brady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterMore Over-Ear Headphones
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