Best over-ear headphones: AirPods Max vs the competition

Whereas Apple’s AirPods Max are actually greater than two and a half years previous and in want of an replace, Apple’s subsidiary, Beats, has launched a set of over-ear headphones that value much less, ship higher sound and supply a lot of the AirPods options, together with one-touch pairing, iCloud pairing (though not prompt switching!), Handoff to Apple Watch, hands-free “Hey Siri” help, and Discover My help. They even help personalised Spatial Audio and head monitoring. You’ll discover all the required controls constructed natively into iOS, as you’d count on from of a product from an Apple-owned firm.

There are a number of lacking Apple options, corresponding to ear detection (which might cease them taking part in whenever you took them off) they usually don’t characteristic Apple’s H-series headphone chips (although some Beats merchandise do). As an alternative, they provide a proprietary Beats processor which permits them to extra simply help Android options.

The Beats Studio Professional sound actually good. The low finish has the readability and punch of AirPods Max, however the excessive frequencies are noticeably crisper. The built-in DAC helps hi-res and lossless audio as much as 24-bit/48KHz. Adaptive noise canceling high quality is superb, although maybe inferior to the 2nd-gen AirPods Professional. Noise canceling is just not supported in USB-C wired mode. The headphone’s mic can be utilized as mic enter in your Mac or PC (although the standard is lower than the usual of a very good devoted headset).

They’re much less snug to put on than the AirPods Max. The ear cushions don’t have the gentle velvety really feel of AirPods Max, and the headscarf is far stiffer, however they’re lighter (260 grams in comparison with 384 grams). They fold as much as simply slot in a bag and include an actual carrying case.

On the left cup, you’ll discover built-in controls hid by the b. These are normal play/pause/advance/again management buttons. You’ll additionally discover an ordinary headphone jack with audio enter absolutely supported with none dongles or adapters.

On the precise cup you’ll discover the facility button which can be used to enter pairing mode, or you may double-click it to vary noise canceling modes between Signature, Leisure and Dialog. There may be additionally a USB-C port for charging that can be plugged any supported audio supply for audio enter.

We obtained round 4 hours of playback time from a 10-minute cost. A full cost takes round 2 hours. Beats claims 40 hours of battery life with ANC off and 24 hours with ANC on. That’s about 20 % higher than AirPods Max.

Even when they weren’t $200 cheaper, we’d advocate these over the AirPods Max. The shortage of ear detection is a bummer, however Beats Studio Professional delivers betters sound, battery life, controls, and compatibility, they usually weigh lots much less too.-Jason Cross

Sonos has waited virtually 20 years to make a pair of headphones, and its first wearable sound product is worthy of the model. It’s costly, however delivers glorious high quality in a simple approach.

Audio high quality is roughly on par with AirPods Max—you’ll need to bump up the treble only a contact within the Sonos app’s EQ settings—and noise cancelling holds its personal in opposition to contemporaries from Bose, Sony, et al. Of be aware, the transparency mode (Sonos calls it “Conscious Mode”) on the Ace is the one one I’ve ever heard that’s nearly as good as Apple’s.

Battery life is unbelievable, rated at 30 hours with ANC enabled, and also you get some good options like full USB-C audio mode (with help for lossless audio) and an ordinary 3.5mm plug for analog sources. For those who additionally typically use Android merchandise, you’ll be pleased to know you surrender none of its options, and in reality with some Android headsets (people who use AptX Lossless) you may even do lossless audio over Bluetooth.

One draw back is that it barely defies expectations for many who are used to Sonos merchandise; not like all of the Sonos audio system, that is not a Wi-Fi related product that instantly streams audio. Quite, it’s Bluetooth solely and streams audio out of your telephone or different Bluetooth gadget.

In case you have a Sonos soundbar, a long-press of the primary “content material key” will immediately swap the audio out of your soundbar to your Ace headphones and again once more. This characteristic solely works with the Sonos Arc soundbar now, however others are coming in a software program replace later in 2024.

One phrase of warning: The Sonos Ace launch was accompanied by a pressured replace to the Sonos app that the group has not been proud of. It’s prettier and extra streamlined, certain, however it’s fairly buggy and lacks necessary options the previous app had. Sonos has already pushed out a pair updates to rectify some points and extra are on the way in which, however you would possibly need to verify on the app state of affairs before you purchase.

Learn extra of our impressions of the Sonos Ace right here. -Jason Cross

The Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones are pricy, at $429/£449.95 which is greater than the $399/£319 Sony WH-1000XM5, however they’re nonetheless cheaper than the Apple AirPods Max at $499/£499. They do supply glorious sound high quality and energetic noise cancellation, although, which matches a protracted option to justify the worth.

In addition they help aptX streaming, and have Bose’s CustomTune know-how for personalizing the headphones’ audio to your distinctive ears. There’s additionally a spatial audio choice.

Operational controls are minimalist. On the right-hand cup, there are two buttons and a skinny thermal quantity strip. Sliding a finger up or down the strip adjusts the amount. Tapping and holding the strip prompts one among a number of shortcuts. A second button performs a number of capabilities corresponding to play and pause the music, reply or decline a name. A protracted press allows you to cycle via audio listening modes together with Quiet, Conscious and Immersion. There’s additionally a Wind Noise Suppression characteristic. Immersive Audio characteristic is especially spectacular, however doesn’t swimsuit each music kind.

On-Head Detection circuitry senses whenever you put them on and take them off, so there is no such thing as a want for the facility button. The producer says they are going to auto-shut off after 24 hours of idle time. Run time is quoted as as much as 24 hours they usually obtain a full cost in lower than three hours

The scarf is soft-touch pleather and the reminiscence foam within the ear cups feels premium grade. It seals and cushions moderately with out being cumbersome and resided comfortably on my head virtually all day lengthy. –Jonathan Takiff

Apple shocked a whole lot of us when it (lastly) added USB-C and three.5mm wired inputs to the Beats Studio Professional. Nevertheless, hi-fi specialists Bowers & Wilkins have been utilizing USB-C to supply lossless and high-res audio with their PX vary of headphones since 2017.

It’s a bit dear – at $699/£599 it’s much more costly than the AirPods Max – however the design and sound high quality are impeccable. Out there in black or tan, the padded headband and earpieces really feel completely luxurious (though the leather-based masking may not swimsuit everybody). The adjustable cast-aluminum armatures look very good and are sturdy sufficient to deal with life on the highway whenever you’re touring, and there’s a hard-shell carrying case included as nicely.

The 40mm drivers help Bluetooth with help for each Apple’s AAC and aptX Adaptive for Android customers. As talked about, there’s a USB-C interface for wired connections and lossless audio, and a 3.5mm adaptor is included for good old school analog audio as nicely. The sound high quality is nearly as good as you’d count on from an organization with B&W’s hi-fi heritage. There’s an icy readability to the metal guitar on You Can’t Belief Violence by Low, and the band’s harmonies are clean as silk, at the same time as they repeat the chilling refrain of “no, you may’t belief violence…”. There’s a pleasant bass sound too, bouncing together with a agency, infectious rhythm on Unhealthy Man by Billie Eilish, and contrasting nicely with the sharp, exact finger snaps that set the tempo and drive the observe ahead.

The noise-cancellation options work very nicely too, and with 30 hours of battery life when utilizing Bluetooth and noise-cancellation the Px8 is a superb choice for frequent fliers or commuting on a prepare. The luxurious design and sound high quality of the Px8 are value each penny, however in the event you’re on a decent price range then you may nonetheless discover the earlier Px7 S2 mannequin obtainable on-line with a current worth reduce to £299, which makes it an actual discount. –Cliff Joseph

The primary set of headphones that I ever purchased in my scholar days was made by Sennheiser, however the firm isn’t buying and selling on nostalgia with its Momentum 4 Wi-fi, which gives glorious sound high quality and options at a aggressive worth.

This fourth-generation Momentum is a little more compact and streamlined than its predecessors, with the burden now decreased to only 293g to be able to be sure that it’s gentle and comfy to put on for lengthy durations of time. Even so, Sennheiser has nonetheless managed to squeeze a formidable vary of options into the headphones, beginning with 42mm drivers which are bigger than these utilized by most of its rivals. These additionally present a formidable frequency response of 6Hz – 22KHz, which once more beats most rival headphones on this worth vary.

Unsurprisingly, the Momentum 4 gives glorious sound high quality. It digs deep and delivers a taut, menacing bass pulse on You Ought to See Me In A Crown by Billie Eilish. The upper frequencies work nicely too, capturing Billie’s whispered vocals with nice readability, and choosing out the edgy ticking of percussion that provides the tune its manic power.

The digital options are proper updated as nicely, with Bluetooth 5.2, and help for each AAC for Apple units and aptX Adaptive for Android. The USB-C port on the precise earpiece can be utilized for charging, but additionally helps USB audio for wired connections, and there’s a 2.5mm analog line-in connector too (with cable supplied). Nevertheless, the USB cable supplied by Sennheiser is USB-A-to-USB-C, so that you’ll want to supply your personal USB-C adaptor for Macs and iPads that solely have USB-C.

The noise-cancellation options work very nicely, and Sennheiser’s Sensible Management app allows you to regulate the extent of noise-cancellation manually, through the use of a slider management, or you may simply choose the ‘adaptive’ choice which permits the Momentum to observe background noise and regulate the noise-cancellation robotically.

However, even with all these options, the actually excellent characteristic of the Momentum 4 Wi-fi is its battery life – lasting for round 60 hours even when utilizing Bluetooth and noise-cancellation collectively. There’s a very good set of equipment too, with a hard-shell carrying case and airline adaptor supplied for whenever you’re touring. And, with a aggressive $379.95/£309.99 worth, the Momentum 4 Wi-fi even manages to undercut the worth of the brand new Beats Studio Professional as nicely.-Cliff Joseph

It’s been some time since Apple-subsidiary Beats up to date its extra reasonably priced on-ear Solo headphones. Greater than seven years, to be precise. As you’d count on, lots has modified.

The Apple W1 chip has been changed with a proprietary know-how platform that helps options in each Apple and Android units. Apple customers get personalised spatial audio with head monitoring and hands-free “Hey Siri” help along with all of the older stuff (one-touch pairing, iCloud pairing, and Discover My help). For non-Apple customers there’s help for Google Quick Pair, cloud pairing together with your Google account, Discover My Machine and multi-point pairing for seamless audio switching.

Sound high quality is improved in comparison with the earlier technology, correctly. There may be help for USB-C audio output and enter, and it’s potential to cost and play USB-C audio on the similar time. Over USB-C or 3.5mm you may hearken to lossless audio (sadly the sound replica of those headphones is just not ok to note). Sound goes to be restricted by the truth that these are on-ear headphones, missing the bigger diaphragms of over-the-ear fashions or the tight in-ear match of earbuds.

There’s an influence button on the underside of the precise earpiece. It’s essential use this as a result of there is no such thing as a on-ear detection to automate issues. The left earpiece has a giant button for play/pause/ahead/reverse and to set off the voice assistant. Urgent above or beneath that button modifications the amount.

Beats claims 50 hours of battery life, seemingly a results of the dearth of energetic noise cancellation, which might be the largest pressure on battery life. The shortage of ANC, which is predicted on all however the least expensive earbuds and headphones, could possibly be seen as an obstacle.

The earpads are gentle, however the spring pressure makes the strain a bit uncomfortable after lengthy listening durations once I put on my glasses. It is a frequent downside with on-ear headphones and a motive why over-the-ear cans could also be extra snug. The brand new fashions substitute the previous micro-USB plug with USB-C. – Jason Cross

Grasp & Dynamic is a comparatively younger firm, having been based in New York barely a decade in the past, however it rapidly developed a popularity for the spectacular craftsmanship and sound high quality of headphones such because the MW75. Priced at $599/£549, and obtainable in a wide range of colours, the MW75 oozes high quality, constructed out of light-weight aluminum and tempered glass, and with a padded headband and earpieces wrapped in gentle leather-based (though, after all, the selection of leather-based will not be to everybody’s style). The earpieces are comparatively small for an ‘over-ear’ headphone, although, and a few individuals would possibly discover the match a bit cosy. The little management buttons on the earpieces are additionally reasonably small as nicely.

It’s obtained an aesthetic design on the within too, with 40mm drivers which are constructed out of Beryllium – a really inflexible materials utilized in many high-end hi-fi techniques to be able to cut back vibration and distortion that may have an effect on the sound high quality. The MW75 helps Bluetooth with each AAC for Apple units and aptX Adaptive for Android, and there’s a USB-C port for wired connections with help for lossless and high-res audio codecs as much as 24-bit/96KHz. There’s additionally a USB-A adaptor included for older computer systems, a 3.5mm adaptor for analog enter, and a 6.3mm adaptor to be used with high-end hi-fi tools. Vacationers will even recognize the good, fabric-covered hard-shell carrying case and airline adaptor, in addition to wholesome battery life that lasts for 28 hours when utilizing Bluetooth and noise-cancellation collectively (or 32 hours with out noise-cancellation).

The noise-cancellation options are very efficient and, like most headphones lately, the MW75 contains an ambient mode that permits a number of the background noise when required. Nevertheless, there’s additionally a further ‘voice’ mode that helps to select individuals’s voices in the event you’re in an workplace or maybe ready for a flight announcement in an airport.

However, as at all times, the sound high quality is vital, and the MW75 gives glorious readability and element proper throughout the spectrum. It gives a deep, ominous rumble for the digital bass on Max Richter’s Shadow Journal, however it doesn’t permit the bass to overwhelm the piercing readability of the violin, or the light ambient sound-cloud of digital loops that swirl evenly via the air.-Cliff Joseph

Yamaha has a long time of expertise producing musical devices and audio tools for skilled musicians, and it brings that audio experience to its YH-E700B headphone.

Yamaha will get all of the fundamentals proper, with massive 40mm drivers which are designed to scale back distortion and supply a formidable 8Hz – 20KHz frequency response. The YH-E700B makes use of Bluetooth 5.2 for wi-fi audio, with help for each AAC for Apple units and the newest aptX Adaptive for our Android-toting associates. There’s additionally a 3.5mm connector to supply a wired connection, though it’s disappointing that the USB-C connector on the headphone is simply used for charging, and doesn’t present USB audio enter too. And, because the YH-E700B is an replace for Yamaha’s older YH-E700A headphone, it additionally gives improved noise-cancellation options – that are very efficient – and an ambient mode that permits you to hear out for background sounds when that you must (however be careful, as the unique YH-E700A remains to be on sale on-line, so be sure you purchase the proper mannequin).

The interior mics used for noise-cancellation additionally work with Yamaha’s Listening Optimiser know-how to scan the within of your ear canal to create a personalised sound ‘profile’. And, if you wish to fine-tune the sound even additional, then Yamaha’s Headphone app features a five-band equalizer with a wide range of presets and the flexibility to create two customized presets as nicely.

That set of options ensures that the YH-E700B gives glorious sound high quality. The headphone’s 8Hz low-end digs actually deep for the slinky bass guitar riff on Leonard Cohen’s You Need It Darker, and Cohen’s personal voice has a terrifically deep and world-weary tone. However the YH-E700B handles larger frequencies nicely too, with a crisp, sharp stab on the percussion that units the tempo, and a clean velvet tone on the choir that joins in on the refrain. And, with a formidable battery lifetime of 30 hours when utilizing noise-cancellation – or 32 hours in the event you change it off – you may get pleasure from that high-quality music even on the longest journeys.-Cliff Joseph

Most headphones simply give attention to the music aspect of issues, with options corresponding to spatial audio or noise-cancellation to boost the listening expertise, however Logitech takes a distinct strategy with its Zone Vibe vary of headphones. It’s extra reasonably priced than lots of its rivals and focuses primarily on workplace use, for individuals who may go in name facilities or buyer help, or maybe want a headset for video calls when working from residence.

There are presently two variations of the Zone Vibe obtainable from Logitech, with the Vibe 100 being a primary Bluetooth headset that prices $99.99/£109.99. There’s additionally the Vibe 125, priced at $129.99/£129.99, which makes use of the identical headset but additionally features a USB wi-fi adaptor to be used in busy places of work which will have a whole lot of Bluetooth units that might probably trigger interference and have an effect on name high quality (there’s a 3rd mannequin as nicely, though that is designed for big company customers and is simply obtainable from specialist enterprise suppliers).

The headset weighs simply 185g, which may be very gentle for a big over-ear headset corresponding to this, because it’s designed for individuals who could should put on all of it day lengthy whereas they’re at work. It additionally has a increase mic for voice calls, which may be folded up out of the way in which to be able to rapidly mute the mic as nicely.

There are not any fancy audio options – there’s a noise-canceling filter on the microphone to maintain your voice clear for calls, however the earpieces don’t present energetic noise-cancellation (ANC) for listening to music. Nevertheless, the headset helps Apple’s AAC codec for Bluetooth audio and gives good sound high quality for each calls and music. It delivers a transparent, detailed sound for the dense manufacturing on Kate Bush’s The Large Sky, and manages to steadiness the tune’s large avalanche of drums and percussion very nicely, with out overlooking extra delicate particulars such because the light tambourine that shimmers away within the background.

Battery life is sweet too, with 20 hours of listening time, or 18 hours of speak time for voice calls. And, paying good consideration to element, Logitech’s Tune app is obtainable for Macs and Home windows, in addition to Android and iOS cellular units, so you may simply get the Zone Vibe arrange whenever you’re getting ready to take voice or video calls at work.-Cliff Joseph

Austrian Audio makes high-end headphones and microphones for musicians and audiophiles, they usually additionally make extra reasonably priced headphones, such because the Hello-X25BT, which gives spectacular sound high quality for a really reasonably priced $179/£135.

Because the title suggests, the Hello-X25BT does embody Bluetooth to supply a wi-fi choice when required, with a formidable 30 hours of battery life in Bluetooth mode. It’s not at its finest with Bluetooth, although, because it doesn’t help both Apple’s AAC or AptX for Android, counting on the extra primary SBC codec for wi-fi audio. 

The emphasis, due to this fact, is extra on utilizing the Hello-X25BT as a set of wired headphones by way of its USB-C connector. Austrian contains two cables with the headphones, with a USB-C-to-3.5mm connector that gives normal analog audio, or an easy USB-C cable that gives digital audio from an iPad, Mac or different units which have USB-C. There’s additionally a USB-A adaptor included too, and I had no hassle utilizing the Hello-X25BT with each USB-A and three.5mm connections on my growing old workplace iMac. I additionally discovered a Lightning audio adaptor from Belkin in my desk draw, which allowed me to make use of the Hello-X25BT with a Lightning connection on my iPhone as nicely – though, after all, this isn’t included with the headphones, so that you’d want to supply your personal adaptor for an iPhone.

And, as you’d count on from an organization with Austrian’s Hello-Fi background, the sound high quality is nice, due to 40mm drivers with spectacular 12Hz – 24KHz frequency response. The cymbal crash that begins Blondie’s Rapture rings out crisp and clear, with a unfastened relaxed really feel on the jangling rhythm guitar. The tune’s bouncing bass line works a deal with too, and by no means will get misplaced within the combine as can typically occur with much less exact headphones.–Cliff Joseph

The AirPods Max are fairly snug, regardless of their heavy weight of 384 grams. In addition they look higher than some other headphones you’ve used due to their clean matte end on the aluminum closed-back earpieces, the stainless-steel rods within the band, the high quality mesh of the ear pads and cover headband. The scarf and gentle, deep, breathable ear pads are snug sufficient to put on that the burden isn’t an excessive amount of of a hassle (though in the event you run with them on you’ll really feel the majority).

The controls are easy, intuitive, and unobtrusive. There’s a digital crown like that on the Apple Watch alongside and a single button on prime of the precise earpiece. The crown controls quantity and playback (skip forwards and backward, press and maintain for Siri, and so on). The button toggles between noise-canceling and transparency mode and turns noise-canceling on.

Audio replica matches different high-end premium wi-fi Bluetooth headphones. Apple has tuned the AirPods Max to spice up bass and mid-high frequencies a bit, which most listeners will most likely discover fairly pleasing. The bass has kick when it’s known as for, and it’s clear with no distortion.

The energetic noise canceling is probably the very best we’ve heard, excelling at clearing away irregular seems like visitors, common workplace disturbances, or background speaking. Apple’s transparency mode, which lets you have a dialog whereas nonetheless listening to the music, sounds extra clear, pure, and regular than some other noise-canceling headphones.

The AirPods Max cost solely with a Lightning connector and don’t have any 3.5mm headphone jack enter. To hearken to lossless audio, or in the event you’re enhancing video and need to get rid of the latency of Bluetooth, you’ll want an adapter to plug them into something aside from an iPhone (which itself quickly be getting a USB-C port) which looks as if a little bit of an oversight (particularly because the EU has pressured Apple to undertake USB-C for the iPhone).

One other factor we aren’t eager on is the not-so-smart Sensible Case that the AirPods Max ship with. It’s a case that hardly covers the headphones and doesn’t do something to guard them. The case does evoke a low-power mode to save lots of battery, however that’s about it. As we mentioned in our evaluation, it’s “Actually terrible. Unwell-conceived and poorly executed”. Apple guarantees a battery lifetime of 20 hours of listening time with noise canceling enabled, which isn’t fairly nearly as good because the competitors. Charging is quick: simply quarter-hour on a primary 5-watt energy adapter took us from 20 to 44 %

However, the largest downside is the worth. At $549/£599 it’s tough to advocate AirPods Max when the competitors prices $200/£200 much less. You do get what you pay for although: construct high quality is unmatched and there are some intelligent design prospers. However there are all of the compromises we’ve talked about above.

The primary motive to get AirPods over different headphones is their seamless integration together with your Apple ecosystem. They pair simply by holding them close to your iPhone, change simply to your Mac or iPad, and you’ll change settings and get firmware updates inside Settings as a substitute of requiring a separate app. One of many coolest options of the AirPods Max (and AirPods Professional) is Spatial Audio, whereby Dolby encompass is massaged right into a kind of faux-3D sound stage. Initially solely obtainable on the iPhone and iPad, Spacial Audio now works on Apple TV and (Apple silicon) Macs too.

Apple’s high-end headphones look, sound, and really feel nice, however two and a half years on from the launch they lack too many key options. In addition they value far more than is justified, though we frequently discover them at a reduction. See Finest AirPods offers.–Jason Cross