AirPods Pro and AirPods Max is two different products aimed at two different market. Most of the functions between the Pro and Max do overlap, but there is certain segments that each product occupy.
Common themes
Both are active noise cancelling headphones. It uses the a series of microphones to create a ‘negative’ sound wave to produce the active noise cancelation. Of course, with the biggest size, the Max is able to produce a better noise cancellation experience.
Both uses the same H1 chip for computational audio. What is computational audio? The AirPods are Bluetooth headphones and the audio info is transmitted digitally. The H1 is responsible to convert the digital signal to analog signal which you can hear. More than that, it can adjust the signal on the fly to produce the best possible version of the original signal. It is reported that the H1 has 10 cores to process audio information.
Both AirPods also has mics around each ear to pick up voices through beam forming. It has multiple microphones so it can produce the best possible sound without having a microphone at your phone. Since the Max is large, it has more microphone to create a better sound image.
Now off to the differences
Sound quality
This is the most obvious differences since one is a full blown over ear headphones while the other one is just in ear earphones. The Max obviously has more room for better drivers and at 40mm, it is one of the biggest drivers in the industry. However, at the price of $549, one will begs the question, it is far better than the AirPods Pro and can it rival the audiophile headphones which priced at this level?
The answer is not really. Reviews says that if you only listen to podcast, Apple Music and Youtube, there’s no much difference in sound quality between AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. However, the over ear design of the AirPods Max is more comfortable from the AirPods Pro.
As for audio quality against audiophile headphones like Sennheiser HD800s, the specialist gear is still better. Usually, when you go to the route of the HD800s, you will invest in headphone amplifier, get a good source like an expensive CD or Record player and of course get a good quality CD / Record. The AirPods is not that. It is geared more towards “luxury listening”, where you want to best designed, quality headphones at $550.
Controls
The max comes with a digital crown as additional control. My gripe with the AirPods Pro is that you don’t have a way to control volume of the music that you are listening to. This does the job. Holding down the crown will change the noise canceling preferences.
The Airpods Pro, you have this touch surface that mimics the old click button of the old headphones but without the volume controls.
Build Quality
For $550, you’ll get more headphones for your money. The build quality is top notch, but the bridge could be an issue. You see most headphone designer would make the bridge from lightweight plastic because that this will be on top of you head to carry both cups. At 384 grams, this thing is very heavy compared to the AirPods Pro 11 grams. You will have some issues when that much weight is put on your head for prolong time.
Use case
Most of the contact surfaces of the AirPods Max are made from mesh. The ear cups is removable and washable. When I say washable, I meant you can use soap and a lint-free cloth to gently hand-wash it. Not machine wash. At 384 grams, the headphone will be quite heavy to use for sports.
The AirPods Pro is the more convenient high quality headphone. You can use them for everything. Sports, meeting and easy listening. The Max has longer battery life, but in typical use case, you don’t really put your headphones whole day so this point is a bit moot.
Conclusion
The Max is the highest quality headphones from Apple. The Pro is the most convenient high quality headphones from Apple. For most poeple, the Pro is the most that they will use for everyday use. The other people, the Max might not fit the bill as the best $550 headphones for music. But it is the best $550 smart headphones that Apple makes.
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