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Reading Time: 6 minutesApple just released the ultra-premium AirPods Max, retailing at an ultra-premium $549.99. That’s a hefty price tag for a pair of headphones, but you get a lot of exclusive features if you’re willing to stretch your budget. At the same time, not everyone should be tempted to break the bank and nab Apple’s new product.
Much of the AirPods Max price tag is dedicated to the high-fidelity dynamic drivers inside each ear cup, providing rich sound across all frequencies. If you think your regular old AirPods provide you with great sound, then there’s no reason to look into the AirPods Max—you probably won’t notice the intricate audio engineering that makes these so expensive. But if you’re passionate about music and consider yourself an audiophile, here’s what you need to know about the headphones before making a purchase. Check out the latest deals on Airpods before making a purchase.
AirPods Max: A Premium Product at a Premium Price
Credit: Apple
Apple’s new headphones are among the most expensive on the market. To their credit, the AirPods Max pack in a ton of tech for the price. Here’s a quick rundown of all the fancy tech hiding behind the sleek new headphones:
- Apple-designed dynamic drivers
- Active Noise Cancelling technology
- Transparency Mode
- Adaptive EQ
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
- Optical sensor, position sensor, case-detect sensor, and an accelerometer in each ear cup
- Nine microphones throughout the headset
- Apple H1 headphone chip in each ear cup
- Digital Crown controls to skip tracks, turn up volume, or activate Siri
- Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge
The AirPods Max build quality is just as impressive as its spec sheet, with memory foam ear cups that are easily detachable thanks to a few magnets, a stainless steel frame and soft-touch material throughout the rest of the design.
But while there’s a lot to love about the AirPods Max design and spec sheet, much of the same can be found in other products with a similar – or often much lower – price tag. The build quality is similar to that of the Bose 700 UC, and many of the same features can be found in several Sony products with a price tag nearly half of Apple’s.
Still, if you love the design and have the money to spare, no doubt you’ll be getting a premium set of headphones that will serve you well for years to come. The AirPods Max fit in perfectly with the rest of the Apple lineup—they’re well-designed, feature impressive tech and boast an expensive Apple price tag.
The Best AirPods Max Alternatives
If you’re looking to upgrade your headphones but aren’t keen on the AirPods Max, there are several great alternatives on the market. Better yet, some of them can be had for several hundred dollars less than Apple’s latest creation, but still pack in some of the same features.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC
Credit: Bose
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC – Sale Price: $299 | Reg. Price: $449.95
Although they’re normally billed as premium headphones for the working professional, Bose’s 700 UC are the perfect fit for any type of audiophile. Best in class noise cancelling, impressive build quality and a gesture pad for playback controls make these an enticing option for those seeking an ultra-premium headset.
In December 2020, Amazon had these headphones on sale for $339.00, or about $110 off MSRP. While the current sale isn’t quite as good, it’s still almost $200 less than AirPods Max. Especially if you don’t think of yourself as the type of person who typically spends $500+ on headphones, you’ll definitely feel like you’re getting your money’s worth here.
If you’re on the fence, check out our review of the Bose 700 UC.
The 700 UC excels at drowning out all surrounding noise, letting you focus on your work, zone out to music or hold crystal clear conversations with your friends. This high-end device is perfect for work-from-home professionals thanks to its high-tech noise cancelling abilities, but it’s also a boon for audiophiles seeking to pick apart every note in their favorite albums.
Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II
Credit: Bose
Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II – Sale Price: $299.00 | Regular Price: $349.95
Compared to the AirPods Max, this product by Bose is downright affordable. The design might not be as sleek as Apple’s, but its frame is still composed of stainless steel along with other impact-resistant materials. The technology under the hood can also go blow-for-blow with the AirPods Max, including the same battery life, adaptive noise cancelling capabilities, and built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant.
Bose’s product is an excellent choice for audiophiles on a budget that still want incredible sound clarity and a well-built set of headphones.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
Credit: Sony
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones – Price: $349.99
Look past the clunky name and you’ll find a robust set of headphones that strikes many of the same chords as Apple’s AirPods Max. Noise cancellation, ambient sound control and LDAC technology that transmits three times more data than your typical Bluetooth connection gives Sony’s headphones an impressive sound quality that rivals more expensive products.
That sound quality is pumped out by 1.57-inch drivers with Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragms, leaving you with rich notes and faithfully reproduced audio in ranges up to 40 kHz. The only drawback might be its overall design, which leaves a bit to be desired and is starting to show its age.
Sony MDR-Z7M2 Headphones
Credit: Sony
Sony MDR-Z7M2 Headphones – Sale Price: $599.98 | Regular Price: $899.98
Believe it or not, Apple’s AirPods Max aren’t the most expensive product on the market. Several other headphones clock in at much higher prices—many reaching over $1,000. But, if you want all the features offered by Apple and then some – without pushing your budget too much – consider the MDR-Z7M2.
The MDR-Z7M2 comes with massive 2.76-inch HD drivers, capable of producing sound that Sony claims is “similar to that in a natural sound field” and can reproduce frequencies between 4Hz and 100kHz. Realistically, unless that last sentence got you feeling fired up, you probably don’t need these headphones. At the same time, a similar argument could be made about AirPods Max, so the question remains: Who are AirPods Max best for?
Should You Buy the AirPods Max?
At the end of the day, there aren’t many people who will fully appreciate everything packed into the AirPods Max – or any headphones over $500. Not only are many of its features catered towards the high-end listener, but you can find similar products at a much lower price point. If you’re looking for an affordable set of headphones that can block out ambient sound, check out the Sony WH-1000XM4. If you’re looking for something with better sound quality, Bose has you covered with the QuietComfort 35 II.
If you want both those features, then either the Bose 700 UC, Sony MDR-Z7M2 or the AirPods Max will fit the bill, while also bringing in a few extra bells and whistles – along with ultra-premium materials. The 700 UC is still around $100 cheaper than the AirPods Max at MSRP, but Apple’s headphones are arguably the better-looking product.
AirPods Max are best for the Apple faithful who want the best in audio quality coupled with the product design, without any compromise. But if you don’t mind forgoing the Apple branding and think your current AirPods sound great, then it’s best to save a few hundred dollars and look elsewhere for your next upgrade.
Where to Find AirPods Max Deals
Credit: Apple
While you may have to wait a little for shipment, you can usually order AirPods Max from most retailers. Unfortunately, there aren’t any good promotions for the expensive product, so you’ll likely be paying full price.
Apple
- AirPods Max – Price: $549.99
Target
- AirPods Max – Price: $549.99
Best Buy
- AirPods Max – Price: $549.99
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Jon Bitner
Jon is a freelance writer who primarily focuses on topics related to video games, science, medicine and technology. Before starting his career as a writer he worked in the Biotechnology industry. He has a degree in Biology, and when he isn't writing he can usually be found traveling, playing video games or hunting down the latest deals.