Greatest over-ear headphones: AirPods Max vs the competitors

Whereas Apple’s AirPods Max at the moment are 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 price much less, ship higher sound and supply a lot of the AirPods options, together with one-touch pairing, iCloud pairing (though not on the spot switching!), Handoff to Apple Watch, hands-free “Hey Siri” assist, and Discover My assist. They even assist personalised Spatial Audio and head monitoring. You’ll discover all the mandatory controls constructed natively into iOS, as you’d count on from of a product from an Apple-owned firm.

There are a couple of lacking Apple options, akin to ear detection (which might cease them enjoying while you took them off) they usually don’t function 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 assist 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 great, although maybe inferior to the 2nd-gen AirPods Professional. Noise canceling isn’t 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 great devoted headset).

They’re much less comfy to put on than the AirPods Max. The ear cushions don’t have the gentle velvety really feel of AirPods Max, and the scarf is way 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 commonplace play/pause/advance/again management buttons. You’ll additionally discover a regular headphone jack with audio enter absolutely supported with none dongles or adapters.

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

We acquired 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 so much much less too.-Jason Cross

Apple shocked a whole lot of us when it (lastly) added USB-C and three.5mm wired inputs to the Beats Studio Professional. Nonetheless, 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 little bit expensive – at $699/£599 it’s much more costly than the AirPods Max – however the design and sound high quality are impeccable. Obtainable in black or tan, the padded headband and earpieces really feel completely luxurious (though the leather-based overlaying may not swimsuit everybody). The adjustable cast-aluminum armatures look very sensible and are sturdy sufficient to deal with life on the street while you’re touring, and there’s a hard-shell carrying case included as nicely.

The 40mm drivers assist Bluetooth with assist 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 style 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 Dangerous 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 practice. The luxurious design and sound high quality of the Px8 are price each penny, however in the event you’re on a good price range then you may nonetheless discover the earlier Px7 S2 mannequin accessible on-line with a latest value minimize to £299, which makes it an actual discount. –Cliff Joseph

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

This fourth-generation Momentum is a little more compact and streamlined than its predecessors, with the burden now lowered to only 293g with the intention to be certain that it’s mild 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 might be 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 value vary.

Unsurprisingly, the Momentum 4 supplies 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 offers the music its manic power.

The digital options are proper updated as nicely, with Bluetooth 5.2, and assist for each AAC for Apple units and aptX Adaptive for Android. The USB-C port on the best earpiece can be utilized for charging, but in addition helps USB audio for wired connections, and there’s a 2.5mm analog line-in connector too (with cable offered). Nonetheless, the USB cable offered 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 alter 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 alter the noise-cancellation routinely.

However, even with all these options, the actually excellent function 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 great set of equipment too, with a hard-shell carrying case and airline adaptor offered for while you’re touring. And, with a aggressive $379.95/£309.99 value, the Momentum 4 Wi-fi even manages to undercut the worth of the brand new Beats Studio Professional as nicely.

Grasp & Dynamic is a comparatively younger firm, having been based in New York barely a decade in the past, nevertheless it rapidly developed a repute for the spectacular craftsmanship and sound high quality of headphones such because the MW75. Priced at $599/£549, and accessible 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 may discover the match a bit cosy. The little management buttons on the earpieces are additionally somewhat small as nicely.

It’s acquired a cultured design on the within too, with 40mm drivers which might be constructed out of Beryllium – a really inflexible materials utilized in many high-end hi-fi programs with the intention to scale 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 assist 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 may also admire the sensible, 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 today, the MW75 consists of an ambient mode that permits among the background noise when required. Nonetheless, 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 all the time, the sound high quality is essential, and the MW75 supplies glorious readability and element proper throughout the spectrum. It supplies a deep, ominous rumble for the digital bass on Max Richter’s Shadow Journal, nevertheless it doesn’t enable the bass to overwhelm the piercing readability of the violin, or the light ambient sound-cloud of digital loops that swirl calmly by means of the air.

Yamaha has many years 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 giant 40mm drivers which might be 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 assist for each AAC for Apple units and the most recent aptX Adaptive for our Android-toting buddies. 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 barely used for charging, and doesn’t present USB audio enter too. And, for the reason that YH-E700B is an replace for Yamaha’s older YH-E700A headphone, it additionally supplies improved noise-cancellation options – that are very efficient – and an ambient mode that permits you to pay attention out for background sounds when you should (however be careful, as the unique YH-E700A continues to be on sale on-line, so be sure you purchase the right mannequin).

The inner 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 customized 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 supplies 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 greater 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.

Most headphones simply deal with the music aspect of issues, with options akin to spatial audio or noise-cancellation to reinforce the listening expertise, however Logitech takes a unique strategy with its Zone Vibe vary of headphones. It’s extra reasonably priced than a lot of its rivals and focuses primarily on workplace use, for individuals who may match in name facilities or buyer assist, or maybe want a headset for video calls when working from house.

There are at the moment two variations of the Zone Vibe accessible 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 in addition features a USB wi-fi adaptor to be used in busy workplaces that 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 giant company customers and is barely accessible from specialist enterprise suppliers).

The headset weighs simply 185g, which may be very mild for a big over-ear headset akin to this, because it’s designed for individuals who could must 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 with the intention to rapidly mute the mic as nicely.

There aren’t 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 lively noise-cancellation (ANC) for listening to music. Nonetheless, the headset helps Apple’s AAC codec for Bluetooth audio and supplies good sound high quality for each calls and music. It delivers a transparent, detailed sound for the dense manufacturing on Kate Bush’s The Massive Sky, and manages to stability the music’s big 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 nice 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 accessible for Macs and Home windows, in addition to Android and iOS cellular units, so you may simply get the Zone Vibe arrange while you’re making ready to take voice or video calls at work.

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 supplies 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 greatest with Bluetooth, although, because it doesn’t assist both Apple’s AAC or AptX for Android, counting on the extra primary SBC codec for wi-fi audio. 

The emphasis, subsequently, is extra on utilizing the Hello-X25BT as a set of wired headphones by way of its USB-C connector. Austrian consists of two cables with the headphones, with a USB-C-to-3.5mm connector that gives commonplace 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 ageing 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 music’s bouncing bass line works a deal with too, and by no means will get misplaced within the combine as can generally occur with much less exact headphones.–Cliff Joseph

The AirPods Max are fairly comfy, 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 chrome steel rods within the band, the tremendous mesh of the ear pads and cover headband. The headscarf and gentle, deep, breathable ear pads are comfy sufficient to put on that the burden isn’t an excessive amount of of a trouble (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 high of the best earpiece. The crown controls quantity and playback (skip forwards and backward, press and maintain for Siri, and many others). The button toggles between noise-canceling and transparency mode and turns noise-canceling on.

Audio copy 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 referred to as for, and it’s clear with no distortion.

The lively noise canceling is probably one of the best we’ve heard, excelling at clearing away irregular seems like visitors, basic 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 haven’t any 3.5mm headphone jack enter. To hearken to lossless audio, or in the event you’re modifying video and need to remove the latency of Bluetooth, you’ll want an adapter to plug them into something apart 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 avoid wasting battery, however that’s about it. As we stated in our evaluation, it’s “Actually terrible. Ailing-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 most important 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 purpose 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 an alternative 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 accessible 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 price far more than is justified, though we regularly discover them at a reduction. See Greatest AirPods offers.–Jason Cross