We compared the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4, two of the most recommended circumaural wireless headphones.
The arrival of the AirPods Max the market surprised everyone, Apple had never opted for this type of headphones. In addition, instead of opting for a somewhat sportier version and with simple materials, it did so for headphones with a premium finish, which are not cheap. Sony, for its part, has been in this market for years and is a true reference, and its Sony WH-1000XM4 are one of the most common recommendations.
For that reason, buy the AirPods Max with the Sony WH-1000XM4 It has all the sense of the world. In many aspects they differ, such as in the materials used or in the price, but in others they are really similar.
AirPods Max or Sony XM4?
The answer is by no means simple, so let’s compare its main specifications, and we will end up recommending which one is worth it depending on your preferences.
Specifications table
AirPods Max | Sony XM4 | |
---|---|---|
Dimensions | 18.3 x 16.86 x 8.34 cm | 25.3 x 18.5 x 7.7 cm |
Weight | 384.8 g | 254 g |
Microphones | 9 | 5 |
Materials | Aluminum, stainless steel and fabric | Plastic |
Battery | 20 hours of audio playback | 30 hours of audio playback |
Fast charge | 5 minutes offer 1.5 hours | 10 minutes offer 5 hours |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 and Lightning | Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5 mm jack | Starting price | 629 euros | 380 euros |
Design, materials and build quality
The design is one of the main differences between the two devices. While Apple bets on metal in its AirPods Max, Sony has designed its WH-1000XM4 in plastic. The finish of the AirPods Max is more premium, while that of the Sony is probably more resistant to the passage of time.
This is still subjective, the design and materials depend on each user. Yes indeed, The build quality of the AirPods Max is noticeable superior to that of the Sony XM4, with a perfect fit and a very pleasant feel.
However, materials such as steel and aluminum are much heavier than plastic, which makes the Sony XM4 are much lighter. We are talking about a difference of 130 grams in favor of Japanese headphones, a difference that is noticeable and a lot.
Another point in favor of the design of the AirPods Max is its pads. Not only do we have a material that adapts better to our ears, they are also interchangeable ear pads, which will extend the life of the headphones. This type of device usually begins to notice the passage of time precisely in the pads, and those of the AirPods Max are easy tricks to change than those of the Sony.
Sound quality and noise cancellation
Is about extremely difficult aspects to compare. We are facing two headphones that can be heard very well, but they are not devices designed for audiophiles, for them there are alternatives that are much more expensive and that make use of cable. However, they are two very good exponents if what we want is quality wireless headphones.
Most analyzes agree that the sound experience is quite similar between both devices. In terms of sound quality, Sony is likely to have better reproduction in terms of bass, although as a general rule the AirPods Max maintain a higher average note. The good thing about the Sony is that through the Sony Headphones Connect app you can personalize the sound experience a lot, by being able to configure the equalizer.
Refering to Noise Cancellation, again we are facing two great devices for it. In this case, everything points to AirPods Max are slightly above As for this facet, yes, the Sony XM4 are still an excellent option and their noise cancellation is excellent.
Battery duration
In this section, the winner is quite clear since it is about numbers. The Sony WH-1000XM4 feature longer battery life. It is true that we are talking about huge battery runtimes, we will hardly be using them for that long, but here the AirPods Max are a notch below.
These are the official data offered by Apple and Sony, both with active noise cancellation activated:
- AirPods Max battery life: up to 20 hours.
- Sony WH-1000XM4 battery life: up to 30 hours.
But not only that, The Sony WH-1000XM4 also have a faster charge. In just 10 minutes they get a battery for 5 hours, while the AirPods Max get 1 hour and a half with a charge of 5 minutes.
Price
Another key element when comparing the two devices, and again Sony is ahead (or behind, depending on how you look at it). The official prices of both devices are 629 euros for the AirPods Max and 380 euros for the Sony WH-1000XM4.
Although it is true that you can get something cheaper in certain stores, the difference continues to be in favor of the Japanese. it’s possible find the Sony WH-1000XM4 for about 200 euros less than the AirPods Max.
Why choose AirPods Max
The main advantages of the AirPods Max are similar to those of choosing any other Apple device, yes, are more expensive, but offer certain features that many will value. These are the main reasons to buy the AirPods Max before the Sony WH-1000XM4.
- You have an ecosystem of Apple devices.
- You value fast connection and automatic switching between devices.
- You want headphones with quality materials.
- You are going to use them a lot to call, they have more and better microphones.
Why choose the Sony WH-1000XM4
Of course, choose the Sony WH-1000XM4 ahead of the AirPods Max It can also make a lot of sense if you are a user who values these types of reasons:
- You have non-Apple devices.
- You like to play around with the equalizer to get a custom sound.
- They are cheaper.
- They have 3.5mm headphone jack.
- They can be folded and are lighter.
Hopefully you have been able to decide well which of the two to buy, AirPods Max or Sony WH-1000XM4. What you can be sure of you will be right no matter what decision you make, they are two excellent headphones.
Related topics: AirPods
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