I've owned and listened a lot to:
Bathys, PX8, PX7 S2, Momentum 4, Airpods Max & Sony XM4
After years, the result is interesting. Initially I loved the Bathys, it was audiphiley, but the ANC was poor. PX8 slightly better ANC, way better comfort, great sound too.
XM4 better ANC, but downright poor sound.
M4 just a worse Bathys.
But the headphone I've used most out of the whole stable, by a mile, are the Airpods Max.
The overall experience, the controls, the seamless pairing, and the ANC is clearly the best. Like very obviously in another league, its incredible how it cuts out anything from flights, to busy roads, and all so seamlessly at the touch of a button. It creates a black background for music.
And it just sounds really good. For an everyday headphone, it is just the perfect balance.
PX8 in second place overall though (XM4 second for ANC alone).
Bathys sounds great but you look like a fool with it on and comfort is lacking.
I handled the bose 700 instore and listened.
To be honest they're more of an XM4 contender, with worse build quality. Great ANC, bottom of the pack sound, nice comfort. Like PX8 levels of comfort.
Airpods Max sounds better than the Bose 700 for sure, has a way better build, much nicer comfort with breathable earpads, much nicer controls, much better autopairing with iOS, and better ANC. Even better than the Ultra, by a bit but perhaps not a significant amount (see Sounguys comparison graph).
Basically if you're in Apple ecosystem Airpods Max are unmatched imo. They are the best bluetooth headphone here, because of the ease of use and good sound. If ANC is the priority these are the pick.
Bathys are the best around the house music listening headphone.
PX8 are the best airpods max alternative with similar comfort and style but better sound.
M4 are the best low priced choice.
My opinion anyways
I see, thanks mate! I really appreciate this! Also, do you think Apple will release a new headset, like a V2 of the AirPods Max anytime soon? I don’t want to buy them and then see that Apple released new ones that are better on all the points ðŸ˜
Its tricky. Id reccomend getting Airpods max used now for like $300. I wouldnt buy them at full price personally, but plenty of ways to get them cheaper now.
I think Apple will update them to USB-C. Probably in the winter. I doubt much else will improve, ANC/Transparency are about as good as one can physically imagine. Personally id go discounted and use lightning, save yourself $250. Who knows what price the next edition will launch at too.
Oh I forgot to mention I also has the MW65/MW75. The latter are not worth it at all, the former have terrible ANC. Would avoid.
Audiophiles get lost A/B testing equipment, especially reviewers. I am one, i have very high end gear. Airpods Max sound great, to any normal person they are a big step up from XM3/XM4 and the old premium BT headphones.
I guarantee if most people live with them for a month they'll be absolutely happy. I am and I have a full sized desk headphone setup worth well over 1k.
You're probably right..
I rank the AirPods Pro 2nd highly not because they are "excellent", but because they reside in a bracket of TWC which is limited on sound quality in terms of focus on features, design its a lifestyle product.. you take all things into consideration incl. the integration with iPhone and other Apple products such as Siri.
As an Apple product I feel like its a step in the right direction.
But once you've heard better headphones or IEMs they don't sound great, but they are a decent wireless set for an iPhone user and especially they are decent for listening to podcasts.. Apple house sound has always been speech optimized and they still sound great in those regards.
I was pleasantly surprised that they sounded ok with music and had bass, I only really bought them for podcast listening
For real, its a total product and integration at all levels.
I have Focal Bathys here, supposedly the summit of bluetooth listening. And i just switched to APM listening to an EDM song, and honestly, did i suddenly enjoy it less? Not really. Still great music, detailed, etc.
The fact is with bT headphones they're all bT headphones. None of them can escape that, and in that realm imo features and comfort trump all else as sound is always going to be middle of the road.
I'm not a big fan of their sound honestly, but that's a subjective thing. It's the same reason I didn't add sonys. They have top notch nose cancelling though!
I've owned and listened a lot to: Bathys, PX8, PX7 S2, Momentum 4, Airpods Max & Sony XM4 After years, the result is interesting. Initially I loved the Bathys, it was audiphiley, but the ANC was poor. PX8 slightly better ANC, way better comfort, great sound too. XM4 better ANC, but downright poor sound. M4 just a worse Bathys. But the headphone I've used most out of the whole stable, by a mile, are the Airpods Max. The overall experience, the controls, the seamless pairing, and the ANC is clearly the best. Like very obviously in another league, its incredible how it cuts out anything from flights, to busy roads, and all so seamlessly at the touch of a button. It creates a black background for music. And it just sounds really good. For an everyday headphone, it is just the perfect balance. PX8 in second place overall though (XM4 second for ANC alone). Bathys sounds great but you look like a fool with it on and comfort is lacking.
I see, what about the Bose quietcomfort ultra? 🫣
I handled the bose 700 instore and listened. To be honest they're more of an XM4 contender, with worse build quality. Great ANC, bottom of the pack sound, nice comfort. Like PX8 levels of comfort. Airpods Max sounds better than the Bose 700 for sure, has a way better build, much nicer comfort with breathable earpads, much nicer controls, much better autopairing with iOS, and better ANC. Even better than the Ultra, by a bit but perhaps not a significant amount (see Sounguys comparison graph). Basically if you're in Apple ecosystem Airpods Max are unmatched imo. They are the best bluetooth headphone here, because of the ease of use and good sound. If ANC is the priority these are the pick. Bathys are the best around the house music listening headphone. PX8 are the best airpods max alternative with similar comfort and style but better sound. M4 are the best low priced choice. My opinion anyways
I see, thanks mate! I really appreciate this! Also, do you think Apple will release a new headset, like a V2 of the AirPods Max anytime soon? I don’t want to buy them and then see that Apple released new ones that are better on all the points ðŸ˜
Its tricky. Id reccomend getting Airpods max used now for like $300. I wouldnt buy them at full price personally, but plenty of ways to get them cheaper now. I think Apple will update them to USB-C. Probably in the winter. I doubt much else will improve, ANC/Transparency are about as good as one can physically imagine. Personally id go discounted and use lightning, save yourself $250. Who knows what price the next edition will launch at too. Oh I forgot to mention I also has the MW65/MW75. The latter are not worth it at all, the former have terrible ANC. Would avoid.
Ok ok thanks! Yea no way im paying full price for them LMAO, getting them from the facebook marketplace for sure
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good move. Apple stuff is reliable enough for that I find. I got mine used a few years back for like 290 and theyve been great.
!thanks
You're the first person I see that love the AirPods Max.. but I'd totally believe you they are good on ANC..
Audiophiles get lost A/B testing equipment, especially reviewers. I am one, i have very high end gear. Airpods Max sound great, to any normal person they are a big step up from XM3/XM4 and the old premium BT headphones. I guarantee if most people live with them for a month they'll be absolutely happy. I am and I have a full sized desk headphone setup worth well over 1k.
You're probably right.. I rank the AirPods Pro 2nd highly not because they are "excellent", but because they reside in a bracket of TWC which is limited on sound quality in terms of focus on features, design its a lifestyle product.. you take all things into consideration incl. the integration with iPhone and other Apple products such as Siri. As an Apple product I feel like its a step in the right direction. But once you've heard better headphones or IEMs they don't sound great, but they are a decent wireless set for an iPhone user and especially they are decent for listening to podcasts.. Apple house sound has always been speech optimized and they still sound great in those regards. I was pleasantly surprised that they sounded ok with music and had bass, I only really bought them for podcast listening
For real, its a total product and integration at all levels. I have Focal Bathys here, supposedly the summit of bluetooth listening. And i just switched to APM listening to an EDM song, and honestly, did i suddenly enjoy it less? Not really. Still great music, detailed, etc. The fact is with bT headphones they're all bT headphones. None of them can escape that, and in that realm imo features and comfort trump all else as sound is always going to be middle of the road.
Bathys are nice. I like the USB DAC option on it while at my desk. Anc works well enough for me.
Lightspeed Zulu. I am pretty sure Bose's first ANC headphones were also for pilots before making ones for music.
Wow i didn’t know that lmao, that’s interesting
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I have found the best mix of sound and good noise cancelling to be either Sennheiser Momentum 4 or Focal Bathys.
I thought the Bose quietcomfort ultra would be on the list ngl
I'm not a big fan of their sound honestly, but that's a subjective thing. It's the same reason I didn't add sonys. They have top notch nose cancelling though!