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AirPods Max · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2020
Apple

AirPods Max · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2020

88
/ 100
From $549
VS
Sennheiser HD 650 wins by 2
Sennheiser HD 650 — Over-ear · 2003
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 650

Over-ear · 2003

90
/ 100
From $499
Specdex verdict

Sennheiser HD 650 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Max · Midnight Black lands at 88 and Sennheiser HD 650 at 90. That puts Sennheiser HD 650 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick AirPods Max · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Sennheiser HD 650 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Sennheiser HD 650

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sennheiser HD 650 leads on sound (90 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Sennheiser HD 650

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sennheiser HD 650 leads on anc (88 vs 86).

Comfort

Sennheiser HD 650

Long-session wearability

Sennheiser HD 650 leads on comfort (89 vs 87).

Value for money

Sennheiser HD 650

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sennheiser HD 650 more score per dollar ($499 vs $549).

AirPods Max · Midnight Black 88
vs
90 Sennheiser HD 650

Score breakdown

AirPods Max · Midnight Black
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Sennheiser HD 650
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

AirPods Max · Midnight Black versus Sennheiser HD 650 — full spec comparison
Spec AirPods Max · Midnight Black Sennheiser HD 650
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2020
2003

AirPods Max · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Sennheiser HD 650

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: AirPods Max · Midnight Black vs Sennheiser HD 650

Which is better, AirPods Max · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 650? +

Sennheiser HD 650 scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is AirPods Max · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $549, AirPods Max · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Is Sennheiser HD 650 worth the price? +

At $499, Sennheiser HD 650 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Does AirPods Max · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 650 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, AirPods Max · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 650? +

Sennheiser HD 650 — leads on sound (90 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, AirPods Max · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 650? +

Sennheiser HD 650 — leads on anc (88 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.