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AirPods Max · Rose Gold — Over-ear · 2020
Apple

AirPods Max · Rose Gold

Over-ear · 2020

88
/ 100
From $549
VS
Sony WH-1000XM5 wins by 5
Sony WH-1000XM5 — Over-ear · 2022
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM5

Over-ear · 2022

93
/ 100
From $399
Specdex verdict

Sony WH-1000XM5 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Max · Rose Gold lands at 88 and Sony WH-1000XM5 at 93. That puts Sony WH-1000XM5 ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick AirPods Max · Rose Gold if…

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

Pick Sony WH-1000XM5 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

Sony WH-1000XM5

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads on sound (93 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Sony WH-1000XM5

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads on anc (91 vs 86).

Comfort

Sony WH-1000XM5

Long-session wearability

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads on comfort (92 vs 87).

Value for money

Sony WH-1000XM5

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sony WH-1000XM5 more score per dollar ($399 vs $549).

AirPods Max · Rose Gold 88
vs
93 Sony WH-1000XM5

Score breakdown

AirPods Max · Rose Gold
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Sony WH-1000XM5
93
anc 91
sound 93
comfort 92
battery 82
features 89

Specs side-by-side

AirPods Max · Rose Gold versus Sony WH-1000XM5 — full spec comparison
Spec AirPods Max · Rose Gold Sony WH-1000XM5
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2020
2022

AirPods Max · Rose Gold

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

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 · Rose Gold vs Sony WH-1000XM5

Which is better, AirPods Max · Rose Gold or Sony WH-1000XM5? +

Sony WH-1000XM5 scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is AirPods Max · Rose Gold worth the price? +

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

Is Sony WH-1000XM5 worth the price? +

At $399, Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in sound.

Does AirPods Max · Rose Gold or Sony WH-1000XM5 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 · Rose Gold or Sony WH-1000XM5? +

Sony WH-1000XM5 — leads on sound (93 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, AirPods Max · Rose Gold or Sony WH-1000XM5? +

Sony WH-1000XM5 — leads on anc (91 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.