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AirPods Max — Over-ear · 2020
Apple

AirPods Max

Over-ear · 2020

88
/ 100
From $549
VS
AirPods Max wins by 2
Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black — Open-back
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black

Open-back

86
/ 100
From $169
Specdex verdict

AirPods Max takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Max lands at 88 and Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black at 86. That puts AirPods Max ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick AirPods Max if…

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

Pick Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

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

Sound quality

AirPods Max

Tuning, detail, and staging

AirPods Max leads on sound (88 vs 86).

Noise cancelling

AirPods Max

ANC strength for commute and travel

AirPods Max leads on anc (86 vs 0).

Comfort

Tie

Long-session wearability

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($169 vs $549).

AirPods Max 88
vs
86 Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black

Score breakdown

AirPods Max
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black
86
anc 0
sound 86
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

AirPods Max versus Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black — full spec comparison
Spec AirPods Max Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black
Type
Over-ear
Open-back
Release year
2020
—

AirPods Max

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 58X · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: AirPods Max vs Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black

Which is better, AirPods Max or Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black? +

AirPods Max scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is AirPods Max worth the price? +

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

Is Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $169, Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in battery.

Does AirPods Max or Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black 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 or Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black? +

AirPods Max — leads on sound (88 vs 86). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, AirPods Max or Sennheiser HD 58X · Midnight Black? +

AirPods Max — leads on anc (86 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.