Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2023
Beats

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2023

82
/ 100
From $349
VS
AirPods Max wins by 6
AirPods Max — Over-ear · 2020
Apple

AirPods Max

Over-ear · 2020

88
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict

AirPods Max takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black lands at 82 and AirPods Max at 88. That puts AirPods Max ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black if…

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

Pick AirPods Max if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

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 82).

Noise cancelling

AirPods Max

ANC strength for commute and travel

AirPods Max leads on anc (86 vs 80).

Comfort

AirPods Max

Long-session wearability

AirPods Max leads on comfort (87 vs 81).

Value for money

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($349 vs $549).

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black 82
vs
88 AirPods Max

Score breakdown

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black
82
anc 80
sound 82
comfort 81
battery 82
features 78
AirPods Max
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84

Specs side-by-side

Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black versus AirPods Max — full spec comparison
Spec Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black AirPods Max
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2023
2020

Beats Studio Pro · 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

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

FAQ: Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black vs AirPods Max

Which is better, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

AirPods Max scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $349, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in sound.

Is AirPods Max worth the price? +

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

Does Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black or AirPods Max 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, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

AirPods Max — leads on sound (88 vs 82). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Beats Studio Pro · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

AirPods Max — leads on anc (86 vs 80). ANC strength for commute and travel.