Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black — IEM
Truthear

Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black

IEM

84
/ 100
From $55
VS
AirPods Max wins by 4
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, Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black lands at 84 and AirPods Max at 88. That puts AirPods Max ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black if…

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

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 84).

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

Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($55 vs $549).

Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black 84
vs
88 AirPods Max

Score breakdown

Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black
84
anc 0
sound 84
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
AirPods Max
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84

Specs side-by-side

Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black versus AirPods Max — full spec comparison
Spec Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black AirPods Max
Type
IEM
Over-ear
Release year
—
2020

Truthear Zero Red · 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

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: Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black vs AirPods Max

Which is better, Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

AirPods Max scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $55, Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in battery.

Is AirPods Max worth the price? +

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

Does Truthear Zero Red · 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, Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

AirPods Max — leads on sound (88 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Truthear Zero Red · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +

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