Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024) vs …
Every headphones worth comparing against the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024) — side-by-side specs, benchmarks, and the full Specdex verdict on each pairing.
Step-up options (higher score)
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Audeze
Audeze LCD-5
96
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
HiFiMan
HiFiMan Susvara
96
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Focal
Focal Utopia 2022
96
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6
95
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 800S
95
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 800 S
95
See full comparison
Close matchups (within 3 points)
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 660S2
92
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Focal
Focal Bathys
92
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Audeze
Audeze LCD-X
92
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Audeze
Audeze MM-500
92
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
HiFiMan
HiFiMan Arya Organic
92
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Focal
Focal Clear MG
92
See full comparison
Cheaper alternatives
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6
95
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sony
Sony WH-1000XM5
93
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
93
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Audeze
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)
92
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
91
See full comparison
Budget alternatives (≤70% of price)
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Audeze
Audeze Maxwell (PS5 Edition)
92
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
91
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sony
Sony WH-1000XM4
90
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
90
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 6XX
90
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Moondrop
Moondrop Blessing 3
90
See full comparison
Cross-brand rivals (Apple vs the field)
The closest non-Apple matchups by Specdex score — the ecosystem-crossing comparisons spec sites usually skip.
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
89
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 650
90
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 660S
90
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 600
90
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Audeze
Audeze LCD-2 Classic
90
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Meze Audio
Meze Audio 109 Pro
90
See full comparison
Other Apple options
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Apple
AirPods Max 2
92
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Apple
AirPods Max (USB-C)
88
See full comparison
HEADPHONES comparison VS
Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
89
vs
Apple
AirPods Max
88
See full comparison
Frequently asked
What's better than the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)? +
Higher-scoring headphones include Audeze LCD-5, HiFiMan Susvara, Focal Utopia 2022. Each scores above the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)'s 89/100 on the Specdex weighted rubric.
What's a cheaper alternative to the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)? +
Cheaper alternatives in the same category include Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sony WH-1000XM5 — ranked by Specdex score among options priced below the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)'s $549 MSRP.
What's the closest competitor to the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)? +
The closest matchups (within 3 Specdex points) are Sennheiser HD 660S2, Focal Bathys, Audeze LCD-X. These are the head-to-head rivals where sub-score differences matter most.
What are the non-Apple alternatives to the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)? +
The closest non-Apple rivals by Specdex score are Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e, Sennheiser HD 650, Sennheiser HD 660S. Cross-brand pairings compare on the same weighted rubric, so ecosystem differences show up in the sub-scores rather than hiding behind marketing tiers.