Airpods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose NCH 700 vs. Beats Studio 3 – Differences?

Listening to music has become one more element of everyday life. Just a slight gesture allows access to endless libraries and endless hours of content ranging from the latest hit from your favorite artist, an audiobook or an interesting podcast. All of this has been boosted by the full implementation and development of wireless headphones, which not only make it easy to listen to music, but also make it possible to do so in virtually any circumstance.

Whether shopping, walking around the city or playing sports, wireless headphones are the best way for music to accompany us at all times.

However, the proliferation of brands and models, as well as the sustained development of these products, means that you have to spend a little more time deciding between one and the other.

To pave the way for you, we bring you a very complete comparison in which we analyze the flagship headphones of the leading brands: the Airpods Max, the Sony WH-1000XM5, the Bose NHC 700 and the Beats Studio 3.

We have already said that choosing between these headphones is a complicated task, but we are going to give you all the keys so that you know which wireless headphones stand out from the competition.

Airpods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose NCH 700 vs. Beats Studio 3 – Comparison table

Below you will find a breakdown of the main features of each model. This large amount of summary information is just an appetizer before we get down to business and analyze step by step what characterizes these headphones.

(Slide the table to see all the content)

Design

We start this review by focusing on the visual aspect of the devices. After all, they are so colorful that they can be considered as one more accessory, so it is not advisable to leave the image aside.

Leaving aside the quality of the materials (we are talking about high-end headphones), there are significant differences in the design of each model. The Airpods Max stand out for its mesh headband, although it maintains a more classic style in the union of the headband with the diaphragm unit. Sony also keeps the headband all the way to the top of the headphones, while on the Bose NHC 700 and Beats Studio 3 the headband extends to integrate with the rest of the body of the headphones.

The Bose NHC 700 have a thinner and more stylized headband than the rest. It is designed to ensure comfort, which is perfectly complemented by the smooth oscillation that will allow you to adjust the position of the headphones on your head, thus ensuring a pleasant use.

It is important to mention that   the Bose are of the supraural type (that is, they rest on the ears), while the XM5, the Airpods and the Beats Studio 3 are circumaural (they rest on the head), which increases the sensation of insulation, essential for noise cancellation.

The last point of the design that we would like to discuss is regarding the colors in which they are available. You’ll find more customization options on the Beats Studio 3, closely followed by the Airpods Max.

Headphone use and comfort

The first thing that strikes us is that none of these four headphones are foldable. This means that when storing them in a backpack or suitcase it can be uncomfortable or be too exposed. The solution to this is covers, but they still take up more space.

When it comes to wearing comfort, one of the key factors to consider is weight. The Airpods Max are the heaviest earbuds by far, which can matter after some time of use (it’s not the case). But if lightness is essential for you, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose NHC 700 are the lightest at 250 grams.

However, the ergonomics achieved by Apple places the Airpods Max in the top positions in terms of comfort. The braided metal headband favors a good distribution of support.

The comfort also extends to the way of interacting with headphones, although with slight differences. Leaving the path established years ago (very Apple) the Airpods Max only have buttons to interact, while the rest of the models combine touch with classic buttons. It’s all getting used to, as each headset has its own commands.

Sound functions

Before getting fully into the question of the sound itself from the headphones, we are going to discuss its main characteristics.

Noise cancellation is present in all four headphone models. This feature has become indispensable for any headset looking to move beyond the mid-range. In this regard, the Airpods Max and the Sony Wh-1000XM5 stand out above the rest.

These four headphones also integrate the ambient sound mode, although the differences must be qualified. For example, the Bose NHC 700 combine this function with noise cancellation, so that the reduction of the latter will in turn increase the ambient sound that reaches your ears.

Another very interesting feature is the possibility of enjoying spatial audio, which provides a noticeable degree of immersion. All four headphones have spatial audio, although it is common for each brand to call this function in a different way.

Let’s analyze the sound

One thing must be very clear and that is that we are dealing with high quality headphones. The sound is more than correct in all four options.

However, we are here to make things clear and highlight the differences that exist between each model.

The Airpods Max stand out for the computational sound based on the chips it integrates. This consists of processing the files to make corrections that optimize the sound and give it a higher quality point. Without, Apple has put the batteries and has recovered ground. Of course, do not expect to extract all its yields if you have a smartphone with the Android operating system…

The Sony WH-1000XM5 also feature supreme quality sound, achieving clear and stable sound (even at high volume). Therefore, it follows the path that its predecessors took, adding to all this excellent noise cancellation.

On the other hand, the Bose 700 NHC falters a bit in the lower tones, although they maintain a very clean sound, as they are used to. We could highlight among its many features the versatility of Bose to achieve a stable sound in different media.

The Beats Studio 3 are committed to a balanced sound, unambitious we could say, which seeks to focus more on the right thing than on the quality itself. Therefore, they are headphones that a seasoned user of this type of device may find insufficient. We insist that we are not referring to a bad sound.

As a summary, it is possible to include the Airpods, the Sony and the Bose in the same league, while the Beats would be a little lower if we refer to sound.

These four models also allow hands-free use, however, it is not a strong point of any of the headphones that we compare here. However, at this point the Bose 700 NHC are one point above, since their microphones allow a fluid conversation between both parties.

Autonomy

We leave behind the sound aspect to now deal with another vitally important issue such as battery life. An exceptional sound cannot be at odds with autonomy, since that will greatly hinder the user experience.

As reflected in the comparative table, the Sony WH-1000XM5 allow continuous use for up to 30 hours, which places them well above their rivals. Both the Airpods Max and the Bose NHC 700 and the Beats Studio 3 move around 20 hours. Even so, we are talking about autonomy that is not inconsiderable and that varies depending on the use: activation of noise cancellation, volume…

But let’s keep digging is this aspect.

For example, these four headphones have the fast charging function, although again Sony stands out. The Sony Wh-1000XM5 can work up to 3 hours with just 3 minutes of charging. To give you an idea, the Beats Studio 3 need about ten minutes to achieve the same autonomy as the Sony.

However, (pending more information from Apple) the Beats Studio 3 achieves a full charge in just 1.5 hours, up to an hour less than the Bose NHC 700.

Finally, we are going to talk about the different charging connectors that we find in each headset. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and Bose NHC 700 use a USB-C connector. Apple follows its own style, using a Lightning connector on the Airpods Max and the Beats Studio 3 all the way back to a MicroUSB connector.

Connectivity

We now enter a section where everything mentioned can be thrown overboard with astonishing ease. Why? We already know that Apple maintains a closed approach when it comes to its devices, since if you want to get the most out of it you have to link them with other company devices. Is it good or bad? Obviously, it depends on many factors.

First of all, it must be said that you can use the four headphones to listen to music whatever the device you connect it to. Of course, we are talking about the most basic functions.

Thus, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose NHC 700 can be fully used with any type of device (Android or iPhone). On the other hand, to get the most out of the Airpods Max and the Beats Studio 3 it will be an essential requirement that the links with Apple products. This is directly related to the voice assistants, although we have already said that this is not a strong point of any of the headphones in the comparison.

All four headphone models have a bluetooth connection, but the Beats Studio 3 offer a superior connection when using class 1 bluetooth. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 integrate the NFC connection system, a short-range wireless communication technology .

Another option that can be demanded in this type of headphones can be the wired connection. The WH-1000XM5, the NHC 700 and the Studio 3 allow you to use a 3.5mm Jack cable, which is always appreciated. In the event that you want to use a cable in the Airpods Max, you will need an adapter for the Lightning connector. Apple stuff that scares potential buyers away.

Of course, all these headphones have the option to connect them with their respective app to access more customization options, as well as extra features.

What headphones make the difference?

After analyzing the numerous characteristics of each model, we can affirm without mistake that we are dealing with high-quality headphones, with above-average features and that will undoubtedly meet the expectations of the large number of users.

But if we are here it is to make it clear which headphones are above and those are the Sony WH-1000XM5. Why? Amazing noise cancellation, battery life that goes beyond a full day of extended use, fast charging, and fairly light weight. Also, and although it may seem crazy, we are not talking about the most expensive headphones in the comparison.

On the other hand, if you live within the Apple universe and want headphones that integrate seamlessly, then you need the Airpods Max, in which you can enjoy all its features as well as impressive functions such as computer sound.