When we mention noise canceling headphones, hardly does a time go when we don’t mention Apple and Sony. These two giants have some of the leading and effective noise cancelling headphones- in ear and over ear. Apple has the Airpods Max and Sony has the XM4 headphones that are the best in the market. Why not compare specs for the latest Airpods Max vs Sony XM4, and find out which one is the winner?
Though these headphones are slightly expensive than the rest of the market, they are effective in terms of features and functionality. Confused about which one to buy? Worry not! We bring to you a comparison of both the headphones to help you decide the best for you!
Air Pods Max
The unique Airpods Max has excellent sound quality as compared to its predecessor Apple Airpods. It is worth the price which is costlier when compared to Sony XM4. These headphones are crafted in a way to conquer noise cancelling features, excellent battery life which stays up to 20 hours and consists of total 9 microphones.
Sony WH-1000XM4
The feature-rich Sony WH headphones have multiple microphones and Bluetooth Audio SoC to give excellent noise cancelling facility. The Sony XM4 is capable of wooing you with its extra-ordinary battery capacity and fancy hard case. It comes with a touch sensor and has a total number of 5 microphones.
Apple AirPods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Specifications
In terms of specifications, both these headphones have similar hardware features. The 40mm drivers of both the headphones are of the same size and give an excellent dynamic sound with a neodymium magnet. Both the headphones have efficient noise-cancellation properties too.
| Apple AirPods Max | Sony WH-1000XM4 | |
| Type | Over-Ear Wireless Headphones | Over-Ear Wireless Headphones |
| Driver | 40mm Apple-designed dynamic driver | 40mm, dome-type driver |
| Magnet | Neodymium | Neodymium |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery life | 20 hours | 30 hours |
| Charging cable | Lightning to USB-C Cable | USB-C to USB-C |
| Noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient noise mode | Yes | Yes |
| Volume control | Digital crown | Touch sensor |
| Inputs | Lightning | Stereo mini-jack |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Green, Sky blue, Pink | Silver, Black |
| Case | Soft smart case | Hard carrying case |
| Weight | 384.8 grams | 251 grams |
| Materials | Mesh textile, stainless steel, anodized aluminum | Hard plastic and PU leather |
| Microphones | Nine total: Six for ANC and three for voice | Five total |
| Physical controls | Digital crown | Buttons and toggles |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Google assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Siri |
Apple AirPods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Design
The Apple AirPods Max is beautiful in looks with a simple headband and smooth earcups. The headband is made from breathable mesh that perfectly fits the head without putting pressure on the head or ears. A spring-loaded hinge connects each foam-based earcup and seals out any ambient sound.
The Sony WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, has a traditional look with a plastic casing and bonded PU leather earcups. Though the headphones are not fancy in looks, they give excellent sound quality. The earcups and headband have soft foam padding that gives a comfortable wear experience.
Apple AirPods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Hardware/Software
Both the headphones have similar audio hardware- 40mm dynamic drivers, a neodymium magnet that gives excellent sound, and noise cancellation features. Both headphones effectively block out unwanted noise and have Transparency Mode to hear what the listener wants to hear. However, the Apple AirPods Max has a slight advantage with additional microphones. In terms of volume, neither of the headphones distort sound when the volume is max, not they give any reverberating bass or shrill highs when the volume fluctuates. However, the AirPods Max headphones have a broader soundstage and better sound technology.
The Apple AirPods have additional adaptive EQ, which means the user can customize their sound experience according to their wants. This, combined with enhanced audio and sound sharing features, gives the AirPods Max headphones a better advantage.
Apple AirPods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Controls
In terms of audio controls, the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4 work differently. The Digital Crown dial located on the AirPods is similar to the Apple Watch dial, with easy control features that need to operate through touch or gestures.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a headphone jack and cable that comes with an in-flight plug adapter to offer an effortless listening experience mid-flight. This headphone set also comes with a hard carrying case in contrast to the soft case of the AirPods Max. Also, the Sony WH-1000XM4 offers a total of 10 hours of additional battery life, which is a plus point over the Apple counterparts.
However, this being said, Apple headphones give netter convenience in terms of the Apple ecosystem and seamless integration with multiple devices. The Apple AirPods Max can be connected to multiple devices with the Apple ID, and listeners can also use the audio sharing feature to enable listeners nearby to hear the tunes. In terms of voice assistant compatibility, the AirPods Max has Siri, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM4 can collaborate with Siri, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa.
The Apple headphone is best for people who love Apple products and want a headset that seamlessly integrates with any Apple device. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is best for frequent travelers who want something on the go and gives longer listening durability.