Why No One Can Beat The AirPods Max | Noise Cancelling Tested vs Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose 700

We literally just got our AirPods Max - and we’re still in the process of testing Apple’s tall claims, but there’s one we can say something about: industry-leading noise cancelling.
We test the ANC against the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose NCH 700.
🎧 Buy the AirPods Max: geni.us/Airpod...
🎧 Buy the Sony WH-1000 XM4: geni.us/SonyXM4
🎧 Buy the Bose NCH 700: geni.us/BoseNC...
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#AirPodsMax #AirPods #ANC #DHRME
00:00 Introduction
00:43 Start ANC tests
03:08 Our opinion

[@DHRME]

🎧 Buy the AirPods Max: geni.us/AirpodsMax 🎧 Buy the Sony WH-1000 XM4: geni.us/SonyXM4 🎧 Buy the Bose NCH 700: geni.us/BoseNCH700

[@lebanic87]

Swear he was gonna say tes-tes-testicles

[@greg-guy]

Hahaha, same here

[@haniallelli9196]

I eanted to write that 😂😂😂

[@SuperMz0051]

For real🤣🤣

[@ms-dk6xh]

Thought u were going to say TESTICLE😂😂. Pop pop pop popsicle Ice ice ice icesicle Test test test.....😂😂

[@user-st3cn3tw8k]

I am glad I didn’t have to scroll too much to find this comment, otherwise I would feel bad about my mental health.

[@PurushNahiMahaPurush]

Transparency mode on APM is amazing!!! XM4 suck at transparency. I have XM4 and they are so bad for ambient mode.

[@mohammedfuzail2401]

ok... so in short if you guys just compare the anc , microphone quality, sound quality, features, then you guys have done the job and hats off

[@nicholaspetre1]

I have been testing these Airpods Max for 3 days... No comments regarding the price. Pure performance here. They do have too much treble. In some songs I needed to reduce volume to go easy on my ear drums because of too much exposure of high frequencies. These headphones definitely are good if you prefer listening to podcasts, interviews - they are crisp clear and oh yes - movies! Like in the cinema. They do brilliant job canceling the noise around you, no doubt in that. But I would not choose them for listening to the music because the high frequencies they produce will bring you headache and ear pain. Literally, when I put on QC35II on my head after Airpods Max, it just like taking Ibuprofen and coming back to normal life. Adding stupid and useless case, weight, bullkiness, no way to turn them off feature and price in the end . . . Let Tim Cook and his team wear them. Stick to any Sony and Bose. And those who already have XM3, XM4, QC35, QC35II, NC700 or Momentum 3, don't even think of changing your headset for these. Bad apple. And those who stay in a line for 12-14 weeks, do yourself a favor, buy Sony on Amazon and enjoy extra $300 for some other gadget or else. I 've been really waiting for this release and really wanted to keep 'em but just too many features that needs to be improved to be on par with the competitors.

[@turt5972]

Finally found me some honest tech reviewers! And keep test test testing ;)

[@littlefinger5199]

I just tried the Bose headphones featured in this video at an airport store and I am not a fan of the Ambient Sound feature. The noise cancellation did not totally drown out the noise in my terminal. I could still hear people talking and noises. It reduced it but didn’t wipe out the sound. I tried on the AirPods Max in a busy Apple Store and I couldn’t hear any noise or the person standing in front of me talking.

[@789pp41]

I have been waiting for this. Thanks a lot for the hardwork!

[@DHRME]

Thank you for sticking around! :)

[@CalicoSingh]

Subbed... just for the 'test test...testing' bait & switch XD haha

[@iu1191]

OK guys. Fabulous job. You are not smitten by the AirpodsMax just because they are apple. That is encouraging. It does seem that the transparency mode is a stand out feature. The ANC is, I think going to be a bit situational. It depends on what type of noise you have and where you are sitting in relation to that noise. They seem so close that I really think it would be a toss-up between them. I am not sure if any are a complete winner in all conditions. I am keep to hear your opinion on how they sound in comparison to the Sennheiser Momentum 3 for music reproduction. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 have a reputation of being some of the best ANC headphones for music. Also the Sennheiser PXC550 II - the NC is not as strong as Bose or Sony but the sound is better than both. The real challenge I am looking forward to hearing about is against the H95 form Bang and Olufsen and the PX7 Carbon from Bowers and Wilkins. Add to that the MW65 from Master and Dynamic. These have all been raved about because of their great sound quality. Also, they are all luxury items costing close to or more than the Airpods Max. I think the comparison to the Bose and Sony is a little off as they cost about half the price of the Airpods Max. It is a bit like comparing the Soundcore M30 against the Bose and Sony. The Soundcore M30 is a little under about half the price of the Bose or Sony and no one is doing that comparison. The Airpods Max should be compared to headphones with similar features which are similarly priced. Comparing them to the best - just because they are the best does not seem complete or equitable. They should be compared to the best luxury headphones. The H95 were billed as the best headphones you can buy and might even last a lifetime. The Momentum 3 was built of leather and metal and I never thought I would replace them but I did - with the momentum 3 and WOW. I would love to know how you think they compare. That is just my opinion. Thanks again for the video. Great work. We appreciate it. Looking forward to more. If I could sub twice I would. 😂😆🤣

[@zeniktorres4320]

Agree with you on the ANC comment.

[@cooldudez09]

Can you make a calling test on all these ANC Headphones.. because i heard while on call its taking lot of background noise

[@DHRME]

Haha. Our video dropped before you posted this comment! :)

[@alexandrejnr2074]

Test test ... testing.. That got be dying 😅😅

[@bonoixb05]

Great video guys. Your the only youtubers that really demo(ed) and explained the anc funtions of those headsets to a non audiophile like me, well as far as i know. But may i ask both of you, what are your daily driver headphones?

[@Martin-lw8qb]

hope you set the EQ on bright and the bass on +6 cause its like night and day difference if you compare to the standard EQ

[@Medz1100]

If you already own the Bose or the Sony's are the AirPods Max worth the upgrade?

[@DarthVader-sp1ef]

No don't upgrade not worth it

[@sebastiangomez219]

Not at all

[@wm3483]

Depends, if you want smart switching between devices apple only. ANC is worse than my Sony Wh1000xm3. I work on a assembly line for Mercedes. The Sony’s are clearly better in that environment. I’ve been surprised when people say it’s a close comparison. I guess it really depends on the user and their use case. For me I can hear industrial fans perfectly and it’s annoying as hell. I’d say higher pitched noises it struggles with.

[@jatingupta4026]

Nope .... Not at all

[@jachoreefer]

All depends if you have money to throw away, then go right ahead. but not worth it.

[@oscarreynaable]

I used to own the Bose 700. The max noise canceling 10 hurt my ears! Returned! The Air pods max have yet to bother my ears. Btw. Good review dudes.

[@Stahlfabrik]

I would be interested in music quality compared to my cans: the sennheiser momentum 3s

[@DHRME]

I would stay subscribed! ;)

[@Stahlfabrik]

Fear not!

[@hardeepakulagopinath874]

One of my favourite channels hands down. Keep it going guys💪

[@suryamagarwal2079]

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on 10k. I know 10k must be huge! Also, we've been waiting for this for so long and finally it's here. What about making a video just to diss the Max, i mean sure they are wonderful and what not, but got to respect the memes too😉 Just a suggestion, maybe a cool rhyming subtle diss. It'll help us get better sleep! Thanks both of you for always considering comments and all the best for the long road ahead!!

[@spj6897]

Excellent excellent review guys thank you for the in depth comparison and showing the metrics. This was the best ANC video I’ve seen.

[@stephendeo1]

Best headphone test I've seen! Subscribed!

[@LoganTheGreat112]

My AirPods max are not near as noise-canceling as the one you used in the video

[@DHRME]

Ours are pretty amazing!

[@carolea7158]

Video on the best wireless devices (headphones or earphones) to use for streaming KZbin or Netflix? I'm experiencing serious lag time between audio & video, especially when ads come up on KZbin.

[@prabhuja7554]

I thought you were in millions sub...man..u deserve...hurray soon Hope is d best thing...

[@adrianmorrish8494]

The saddest thing is I may very well end up buying a pair of these, oh man I need to get this chip those strangers in white boiler suits put in my head a few years back removed, all I can remember is bright lights and since then I get incredibly reliable bt connection even when not wearing any headphones? Keep the reviews coming guys super useful to have such a trusted channel picking through these

[@yggdrssil00]

I get it when people comparing the sound quality or anc but i never get Whats the point of comparing transparancy mode? What benefit do you get by getting a better tranparancy mode? Why people want it to sound as neutral as possible?

[@1435royer]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question -- but how do you turn on the active noise cancelling on the Sony? Thank you in advance....

[@uo9zzzyxwvutsrqp0nmkjihgfe43]

Which blocks out the most noise

[@laks2804]

I upgraded from airpods pro to XM3 , bcaz for ANC ,but the only good thing I honestly love from apple is their transparency is good..

[@Y-J65]

Same, I have both and the transparency mode on the AirPods Pro for me is like having no earbuds in your ear.

[@hawkraider0078]

Considering how bad the airpods max work with windows laptop and android phones they are a noo for me

[@Samlaren]

Wht do you mean with bad? I use the Airpods Pro with my work Android and Windows computer and have no problem there.

[@MzwandileHarmans]

They not for you.

[@hawkraider0078]

@@Samlaren I have been using airpods with my android phone and they don't achieve the same battery life as on an iphone+ the latency is more on android+ they don't support aptx so sound quality is also a bit degraded on android

[@forkeMuffin]

I am sure Tim Cook was refreshing this channel to see what you think about the new Airpods Wax .. I mean Max

[@DHRME]

🤣

[@JezzaTheChamp]

Ok, I am subscribed now. Thanks “Dope Humans Reviewing Mechanical Equipment.”

[@RolexDSSD]

Good review!!!!!!! Can’t go wrong with any of those three heavy hitters.

[@ErinMunizG]

Thanks for this review 🙏❤️

[@DHRME]

You're most welcome, Erin!

[@apoorvemohan]

If possible please compare AirPods Max with B&O H9 Gen 3 or Beoplay?

[@NDionneG005]

Great test but one of the biggest things is Bose noise canceling is GREAT but when you listen to music it kills your mids. No one wants to pay all this money for highs and lows only. That's why I bought the Sonys. So the real question is....what is the apple missing. I hate beats with a passion.

[@ulwur]

I just want to know how protected the 🍌 is in the built-in 🍌 shelf.

[@statebankofindia]

patina @patina .patina

[@drbijubkp]

Hey Kevin Test test Testicle))..very informative...Thanks..Could you also do this with the earbuds from Sony, Bose and senheisser with airpods pro.. Give us a way to understand Spatial sound ..

[@MoreiraDon]

You make the best reviews!

[@sadsack1981]

Excellent video guys. The transparency is spooky. I could hear a neighbour in the garden talking loud which was spooky. Would love your thoughts on the ear pads. It’s as if they start out rough and get softer.

[@bjrnsjohnsen1278]

Spooky!

[@sadsack1981]

Transparency mode is prob on par with the Beoplay H95. NC is about the same but they both have different fit.

[@shethsa]

Surprise surprise! The sonys came in last. And to think they were the reigning champ. Just wondering whether you'd use the apple max as your daily driver though?

[@England1984]

Dude hearing right musical equipment!

[@RockSleeper]

pop pop popsicle, ice ice icicle, test test testi.... well you know

[@alanalex1825]

I feel the AirPods max only matches the XM4s in ANC but gets the edge due to a better ear seal. I own a pair of the XM4s and the ANC is unparalleled, especially after using the Noise Cancelling Optimiser.

[@sven1669]

This is the test i was waiting for! Thank you very much.

[@sven1669]

One more question: Can you hear your own voice in ANC mode when making a call? Or it stays dull and you start speaking louder. Then where would the point be to use the things in the office for calls and zoom calls when I can hear everything around me because I have to switch back to transparent mode?

[@buckbuckgoose92]

@@sven1669 it stays dull

[@sven1669]

@@buckbuckgoose92 OK thank you

[@pats6940]

Guys, I follow a lot of reviewers! I always look forward to your insights on product and your tests that you conduct. Namaste! Cheers

[@carolea7158]

I agree with @@pats6940. A lot of reviewers are basically salespeople and get excited about everything. I like the real testing here.

[@vasiovasio]

Objective review Thank you! Only God Himself knows the reason for the banana over headphones! :)

[@indysbike3014]

The Bose was not good in cancelling voices. The Sony and Apple were very close.

[@AlexCrews]

It’s so nice that the Bose 700 doesn’t have that cabin pressure

[@funnyvidsfoundonreddit8324]

This is a great review to watch

[@funnyvidsfoundonreddit8324]

I wish you review the Huawei free buds studio. Please 🙏. It's also a premium headphone. Please

[@DHRME]

Thanks. Might consider it!

[@funnyvidsfoundonreddit8324]

@@DHRME Thanks Sir

[@Arturo_Slam]

Ben eens benieuwd of de hearthrough functie tijdens bellen net zo goed is als bij de Bose 700.

[@DHRME]

Komt goed. ;)

[@andreascalmy6970]

I’ve just bought the Sony WH-1000xm4. I have a question for you DHRME: when you tested ANC with voices (one of you talking to the other one while wearing the Sony with ANC activated), could the one wearing the headphones still hearing the other one’s voice ? I ask that because I made my own tests and I can still hearing people voices around me even with Max ANC activated. I was wandering if it is a problem of mine Sony or no. Really thanks

[@DHRME]

Yes you can hear others. ANC tech is getting good but does not completely drown out the world.

[@andreascalmy6970]

@@DHRME Really thanks for your answer! I was worried that it was a problem my headphones. From my perception, I can still heard voices, I would say a bit more “distant” and “compressed”, the same for straightaway noises like a door that is closed or similar. Better with “low and regular” noise. Do you agree with me ? I would also thank you for your really useful, funny and well done videos!

[@DHRME]

Yes exactly, noise cancelling still works better for the low, regular and droning noises. Having said that Airpods Max are the best at ANC right now.

[@andreascalmy6970]

@@DHRME Since, as you said in the video, there is no so much difference, I’ve bought the Sony because they are less expensive. (Even if I am an iPhone user).

[@adrianmorrish8494]

Just seen a review from a supposedly knowledgable reviewer who basically said after trying these he realised how completely terrible the XM4’s are in terms of sound. Are they really this much incredibly better as I’d better go looking for a scalper straight away as I can’t live without theses in my life immediately.

[@DHRME]

Painfully honest tech?

[@adrianmorrish8494]

@@DHRME bit of an oxymoron isn’t it, I don’t normally kick in on this kind of thing but to use a Anglo/American expression it got my goat as it’s the hype beast I see a lot in the audiophile side of the audio world I delve into on occasion, I get the real world of sponsorships and reviews and it’s a business for many, anyway probably should not have commented.

[@DHRME]

@@adrianmorrish8494 huh? No man. Happy to have a conversation. I don't wanna share too much on audio since I've been doing tests for the last 4-5 days. There are just so many parameters to take into account - genre, stock tuning, source, wired, codecs etc. I will definitely be talking about it all. Wanted to do a full review, but think sound needs it own video!

[@adrianmorrish8494]

@@DHRME be very interested in wired, I sometimes play my Sony’s through a Fiio BTR5 and play with the sound a little and Maybe also a ni amp (periodic) to clean it up a bit for watching movies but still very portable BT scenario. What I won’t be able to do of course is usb connect them and bypass the internals. Shame no usbc

[@DHRME]

@@adrianmorrish8494 Yeah will also test using the Chord Mojo for the LOLs. ;)

[@rkkasotiya]

What are these negative values -12, -30 etc (their unit?) Also can you tell me what's the dB values (you can use sound meter app) inside these headphones after turning ANC on. It'll give much clear idea about the noise cancellation in terms of real life experience around us.

[@ktnation15]

Pop pop popsicle, ice ice icecicle, test, test, testicle..... hahaha

[@figuera740]

excellent video !!!!

[@user-zy3jy8ok8h]

Очень крутой тест. Спасибо парни!)

[@peterparker6089]

wow airpods max seem unbeatable. i have bose 700 and i dont know. its not good enough against high frequency sound such as drilling and stuff like that

[@Skintagg]

Your ambiance mode is bad settings on xm4. I have it and my sound is very clear With ambiance mode, yours not.

[@DHRME]

It was set to full ambient (20). What's a good setting?

[@batu_cagan]

@@DHRME im not sure but im a xm4 user its just not sound like what happened on your test its mush more clear and why didnt you told people that sony has speak to chat feature?

[@batu_cagan]

@Zain Uddin so your words means that you are an apple sheep but if you try to see reality xm4 has much much more features than airpods max even xm1 is better than airpods max you dont even have quick attention or LDAC so next time before commenting make sure that you know enought about two devices and dont be and apple sheep its just harmful

[@batu_cagan]

@Zain Uddin well so why do you think airpods max is better? Can you list the features that airpods max have and xm4 dont by the way ı thought you are a apple sheep so it was an angry comment im sorry for this

[@olympic-ass-eater]

@Zain Uddin airpods max and sony xm4 anc are close and not $200 different worth. Airpods max sound might be slightly better than sony xm4 but not $200 different worth it. On airpods max, you don't have proper case, no 3.5mm adapter, no higher bluetooth audio codec, no power off button, and exclusively to apple eco system only, and it is heavy than sony xm4 and bose 700.

[@poobanchini8366]

I keep thinking in my head that they're going to to say "Test Test Testicle" BRUH

[@ravenstarheels]

If someone buys it for me I will get one. I hope other companies do not follow app and price their headphones like this.

[@asiddique8]

Anyone else thought he was going to say “pop, pop, popsicle.....test, test ... Testicle” ???

[@BhavyarajShrivastava]

I was waiting for this video since the max were launched

[@39ericmartin]

U

[@tylerdurden6882]

sony's transparency mode was surprisingly bad! the max performed very well here

[@mrglass6630]

After an hour the air Max feel like my ear 👂 are stretching. My opinion is the XM4 sound, adapt and feel much better!

[@hawkraider0078]

Can the lighting port be used for wired audio?

[@suryamagarwal2079]

Yes.

[@adrianmorrish8494]

It’s through a lightning to 3.5 optional cable isn’t it?, wonder how they sound wired compared to bt, even if there is a difference, believe u can use them when no battery power wired, so if u use them wired and put in the case do they become an under wired bra in effect 🤔, sorry was trying to be sensible didn’t last.

[@skyhero1888]

Apple is the BEST that is the Truth

[@fhowland]

Apple is the new king !

[@nikolaikorkaewhygrobiology6254]

Apple is the best fruit and the best Computers….. their management is best…. That’s it

[@jomonjoy5957]

Good TEST. Hahaha

[@functionaldoc5054]

Apple still pretty fragile and terrible case for the over inflated price. I will have give to the Bose and Apple for transparent mode.

[@MzwandileHarmans]

In every video the AirPods max just wins. But the price 😢