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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your priority, especially for music and a wider soundstage, HifiMan Edition XS is superior, however, if you value features like active noise cancelling, wireless connectivity, and built-in controls for convenience, then Apple Airpods Max is the better option. For frequent travelers and those wanting to use headphones during exercise, the Airpods Max has better scores, and its closed-back design provides superior noise isolation. The HifiMan, with its open-back design, offers a more natural listening experience but is less suitable for noisy environments and lacks features such as a microphone and sweat resistance. Lastly, keep in mind that while the Airpods Max is optimized for Apple devices, it may be a consideration if your ecosystem is Apple-centric. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
7.4
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.0
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
2.5
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery.
Cost
$450
$379
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $450 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $379.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$450 | $379 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the HifiMan Edition XS
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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