Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: That are the most effective premium headphones?

Should you’re on the lookout for a premium set of over-the-ear headphones, then Apple’s AirPods Max are those which have in all probability have been on the high of your listing. They’re fantastically designed and have nice sound, however price a small fortune. Now, Beats (additionally made by Apple) has launched its new Studio Professional headphones, which have loads of the identical options, however at a considerably cheaper price. so, which one must you spend your cash on? 

Worth When Reviewed

Apple AirPods Max: $549

Beats Studio Professional: $349.99

Finest Costs At present: Apple AirPods Max

New
Refurbished

$477

$477

$477.00

$499.99

$549

$549

Apple AirPods Max (2020) – Area Grey

$420.00

Apple AirPods Max (2020) – Silver

$450.00

Apple AirPods Max (2020) – Sky Blue

$461.99

Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: At a look

Earlier than we delve into the professionals and cons of the headphones, right here’s a fast abstract of their specs so you know the way they evaluate:

Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: Design

The Beats Studio Professional hold with the aesthetic and development that has made the model immediately recognizable, comparable to with the Beats Studio 3 headphones. You get a full plastic molded body with the well-known “b” brand on every earpiece, plus some cleverly built-in controls. Faucet the “b” on the left earpiece and you’ll play/pause your audio whereas tapping above the brand will increase quantity and beneath it reduces the extent. The appropriate earpiece has a solitary button that can be utilized to energy the headphones on/off, change between sound modes, or put them in pairing mode.

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Leather-based earcups make the Beats Studio Professional comfy to put on for lengthy music classes, aided by the headphones’ light-weight, particularly when in comparison with AirPods Max. 

Apple’s premium providing takes a distinct strategy, choosing an aluminum casing on the earpieces and chrome steel rods (shrouded in rubber) for the headscarf. The ear cushions even have a extra premium really feel attributable to their tender, deep, breathable coverings. These are replaceable in the event that they put on out, however it can set you again a reasonably overpriced $69/£69 per pair. Controls are saved to a minimal, with the fitting earpiece dwelling to a button for switching between sound modes, plus a digital crown much like that on the Apple Watch that can be utilized to regulate quantity, playback, and summon Siri. 

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All of this premium materials does add considerably to the burden although, with the Apple variant weighing in at 385g whereas the Beats Professional hold issues to a lighter 260g. 

Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: Sound

As you’d anticipate of headphones at this value, each provide glorious audio high quality and loads of modes to tailor your listening expertise. You’ll discover 40mm drivers in both mannequin, aided by lively noise cancellation, spatial audio, and help for Siri. Neither have a flat response as you’d discover with studio-grade headphones; as an alternative, they’re each tweaked to provide the sound profiles that the builders assume can be most pleasing to customers throughout a variety of musical types. Our personal Jason Cross reviewed each headphones and had this to say in regards to the combine on the Beats as they in comparison with Apple’s providing: “The low finish has as a lot readability and punch as AirPods Max, however the excessive frequencies are noticeably crisper. I by no means thought snaps and hi-hats sounded muddy on AirPods Max, however placing them on instantly after the Beats Studio Professional provides that impression.”

Clearly, audio is a subjective factor, however evidently the Beats don’t have the heavy bass profile that might be considerably overbearing at instances. You ought to be fairly positive although that both set of those headphones will ship glorious efficiency no matter music you select to bask in. 

Should you want to bypass Bluetooth and go to the upper high quality tones provided by a wired connection, then you possibly can simply achieve this on the Beats Studio Professional as they function a normal 3.5mm output jack. It’s additionally attainable on the AirPods Max, though you’ll want to purchase a Lightning to three.5mm adapter, which prices round $35/£35. That’s not preferrred for a pair of $549 headphones, however no less than the ANC options nonetheless work whenever you use its adapter, whereas the function is disabled on the Beats Studio Professional when plugged in.

Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: Energetic noise cancellation

After we reviewed AirPods Max in 2021, we praised the noise canceling as “maybe the most effective [we’ve] ever heard.” The transparency mode, particularly, was singled out, because the ambient noise that’s combined into the sign makes it in order that “it’s nearly like not sporting headphones in any respect, besides you possibly can nonetheless hear your music.” Nonetheless, we had been equally impressed by Beats Studio Professional’s noise cancellation, so each units ought to hold noises in your native setting at bay. 

Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: Spatial audio

One other function shared throughout the platforms is Spatial Audio. This principally creates a 3D soundstage round you, utilizing Dolby Atmos, which reacts as you progress your head, providing you with a deeper sense of immersion within the audio. Apple Music has an intensive library of spatial audio tracks, however different providers comparable to Amazon Music additionally provide spatial audio tracks.

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Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: Lossless audio

It’d come as a shock, however the AirPods Max don’t help lossless audio although Apple Music does, primarily as a result of analog to digital conversions which are required as a result of Lightning port as the one connector. If you need this premium audio function, then you definitely’ll have to go to the Beats camp, because the Studio Professional can deal with lossless audio as much as 24-bit/48KHz out of the field because of its built-in DAC. 

Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: Worth

This one isn’t even shut. Sure, the AirPods Max are premium of their supplies and design, however the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack, lossless audio help, to not point out a reasonably pathetic and ill-conceived carry-case that provides completely no safety, makes the $549/£549 price ticket very laborious to swallow. That is compounded by the truth that the Beats Studio Professional provide comparable sound high quality, plus the addition of a wired connection, lossless audio capabilities, and a a lot better case for $200/£200 much less. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Beats Studio Professional vs AirPods Max: Which one must you purchase?

Make no mistake, the AirPods Max are attractive, comfy, and sound nice. If you need Apple high quality and styling then these are the way in which to go. However, you shouldn’t. The Beats Studio Professional provide a lot of the efficiency you’ll get with the AirPods Max, but in addition have a more moderen Bluetooth customary (5.3 versus 5.0), a 3.5mm headphone jack for comfort, plus a price ticket to is considerably decrease. Don’t get blinded by the Apple aura, on this shootout the Beats mannequin is clearly the higher alternative.