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Beats has come a great distance since being bought by Apple in 2014, providing improved noise-canceling and sound high quality that makes their headphones and earbuds aggressive with their mum or dad firm, notably for anybody searching for a extra fitness-friendly possibility.
When you’re searching for Apple over-ear headphones, you might have two foremost choices: Beats’ flagship over-ear headphones, the Studio Professional, and Apple’s, the AirPods Max. Each choices provide noise-canceling, simple integration with Apple gadgets, and strong audio efficiency.
And whereas each of those are amongst our favourite noise-canceling headphones, there are important variations between them by way of value, efficiency, and design. We put each to the check, evaluating components like audio high quality, match, noise canceling, and design. Learn on for our evaluate.
- Beats Studio Professional
- Record Value: $349.99
- Said battery life: As much as 40 hours
- Put on Detection: No
- Launch Date: July 2023
- Apple AirPods Max
- Record Value: $549.00
- Said battery life: As much as 20 hours
- Put on Detection: Sure
- Launch Date: September 2024 (USB-C model)
Beats Studio Professional vs Apple AirPods Max: Design
By way of design, the Studio Professional and AirPods Max couldn’t look extra completely different, with the previous that includes a extra conventional oval form and plastic construct, and the latter that includes a futuristic rectangular construct constructed from aluminum.
There’s a major weight distinction as nicely, with the AirPods Max clocking in at a hefty 385 grams, whereas the Beats Match Professional weighs a leaner 269 grams. That stated, I discovered the AirPods Max to be extra comfy, because of the deeper earcups and mesh headband, which maintain the headphones from feeling too cumbersome. The aluminum construct of the Max headphones additionally provides them a extra luxurious really feel, in comparison with the primarily plastic construct of Beats’ headphones.
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The Max earcups rotate, however don’t fold, whereas Beats’ headphones fold, however the earcups don’t rotate. Which means the case design is considerably completely different, with Beats’ favoring a compact zippered soft-side pouch, whereas Apple makes use of a comfortable fake leather-based case for the earcups. The infamous “bra” case continues to be among the many extra irritating design choices Apple made, providing minimal safety for the headphones. The Beats’ case, regardless of not providing the complete safety of a tough case, is compact and moveable, though the headphones might be troublesome to tug out of the case.
General, the Apple headphones feel and look extra premium, though the Studio Professional carrying case is way extra sensible.
Beats Studio Professional vs Apple AirPods Max: Options and Controls
Each the Studio Professional and AirPods Max headphones function tactile controls, with the Studio Professional using a big playback button within the heart of the left earcup, plus quantity controls. The buttons are responsive, though they make a considerable click on when pressed. The facility button on the fitting earcup doubles as ANC management, although it’s considerably small. The Beats headphones additionally lack put on detection, a flaw at this value level.
The AirPods Max have among the many most original controls, with a single button for ANC and a quantity dial impressed by the Apple Watch, which additionally doubles as a playback button. The AirPods Max controls are easy, satisfying to make use of, and dependable. That stated, there isn’t a is headphone jack on the AirPods.
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On the software program aspect, neither the Beats nor Apple headphones have iOS apps, with each being managed by Bluetooth settings. Like all Apple headphones, neither the Studio Professional nor the AirPods Max have customizable EQ.
The Beats headphones work nicely with Android, because of the devoted app, and assist for Google Quick Pair and Discover Hub, however there’s little cause to purchase the AirPods Max with out an iPhone.
Beats Studio Professional vs Apple AirPods Max: Sound High quality and Efficiency
The Studio Professional headphones function a customized Beats chip, moderately than Apple’s H1 or H2 chip, that means you’ll be able to anticipate barely completely different efficiency. Nonetheless, the Studio Professionals function a reasonably impartial sound profile, with loads of readability and element, moderately than the bass-heavy profile that Beats was identified for early on. The noise canceling is competent, capably reducing out voices, electrical buzzing, and exterior music. The transparency mode could possibly be extra clear, for lack of a greater phrase, notably given Beats’ place out there as a workout-friendly model.
Apple’s AirPods Max headphones have class-leading ANC and transparency, with monastic silence when in ANC mode and a formidable stability between immersion and consciousness in transparency mode. Nonetheless, it could be useful to have the ability to regulate the transparency stage, the best way you’ll be able to with Bose and Sony headphones. Regardless of the shortage of a customized EQ, the audio high quality is stellar, with crisp element throughout a wide range of genres.
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By way of battery life, the Beats Studio Professional are the clear winner, with as much as 24 hours in ANC mode or 40 hours with out. The AirPods Max have as much as 20 hours with ANC enabled, a reasonably subpar efficiency in comparison with manufacturers like Sony and Sennheiser.
Each the Beats Studio Professional and the AirPods Max function Personalised Spatial Audio, which requires you to take images to “scan” your face and ears. Usually, I discover spatial/immersive audio to be considerably gimmicky, however the possibility is there. Nevertheless, it’s solely accessible for iOS, and also you want a suitable iPhone with a TrueDepth digicam.
Beats Studio Professional vs Apple AirPods Max: Verdict
Each of Apple’s flagship headphones are worthy choices in 2025, with the perfect one coming all the way down to the options you prioritize (and the way a lot you’re keen to spend).
Apple’s AirPods Max headphones have a extra refined design, higher ANC and sound, and are extra comfy than the Beats Studio Professional. However in addition they price $549 at full value, $200 greater than the Beats Studio Professional.
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The Studio Professional boasts higher battery life, a extra handy carrying case, and simple compatibility with Android or iOS gadgets. Each the Studio Professional and AirPods Max have iOS-specific options, like Discover My and Personalised Spatial Audio. That stated, the Beats headphones really feel much less high-end and are lacking options like put on detection.
When you’re searching for the perfect audio efficiency and ANC — and don’t thoughts shelling out for it — the AirPods Max are the most effective headphones available on the market, notably for iPhone customers. If you would like a travel-friendly case, good battery life, and strong audio and ANC efficiency, the Beats Studio Professional are a worthy various, notably on sale.
