Let me sum it up. If you're already part of the Apple ecosystem, get the Airpod MAX. If not, the Sony XM5 are the way to go.

Hol’up… the title says “Its not even close” BUT at the end of the vid you says its close?? 🤔

Still waiting to hear what wasn't even close 😂😂😂

There's actually a way to adjust the EQ of the APM on iOS, go to Settings/Accessibility/Airpods/Airpods MAX/Audio Accessibility Settings. Set Headphone Accomodations to "On" and tune the audio for Balanced Tone with the Slight setting. It really helps level out the highs and lows in the sound profile. Outside of that, there's only the EQ in the Music app.

Sony XM5 blows the airpods max with comfort, app, call clarity, battery life and sound quality. I prefer more dynamic sound profile. The only category airpods max is better than Sony is transparency.

It comes down for apple ecosystem and style. Personally, all my devices from iMac to iPad are all apple. Therefore, the AirPods Max is a clear option for my preference. Also, I just find the Air Pods Max visually beautiful so that extra 100 is worth it for me. I personally like the black or green AirPods Max.

I’m so conflicted whether to get these now or see what they could be in a future update, but might be waiting a while? Part of me wants to wait and see the next Apple model (maybe they’ll be slightly smaller or lighter?). I think the Apple ones might be too large for me but I have all Apple and I love the AirPods pro, they hurt my ears after a while though. I like them for the noise cancellation and ease of use with my other Apple devices. Your video helped me a lot in deciding against the Sony, there’s some things that would be a dealbreaker for me.

Just ordered a pair of AirPod Max so excited! Definitely need that noise cancellation for work and traveling!

Microphone on the XM5s destroy those of the AirPods to be honest

Team XM5.

APPLE USERS, BEFORE YOU GET THE XM5's... I Had XM5, returned it a week later. Got them again in the next week to see if I could get around some of the issues it was giving me, so badly wanted to love them based on my experience on the XM4's. Used them for another 2 weeks then finally returned them for the Max. Had issues on the XM5's in my day to day productivity flow. With multiple devices connected it will automatically switch over when I get a message on my phone in the middle of a meeting or when I get a call on my phone same thing, switches to the device with the latest action. Speak to chat also randomly sometimes turned on so It would completely cut out sound on my meetings every time I talk, then you need to open the sony app (which sometimes takes time to load & update) switch off the speak to chat and reconnect the device to your mac - taking more time... boom 2 minutes of your meeting gone... and just for it to happen later or the next day again...Funny how I find very few people complain about the unwanted device switching when they work or even the speak to chat thing that loves randomly popping up, I think it has to do with the switching of devices that causes it to turn on, not sure. Its a huge problem for productivity use. The only way around it is when I turn off BT on my phone or exclusively use 1 device, its just a pain going through the connection motions every time when you want to use your other devices. All Apple Ecosystem Now. Other con for me was the thin headband on the MX5, really start to dig in after about an hour of use. Didnt notice the headband as much on the previous gen XM4's. All in all XM5 fantastic in all aspects except for being a productivity headphone which kinda defeats the purpose of them to begin with for me. Hope this helps and saves someone the time.. If apple, stick with the Ecosystem, it just makes sense...

Unpopular opinion: I currently own the XM3's and love the features, but most of all I love the bass, like you said I can feel the music. I'm in the Apple ecosystem 100%, so a week ago I purchased the Airpods Max, I love the features, but I absolutely hate the sound quality. The bass is so weak, that I am wondering if I bought a defective set. I messed around the the accessibility features, but to no avail. I'm so disappointed because I love the look, quality, and noise cancellation, but these have no soul when it comes to music. I'm going to return them, hopefully the next itteration have better bass.

The XM5 sounds better. Hands down. And that's what matters most.

I bought black version because I like to use skin vinyl wraps on my headphones and black works almost with any color out there.

In my opinion, the aluminum build, easy pairing, and brand is the reason for the 500 dollar price. I heard the XM5s and I was instantly like wow. I heard the Airpod Max and I thought maybe I am listening to the wrong song. My wife had the exact same experience. She started with Christmas music and then switched to more pop, and sound was lacking. I used to produce music, and I had studio speakers. They were 300 dollars (very cheap in the studio speaker world), but you can distinguish many sounds that you cannot with consumer products. The XM5s start to to go in the realm of that studio quality. The AirPod Max never even gets close in my opinion. I can differentiate between a couple sounds with the XM5s. I cannot do that with the AirPod Max. I think people expect Apple to be great and then convince themselves they are even when they are not.

If you’re keeping it a buck, these APM are heavy as hell. I am deep in the Apple ecosystem and I am considering switching to the XM5. These APM are not so comfortable at all.

Why does the video title say "it's not even close" when you are saying the exact opposite in the video? Very Clickbaity

12:10 Airpods Max sounds airy, and lacks bass and volume. XM5's a fuller, more bassy, still not as full as the original mics, but I still prefer it. Could be a different story if you did the same test in a noisy street.

I sent the xm5 back because the lack of control on the noise cancellation. The auto features were super sensitive. I slightly turned my head and it would reduce noise cancellation and then I’d have to wait until it figured itself out again. I switched to the AirPods max when they went on sale and it was worth the extra money.

I've finally got my XM5 (for 359.99 euros), and i'm loving it, so light, so comfortable, I'm using LDAC so I can get the best sound quality, and very important I can use the equalizer to my preference. I do have a pair of AirPods Max, but the trouble is that I live in Portugal, and here the temperatures can reach 109º Fahrenheit in the summer, I started to have a condensation problem on my AirPods Max, and with just a few minutes on my ears, finally after 2 months the condensation build on the drivers made it fail on the right cup, so I returned the AirPods Max, waiting for them to arrive from Apple repair service and as soon as they arrive I will sell them online. Apple please learn with other brands, going for stainless steel and aluminium is a wrong move, and that's why most of the brands go for plastic or composite materials. The Apple ones are very heavy and bulky, and like me, many people complaining about Apple AirMax, having condensation build up inside the cups and on the drivers too, making them fail over time, and thats because aluminium dissipates heat better, the difference in temperature creates condensation, and they are not water proof.

Good work, I needed to see these two pairs being I hear they have the best ones out, I plan on buying a new pair of headphones, I was using my Parrot Zik 3s for a very long time and I rocked them until they broke in half😂, so I’m using my Bose Soundsports or the Sony XM1000XM3 but I need some new over the ears and one of these two may it the one, thanks

I'm a bass head so I'm sure for me the xm4's or xm5's will sound the best.. While clarity is good, bass is needed as well and Apple focuses more on clarity and kinda decreases bass which I'm not a fan of, still regretting buying the airpod pros

Enjoyed your review. I own the APM, XM4s, and the XM5s and I much prefer the XM5s, APM we’re my daily drivers, now the I am going sell the Maxs, and the XM4s.

I have sony xm5, Love them so much they do the job and they are more affordable, They are lightweight weight and really good on voice crisp, great for meditations and doing yoga 🧘‍♀️ Also like tidal music,

I’m searching reviews to help me make my decision to buy Apple Max or Sony M5. Your review hits all points. Thank you

13:11 The handoff feature with AirPods Max and other Airpods DO NOT work as good as Sony 2 device connections. They work flawlessly. Apple's don't. I'm a Apple sheep too lol I have the iPhone 13 Pro Max 📱 , Apple Watch Series 7 👨🏽‍💻 MacBook Pro, and AirPods Pro. I love Apple 😊. But the Sony XM5's are the better headphones. I'm sorry yall. I did extensive test at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue the other day, and was truly surprised that Sony was better. I was going to buy the AirPods Max, but decided to give Sony a try. Glad i did. The sound quality is better. The noise cancellation is better. The bass is better. They get louder than the AirPods Max. The only thing that's better on the AirPods Max is the build quality, transparency mode, and that's pretty much it. Not worth the extra money I'm sorry. I'm being 100% honest. Great review bro, but i feel some people just saying AirPods Max is better, because they cost more. That's simply not true. Both headphones 🎧 are great no doubt, but the XM5's are better. Sony wins.

For the price easily the Sonys and the AirPods look so flashy I would worry about them being stolen XD

Team xm5 all day. They're so comfortable and the anc is insanely good. Also much more light weight than the airpods max.The transparency is a lot better than previous models like the xm4. The microphone quality is the best on any anc over ear headphone on top of the air pods max. Especially in windy conditions you and the person your calling basically can't here any wind at all. The one thing the air pods do better is transparency mode.

No to AirPod Max due to: 1. Charging - Lightning cable 2. Huge weight ~0,4 kg. That’s insane Guys 3. Not universal to Android and other systems. 4. Not compact. Apple should think about this better for the price of pair of AirPodMax ☺️

(My own opinion) I still prefer the “Shure se846” they are a pair of iems but sill, they are smaller and got noise isolation instead of noise canceling and I can change different filters whenever I want to! Shure they cost a bit more but worth it!

I’d presume someone has already said this but you can use a lightning to 3.5mm to use the headphones with an AUX port. So it’s almost seamless by apple to not need to include 2 ports

All in all if you have Apple buy the Max, you'll get spatial audio. If you have Android get the XM5, you'll get 360-degree audio, Hi-res LDAC Bluetooth audio connection which leads to higher bandwidth higher sound quality. Which I find funny since most reviewers mention sound quality and never mention sony ldac or 360 audio. So they can't tell you which sounds the best if they are not using the headphones at their highest quality settings. But clearly if you are using apple then the max will sound the best since apple doesn't support the other Bluetooth audio codecs.

Love your videos! Keep up the great work👊🏾

I already have Xm5’s but the only reason why I want the Max’s are because the Apple Care, Cuase I take my headphones to the gym and just don’t want to lose them

I worked out with my beats for years I just don’t sweat a lot near my head or ears but if I do I never was uncomfortable. And beats are not that bad cause them STUDIOS for me eat every apple product on the market battery last long and everything my air pods don’t last longer than 2 hours max

Those black XM5s seems to show oil from finger prints pretty quickly How are they on the “ silver “ XM5s? I’m thinking of getting them today, but leaning more to silver after seeing all these oil finger prints on the black ones 😂

Don't get the Airpods Max! I have it and it is good in terms of build quality BUT the battery drains as hell If you don't use the silicon case. It has no power on/off button... It is also very heavy on your head. I sold mine yesterday and got the XM5

Good review. I see people at my gym working out with airpods max and other headphones and I don't get it. I tried it and it was horrible because i get over heated easy. I just use my airpods pro for convenience and comfort at the gym. On an unrelated note, you didn't cover the ANC comparison as much and curious about it

Well I just preordered sony xm5 in India as its launched a little late here…cost me just $300 but airpods max costs around $610 here… easy choice for me..not gonna pay double the price for almost same quality even though i am in apple ecosystem

Where did you get your Apple Watch band from? I love it!! Thank you for the video, it was super helpful trying to decide which headphones to buy.

I was going to go with sony XM5s but you definitely made some good points with the apple audio team being on top of their audio quality

You should try the XM5 on an android to unlock the LDAC codec in it, Im sure the sound quality will be an upgrade, unfortunately LDAC is not available on apple products.

One of the most helpful comparison videos! Thank you!

Click bait. I will not be subscribing after you straight up lied in the title!

Wtf’s an air cushion? You mean headband? Ear pads? What are you talking about

It doesn’t make sense how the XM5 have way better speakers, but have worse transparency mode

I bought a 1.5 month old Airpods Max with 2 years of Apple Care for $170

Great Vid The Air Pods Max Is Great The switching From My IPads To My Phone To My MacBook 💻 Is Everything And The CraftsmanShip Of The Air Pods Max Is Second To NONE JUSTSAYING

I have both and you are over hyping the apple, it’s not good, be sincere. And note I’m lock on apple eco system

I am surprised you still keep your homepod. Most tech youtuber seems to hate them.

I heard that the XM4 had a lot of issues with the folding hinge breaking and getting complaints. Also, Making too much noise. So they did away with it.

Apple ecosystem should go for AirpodsMax, xm5 for android

Great review. Helped me make my decision.

I agree, I hate beats headphones too, Apple and sony headphones are really good! I’m sure bose and jbl headphones are good too

AirPods Max do not sound better at all, they got wayyy too much treble and no bass. Apple is good at tricking a regular consumers ears but as someone who literally engineers music and has been doing it for 6 year they sound terrible!!! The mids on the AirPods Max sound boosted and the low mid frequencies just don’t catch my attention like the xm5 do, not saying the xm5 sound out of this world but they do a better job of letting u hear everything in a mix. As soon as I bought my xb5 i listened to songs that i usually would on my AirPods and I immediately heard instruments and background vocals that i never noticed on my AirPods

Max voice quality very good. Could be louder. XM5 voice quality is excellent.

I just found a great deal on AirPods Max renewed at just 199 so I didn’t think it twice and took that great deal. Renewed are not a bad choice when it comes to apple devices. I bought an iPad also renewed last year and it came out perfectly fine!

I workout with the xm4 .. no problem at all… specially when running is pretty comfortable

How about comfort?

the reason i didn’t get the airpods max is the weight (and the ear cups are a little too big for my face) i tried them on in store and the weight was significant to me. with that though, i’m starting to regret getting the xm5. the apm noice cancellation is so much better and i love the spatial audio. i’m kind of regretting my decision.

I got them 2 days ago, interested to see Simply's review.

I dont get why my Airpods Pro 2 and Max doesnt sound that clear. Mine always sound like theyre underwater

I needed to upgrade from my old Bose QC II headphones. Based on price and watching a lot of reviews I went with the XM5s. I love them. I do appreciate the 3.5 jack. When listening on my computer I always use the jack. Gives you a little bit better clarity vs Bluetooth in my opinion.

That’s cloth thing wears out on the Apple phones. It’s great till it gets limp then you have metal bars on your head.

Sony for me ♥✌

white ones are fire

I couldn’t disagree more! I guess it depends on the music you listen to and what aspects of the sound appeal to you personally. However, listening to jazz and classical music the difference isn’t even close - the XM5 is absolutely more detailed and true to life. Instruments sound absolutely realistic. The sound and texture is true to life like you could reach out and touch the instrument. The APM pales in comparison - with instruments sounding like a great recording but nowhere near the depth, color and clarity listening to the same on the XM5. This is true whether using the XM5 with iPhone or with Android and LDAC. If you’re passionate about musical instruments and the beautiful colors, tones and vibrations they produce there’s really no comparison between the two! Apart from that, if you’re less interested in the natural qualities of each instrument and more interested in overall sound for non-classical genres then I’d say it’s a much closer comparison but with APM probably more appealing for those genres. Edit: I just discovered how to turn off both the noise filters on the APM (instead of just toggling between them) and it makes a *significant* difference in the sound quality. Listening to a solo cello being plucked - with noise cancellation turned off - you can close your eyes and imagine it’s you pulling those strings with the cello in front of you. With the noise filters on those subtleties are washed away and it’s totally implausible that the instrument is there with you. To me it brings the APM *much* closer to the XM5 - which is exciting because I really love these headphones and was about to return them this weekend. I still think the XM5 comes out on top on SQ but now the APM has just become a keeper!

If you really measure it. My muscle memory just removes the headphones whenever I'm talking to someone and the ANC is so much better with the Sony's. It's cheaper, it's lighter means it's more comfortable. It's a no brainer. I am deeply under the Apple Eco System, but you can't deny the fact that the XM5 is a better product. Even when comparing to other products like the Logitech mouses is superior to the magic mouse. So for practicality. I'd go for the better product regardless of eco-system. XM5>APM.

Which one has the deepest bass

Sony XM5 Transparency has improved after a few updates. Much improved.

Just waiting for a real review and not an apple fan review

You need time stamps

I had almost all of the headphone’s from sony,bose,bower,seinheiser but airpods max is way ahead in terms quality,comfort,sound balance and other features you can find in an headphones….if you have money to buy and happy GO FOR IT….

I loved the max until I got a galaxy tab ultra. It sucked switching from tab to my iPhone. I bought the Sony as my first headphone out side of the max. Wow. Just like the s8 ultra screen blew my ipad screen away, the xm5 sounded amazing, plus I can eq. The multi pairing and speak to chat is amazing. I never knew how heavy the max was until wearing the xm5. I was laying down listening to music an realized I could never do that with the max. The weight would cause the max to slide to the back of my head. Only thing I hate about the xm5 is the fingerprints all over I really love the max build. Can't wait for a aftermarket cover to come for the xm5 ear muffs. All in all if I had all apple products I'd stay max but having both I even see the xm5 switch more seemless than my max for phone to MacBook pro. How.

Have both. XM5 QC/BQ is mediocre. Max are $100-200 overpriced but worth it. I have 3 colours. 2 XM5, returning my black xm5. The cushions are easy to damage.

Shoot nothing wrong with flexing.

Good review, keep up.

Apple is a turnoff for me. Even if I had apple phone I wouldn't buy airpod max.

I personally have the Stone color. Just got them

I totally don't understand why everyone hates the Apple's case... I think it is really taking less space...

I have skipped Airpods Max as an Android user, yet my Airpods Pro are my daily ANC pair. 8:17 Fold, for sure.

Get some open back Sennheisers and a headphone amp, next level... (but not wireless)

You can buy 2 XM4 + free xtra bass at the cost of 1 AirPod Max.

One thing is for sure the airpod max design cant easily break

I own the airpods max love these headphones

What’s your Soundcloud or Spotify I need some good rap hip hop trap

Rich, clean bass...LOL

Opinion is biased…..I get it, but you can’t have any biases when doing reviews.🤦🏾‍♂️

Team Air XM5 MAX

AirPods max 2nd gen is gonna be 🍌s

3:58 I couldn't agree more

AirPods pro (in ear) are FAR better to travel with. Tiny and far more practical than big headphones and the noise cancelling isn't far behind.

Touch control sucks

There is a sizzle with AirPods Max mic. That is unacceptable for 500.

Im really torn since im deep in the apple ecosystem

does the leather peel off of the Sony XM5?

M5. Any day

Team max

Picked up the xm5s once I saw apple updated their air pod pros and maxs to reduce the power of noise cancellation… 😂😂 super anti consumer updates

Liked and subscribed 👊🏽✌🏽