AirPods Max vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 - headphone BATTLE!

Summary

In this comparison, the reviewer pits Apple's AirPods Max against Bowers & Wilkins' PX8, two premium noise-canceling headphones. The AirPods Max, known for their high price and Apple branding, face off against the PX8's renowned audio quality. Despite the Max's Dolby Atmos feature, the PX8 wins on sound, offering a warmer, fuller experience without harshness. The PX8 also boasts better battery life, a practical case, and USB-C charging, contrasting with the Max's lack of a case and proprietary Lightning port. While the Max excels in transparency mode, the overall verdict favors the PX8 for a more convenient and premium listening experience, unless Apple's ecosystem is a priority.

Takeaways

• 🎧 The AirPods Max and Bowers & Wilkins PX8 are premium noise-canceling headphones, with the former priced at $549 and the latter at $599.
• 🔋 The PX8 offers longer battery life at 30 hours compared to the AirPods Max's 20 hours, and both support fast charging with different methods.
• 💻 Connectivity for both headphones is via Bluetooth 5, with the PX8 supporting Bluetooth 5.2 and offering a wider range of codecs for high-resolution audio.
• 🎵 In terms of sound quality, the PX8 is favored for its warmer, fuller sound, while the AirPods Max are criticized for a harsher, brighter sound signature.
• 🎶 The AirPods Max supports Dolby Atmos, but the reviewer found the PX8's soundstage to be superior even without this feature.
• 📞 Transparency mode is a strong point for the AirPods Max, providing better external sound clarity, which is beneficial during phone calls.
• 🤳 Design preference is subjective, but the PX8 is lighter and more compact, making it more comfortable for long-term wear compared to the heavier AirPods Max.
• 🧳 The PX8 comes with a hard case for protection and additional cables, while the AirPods Max's 'smart case' is criticized for its lack of protection and scuff-prone material.
• 🔌 The AirPods Max uses a Lightning port for charging, unlike the PX8's USB-C, which is more common and convenient for most users.
• 🌐 For those deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Max offers seamless device switching and features like Spatial Audio, which the PX8 does not match.

Q & A

What are the two high-end headphones being compared in the script?

The two high-end headphones being compared are the AirPods Max by Apple and the PX8 by Bowers & Wilkins.

What is the main reason the AirPods Max are considered premium headphones?

The AirPods Max are considered premium headphones due to their price, build quality, and the fact that they are made by Apple.

What are the main differences in battery life between the AirPods Max and the PX8?

The AirPods Max have a battery life of 20 hours, while the PX8 offers 30 hours of battery life.

How do the charging methods differ between the AirPods Max and the PX8?

The AirPods Max use a Lightning cable for charging, whereas the PX8 uses a USB-C charging method.

What is the weight difference between the AirPods Max and the PX8?

The AirPods Max weigh 386 grams, while the PX8 is lighter at 320 grams.

Which headphones have more microphones for active noise canceling?

The AirPods Max have eight microphones for active noise canceling, while the PX8 has four.

How does the sound quality of the PX8 compare to the AirPods Max according to the script?

The PX8 is said to have a warmer, bigger, and fuller sound compared to the AirPods Max, which are described as being too bright and harsh.

What is the reviewer's opinion on Dolby Atmos for music on headphones?

The reviewer considers Dolby Atmos for music on headphones to be an utter waste of time, as it sounded muddy and narrow on the AirPods Max.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the transparency mode of the AirPods Max and the PX8?

The AirPods Max have a superior transparency mode compared to the PX8, making them better for telephone calls.

What is the reviewer's view on the design and build quality of the AirPods Max and the PX8?

Both headphones have a premium feel and are well-built, with the AirPods Max having a slightly better build quality due to Apple's design approach.

How does the case for each headphone compare, and which one is considered better in the script?

The PX8 comes with a hard case that is well-designed and protects the headphones, while the AirPods Max come with a smart case that is criticized for not being protective and for its material that scuffs easily.

What is the reviewer's final recommendation between the AirPods Max and the PX8?

The reviewer recommends the PX8 over the AirPods Max for their sound quality, convenience, design, comfort, and overall ownership experience, unless the user prioritizes the Apple ecosystem features.