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.

Outlines

00:00

🎧 Headphone Showdown: AirPods Max vs Bowers & Wilkins PX8

The paragraph introduces a comparison review between Apple's AirPods Max and Bowers & Wilkins' flagship PX8 headphones. The focus is on their premium status, price, build quality, and sound performance. The AirPods Max, known for their association with Apple and high price, are pitted against the PX8, which comes from a brand with a reputation for audio excellence. The reviewer aims to determine where one should invest their money if considering headphones in the over-£500 range, and what one can expect in terms of sound quality from such high-end consumer headphones.

05:01

🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Sound, Noise Cancellation, and Design

This paragraph delves into the sound quality, noise cancellation, and design aspects of both the AirPods Max and PX8 headphones. The reviewer finds the PX8 to have superior sound, describing it as warmer, fuller, and less fatiguing compared to the AirPods Max, which were criticized for their harsh treble. Noise cancellation on both headphones is deemed satisfactory, but the AirPods Max excel in transparency mode, making them better for phone calls. Design preferences are subjective, with the AirPods Max being heavier and the PX8 being more compact and comfortable for long-term wear. The build quality of both is praised, with the AirPods Max having a slight edge due to Apple's minimalist design approach. The case comparison heavily favors the PX8, with its robust and well-designed case, while the AirPods Max's 'smart case' is criticized for its lack of protection and poor build quality.

10:01

🔋 Battery Life and Charging: A Clear Winner Emerges

The final paragraph addresses the battery life and charging methods of the two headphone models. While both provide over 20 hours of battery life, which the reviewer considers adequate, the AirPods Max face criticism for not having an off switch, leading to battery drain when not in use. The PX8, in contrast, can be fully turned off, preserving battery life. Charging is another point of contention, with the AirPods Max using Apple's proprietary Lightning port, whereas the PX8 uses the more universal USB-C. The reviewer suggests that the AirPods Max should have adopted USB-C charging to align with the industry standard. In conclusion, the PX8 is recommended over the AirPods Max for their superior sound, convenience, design, comfort, and overall ownership experience, unless one prioritizes Apple's ecosystem features like Dolby Atmos and spatial audio.

Keywords

💡AirPods Max

AirPods Max are Apple's premium over-ear headphones, known for their high price, build quality, and integration with Apple's ecosystem. In the video, they are compared against Bowers & Wilkins PX8, highlighting their sound quality, noise cancellation, and design. The script mentions their brightness in sound and Dolby Atmos compatibility as points of comparison.

💡Bowers & Wilkins PX8

Bowers & Wilkins PX8 is a flagship headphone model from the renowned audio company, Bowers & Wilkins. The script positions them as a competitor to AirPods Max, emphasizing their superior sound quality, comfort, and design. They are praised for their warm, rounded sound and are considered a better value for the price.

💡Noise Canceling

Noise canceling refers to the technology in headphones that reduces or eliminates external sound, allowing for a more immersive audio experience. The video script compares the noise canceling capabilities of AirPods Max and PX8, noting that both perform well in this regard, but the PX8 has a slight edge in transparency mode.

💡Transparency Mode

Transparency mode is a feature in headphones that allows external sounds to be heard, which is useful for safety or awareness of surroundings. The script highlights that AirPods Max excel in this area, providing a clear and natural sound of the environment, which is a significant advantage over the PX8.

💡Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos is an advanced audio technology that provides a multidimensional sound experience. The script discusses its implementation in AirPods Max, suggesting that while it's meant to enhance the listening experience, it doesn't necessarily deliver the expected improvement over standard audio on the PX8.

💡Build Quality

Build quality refers to the materials and craftsmanship of a product. The video script compares the build quality of AirPods Max and PX8, noting that both are premium and justify their high price points. However, the AirPods Max are heavier and have a design that some may find less refined than the PX8.

💡Battery Life

Battery life is a critical factor for wireless headphones, indicating how long they can operate on a single charge. The script points out that while AirPods Max have a battery life of 20 hours, the PX8 offers 30 hours, giving them an advantage in terms of longevity between charges.

💡Charging Method

Charging method refers to how a device is powered or recharged. The video script criticizes the AirPods Max for using a Lightning connector instead of the more universal USB-C, which is used by the PX8. This makes the AirPods Max less convenient for users who may not have a Lightning cable handy.

💡Design

Design in the context of headphones encompasses their physical appearance, comfort, and portability. The script suggests that the PX8 has a more convenient design due to its lighter weight and foldable nature, making it easier to carry and store compared to the AirPods Max.

💡Smart Case

The term 'smart case' in the script refers to the case provided with the AirPods Max, which has been criticized for not offering adequate protection and being made of a material that scuffs easily. This is contrasted with the hard case provided with the PX8, which is described as more durable and practical.

Highlights

Review comparing AirPods Max and Bowers & Wilkins PX8, two premium noise-canceling headphones.

AirPods Max positioned in the premium category due to price, build quality, and being an Apple product.

PX8s are the latest flagship headphones from Bowers & Wilkins, known for their expertise in high-end audio.

Pricing comparison: AirPods Max at $549 and PX8 at $599.

Battery life comparison: AirPods Max offers 20 hours, while PX8 provides 30 hours.

Charging method difference: AirPods Max uses Lightning, PX8 uses USB-C.

Weight comparison: AirPods Max is 386 grams, and PX8 is 320 grams, making PX8 lighter.

Connectivity specifications: Both use Bluetooth 5, but PX8 has an upgrade to Bluetooth 5.2.

Speaker driver technology: AirPods Max uses an Apple Dynamic driver, while PX8 uses a dynamic full-range carbon driver.

Mic comparison: AirPods Max has eight mics for ANC and three for calls, PX8 has four for ANC and two for calls.

Accessories: AirPods Max includes a USB-C to Lightning cable and a smart case, PX8 includes a hard case and multiple cables.

Sound quality: PX8s are described as warmer and less harsh compared to the brighter and sometimes fatiguing AirPods Max.

Dolby Atmos music test: PX8s outperformed AirPods Max, providing a larger sound stage and better dynamic range.

Noise-canceling performance is good on both, but transparency mode is superior on AirPods Max.

Design and comfort: PX8s are lighter and have a more compact design, potentially more comfortable for long-term wear.

Case comparison: PX8 comes with a premium hard case, while AirPods Max's smart case is criticized for its lack of protection.

Battery life management: AirPods Max cannot be fully turned off and uses a proprietary charging method, unlike PX8's USB-C.

Overall recommendation: Despite the higher price, PX8s are recommended for better sound, convenience, and overall experience.

Apple ecosystem benefits: AirPods Max offer seamless integration with Apple devices and features like Dolby Atmos and spatial audio.

Transcripts

right you've asked for it so today I'm

going to review or compare rather the

airpods max versus The Bowers and

Wilkins px8

there are definitely more budget noise

canceling headphones on the market

compared to what you'd call Premium but

the airpods max have always sat in that

latter category that's because of their

price their build quality and let's be

honest because they're made by Apple but

how do they compare against a brand who

really know what they're doing at this

level these are the px8s they're the

latest Flagship headphones from Bowers

and Wilkins no they're not the double 07

version and they're not the recently

released and gorgeous looking McLaren

version I want to know how these stack

up against these so if you've got the

budget to spend on headphones like these

where should you put your money equally

if you're just curious to see what you

get when you spend over 500 pounds on a

pair of consumer headphones I think

you'll find this interesting let's

rattle through the pricing and the specs

firstly pricing 549 599 battery life 20

hours 30 hours battery charging method

lightning USBC charging time from these

you get 1.5 hours from a five minute

charge and on these you get seven hours

from a 15 minute charge weight 386 grams

320 grams connectivity Bluetooth 5

Bluetooth 5.2 speaker driver in these

it's an apple Dynamic driver and in

these I need to refer to this it's a

dynamic full range carbon driver mics

will you get eight mics for active noise

canceling on these and three for phone

calls on these you get four for active

noise canceling and two for phone calls

with these you get a USBC to lightning

charging cable and the smart case with

these you get a hard case a USBC to USBC

charging cable that can also be used for

audio and also a USB C to 3.5 millimeter

audio cable we'll go straight into sound

and I'll put these on my neck because

it's hard carrying two pairs of

headphones all the time basically when I

do sound tests with headphones there's a

couple of things to bear in mind the

first thing is that I do it completely

out of the box I don't do any kind of EQ

or any kind of treatment whatsoever I

just leave them as the manufacturer

intended and secondly I normally use my

iPhone as the source of the music again

I need to keep these tests consistent

and lastly please remember that sound is

incredibly subjective well I'll just get

straight to the chase the px8s sound

better than the airpods max the first

thing you notice straight away is that

the airpods max are much much brighter

and not in a good way it's almost too

harsh really compared to the px8s

there's loads of top end going on on

these and it's just a little bit tiring

after a while whereas the px8 as I

mentioned in my original review have

this lovely big warm rounded sound a

great example of this was on my

headphone killer track Breathe Again by

Pop Evil if you haven't heard that check

it out basically it's a song with loads

of stuff going on loads of guitars drums

lots of compression and a bad pair of

headphones will make an absolute meal of

it now the airpods max don't sound

terrible with that song but they do lack

that rounded goodness the top end's just

a bit too much and it makes the entire

track sound muddy and a bit of a mess

whereas the px8s deal with it really

really well it sounds big full powerful

just as I would guess Pop Evil intended

but one of the most fascinating

comparisons I did was with Dolby Atmos

now remember Dolby Atmos only works on

the airpods max it doesn't work on the

px8 so when I played never really over

by Katy Perry which is mixed in Dolby

Atmos I heard a very different version

of it on these compared to these and

again cutting to the chase it just

sounded so much better on the px8 it

sounded bigger wider louder which is

just weird when you consider that Dolby

Atmos is meant to give you this massive

Sound Stage but on the airpods max it

sounded muddy narrow and it lost all of

its dynamic range whereas on the px8 it

sounded fantastic The Sound Stage was

absolutely huge all of the dynamic range

was there and it didn't sound muddy like

it did on these but switching back to

normal non-derby Atmos music it's the

same story with pretty much any track

you try between these two headphones the

px8s just sound warmer bigger Fuller and

more importantly because they don't have

that really harsh top end that the

airpods max have they don't fatigue they

don't get tiring after a while in the

past I've sung the Praises of the

airpods max but now I've experienced

proper premium headphones these don't

sound very good it's also worth noting

that you can connect these to your

laptop via that USBC to USBC cable that

comes in the box and that gives you

access to 24-bit high resolution

streaming with a compatible audio

service obviously but you can't do that

with the airpods max this is limited to

Apple's AAC codec which isn't bad but it

pales in comparison to the number of

codecs that you can get with these so

when it comes to sound the px8s are a

clear winner and I'm sorry Dolby Atmos

for music on headphones at least is an

utter waste of time as I've said

recently if you spend over 250 let's say

300 pounds on a pair of noise canceling

headphones the noise canceling it's self

is generally very good neither of these

headphones disappoint in that regard so

noise canceling fine the big difference

is transparency mode and transparency

mode is when you let the outside world

in so you can be aware of your

surroundings as always the airpods max

smash the competition and although the

px8s aren't bad when it comes to

transparency mode they're not a patch on

the airpods Max and this really makes

its presence felt during telephone calls

now I don't use headphones like these

for telephone calls but whenever I do if

I have to do it in a pinch I will always

go with the airpods Max and the reason

for that is that transparency mode you

can just hear yourself much better on

these the px8s are good for taking

telephone calls but if that is a massive

consideration for you and if you really

really need very good transparency mode

for whatever reason then the airpods max

can't be beaten yet moving on to design

and again a bit like sound it is a very

subjective thing the first thing to bear

in mind is that the airpods max are much

heavier than the px8s they feel heavier

on your head they're heavier to hold as

well these are a much more convenient

pair of headphones when it comes to

wearing them for long periods of time

they also feature a much smaller design

again subjective Etc but these don't

look quite as overbearing as these some

of you might like this design from Apple

and some of you might prefer the more

refined design from bows and Wilkins and

when it comes to build quality they both

feel fantastic the airpods max just pip

it mainly because Apple has their kind

of traditional No Frills very simple but

very very well thought out design

there's lots of aluminum going on here

there's a bit of aluminum on these as

well but there's more aluminum on the

airpods max I do think they both look

and feel very premium and they do

justify their price tag when it comes to

that side of things next we need to talk

about the case and you probably know

where this is going but regardless this

is the px8 case it's quite big and

that's because like so many new

headphones these days the px8s don't

fold up properly they just kind of twist

around and as a result you get a massive

case but having said that it's still

fairly thin and most importantly of all

it's nice and tough and inside you get

this fantastic flap which is magnetized

and you can put all your cables and

stuff in it's just a big but

fantastically designed and very premium

feeling case now the airpods max they

don't come with a case even though Apple

calls this their smart case it's neither

smart nor a case it's this which has

been laughed at it's been thrown around

by me constantly and it deserves all of

that stuff it's made of this horrible

material as well which scuffs really

easily and looks horrible but anyway you

put the headphones in there and it

doesn't protect them and that means when

you buy the airpods max you'll probably

need to buy a case as well which raises

the overall cost of them and probably

puts them in the same ball Mark as the

px8 so there's no competition this is a

stupid idea by Apple I don't know why

they did it I'm going to throw it again

because you seem to like it the next

thing is the battery and it's bad news

for the airpods max again and it's

nothing to do with the battery life

itself I've always said over 20 hours is

absolutely fine so there's no problem

there although you do get an extra 10

hours from the px8 but there are two

issues with the airpods max which I

cannot avoid when it comes to the

battery side of things the first thing

is that you can't turn them off there's

no switch to turn off the airpods max

like I mentioned a moment ago you put

them into that stupid case and they go

into a low power mode but they never

completely turn themselves off and the

problem with that is that they run out

of battery when left unattended for a

certain amount of time but the other

headphones I have in the studio and

there are lots of them can all be turned

off and because of that they last

forever the next issue is the charging

method so the airpods max are charged

via lightning which is Apple's

proprietary Port the px8s are charged

via USBC now I know that you get a

lightning camera obviously with the

airpods max for charging and obviously

lots of people have lots of lightning

cables because they have iPhones but

every other pair of headphones on the

market these days including the px8s use

USBC for charging airpods Max should

have USBC charging like every other pair

of headphones on the market and you

should be able to turn them off they are

the only pair of headphones in the

studio that I have to constantly charge

and once again because of that case and

the charging method the px8s like pretty

much every other pair of headphones I've

pitched against the airpods max are a

nicer more convenient pair of headphones

to live with if you're comparing these

two pairs of headphones I'd find

yourself that extra 50 pounds and buy

yourself the px8s the sound the

convenience the slightly better design

and comfort and just the overall

ownership experience makes that 50

pounds more than worth it these are a

fantastic premium pair of headphones and

they do show the airpods max how you do

it the only reason you'd go for the

airpods max over the the px8s is if you

really want all of the Apple ecosystem

stuff and that includes things like

Dolby Atmos which I know I rubbished

earlier but if you like that you can

only get that with these also spatial

audio which is fantastic and also all of

the clever device switching stuff and

automatic pairing that you get with the

airpods Max and things like the iPhone

the Mac the Apple TV Etc you don't get

that with these but if you strip that

stuff back and just look at these purely

as a pair of Premium noise canceling

headphones there's no competition the

px8 is absolutely smash the airpods max

if you've still got some time and you

want to see me dig more deeply into the

Bowser Wilkins px8 keep watching for a

link to that full review