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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for premium over-ear headphones and don't mind the higher cost, the Apple Airpods Max offer active noise cancellation and are well-suited for air travel and noisy environments. They also come with built-in controls, are optimized for use with Apple devices, and provide a more immersive experience for music listening. On the other hand, the Audio Technica ATH M20X provides better overall sound quality and is much more affordable, but lacks active noise cancellation and wireless connectivity, making them less portable and more suited for quiet environments or professional audio work where a stable wired connection is preferred. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
6.2
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
4.3
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
6.7
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$49
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Audio Technica ATH M20X costs $49.
Build Quality
9.0
6.9
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Apple Airpods Max are both good for music.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Audio Technica ATH M20X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Audio Technica ATH M20X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | January 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 190 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Audio Technica ATH M20X
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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