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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're looking for headphones with top-notch noise isolation and don't mind a higher price with some weight, Apple AirPods Max would suit you, especially for air travel and listening to music or podcasts. However, they are not ideal for gaming or TV due to latency issues. On the other hand, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds are lighter and more exercise-friendly, offering good sound quality and a very good soundstage, plus they come with a less expensive price tag. Keep in mind that earbuds are generally less immersive compared to over-ear headphones and might not isolate noise as effectively as the AirPods Max. If phone calls are a frequent part of your routine, the AirPods Max have fair call quality, while Beoplay EX is rated poor in this area. For gamers, Beoplay EX’s excellent gaming score could be a decisive advantage due to their low latency feature. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.3
7.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Apple Airpods Max are both good for music, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.5
9.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.3
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
6.1
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
8.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
8.3
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$399
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX costs $399.
Build Quality
9.0
10.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bang and Olufsen | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 10/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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 Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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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Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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