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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods Max offer a more immersive listening experience with better sound quality, greater comfort, and active noise cancellation, making them ideal for air travel and environments with more ambient noise; they also have built-in controls, a microphone, and support for Apple's AAC codec, which enhances performance with Apple devices. They're also heavier and bulkier, reducing portability compared to the ultra-light Etymotic ER4XR earbuds. The ER4XR, while more affordable, provide excellent noise isolation and are wired, which may limit convenience but also means no latency issues for TV and gaming, and they're better suited if you prefer a more compact and inconspicuous option with a very secure fit. 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 Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
6.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
4.7
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
7.3
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
5.7
7.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
9.1
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Etymotic ER4XR is excellent.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$234
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Etymotic ER4XR both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
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 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
See more
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."
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Etymotic ER4XR
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 Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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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