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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Opting for the Apple Airpods Max provides you with active noise cancelling, better for noisy environments and air travel, convenient built-in controls, and the ease of use with Apple devices, along with a strong build quality and the ability to use them wirelessly. However, they come at a premium price and are heavier. On the other hand, the Sennheiser 560S headphones, which are less expensive, offer excellent sound quality and a more natural soundstage due to their open-back design, making them ideal for enjoying music and TV at home, but they lack a microphone and noise cancellation, making them less versatile for calls and less ideal for noisy environments. They are also lighter and might be more comfortable for longer listening sessions. 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
Advantages of the Sennheiser 560S
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
9.5
The Sennheiser 560S is best in class for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
6.9
The Sennheiser 560S is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.1
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Sennheiser 560S is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
9.1
The Sennheiser 560S is excellent for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
2.5
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser 560S is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser 560S does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Sennheiser 560S costs $180.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser 560S has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
8.1
The Sennheiser 560S and Apple Airpods Max are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Sennheiser 560S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Sennheiser 560S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | 2.5/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 244.9 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."
Sennheiser 560S
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | March 2022
"Sennheiser made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Sennheiser 560S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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
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.
Luis Torres
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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