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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Max, as over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling, offer the best noise isolation, making them ideal for air travel and environments where you want to block out background noise. They also provide a more immersive experience with virtual surround sound, but are heavier and less portable than earbuds. The built-in controls and optimization for both Android and Apple make them user-friendly and they have integrated microphones for better call quality. Meanwhile, the Sennheiser IE600 earbuds offer the best sound quality for music and are more comfortable and portable, with excellent build quality and a detachable cable. If you often engage with music or need something light for commuting, these might suit you better. However, they lack wireless capabilities, active noise cancelling, and have poorer microphone quality, which may not be ideal for calls or noisy environments. Both have a similar battery life and are sweatproof but not dustproof. Consider your primary activities, such as whether you'll be exercising, traveling, or taking many calls, when choosing between these two premium audio devices. 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 Sennheiser IE600
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.3
The Sennheiser IE600 is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
6.7
The Sennheiser IE600 is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
3.5
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Sennheiser IE600 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
5.4
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser IE600 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
9.3
The Sennheiser IE600 is excellent for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
7.0
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser IE600 is good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser IE600 does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$500
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Sennheiser IE600 costs $500.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Sennheiser IE600 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Sennheiser IE600 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Sennheiser IE600 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $500 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
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 IE600
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"If you've got the bucks, the Sennheiser IE 600 is a nice, upscale set of in-ear monitors made of a lightweight metal with an unusual texture. It comes with a suite of extras, and performs well at virtually every task."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Sennheiser IE600
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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