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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize comfort and battery life at a more affordable price, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are a suitable choice; they're also better for gaming and TV due to their lower latency. On the other hand, if you're willing to invest more for superior noise isolation, sound quality, and a premium build, along with features like active noise cancelling, the Apple AirPods Max would be the better choice, especially for air travel. Keep in mind the Apple pair has a shorter battery life and is heavier, which might affect comfort over long periods of usage. 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 Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
4.6
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and Apple Airpods Max are both good for music.
Phone Calls
6.6
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 and Apple Airpods Max are both only fair for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 and Apple Airpods Max are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
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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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
By the numbers
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11,340
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.
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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