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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality sound and active noise cancellation for an immersive audio experience, the Apple AirPods Max would be a superior choice, ideal for music enthusiasts and frequent travelers looking for luxury and convenience, though at a higher cost. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach Recon 70, being more budget-friendly, is designed primarily for gamers, featuring a microphone for in-game communication and emphasizing comfort for extended play sessions. However, the sound quality and build may not match that of the AirPods Max, and it lacks advanced features such as noise cancellation. 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 Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Max is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
7.5
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
5.6
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.1
The Apple Airpods Max and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.3/10 | |
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 | 5.7/10 | |
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 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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.
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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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Recommendations made
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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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