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Best noise-canceling headphones: AirPods Max vs Bose 700 vs Sony WH-1000XM4
Airpods Max: Sony WH1000-XM4: Bose Noise Canceling headphones 700: Deciding between the AirPods Max, Bose NC 700 and Sony WH-1000XM4? Lexy takes you through an in-depth review of the features of each of these premium wireless headphones, including sound quality, noise cancellation and battery life. Follow Lexy: 00:00 – Airpods Max vs. Bose NC…
Lexy Savvides
April 3, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Thanks for watching! Let me know what other pairs of headphones you’d like me to compare next 🎧
rajeev anj
April 3, 2021 at 6:09 pm
Scullcandy Crusher ANC
Ron Ossai
April 3, 2021 at 7:14 pm
jbl 650btnc 750btnc
Avanish Ranjit
April 4, 2021 at 10:24 am
Which is better in sound Sony or Bose?
Nicholas Whiteley
April 4, 2021 at 2:59 pm
I own the Sony’s and for a pair of headphones that have 11 noise cancelling mics, the mic quality is terrible. I am ALWAYS getting complaints that I am fading in and out, then if that stabilizes for a moment, the next complaint is that I sound too far away.
Do not purchase these for for work calls – use a Poly Legend 5200 it will work in a hurricane
mhill
April 4, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Headphones in the same price range as AirPods Max? Maybe one that is metal as well
victor Molina
April 4, 2021 at 11:26 pm
Clearly, Lexy is an apple fan, bets in class it is SONYS earphones
Nicholas Whiteley
April 4, 2021 at 11:36 pm
@victor Molina they would have bid the most to $$$ to win 🏆
Lexy Savvides
April 5, 2021 at 2:08 am
@victor Molina did you watch the video to the end
Abdulkarim Kalalib achabi
April 5, 2021 at 2:09 am
Bang and Olufsen HX
Nuno Ferreira
April 5, 2021 at 12:59 pm
SHURE AONIC Please.
GoldenEars
April 5, 2021 at 5:39 pm
I have the Bowers and Wilkins PX7, can you do a compo, the air pods max are tempting though !
Chamba Huiza
April 5, 2021 at 9:05 pm
Loved your video. You should compare earbuds (Sony, Apple, bose and sennheiser)and also gamming headsets like the new ones pc38x from sennheiser.
J Chase
April 3, 2021 at 5:18 pm
FYI: eBay promo has XM4s certified refurbished just $220 after taxes with 2 year AllState warranty! Discount for multiple pair.
DucksEatBread
April 3, 2021 at 5:27 pm
I really like the XM4’s in literally every single way apart from the fact the sluggish drivers make for a very veiled listening experienced with lacking details and snap. As a result i ended up going with the Momentum 3’s despite the fact they are worse in pretty much every single way but they sound far better.
Neil knightley
April 3, 2021 at 5:32 pm
sony for me please
Poster Lover
April 3, 2021 at 5:36 pm
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 is the one
reflous
April 3, 2021 at 5:39 pm
I needed the Sony’s to rock both music and phone calls. As you can hear from the demo they are pretty bad on calls, and I found them even worse in the real world. I had to return them.
Mark Fortner
April 3, 2021 at 5:58 pm
Is there a way to “tune” the sound profile for different genre’s of music? For example, a Jazz setting vs a Classical setting vs a Rock setting? Also, which genres of music did you listen to while evaluating the headphones, and were some better than others at dealing with different genres using their default sound profiles?
mhill
April 3, 2021 at 6:01 pm
I’m going to guess the Sony M4 because she’s not going to consider the Apple ecosystem benefits of the AirPods Max but rather compare them isolated within a bubble
Update:
She loved all three. Broke them into best in different categories. Chose the Sony. But…
There’s 0% chance you’d get Sony or Bose… if you have iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePods, Apple Music, HomeKit devices, and the Apple ecosystem with Siri in general.
Conversely, you have 0% business getting AirPods Max if you have a Samsung phone, Amazon tablet, LG smart watch, Roku TV stick, Sonos speakers, Tidal music, and a mix of Alexa and Google smart home devices. You miss out on the Apple ecosystem exclusive benefits.
It truly comes down to the ecosystem, or lack of ecosystem, that you have. I don’t care that Sony is lighter when the trade off is not having easy pairing on Apple TV for switch to AirPods for audio (as opposed to digging into settings to connect via Bluetooth with the Sony or Bose). Or seamless switching between my iPad and iPhone and MacBook, and controlling media playback with my Apple Watch including media on Apple TV. Thus, ecosystem is everything.
Lexy Savvides
April 3, 2021 at 6:16 pm
Hope you watched all the way to the end of the video!
mhill
April 3, 2021 at 6:45 pm
@Lexy Savvides Yup and I was wrong! I feel it boils down to ecosystem or lack of… I updated my comment
Matt Perkins
April 3, 2021 at 6:17 pm
Siri is going nuts on her computer back there
Lexy Savvides
April 3, 2021 at 6:39 pm
OMG I know 😆 they were all paired to it
Chris York
April 3, 2021 at 6:23 pm
3:05 Who can guess the song she is listening to? 😉
Jaouhar
April 3, 2021 at 6:41 pm
Good job, great review, excellent choise !!!
TQ BP
April 3, 2021 at 6:41 pm
This is a horrible comparison…. Brian Tong did the best test and comparison on YouTube between headphones….. STOP WASTING PEOPLE’S TIME
Tony Elsom
April 3, 2021 at 6:43 pm
Love this channel, the quality. not to mention the eloquent narration is pretty smooth to my ears. And in this case, the audio even made my el cheapo headphones sound stunning.. 👍
jose balan
April 3, 2021 at 6:51 pm
Bose 700 is been great for me,
Juan
April 3, 2021 at 7:08 pm
YES!
She picked mine.
T K
April 3, 2021 at 7:10 pm
Lexy!!
Zain Jaffery
April 3, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Best comparison and most fun review of the 3 giants on YouTube. Lexi is a star!
mountainman0270
April 3, 2021 at 8:38 pm
The real winner is the one she is actually wearing at both the beginning and end of the review 😉
notconvincedgranny
April 3, 2021 at 10:11 pm
Apple is such a ripoff.
ANJ
April 3, 2021 at 10:15 pm
apple is the worst, sony is the best
Edson Moses
April 3, 2021 at 10:30 pm
This was the best headphone comparison I have seen. It was very thorough
Lexy Savvides
April 3, 2021 at 11:10 pm
Thank you! 🥰
Edson Moses
April 3, 2021 at 11:17 pm
I was in doubt of which one to get but am clear now 😂😅 and it’s the Sony !
Editor XV
April 3, 2021 at 11:32 pm
What you guys think of the upcoming double folding smartphone from Samsung? When do you think it will be launched?
Odin Nicholas
April 4, 2021 at 12:16 am
My Bose 700’s work fine for normal (vertical) standing, sitting but fall off my head if I lay down down making them no good for working out, running, ect…. (my hat size is 7 3/8” for reference) Everything else (sound/call quality, function, comfort) to me is ok – not good or bad just ok) however I personally wouldn’t buy them again. Would go with the Sony’s.
Dan Bui
April 4, 2021 at 1:12 am
SONY
Scott Davis
April 4, 2021 at 1:32 am
Well done Lexi and thanks for validating my recent purchase of the Sony XM4’s.
Tejas gowda
April 4, 2021 at 8:54 am
either dont buy Air pods Max
USMC 7207
April 4, 2021 at 9:25 am
Sony all the way..the mud-pods that are almost 600 bucks are the worse of all three..I have a pair of 60 dollar jbl’s that sound better than the mud-,pods..it’s crazy how this fruit company makes mid level products and charges people studio quality prices for..well in my opinion,junk! At 600 bucks they should at least sound high-end! The sony and bose both sound good though and charge a fair price for mid-high range headphones..but I prefer the sound of the sony’s.
Matt
April 4, 2021 at 10:55 am
The Sonys destroy those hideous, over-priced Apple bs
Guy Sharon
April 4, 2021 at 11:06 am
If you listen to the sony 1000 xm4 you have to use a android device so you can enable LDAC cause iphone tops out at AAC. Also you need to use another app besides spotify
You can use deezer with hifi sound and LDAC enabled so you can really get the full potential of the 1000 xm4 unlocked
Abel Arturo
April 4, 2021 at 6:35 pm
Exactly, Deezer HiFi and the xm4 are the Best option ti perform it!
Scuzzy Voodoo
April 4, 2021 at 11:21 am
It’s funny to me that to my ear the Max sound better on the Android device than the iOS device.
Abel Arturo
April 4, 2021 at 7:11 pm
OMG, really??? 🤯
kbrick Orion
April 4, 2021 at 12:34 pm
SONY ALL DAY ALL NIGHT!!! Equalized with sony app on android using the LDAC codec+ Dsee extreme on and listening content from TIDAL master recordings equal Mindblowning experience. As close to vinyl as you can get minus the pops and turning the record over.
Corado Cotuna
April 4, 2021 at 12:51 pm
I really liked this review! Detailed and offered lots of perspective
Nicholas Whiteley
April 4, 2021 at 12:53 pm
I have Sony-1000XM4 and the sound is great but I get so many microphone complaints when I am on calls. I think this is absolutely stupid for the price
Valdir Da Silva Jr
April 4, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Áudio cable hahahahaha. Who cares about it? Stop with excuses to complain.
Tony Saccullo
April 4, 2021 at 2:07 pm
Very well done and detailed. I would have liked a bigger variety and price range. For instance, I picked up a pair or WYZE headphones for $50 (yes, only $50!) and I find them very full featured and comparable to much higher priced units. Thanks.
Gene Grunt
April 4, 2021 at 2:20 pm
I tried all 3 of these headphones and I also had the Sennheiser Momentum 3’s. Sound quality was the most important feature for me and the most subjective from a listening stand point. What sounds good to me may not sound good to you. I actually returned the Apple Air Pods Max (APM) but purchased them again 1 month later. I really wanted to like the Sony XM4’s but they were lacking in the mids and the highs were harsh no matter how I adjusted the EQ in the Sony app. My ranking for sound quality would be Apple APM, Sennheiser M3’s, Bose 700, and Sony XM4’s. If one wants deep bass I would rank the Sony XM4’s on top and I can see why people choose them. I even went to a Bang and Olufsen store and auditioned the H95’s ($800 at the time of listening) but now the web site shows them at $849. I though the Apple APM were expensive.
Danny Kojongian
April 4, 2021 at 2:35 pm
I have been using the Sony 1000XM4 for months for music and Zoom Call … really love it… ANC is good and mic for calls is ok too.
Frankie
April 4, 2021 at 2:43 pm
Everyone says the airplane but if people are somewhat quiet and you hear that airplane ambience I’ll straight up take OFF my headphones and enjoy that ambience. When people were talking my Sony headphones that cost I think 80 bucks does a well enough job to the point I don’t think anyone has ever distracted me from listening. Only thing I like about apple headphones that would have me consider is that module like removable ear muffs or whatever they’re called. I feel like apple is becoming some what modular with that MagSafe becoming a thing.
Janet Woodville
April 4, 2021 at 3:26 pm
Hello Lexy, how have you been? I have the audio cable. It cost me $38, but I also have I Pods that need the use of this cable. Remember the iPod that looks like a mini iPod touch? It also has a FM radio in it. I wish that Apple would bring these back.
wskwong2000
April 4, 2021 at 5:25 pm
Which one is better to listen to acoustic guitar?
Abel Arturo
April 4, 2021 at 7:12 pm
Bose and Airpods Max. Sonys are good too!
A B
April 4, 2021 at 5:42 pm
great review but you can definitely do without the terrible acting or whatever those bits in between were.
daztonio
April 4, 2021 at 6:56 pm
One important point to consider is codec support. All headphones offer basic Bluetooth SBC support, which was never intended for music or hifi sound. This codec was meant to be used with headsets for phone calls. AAC is supported with the Bose and AirPods, and this is a noticeable improvement over SBC. AAC is arguably the best codec when used between Apple devices because Apple Music uses this codec natively, and to get AAC to work well doesn’t require any configuration on the user’s part.
Native support is important because source music gets sampled at a very high bitrate (e.g., CDs are 1,411kbps), then converted to something else like mp3 (e.g., Spotify) or AAC (Apple Music). It then can be converted *again* from AAC/mp3/etc. to SBC/LDAC/AptX/etc. where even more loss occurs. In the case of Spotify, the normal mobile bitrate is 96kbps, which after conversion to SBC sounds like garbage compared to Apple Music 256kbps AAC delivered directly to the headphone.
On the other hand, the Sony headphones here support LDAC, which is comparable to AAC in terms of sound quality. However, you have to figure out if your Android device actually supports LDAC and then figure out how to configure it. Many people will never realize the potential of their Sony/Android setup. And iPhone users with the Sony headphones will only get SBC support. Android users with the AirPods will also only get SBC too. Android does support AAC, but again, you might have to figure out how to turn it on.
As much as people criticize the ‘walled-garden’ of Apple products, the mix of Apple Music (high bitrate 256kbps AAC), iPhone (or Mac) and Apple headphones will provide a superior out-of-the box listening experience compared to, for example, Spotify (low bitrate 96kbps mp3), Android and Bose (an SBC-only combo out of the box).
Will you notice a difference in everyday listening? Probably not. But if you did side-by-side comparison of the worst combo here with the best combo here, you will notice a difference. And after spending all that money on headphones, music and a smartphone, don’t you want something that approximates CD-quality sound (technology that is almost 40 years old at this point lol)?
Abel Arturo
April 4, 2021 at 7:07 pm
Exactly. Actually, I’m using the Sonys xm4 on an Android and i get the best of them because i hear them with LDAC and Deezer HiFi. My phone is a moto g9 plus and it supports LDAC conection 💖
daztonio
April 4, 2021 at 7:46 pm
@Abel Arturo That’s about as good as it gets when it comes to streaming and a headphone/phone combo. But, anything over 256-320k is virtually indistinguishable from CD or higher-quality sources. That’s basically where our ears and brains can’t tell the difference. But why not have the best if you can?
Abel Arturo
April 4, 2021 at 8:28 pm
@daztonio sure. I could notice the Quality on Deezer HiFi, the Sonys don’t distort at max volume while they are playing with LDAC. I also listen to them with Deezer premium (HQ/320 kbps) and at max volume, Sonys xm4 will distort a bit the sound. For my ears, that is the main difference between 320 kbps (HQ) and 1411 kbps (HiFi). And some little details on sound but not too much. I totally agree with You, if we can get the best; why don’t try it?
impendio
April 4, 2021 at 8:45 pm
listening to this on my AirPods Max, lol kill me…
Matty Bee
April 4, 2021 at 8:51 pm
I’ve owned the Sony XM’3s and worn them out so I bought the Sony Xm4’s a few months ago and they started to make a crackling sound on the left ear cup with ANC on after a while… apparently from a reddit message board it’s a common problem with condensation affecting a circuit inside. I did the DYI solution they recommended and took out the headphone cup and put it a silicon packet behind the ear cup. I think the problem is solved… looking back I kinda regret buying them and I don’t wanna go through the hassle I’ve trying to deal with Sony to replace them. I just use my AirPod pros now mostly…
Mohamed Busnaina
April 4, 2021 at 10:48 pm
I like my xm4, super nice, though I am facing an issue with the connectivity lately
El
STJo
April 4, 2021 at 10:53 pm
I have all this 3 headphones and I’m totally agree with what your review exactly what I feel when using the headphones 😉
Can Akbay
April 5, 2021 at 12:06 am
Thanks Lexy, I guess Im getting the Bose.
Dary David
April 5, 2021 at 12:22 am
I do agree with you they all amazing but I do prefer the sony headphone is worth a while
Zain Uddin
April 5, 2021 at 1:12 am
I’ve had the fruit since December love it
AME TV
April 5, 2021 at 2:18 am
The lighting adapter is still a purpose built adapter it’s not bu-directional we discovered this at my old job when the beats solo pro came out only thé lightning to 3.5 cable is bi -directional dac
Esteban Ruiz
April 5, 2021 at 2:19 am
I miss my Bose 700 I still like the Sony’s XM4 tho
Fish Ball
April 5, 2021 at 3:35 am
Using WH-1000XM3, multi-device pairing desperately needed.🤦♀️
mattwruff
April 5, 2021 at 3:37 am
I had a Bose NCH for years, lots of travel and I have the newest 700. Then for christmas I was given the AirPods MAX and WOW they are better in every way (but not by a large amount) I love that I can change out the pads because that a HUGE pain with the Bose. I kinda wished the charging cable was USB-C but as long as Apple doesn’t which from lighting I fine with it. I like the caseless design as it fits in my briefcase just fine. Gave the Bose 700 to my adult daughter (FYI I mainly have Apple devices)
Kevin Pham
April 5, 2021 at 4:19 am
Read carefully this if you have the intention to purchase the Sony headphones. I got them for 2 months and after using them daily for work and leisure, I noticed that when the ANC is activated for more than a hour, you will hear a weird sound coming from the right side. The only way to fix it, was to disable the ANC or stop using the headphones for a short period. However, it doesn’t fix the issue. If you search on google or reddit and type “ANC issue XM4”, many users encountered this issue. It is nothing but really really annoying as the ANC is one of the main feature of this headphone.
That was the first time that I purchased a Sony headphones and I can tell you how disappointed I was.. I read a lot of articles about it and the hype around this headphone was real but the reality is pretty different.
Video Biker
April 5, 2021 at 4:48 am
Was it me e or did the Sony and Bose headphones sound better when using the microphone on an iPhone than an android phone where is it seems to be that the iPods max sounded better on the android phone using the microphone?
Shadow IOS
April 5, 2021 at 4:55 am
Half these viewers are here because they prefer the XM4’s over the APM, and they want to validate their purchase.
The APM is the better headphone if you’re in the ecosystem, by a landslide. When it comes to cancelling out voices, the AirPods are better. Transparency mode? UGH it’s beautiful, these headphones can actually stay on my head all day rather than the Sony’s which sound like a mic from child’s toy. The AirPods Max actually have controlled base, can you imagine that? I’ve had XM4 lovers try my AirPods Max for a day, and they said although the weight was something they definitely have to get used to, the transparency mode, tight bass, clear mids, and amazing ANC made them wanna switch.
Most of you guys are bias because you don’t own the headphones, or you hate Apple. I own both, I’ve HAD both. The XM4’s are ok, but the bass is way too muddy, the transparency mode is garbage, they feel cheap, and my ear almost presses on the driver.
Suryo Haridadi
April 5, 2021 at 5:12 am
Good review. Pretty happy with my 1000xm4 tho
Apple Apple
April 5, 2021 at 5:47 am
You remind me of a Sims character. ☺️
Dominik Najberg
April 5, 2021 at 6:32 am
Don’t forget to mention that 700s have very flat sound. In fact so flat I’ve returned them.
Edj John
April 5, 2021 at 7:07 am
Sony!
Anarchy
April 5, 2021 at 7:33 am
you look like sjokz(league of legends shoutcaster) at 6:47
I own XM3. (I am sure I dont need to add more :D)
Sana Sainani
April 5, 2021 at 8:20 am
Thank you so much for a great and thoughtful review. It’s hard to find reviews that actually cater to everyone’s views and needs. For example, I’ve never really heard other reviewers talk about if the pads of lighter headphones actually get dirty. If you’re commuting to work, and wear makeup (which is not a niche example, like 50% of people do this!) it matters and it’s good to know. Women wear headphones too and I think many reviewers forget this. Was wondering if anyone has ever considered comparing these with the sennheiser momentum 3s? To me the Airpods Max is similar to the sennheisers in build, sound and even weight. Would be great to have those thoughts too. But thank you once again for a great review!
Lexy Savvides
April 5, 2021 at 5:06 pm
Thank you Sana! I truly appreciate your comment and taking the time to drop me a note. I’ll do my best to get my hands on a pair of Momentum 3 👍
Jose Kreisher Rae Foscablo
April 5, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Enable LDAC
noomy 663
April 5, 2021 at 12:44 pm
There’s nothing better comparison on headphones while clearly noticing the sound features in each product.
Fernando De Leon
April 5, 2021 at 1:06 pm
Woohoo Aussie tech blogger! 🐨🐨🇦🇺
jackie official
April 5, 2021 at 1:43 pm
Sony is the best
Bienvenu
April 5, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Android user = xm4, bose
Apple user = Airpods max
You can never use the full potential of each headphones when they are not in their natural environment! By that I mean you can never get xm4 LDAC with iphone and you can never get the Airpods Max adaptive eq with an android
Can Demirkol
April 5, 2021 at 4:45 pm
Hello, just i wonder, when you speak to someone with noise cancelling, which one is the best avoiding all noise to someone ?
cnewt00
April 5, 2021 at 7:09 pm
I like her. Her lips are really shiny
Denolan Moodley
April 5, 2021 at 11:23 pm
What about the Vmoda M200?
The newest one got ANC technology
Done Goofed
April 6, 2021 at 5:34 am
I don’t want to sound like be that guy. Although I think skimming buy LDAC as just another codec is borderline irresponsible. Yes its a Bluetooth codec but it is leaps ahead of aac. It’s not audiophile level but you can definitely definitely get a lot more from streaming services like tidal hifi . also never indicated what codec you were using when you did the listening. I think that and what type of music is important this day in age. But I loved the rest of it nice touch with the maake part
denny hermawan
April 6, 2021 at 5:58 am
I love sony, nice reviews 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻
Matthew Howell
April 6, 2021 at 8:10 am
When I first tried both Noise Cancelling and noise pass-through, it was pretty jarring. I never got use to it, no matter how much I tried. I now use a simple $13 pair of wired earbuds I bought off Amazon. They just work…
angelicbubbles
April 6, 2021 at 9:55 am
My verdict:
Sound quality:
Apple > Sony > Bose
Mic quality:
Apple > Bose > Sony
Comfort:
Sony > Bose > Apple
What do you guys think? 🤔
aamir mdkhan
April 6, 2021 at 11:35 am
Apple is greedy.
Ejay Snake
April 6, 2021 at 2:04 pm
Sony XM4’s have adjustable range from Noise Cancelling to maximum Ambient Sound with 20 levels in between
mochaccinoz
April 6, 2021 at 4:40 pm
No ever mentions the longevity of these products i have multiple headphone and with years of use they will break due to the plastic construction, thats where i think the stainless steel and aluminum plays a big part.
faroq mahmoudi
April 6, 2021 at 6:35 pm
lexy savvides, you picked the right one at the end, why? I’m glad you asked, simple, because I have sony wh-1000xm4 hahahaha, but this was a really nice review