Briefing
- Beats Studio Pro and AirPods Max have different aesthetics, with the former being sporty and the latter being sleek. Studio Pro is lighter and more comfortable for extended use.
- Beats Studio Pro has adaptive noise cancellation and supports high-resolution lossless audio, while AirPods Max has better noise cancellation and a transparency mode. Both offer custom spatial audio and dynamic head tracking.
- Beats Studio Pro offers more connectivity options, as it works with iOS and Android devices, while AirPods Max are more suitable for Apple users. The Studio Pro also has a longer battery life and faster charging.
applepulsate The audio brand has released the Studio Pro noise-cancelling earbuds, but does it stand a chance against the AirPods Max? The Beats Studio Pro marks the company’s return to the mainstream headphone category after six long years. They take after the Studio 3s released in 2017, but offer more in terms of specs and features. In comparison, the AirPods Max were introduced in 2020. Since then, the headphones have maintained their position as the best AirPods in Apple’s lineup.
Beats Studio Pro and AirPods Max have completely different aesthetics. The former has a sportier look with plastic construction, engineered leather cushions and metallic accents. In contrast, the AirPods Max have a sleek design with an aluminum frame, knitted mesh headband, and breathable mesh earcups. However, the premium materials add considerable bulk to the AirPods Max (384.8 grams). The Beats Studio Pro (260g) should be more comfortable, especially for extended use. Apple offers five vibrant colors for the AirPods Max, including green, pink, sky blue, space gray, silver, and silver, while the Beats Studio Pro is available in black, deep brown, blue, and sandstone.
Beats Studio Pro vs. AirPods Max: Sound and noise cancellation
Under the hood, the Studio Pros feature a custom 40mm driver that’s based on the Beats audio platform for improved clarity, minimal distortion at high volumes, and a balanced sound profile. Although the AirPods Max also feature a 40mm driver that results in clear highs and accurate mids, they have a heavy sound signature.
Like other premium headphones, both devices offer active noise cancellation, albeit with a slightly different implementation. Beats Studio Pro features adaptive noise cancellation, which can reduce background noise up to 48,000 times per second with the help of six microphones and a dedicated processor. Beats Studio Pro also supports lossless Hi-Res audio via USB-C.
On the other hand, the AirPods Max offered the best noise cancellation at launch, with eight dedicated microphones and the H1 chip. Therefore, they should still have a slight advantage over Studio Pro. They also have a better transparency mode. Other popular features on both devices include dedicated surround sound, dynamic head tracking and Dolby Atmos. Both earbuds have a dedicated button that cycles through noise-cancelling modes, though the AirPods Max lack a power button.
Beats Studio Pro vs AirPods Max: Connectivity and battery
In terms of connectivity, the new Beats headphones offer Bluetooth 5.3, a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Additionally, all its high-end features, including multi-point connectivity and quick pairing, work on both iOS and Android smartphones. Android users will need to download the Beats companion app from the Play Store to access the full feature set. AirPods Max are best suited for users who are invested in the Apple ecosystem, as features such as active noise cancellation, transparency mode and automatic switching are not available when using headphones with an Android device. In terms of connectivity, users only get Bluetooth 5.0 and a Lightning port (for charging only).
Beats claims the Studio Pro can last up to 24 hours with ANC or “Transparency Mode” on, and up to 40 hours with the features disabled. They also offer fast charging, providing four hours of playtime on a 10-minute charge. AirPods Max last up to 20 hours with ANC or transparency mode on, and a five-minute charge results in about 1.5 hours of listening time. AirPods Max also come with a smart case that puts them in low power mode to extend battery life.
In the end, the choice between Beats Studio Pro and AirPods Max comes down to two main factors – compatibility and price. For Android and Windows users, Beats Studio Pro is the obvious choice, as it’s not locked into the Apple ecosystem. THE apple For users, the AirPods Max are the better option overall, but only if they can justify spending $550 instead of $350.
Source: Apple, Beats
