Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones
Get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones, narrowly. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones wins Low-End Reach and High-End Reach, but only...
The Ruling
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones or Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones? Get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones, narrowly.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones wins Low-End Reach and High-End Reach — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $390.
Unless…
- You need isolation — get the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones.
At a Glance
Where each one actually leads
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Low-End Reach | 9.3/10 | 10/10 |
| High-End Reach | 9/10 | 10/10 |
| Isolation | 10/10 | 0/10 |
| Value | 2.9/10 | 10/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones
Listening solution for creator monitoring, gaming, editing, and long-session comfort.
On paper the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones takes active noise cancelling (Yes). It gives up frequency response to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones. That costs $390.00 more than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones.
Leads on
-
Active Noise CancellingYesNo
ANC cancels steady background noise — useful for editing in a room you do not control.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones
Listening solution for creator monitoring, gaming, editing, and long-session comfort.
On paper the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones takes frequency response (15Hz-28kHz). It gives up active noise cancelling to the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones. It is the cheaper of the two, by $390.00.
Leads on
-
Frequency Response15Hz-28kHz20Hz-20kHz
Wider frequency response reproduces more of the audio spectrum for accurate monitoring.
Where they’re identical
These 2 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Fit Over-ear
- Enclosure Closed-back
The Record
14 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones?
The clearest difference is active noise cancelling, which the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones has and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones does not. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. They match on 2 specs, including fit and enclosure. Two headphones from Apple and Audio-Technica, each taking a different approach to sound signature and comfort for long sessions.
Which is better for streaming, Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones or Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones?
Get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones, narrowly. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones wins Low-End Reach and High-End Reach — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $390.
Is the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones worth the extra $390 over the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones?
The Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones costs $549.00 against $159.00, a difference of $390. The premium buys active noise cancelling (Yes). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.