Headphones / AirPods Max vs Px7 S2e
AirPods Max vs Px7 S2e
Px7 S2e
The audiophile pick, built like a premium hi-fi product.
Wins overall by 0.4 points
Quick Verdict
The Px7 S2e is the stronger all-around pick, beating the AirPods Max by 0.4 points overall. The audiophile pick, built like a premium hi-fi product.
The AirPods Max and Px7 S2e are both closely matched headphones, and the Px7 S2e is $150 cheaper than the AirPods Max ($399 vs $549). On battery, the Px7 S2e leads (8.1 vs 6.2/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed. On travel, the Px7 S2e leads (8.3 vs 7.5/10) — foldability, case, anc on planes, battery for long trips. On value, the Px7 S2e leads (7.2 vs 6.4/10) — features and performance relative to price. Overall, the Px7 S2e scores 8.2/10 across our 10 test categories versus 7.8/10 for the AirPods Max. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | AirPods Max | Px7 S2e |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $399.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2023 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 20 | 30✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 20 | 30✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 5✓ | 15 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Weight (g) | 384.8 | 307✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 9✓ | 8 |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 24 months |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Sky Blue, Pink, Starlight, Midnight | Anthracite Black, Cloud Grey, Forest Green |
Category Scores
Battery Life
The AirPods Max is rated for up to 20 hours with ANC on (20 hours with ANC off), while the Px7 S2e is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on (30 hours with ANC off). Quick charge gets the AirPods Max roughly 3 hours of playback from a 5-minute top-up, versus a 15-minute top-up for the Px7 S2e.
Noise Cancelling
On our noise cancelling score, the AirPods Max rates 9.0/10 versus 8.6/10 for the Px7 S2e. Px7 S2e carries the ANC edge overall in this matchup based on the combined scoring above — see the Scores section for the full category breakdown.
Comfort
The AirPods Max weighs 384.8g and scores 7.6/10 for comfort; the Px7 S2e weighs 307g and scores 8.0/10. Lighter weight generally means less clamp fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
Sound Quality
Sound quality scores: AirPods Max 9.2/10, Px7 S2e 9.5/10. Driver size is 40mm on the AirPods Max versus 40mm on the Px7 S2e — larger drivers don't guarantee better sound, but they're one input into tuning.
Calls & Microphone
The AirPods Max uses a 9-microphone array and scores 8.6/10 for calls, while the Px7 S2e uses 8 microphones and scores 8.0/10.
Travel
For travel we weight battery life, ANC, and foldability together. The AirPods Max scores 7.5/10 and does not fold flat; the Px7 S2e scores 8.3/10 and folds flat.
Gaming
Neither model is a dedicated gaming headset, but relative gaming scores are 6.5/10 for the AirPods Max and 7.0/10 for the Px7 S2e. For latency-sensitive games, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Best For
Choose the AirPods Max if…
- • You're on calls constantly and need clear mic pickup with background noise rejection.
- • Your main use case is commute.
Choose the Px7 S2e if…
- • You want maximum battery life — the Px7 S2e runs up to 30 hours on a charge.
- • You travel often and want reliable ANC, a compact fold, and long battery life on planes.
- • You want the most performance for the lowest price.
- • You care about low latency for gaming or watching video without audio lag.
- • You want to spend less — it's $150 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
AirPods Max
Pros
- +Unmatched integration with iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- +Premium metal and glass build quality
- +Excellent Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- +Now supports USB-C lossless audio
Cons
- −Heaviest headphone in this comparison set by far
- −Shortest battery life of any model here
- −No dedicated EQ app, limited to iOS accessibility settings
- −Smart Case doesn't fully protect the headband
- −Most expensive option
Px7 S2e
Pros
- +Best build quality and materials in this comparison set
- +Reference-grade sound tuning from a hi-fi speaker brand
- +2-year warranty
- +24-bit audio processing for higher-resolution playback
Cons
- −Heaviest headphone here after AirPods Max
- −Premium price without premium-tier ANC
- −Smaller brand means fewer retail listening demos
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the AirPods Max or Px7 S2e better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Px7 S2e comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which has better battery life, the AirPods Max or the Px7 S2e?+
The Px7 S2e lasts longer, rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on versus 20 hours for the AirPods Max.
Is the AirPods Max worth the price difference over the Px7 S2e?+
The Px7 S2e is the cheaper option at $399 versus $549. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in battery.
Which is better for travel, the AirPods Max or the Px7 S2e?+
For travel, we weight battery life, ANC performance, and foldability. The Px7 S2e scores higher here (8.3/10).
Which has better noise cancelling?+
The AirPods Max has the stronger ANC, scoring 9.0/10 versus 8.6/10.
Can I use the AirPods Max and Px7 S2e for gaming?+
Both support standard Bluetooth audio, but neither is purpose-built for competitive gaming latency. Between the two, the Px7 S2e scores better for gaming use (7.0/10). For latency-critical gaming, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Do the AirPods Max and Px7 S2e support multipoint Bluetooth pairing?+
Yes, the AirPods Max supports multipoint. Yes, the Px7 S2e supports multipoint too.
Which is more comfortable for long listening sessions?+
The Px7 S2e scores higher on comfort (8.0/10), largely due to clamp force, padding, and weight — the AirPods Max weighs 384.8g and the Px7 S2e weighs 307g.
What's the warranty on the AirPods Max vs the Px7 S2e?+
The AirPods Max ships with a 12-month warranty; the Px7 S2e ships with a 24-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
WH-1000XM6 — $449.99
Premium Option
QC Ultra Headphones — $429.00