Which Over-Ear ANC Headphones Win?

Generally, choosing a pair of headphones looks like an unattainable selection. There are heaps to select from, and the barrier to entry is sufficient to ship haptic chills down one’s backbone. If there’s one factor that almost all can agree on, it’s that Apple’s AirPods Max are most likely the usual for folks contemplating headphones within the U.S., particularly for those who already personal an iPhone. However AirPods Max are so rattling costly, proper? Is it value shelling out $550 for a pair of headphones when opponents like Nothing’s $300 Headphone 1 exist and supply handsome AirPods alternate options for a value that undercuts Apple by $250?

There’s rather a lot to unpack in that query, however fortunately, I’ve examined each for you (and a lot of other audio products) and may supply my sage steering on the place to throw tons of of {dollars} if you want to save your self from the scourge of subway sounds or your neighbor’s incessant singing. First, let’s begin with the appears.

See AirPods Max at Amazon

See Nothing Headphone 1 at Amazon

Headphone 1 vs. AirPods Max: Design

On the danger of declaring the plain: AirPods Max and Nothing’s Headphone 1 look very totally different. Whereas Apple’s super-popular headphones go for a minimalist design, Nothing’s Headphone 1 have a retro-inspired look that riffs on cassette tapes of yore. Undoubtedly, you’ll have your individual ideas on which appears higher—this stuff are subjective in any case—however from a extra goal standpoint, additionally they use totally different supplies that make them really feel noticeably totally different.

AirPods Max, for instance, use chrome steel and anodized aluminum, which suggests two issues: they really feel extra premium, and so they’re additionally just a little bit heavier—that’s simply physics for you. Nothing’s Headphone 1 wins factors for distinctive model, however they’re made principally from plastic and just a little little bit of aluminum so that they undoubtedly really feel rather a lot cheaper however are additionally rather a lot lighter. Which pair speaks to you is a matter of choice, however for those who’re in search of a lighter carry, Nothing’s Headphone 1 has AirPods Max beat: the load breakdown right here is 329g in comparison with nearly 385g.

The Headphone 1 have a retro-inspired design. © Raymond Wong / GizmodoNothing’s Headphone 1 additionally develop on AirPods Max’s {hardware} with an entire host of bodily buttons that embody a devoted monitor skip/fast-forward/rewind paddle, a quantity curler, and an on/off swap. AirPods Max have a crown for quantity adjustment and pause/play and that’s it; to the frustration of many, there’s no on/off swap. The variety of buttons on the Headphone 1 was a welcome shock once I examined them out, and whereas I want they have been just a little extra refined and fewer finicky to make use of, they do set the Headphone 1 aside not simply from Apple however from just about each model of over-ear headphones.

Aesthetically, you’ll must dig deep and determine what you need out of a pair of headphones. If you would like one thing that’s extra of a trend assertion, the Headphone 1 are going to talk to you. If you would like one thing that’s going to fade into the background, then AirPods Max are extra your velocity. Personally? I discover AirPods Max to be a bit on the boring aspect, however I respect that not everybody cares about trying the a part of a Brooklyn-based hipster. I’m opting for the Headphone 1 on this division for feeling lighter on my head and in addition bringing a design that I discover thrilling, modern, and price writing residence about. Sorry, AirPods Max, chrome steel or not, the minimalism factor is just a little bit drained.

Winner: Headphone 1

Headphone 1 vs. AirPods Max: Sound

Certain, your eyes could be the first approach you choose a pair of headphones, however finally, your ears are what actually matter. Consequently, you’re most likely questioning: can Nothing’s Headphone 1 actually problem the AirPods Max within the sound division? The reply is… to be sincere, sure.

I used to be pleasantly stunned to search out the sound on the Headphone 1—tuned in collaboration with hi-fi audio company KEF—really held its personal towards the considerably costlier and fashionable AirPods Max. Nothing’s headphones carried out significantly properly within the low-to-mid-range frequencies, although—sorry, finances seekers—I feel Apple’s AirPods Max premium nonetheless means one thing within the audio division.

As I wrote in my evaluate, I nonetheless assume Apple’s AirPods Max have a noticeable edge with regards to sound. Specifically, mids-to-highs have barely extra texture and room, which makes vocals really feel extra natural and clear. That being stated, Nothing holds its personal towards a competitor that costs a really hefty premium, and the truth that it comes shut in any respect is unquestionably a feat. Nonetheless, higher is best, and AirPods Max nonetheless really feel clearer and extra dynamically wealthy, even when by a detailed margin.

Winner: AirPods Max

Headphone 1 vs. AirPods Max: Consolation

A giant cause why folks purchase over-ear headphones is that they might not like sticking earbuds inside their ears, which is truthful, as a result of even essentially the most comfy ear suggestions will turn out to be irritating over time. So, with consolation in thoughts, you’re most likely questioning if AirPods Max really feel as luxurious because the supplies they’re made out of or, on the opposite aspect of the coin, if Nothing’s Headphone 1 really feel rougher with much less premium supplies. On the danger of spoiling the end result, this one is sort of too near name.

One of many first issues that struck me in regards to the Headphone 1 is that they match my head properly, which might not be a promoting level for everybody, however for me, an individual with a small head, that’s an enormous win. Not solely was the match comfortable, however the vegan leather-based headstrap and earcups additionally felt soft and easy on my head and ears, respectively. There’s really a reasonably large distinction material-wise with regards to earcups on the AirPods Max, as Apple’s headphones are made with a mesh textile. These mesh supplies are designed to be extra breathable than their counterparts, and whereas I’m not an enormous cardio man, I’m prepared to guess that they could be extremely preferable to somebody who needs to put on headphones whereas exercising.

One other main distinction is within the head strap, which is a stable piece of plastic with reminiscence foam and vegan leather-based on the Headphone 1. That’s against AirPods Max, which have a mesh band that achieves a pair key issues. First, it helps scale back the load of the headphones, which have some heft because of the premium supplies. Secondly, the mesh band additionally (much like the mesh earcups) makes AirPods Max extra breathable, giving them an edge for anybody who’s extra fitness-focused.

In the end, each headphones are comfy, even regardless of the load distinction, however I feel I’m going to have to present AirPods Max the nod right here if simply because the supplies and design of the earcups and head strap make them extra appropriate for a greater variety of use circumstances.

Winner: AirPods Max

Headphone 1 vs. AirPods Max: Battery Life and Options

Battery life is vital in any gadget, however for headphones, that metric feels much more vital since operating out of juice whilst you’re on an airplane or commuting to work could be a big drag. Given the significance of battery life, you’d assume that shelling out extra money for a premium product will get you extra juice as a given, proper? Couldn’t be extra unsuitable.

Nothing’s Headphone 1 trounce AirPods Max within the battery life division, delivering as much as 35 hours with lively noise cancellation (ANC) on versus AirPods Max’s 20 hours. I discover these battery life estimates to be correct in my testing, and for those who’re in search of extra longevity, the Headphone 1 have an edge.

Each pairs of headphones have just about all of the options you’d anticipate, together with transparency (mixes music and ambient noise), adaptive noise cancellation, and spatial audio. Each headphones even have software-based listening to exams that mean you can customise the EQ of your audio to your particular listening to idiosyncrasies, and can be custom-tuned both by way of Nothing’s X app or on iOS for Apple AirPods Max, although Nothing’s is extra granular. Each additionally reap the benefits of {custom} hi-res codecs for those who’re an audiophile in search of the perfect, lossless sound, although iOS doesn’t assist LHDC (Low Latency Excessive Definition Audio Codec), so you need to maintain your ecosystem in thoughts right here. I’ll say AirPods undoubtedly have a bonus for those who’re within the Apple ecosystem, since they swap extra seamlessly between working in your MacBook or iPhone.

Whereas feature-wise these headphones are just about a tie, Nothing will get the nod for having a for much longer battery life. It’s laborious to argue with not having to fret about charging up your headphones.

Winner: Headphone 1

Headphone 1 vs AirPods Max: ANC

An excellent element of any premium pair of headphones or earbuds is their capacity to cancel exterior noise, and on that entrance, Apple’s AirPods Max all the time get excessive marks. However simply because Apple will get the kudos doesn’t imply that they’re essentially that good, proper? Flawed.

AirPods Max do have an edge with regards to noise cancellation, and whereas Nothing boasts a powerful 52dB of cancellation, lab exams from Sound Guys present that AirPods Max nonetheless beat the Headphone 1 with a powerful 88% noise discount in comparison with the Headphone 1’s 85% discount. Anecdotally, I can discover the distinction when switching between the 2 headphones, and I feel it has rather a lot to do with the earcups. I discover AirPods Max’s cups create a tighter seal round my ears, which simply naturally blocks out extra sound. Apple’s noise-cancellation tech does the remaining. In case you’re in search of headphones with actually nice noise cancellation, Apple’s AirPods Max nonetheless get the purpose right here.

Winner: AirPods Max

Backside Line

Everybody has totally different priorities with regards to audio, however there are nonetheless some classes which might be unavoidable. You want your headphones to sound good, after all, however you additionally want them to suit your head, be comfy, and block out noise successfully. Apple’s AirPods Max are nonetheless a few of the greatest at doing all of these issues, however they arrive with a burdensome premium which may scare lots of people away. Nothing’s Headphone 1, then again, nonetheless excel in these key metrics, and whereas they fall barely quick in main classes like sound high quality and ANC, additionally they make up for these shortcomings with a cool design, numerous options, and a heck of lots of buttons.

In case you have the cash and need the perfect of the perfect there’s no cause to not go Apple, however I’m a agency believer that Nothing’s Headphone 1 nonetheless get you many of the approach there, and for those who’re a fan of what Nothing is placing down within the design division, you gained’t remorse saving your self $250 and going with the underdog.

See AirPods Max at Amazon

See Nothing Headphone 1 at Amazon