Apple AirPods Max
See price on AmazonOverall Score 5.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Sony WH CH520
See price on AmazonOverall Score 4.9 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Apple AirPods Max | Sony WH CH520 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | weight | 384.8g | 147g |
has a tangle free cable | ✗ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✗ | ✓ | |
has an over-the-ear foam | ✓ | ✗ | |
has an on-ear foam | ✗ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (anc) | ✓ | ✗ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 109dB/mW | 97dB/mW | |
driver unit size | 40mm | 30mm | |
impedance | 47Ohms | 35Ohms | |
has a neodymium magnet | ✓ | ✓ | |
POWER | battery life | 20hours | 40hours |
charge time | 2hours | 3hours | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
battery power | 664mAh | 400mAh | |
has a rechargeable battery | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | can be used wirelessly | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5 | v5.2 | |
has usb type-c | ✗ | ✓ | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 9only | 1only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✗ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✗ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✗ | |
multipoint count | 2only | 2only | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
can be used as a headset | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | 1years | ✗ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✗ | |
has dolby atmos | ✓ | ✗ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Sony WH CH520 have a weight of 147g, these weigh below 320g, which we consider as the highest average a headphone should weigh for comfort during long use. We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with. Apple AirPods Max, at 384.8g are heavier than the Sony WH CH520 with a difference 237.8g Twisted headphone cables can be a great source of annoyance and inconvenience, Sony WH CH520's cable is designed to minimize tangling.
Constant twisting of the cables can also lead to bends in the copper wires, affecting sound quality, or completely damaging your headphones. By sweat resistance we mean that the wireless earbuds are protected in the presence of low-pressure water jets at any angle, this is determined by the IP Rating of the earbuds. Based on the ingress protection rating of the Sony WH CH520 they do have sweat resistance On-ear headphones have smaller earpads that sit on top of your ears, this Sony WH CH520 comfortably rests on top of your outer ears.
As it doesn't block out everything from the outside world, it's preferred in places like office environments and recommended for outdoor activities. Sony WH CH520 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Apple AirPods Max also have stereo speakers Passive Noise Cancellation uses well-designed ear cups to seal out environment noise.
This is used for both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones where the headphone itself will keep surrounding noise out. The Sony WH CH520 sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that also the Apple AirPods Max isolates you from ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
Low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device reproduces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sony WH CH520's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, the lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass. Apple AirPods Max's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices produce equal bass High frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device reproduces high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.
Sony WH CH520's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, the higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. Apple AirPods Max's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that
both devices produce equal treble
Sound pressure is the average variation in atmospheric pressure caused by the sound, the sound level .i.e how loud something is can be perceived differently by different people so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
The sound pressure level, SPL, is the pressure level of a sound, measured in decibels, dB, Sony WH CH520's measurement is 97dB/mW.
Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. Apple AirPods Max's sound pressure level measurement is 109dB/mW. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the headphone.
Sony WH CH520 driver unit is 30mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass. Apple AirPods Max driver unit is 40mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of Sony WH CH520 by 10mm
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty reproducing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better sound.
Impedance is the device's resistance to the electromagnetic current, as electricity flows through a wire, it faces electrical resistance that counters the flow of current. The resistance of a conductor is measured in ohms. Sony WH CH520's impedance is 35Ohms, the lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power.
Apple AirPods Max's impedance is 47Ohms. The impedance of earbuds is the electrical resistance of the driver unit present on the inside. Neodymium magnets if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so.
They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux. The Sony WH CH520 have this type of magnet. Apple AirPods Max have it too, devices with neodymium magnets are lighter and more powerful than those which use ferrite magnets.
It is also known that they have more bass and clear high notes. If your headphones play wirelessly, cancel ambient noise, or enhance your listening experience with active features, their battery life will reduce over time. The device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sony WH CH520's battery life is 40 hours Apple AirPods Max's battery life is 20 hours. Each time you recharge your headphones, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first.
But over a few years, you may find that your device, no longer plays for long like it used to. It takes 3 hours to fully charge the Sony WH CH520's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the headphones for the first time or when they have been unused for extended periods.
Apple AirPods Max takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery Sony WH CH520 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your headphones. Apple AirPods Max too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your headphones, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.
Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. Sony WH CH520's battery power is 400mAh, more battery power can be an indication of longer battery life. Apple AirPods Max's battery power is 664mAh.
A rechargeable battery is a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use. Sony WH CH520's battery can be recharged and used over again. The Apple AirPods Max too have a rechargeable battery.
Sony WH CH520 can be used wirelessly, wireless devices allow you more freedom of movement. The Apple AirPods Max also can be used wirelessly Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony WH CH520 has a v5.2 Apple AirPods Max has a Bluetooth version of v5.
Newer versions provide faster data transfers. Sony WH CH520 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C plug is now part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets, it features reversible plug orientation and cable direction.
Sony WH CH520 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
The Apple AirPods Max support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances.
The Sony WH CH520 can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth or infrared to another device. The Apple AirPods Max can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth Sony WH CH520 have only 1 microphones, more microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. The Apple AirPods Max microphones are only 9.
Sony WH CH520 support multipoint, which allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods Max support multipoint count.
Bluetooth multipoint would come in handy because you can be on one call without missing notifications coming from another device. There is a control panel on the Sony WH CH520 body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to. The Apple AirPods Max too have a control panel on them.
Sony WH CH520 can be used as a headset. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e.
Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc. Apple AirPods Max can be used as a headset. since they have a built-in microphone