Compare Apple AirPods Max vs Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Headphones

Reviewers broadly praised the AirPods Max sound as clear, refined, balanced, spacious, or even outstanding, though one audiophile-focused review found it merely competitive.

Reviewers generally found the sound enjoyable and better than expected for the price, though not as resolving or dynamic as premium headphones.

Latency was viewed positively when wired or in normal video use, with reviewers noting no video delay and a useful low-latency update.

Audio-video sync was a limitation: one reviewer saw only minor issues, while another called out no low-latency mode for video and games.

ANC background noise level was praised as clean and natural, with little hiss or artificial pressure in reviewer comments.

ANC background-noise handling was mixed: low rumble and everyday noise improved, but traffic, high-pitched sound, and hiss remained.

Most reviewers found the soundstage wide or spacious for closed-back wireless ANC headphones, while one technical review considered it only slightly above average.

Soundstage impressions split between wide or expansive in some listening tests and narrow, compact, or shallow in others.

Sound leakage evidence was mixed, with one reviewer saying leakage was low and another saying people nearby could hear at higher volumes.

Sound leakage evidence was limited but positive, with one review saying leakage was minimal.

Spatial audio was one of the most praised software features, especially for movies, supported Apple content, Dolby Atmos, and head-tracked experiences.

Spatial audio evidence was mixed: reviewers liked the immersive effect, but noted limited app or subscription requirements.

One reviewer praised wind-noise reduction during calls, noting that callers could still hear the voice well.

Microphone noise reduction was inconsistent: some reviews praised background and wind handling, while others found noisy environments a weak point.

Bass was generally described as controlled, punchy, deep, and less boomy than some rivals, with the main criticism coming from reviewers who wanted more sub-bass or dynamics.

Bass was a clear personality trait: many found it warm, punchy, or fun, while others called it boomy, shallow, or overemphasized.

ANC was one of the strongest points across the review set, with most reviewers calling it excellent, top-tier, or best-in-class, though a few found newer rivals stronger in some scenarios.

ANC was consistently useful for the price, reducing everyday noise and rumble, but reviewers rarely considered it flagship-class.

Reviewers noted ANC can slightly change the sound, either by relieving pressure cleanly or by softening punch and dynamics.

Reviewers generally found ANC did not damage the listening experience, with no major fatigue or radical sound shift reported.

Wind-noise handling was praised in call or ANC microphone contexts, especially for white noise and outdoor calls.

Wind-noise handling received limited positive evidence through Sony’s wind-reduction feature seeming to work.

Frequency-response evidence was mixed: some reviewers found the tuning balanced or close to preference targets, while one considered it only acceptable.

Frequency-response evidence was mixed: reviewers noted a warm, mostly pleasant balance but also bass emphasis, average timbre, and constrained openness.

Passive isolation was mixed, with some reviewers praising the seal and others finding it weaker than expected for certain head shapes.

Passive isolation was adequate rather than exceptional, helped by padding but weaker than better-padded premium alternatives.

Immersive audio quality was praised for cinematic, surround-like experiences and convincing spatial effects.

Immersive audio was one of the stronger technical positives, with reviewers praising 360-style spaciousness or high immersiveness.

Wear detection and auto-pause were praised as simple and effective when used with supported devices.

Auto-play and wear detection were clear missing features in several reviews.

USB-C lossless and low-latency audio was viewed as a useful update for wired editing or production use.

Hi-res playback support was a repeated weakness in the scored evidence, with reviewers saying there is no hi-res or LDAC support.

Premium feel was one of the strongest consensus positives, with reviewers emphasizing metal materials, luxury presentation, and high-quality feel.

Premium feel was weak: reviewers said the headphones feel toy-like or below their price in material impression.

3.5mm analog input availability was a recurring complaint because reviewers wanted the cable or adapter included and found the lack inconvenient.

The 3.5mm input was viewed positively as a useful fallback for wired listening.

Apple ecosystem integration was strongly praised for seamless pairing, easy device switching, and daily-use convenience.

Ecosystem integration was limited by app/platform restrictions for certain 360 Reality Audio features.

Headband padding and mesh were mixed, with one reviewer worried about long-term fabric wear and another finding it breathable and comfortable.

Headband padding received limited but very positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the padding excellent.

Multi-platform compatibility was limited; reviewers emphasized that non-Apple users miss many unique features.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive in limited evidence, especially for users connecting a phone and PC through multipoint.

Replaceable earpads were praised because reviewers found the magnetic pads easy to remove and replace.

Replaceable earpads received limited mixed evidence because the pads may wear but aftermarket replacements were mentioned.

The integrated microphone was judged inconsistent, especially when paired with the wrong device.

Integrated microphone evidence was positive in the limited scored review, with speech remaining clear enough in office use.

The headphones can play loud, but one reviewer noted they do not get incredibly loud.

Volume output drew limitations in flight or lower-volume listening, where reviewers needed higher volume or found detail lacking.

Travel friendliness was limited by flight-ANC doubts, bulk, case issues, and the tendency to keep the headphones at home or in the studio.

Travel friendliness was mixed: ANC and battery help, but lack of a case and non-folding design reduce bag durability.

One reviewer reported strong Bluetooth stability, including no dropouts while moving away from the source device.

Fit stability received limited positive evidence, with clamping force keeping the headphones in place.

Transparency mode received unusually strong agreement, with reviewers repeatedly calling it natural, clear, best-in-class, or among the best they had heard.

Transparency mode was one of the better-received features, with reviewers calling it transparent or effective despite some hiss or limits.

Midrange clarity drew strong praise from several reviewers, especially for vocals, but one technical review found the mids somewhat muted and veiled.

Midrange comments were mixed, with praise for vocals and clarity in some reviews but complaints about recessed, muffled, or muddy mids in others.

USB-C was welcomed for lossless or low-latency wired use, though one reviewer still framed the refresh as disappointing because little else changed.

USB-C was praised as a modern and useful charging standard, with fast charging mentioned in one video review.

Treble was often described as crisp, clear, detailed, and non-fatiguing, though one technical review found the treble uneven and occasionally unpleasant.

Treble was often described as clear or detailed, but some reviewers found it peaky, fatiguing, or slightly rolled off depending on tuning.

One reviewer praised the minimalist, beautiful look, supporting a high aesthetics score.

The headphones were described as discreet, slim, and subtle enough for public wear.

Launch and refresh feature evidence was negative, with reviewers calling the limited update disappointing and asking for fixes in a future generation.

Feature depth was limited compared with higher-end Sony models, according to one scored review.

Included accessories were criticized because reviewers wanted essential wired-use adapters or cables included at the price.

Included accessories were limited, with reviewers noting only basic cables and no carry case.

One reviewer found the AirPods Max stayed clean at higher volumes with basically no distortion.

One review praised clarity at high volumes, saying the sound stayed clear rather than muddy.

Water or sweat resistance was criticized because reviewers found the lack of protection a miss for a portable product.

Water and sweat resistance was a weakness, with reviewers noting no waterproof rating and limited exercise suitability.

Several reviewers praised instrument separation and layering, but one technical review criticized image separation and fine detail as weak.

Instrument separation was praised in some reviews, but other reviewers found the headphones lacking resolution, definition, and complex-track clarity.

Portability and foldability were weak because reviewers noted bulk, lack of folding, and reluctance to carry them outside.

Portability was held back by the non-folding design, despite the lightweight build and swiveling earcups.

Ear cup padding was mostly praised for softness, breathability, depth, and replaceability, though one reviewer disliked the material preference.

Earcup padding was generally comfortable but not universally premium, with some sticky, thin, or fit-related complaints.

LDAC support was criticized as missing in the SoundGuys review.

LDAC evidence was mostly negative in the scored reviews, where multiple reviewers called out no LDAC or no hi-res LDAC streaming.

The Smart Case was the clearest recurring complaint, with reviewers calling it ineffective, unprotective, pointless, or terrible.

Carry-case quality scored poorly because multiple reviewers noted that no case or pouch is included.

Overall recommendations were positive but conditional: reviewers admired the sound, ANC, and Apple integration while warning about price, weight, case, and rival value.

Overall recommendations were mostly positive, especially for budget buyers who accept build and ANC compromises.

aptX support was criticized as missing in the SoundGuys review.

aptX-related evidence was negative, with one reviewer citing no low-latency codec support such as aptX-LL.

One reviewer singled out the hinge design as rock solid and highly durable.

Hinge durability was a concern in one review that warned pressure near the swivel could cause breakage.

Weight comfort was the most divided comfort issue: some praised the distribution, while many called the headphones heavy or tiring over time.

Low weight was a standout comfort advantage, with several reviewers emphasizing how light the headphones feel on the head.

Clamping force drew criticism from reviewers who felt pressure from the clamp or sides of the head.

Clamping force was broadly well judged: secure enough to stay put but usually gentle enough for comfort.

Build quality was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly praising metal materials, solid construction, durability, and premium assembly.

Build quality was the most repeated compromise, with reviewers split between acceptable construction and cheap, plasticky, brittle feel.

Long-term durability evidence was mixed, with one reviewer reporting headband wear over years and another saying the headphones still looked new.

Durability over time was a concern because reviewers worried about cheap materials, drops, worn pads, and potential breakage.

Comfort over long use was split: some reviewers found them extremely comfortable for hours, while others reported fatigue, clamp, heat, or long-session discomfort.

Comfort was one of the strongest areas, with reviewers repeatedly praising the light fit for long sessions, commuting, and desk use.

Design was praised as beautiful, minimal, and distinctively Apple.

Design was generally seen as clean, minimalist, and better than expected for the price, though not premium.

EQ customization was a consistent weakness because reviewers wanted a real user EQ or disliked Apple removing choice through Adaptive EQ.

EQ customization was one of the strongest feature wins, repeatedly described as effective, useful, and capable of improving the sound.

Physical controls were widely praised, especially the Digital Crown and button layout, which reviewers found tactile, smooth, intuitive, and easy to use.

Physical buttons were usually praised for reliability and ease, though some reviewers found the similar button shapes confusing.

Advanced software features were valuable for iOS users but mixed overall because reviewers also noted quirks, limited feature depth, or Apple-only behavior.

Advanced software features were a selling point overall, though one review emphasized that these are not loaded like Sony flagships.

Smart listening features were useful and practical for some reviewers, but Adaptive EQ and related smart behavior also drew criticism for needing improvement.

Smart listening features were received positively where tested, especially adaptive sound behavior and location/activity-based adjustments.

Call microphone quality ranged from okay to good, with several reviewers finding it usable and one calling headset performance strong.

Call microphone performance ranged from very good and clear to merely acceptable, especially once noisy conditions entered the test.

Bluetooth reliability was viewed positively, with reviewers noting strong connection strength, no dropouts, and later updates improving connectivity issues.

Bluetooth stability was a strength in the reviewed evidence, with stable connections and no signal interruptions reported after setup.

Siri worked well for one reviewer, who preferred voice activation over manually using the crown.

Voice-assistant integration received limited positive evidence as a hands-free control option through the physical button.

Auto on/off reliability was a repeated frustration because reviewers disliked the lack of a real power button and dependence on the case.

Auto-off was praised as helpful for preserving battery life.

Value for money was the biggest tradeoff: reviewers often liked the headphones but criticized the high price, especially against cheaper rivals.

Value was one of the strongest consensus positives, especially when the headphones were discounted below full retail.

Codec support was a recurring weakness because reviewers noted reliance on AAC/SBC and lack of higher-end Bluetooth codec support.

Codec support was viewed as limited because reviewers noted the lack of fancier hi-res options.

Battery life was mixed to negative: some reviewers found it acceptable or impressive, but many called 20 hours weak versus competitors.

Battery life was a major consensus strength, with reviewers praising the 35-hour-plus ANC endurance and long real-world playback.

Charging convenience was mixed, with one long-term reviewer linking battery preservation to the case and still finding charging part of the convenience problem.

Charging was strongly praised, especially the quick-charge behavior that several reviews highlighted as fast and useful.

The available evidence on ANC sound-signature impact was positive, with one reviewer saying ANC did not radically alter the sound.

LE Audio readiness was speculative in the review evidence, framed as something Bluetooth 5.2 could support in the future.

Wear detection performance was absent in the scored evidence, since the reviewer noted no wear-detection feature.

Android compatibility was consistently weak because reviewers said Android and Windows users lose key smart features.

The included audio cable was criticized as potentially too short for some PC setups.

Channel matching or imaging was criticized in one technical review, which found image separation and distinction poor.

Connectivity options were positively viewed where reviewers emphasized both wired and Bluetooth listening.

Wired listening was useful in a pinch, and one reviewer heard no major sound-quality penalty when using it powered on.

Swivel range was limited because the cups only swivel flat and the headphones do not fold.

Headband adjustability received limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the extension sturdy.

Preset EQ profiles were praised in the two scored reviews for improving bass energy while keeping clarity under control.

Replaceable pads/headband evidence was limited and mixed, with worn pads mentioned alongside aftermarket replacement possibility.

Sensor coverage was weak because reviewers noted missing ear-detection or wear-detection sensors.

Smudge resistance was mixed, with matte finish resisting fingerprints but the white colorway collecting dirt.

Streaming-service integration was constrained because 360 Reality Audio required supported paid apps in one review.

Sustainability and repairability received limited positive evidence tied to long battery life reducing replacement frequency.

Wear-detection auto-pause was missing, creating a risk of accidental battery drain.

The Sony app was a major positive, offering EQ, modes, setup controls, and added features, though some setup friction appeared.

Bluetooth 5.2 was described as competitive in the reviewed evidence.

Smart Pause performance was poor because one review explicitly noted no auto-pause when the headphones are removed.

Setup simplicity was mixed to weak because two reviewers reported initial pairing issues.

Auracast support was only discussed as a possible future capability, not a confirmed or praised current feature.

Multipoint was repeatedly treated as a useful quality-of-life feature, with several reviewers praising device switching or dual-device use.

Dolby Atmos and head tracking were praised as accurate, cinematic, and especially good for movies and supported content.