**Blindfolded Headphone Comparison: An Evaluation of Apple’s AirPods Max and Their Rivals**
When four expert music producers were blindfolded and assigned the task of listening to the same track through six different headphones, including Apple’s AirPods Max, the findings were fascinating. This experiment, carried out by *Wired*, sought to evaluate the performance of an assortment of premium headphones in a controlled setting.
### The Configuration
In 2020, Apple’s AirPods Max were celebrated as top-notch headphones. Yet, five years later, the absence of notable updates, apart from a transition to USB-C and new color variations, has enabled competitors to close the gap. To analyze this, *Wired* brought in four audio professionals—Isabel Gracefield, Ian Lambden, Steph Marziano, and Mike Kintish—who are all seasoned sound engineers and music producers.
To guarantee an impartial evaluation, the producers were blindfolded and forbidden from manipulating the headphones during the assessment. They listened to “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, a hugely popular track, streamed at Spotify Premium’s 320 Kbps. Active noise cancellation (ANC) was activated on all headphones, although some testers expressed concerns.
### The Contenders
The headphones evaluated included:
– Apple AirPods Max
– Sony WH-1000XM6
– Soundcore Space One Pro
– Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen)
– Nothing Headphone (1)
– Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Each pair was given a letter (A, B, C, D, E, F) for identification, allowing the testers to navigate between them seamlessly.
### Summary of Results
While the full results are elaborated in *Wired’s* article, the AirPods Max performed well against their competitors, with at least one reviewer placing them at the top. The headphones received acclaim for their efficient active noise cancellation and clarity in vocal reproduction while delivering a well-rounded sound across instruments. Nonetheless, their weight was pointed out as a possible disadvantage.
### Final Thoughts
This blindfolded headphone comparison offered valuable insights into the performance of the AirPods Max in relation to other premium headphones. Although results may differ with various tracks, the experiment underscored the strengths and weaknesses of each model. For anyone contemplating high-end headphones, this test acts as a valuable reference point.
For more comprehensive findings and insights, refer to the complete article on *Wired*.
