Products
Apple AirPods Max
Sonos Ace
Tested using Methodology v2.0
Updated Oct 30, 2025 03:15 PM
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Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v1.8
Updated Jun 18, 2025 12:12 PM
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Amazon.com
TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingYes
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass Amount
Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
Treble Amount
Underemphasized (-4 dB)
MicYes
Sound Signature
Warm
TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingYes
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
MicYes
Our Verdict
Apple AirPods Max
Sonos Ace
The Apple AirPods Max and the Sonos Ace are both premium headphones with different strengths. While both are well-built and have swappable ear cup padding, the Apple headphones have flatter bass and mids, which some people may prefer. They also have an H1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair your headphones with your iOS device. However, the Sonos are much more comfortable, come with a carrying case that protects the headphones, and have the edge regarding noise isolation, though both still perform quite well in this regard. They also have a TV Audio Swap feature that you can use to receive audio from your compatible Sonos soundbar, despite some audio delay. Some users have reported issues with the connection between their soundbar and headphones.
Variants
- AirPods Max (USB-C) (Blue)
- AirPods Max (Lightning) (Green)
- AirPods Max (USB-C) (Midnight)
- AirPods Max (USB-C) (Orange)
- AirPods Max (Lightning) (Pink)
- AirPods Max (USB-C) (Purple)
- AirPods Max (Lightning) (Silver)
- AirPods Max (Lightning) (Sky Blue)
- AirPods Max (Lightning) (Space Gray)
- AirPods Max (USB-C) (Starlight)
- Ace (Black)
- Ace (Soft White)
Check Price
Blue
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Ace
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Green
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Soft White
Ace
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Midnight
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Orange
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Pink
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Purple
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Silver
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sky Blue
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Space Gray
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Starlight
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Main Differences for
Neutral Sound
Neutral Sound
Threshold
Neutral Sound
7.3
Full Comparison
Sound
Sound Profile
Sound Profile
Normalization Frequency
1,250 Hz
1,150 Hz
Bass Amount
2.8 dB
Bass Amount
Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)
Treble Amount
-1.5 dB
Treble Amount
Underemphasized (-4 dB)
Sound Signature
Warm
Frequency Response Consistency
8.1
6.7
Consistency L
Consistency R
Std. Deviation
0.83 dB
0.69 dB
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
9.7
8.8
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
1.5 dB
3.2 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
20 Hz
20 Hz
Low Bass
1.71 dB
1.49 dB
Mid Bass
1.08 dB
4.29 dB
High Bass
1.43 dB
3.46 dB
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
9.2
8.1
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
1.27 dB
1.88 dB
Low Mid
0.42 dB
1.87 dB
Mid-Mid
-0.05 dB
-0.78 dB
High Mid
-1.35 dB
-1.4 dB
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
6.3
6.4
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
4.91 dB
3.77 dB
Low Treble
-4.96 dB
-2.95 dB
Mid Treble
-2.98 dB
0.48 dB
High Treble
-2.68 dB
-6.66 dB
Peaks/Dips
8.2
7.4
Peaks/Dips Graph
Peaks
0.96 dB
1.53 dB
Dips
1.65 dB
1.81 dB
Stereo Mismatch
9.1
Frequency Response Mismatch
Phase Response Mismatch
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.10 dB
1.27
Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch
0.67 dB
1.45
Weighted Phase Mismatch
0.6°
3.15
Cumulative Spectral Decay
CSD
PRTF
4.4
3.8
PRTF
PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)
4.28 dB
3.55 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
6.81 dB
4.54 dB
PRTF Distance
5.22 dB
4.68 dB
Openness
0.5
Acoustic Space Excitation
2.6
Harmonic Distortion
9.5
Harmonics Levels
THD Ratio
WHD @ 94 dB SPL
0.06%
0.688
WHD @ 104 dB SPL
0.10%
0.226
Electrical Aspects
Impedance
Sensitivity @1kHz-1V
N/A
Bluetooth Max SPL
103.2 dB
Virtual Soundstage
2.9
2.9
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
No
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
No
Head Tracking
On/Off
On/Off
Virtual Surround
Spatial Audio
Dolby Atmos
Test Settings
Firmware
6A326
3.1.4-e16e1c539
Power
On
On
Connection
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Codec
SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
aptX HD, 24-bit, 48kHz
Test Instrument
Audio Precision APx517B
Audio Precision APx517B
EQ
Adaptive EQ
No EQ
ANC
On
On
Tip/Pad
Default
Default
Microphone
Integrated
Integrated
Imaging
8.6
Group Delay
Phase Response Mismatch
Weighted Group Delay
0.14
Weighted Phase Mismatch
0.6°
3.15
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.10 dB
1.27
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
0.67 dB
1.45
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
6.9
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.06%
0.688
WHD @ 100
0.10%
0.226
Design
Style
Design Picture 2
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Enclosure
Closed-Back
Closed-Back
Wireless
Yes
Yes
Transducer
Dynamic
Dynamic
Comfort
7.0
8.5
Comfort Picture
Weight
0.85 lbs
0.7 lbs
Clamping Force
1.2 lbs
0.9 lbs
Controls
7.9
7.9
Controls Picture
OS Compatibility
iOS
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use
Great
Great
Feedback
Good
Good
Call/Music Control
Yes
Yes
Volume Control
Yes
Yes
Microphone Control
No
No
Channel Mixing
No
No
Noise Cancelling Control
On/Off
On/Off
Talk-Through
On/Off
On/Off
Additional Controls
Voice Assistant
Voice Assistant
Breathability
Breathability After Picture
Avg.Temp.Difference
Portability
6.0
6.1
Portability Picture
L
7.8" (19.8 cm)
7.9" (20.1 cm)
W
7.5" (19.1 cm)
7.2" (18.4 cm)
H
1.7" (4.3 cm)
1.7" (4.2 cm)
Volume
99.00 in³ (1,622.31 cm³)
94.79 in³ (1,553.33 cm³)
Transmitter Required
No
No
Case
6.0
7.0
Case Picture
Type
Soft case
Hard case
L
7.9" (20.1 cm)
8.9" (22.5 cm)
W
8.5" (21.6 cm)
7.5" (19.1 cm)
H
1.7" (4.3 cm)
1.9" (4.9 cm)
Volume
114.00 in³ (1,868.12 cm³)
128.50 in³ (2,105.78 cm³)
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build Quality Picture
Stability
6.5
7.0
Stability Picture
Headshots 1
Angled Picture
Side Picture
Headshots 2
Front Picture
Rear Picture
Top
Top Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Isolation
Noise Isolation - Full Range
9.4
9.4
Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph
Noise Cancelling
Yes
Yes
Overall Attenuation
-26.06 dB
-26.43 dB
Bass
-19.54 dB
-23.54 dB
Mid
-30.62 dB
-24.82 dB
Treble
-28.95 dB
-31.71 dB
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
9.0
9.6
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph
Airplane Noise Attenuation
-21.85 dB
-23.27 dB
Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
Office Noise Attenuation
-19.98 dB
-22.71 dB
Office Noise Isolation Audio
Street Noise Attenuation
-21.92 dB
-23.80 dB
Street Noise Isolation Audio
Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
Female Voice 1
Male Voice 1
Female Voice 2
Male Voice 2
Leakage
7.1
7.7
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
38.88 dB
35.16 dB
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
Yes
In-Line
No
No
Boom
No
No
Detachable Boom
No
No
Mic
Yes
Yes
Recording Quality
6.6
7.0
Microphone Frequency Response
Recorded Speech
LFE
273 Hz
281 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
2.77 dB
2.81 dB
HFE
3,466.89 Hz
6,267.15 Hz
Weighted THD
3.025
11.345
Gain
15.85 dB
27.95 dB
Noise Handling
5.0
6.6
SpNR
SpNR
9.61 dB
26.04 dB
Noise Gate
No
No
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
5.0
7.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
5.0
6.0
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
Active Features
Battery
8.3
8.5
Battery Type
Rechargable
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
21.6 hrs
35.6 hrs
Additional Charges
0.0
0.0
Total Battery Life
21.6 hrs
35.6 hrs
Charge Time
1.5 hrs
2.5 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Standby mode
Standby mode
Audio While Charging
Yes
Yes
Passive Playback
No
No
Charging Port
Lightning
USB-C
App Support
6.0
8.0
App Picture
App Name
iOS Interface
Sonos
iOS
Yes
Yes
Android
No
Yes
macOS
Yes
Yes
Windows
No
Yes
Equalizer
No
Two Band EQ
ANC Control
On/Off
On/Off
Mic Control
No
No
Room Effects
No
No
Playback Control
No
Yes
Button Mapping
No
No
Surround Support
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Wired Connection
9.3
6.3
Cable Picture
Analog Audio
Yes
Yes
USB Audio
No
USB-C
Detachable
Yes
Yes
Length
N/A
3.87 ft (1.18 m)
Connector
Lightning
USB-C
Latency - Analog
1.7 ms
43.2 ms
Latency - USB
N/A
65.1 ms
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Connection
Analog
USB
Bluetooth Connection
7.9
7.8
Bluetooth Version
5.0+H1 chip
5.4
Multi-Device Pairing
No
2 Devices
Quick Pair (Android)
No
No
Quick Pair (iOS)
Yes
Yes
Line Of Sight Range
328.00 ft (99.97 m)
334.65 ft (102.00 m)
Latency - SBC
185 ms
272 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
265 ms
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
353 ms
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
75 ms
Latency - LDAC
N/A
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Codec
SBC
aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
AAC Support
Yes
Yes
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
0.0
0.0
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
N/A
Latency - Dongle
N/A
N/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
N/A
PC Compatibility
Analog
No
Audio Only
Wired USB
No
Audio + Microphone
Non-BT Wireless
No
No
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
No
Audio Only
PS4 Wired USB
No
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
No
PS5 Analog
No
Audio Only
PS5 Wired USB
No
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
No
Audio Only
Xbox One Wired USB
No
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
No
Audio Only
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No
No
Base/Dock
0.0
0.0
Type
No Base/Dock
No Base/Dock
USB Input
No
No
Line In
No
No
Line Out
No
No
Optical Input
No
No
RCA Input
No
No
Dock Charging
No
No
Power Supply
No Base/Dock
No Base/Dock
Check Price
Blue
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Ace
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Green
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Soft White
Ace
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Midnight
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Orange
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Pink
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Purple
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Silver
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sky Blue
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Space Gray
AirPods Max (Lightning)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Starlight
AirPods Max (USB-C)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
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Apple AirPods Max
Sonos Ace
Comments
Apple AirPods Max vs Sonos Ace: Main Discussion
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