Comparison: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Apple Airpods Max

Are you in the market for noise-canceling headsets? Today, we will be talking about two phenomenal headsets that are available in the market. Though they are slightly pricey, their features and noise-canceling abilities are sublime.

They are way better than most of the models that you can find. We are going to see the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Apple Airpods Max noise-canceling headsets. We are quite sure that you would have heard about these two models in the market.

Bowers & Wilkins is a popular UK-based company that produces stunning headsets. John Bowers founded it under the name of B&W Electronics in 1966. They are known as a luxury headset maker.

Their products have managed to make plenty of noise in the market. The Bowers & Wilkins PX headset comes with tremendous power for the pricing. Of course, you would expect it to power up for the price point of close to $400.

It is a wireless headphone that is a successor for the PX5 that was released into the market a few years ago. Though the manufacturer does not have too many years into the market, they are ideal headsets that users can use suitably.

Its design and comfort are beyond top-notch. That can be expected from you for a headset that is priced under $500. Currently, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is the best on the market. However, this B&W model can give it a run for its money.

They are priced almost on par with the Bose Noise Cancelling headphones 700. You would be delighted to know that the audio performance of the headset is fantastic. It comes with a superb design, comfort, and powerful ANC.

A massive surge of noise cancellation headsets in the market has pushed even some other makers like Apple into it. They have provided consumers with plenty of options to choose from. The Airpods Max is another exceptional model that we will be reading about.

Bose & Sony have managed to cement their position in the headset market for now. However, these two models can give them both tough competition. We were not surprised that Apple decided to jump the race for producing noise cancellation headsets.

They did that with the Airpods Max. Please do note that the Max headset is priced more than the $500 price range. This amount is something that the average user does not normally want to spend.

However, it is interesting to note that the model vanished from the shelf of online stores despite no discount offered on them. That just goes to show the brand of Apple. They can sell almost anything in a blink of an eye.

It gives you a new definition of wireless sound to that of wireless Hi-Fi. Many initial reactions to the headset have been good. But have they taken a gamble with the price of the model? The unit is priced more than what other rivals have with their noise-canceling headphones.

Besides, they are late for the party. They have to prove it to everyone, just like they did with the iPhone. Let us read to find out more about these two magnificent, high-priced models. Are they worth the time & money? We have also given the winner at the end of the review.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7	Apple Airpods Max
PROS	PROS
The unit comes with an astonishing audio performance. The model has a good battery working operation. Its Bluetooth connection is just unique. It comes with a stunning design for a headset. The app lets you mix with the ANC.	The noise-canceling is second to none in the market as of now. The spatial audio quality is tremendous and comes with a lot of life. It is a good design that comes produced from top-notch materials. It has a splendid balanced audio performance. The controls work nicely on the devices that you can connect with.
CONS	CONS
Unfortunately, there is no touch playback control system.	The audio cable does not come included.

SPECIFICATIONS	Bowers & Wilkins PX7	Apple Airpods Max
Name	PX7 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones	AirPods Max
Brand	Bowers & Wilkins	Apple
Noise Cancelling Active	Yes	Yes
Sound Mode	Stereo
Connection Type	Wireless	Wireless
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
True Wireless	No	No
Built-In Microphone	Yes	Yes
Microphone Features	Noise cancelling	Noise cancelling, Voice Activated
Headphone Fit	Over-the-Ear	Over-the-Ear
Adjustable Headband	Yes	Yes
Battery Life	30 hours	20 hours
Warranty	2 years	1 Year

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Airpods Max: Design & Comfort

For those of you who have seen or used the B&W models previously would be knowing that they come elegantly designed. That is an excellent thing, especially when you will be shelling out close to $400.

Our tester felt that they were much better than the Sony models. Yes, the Sony headsets are considered to be the best designed in the market. But when you compare them to the B&W models, they come with a stunning design.

The Bowes & Wilkins PX7 headset is nicely designed. The model comes beautifully designed, well-padded earpads, and the finish is what caught our eyes. It is one of the finest headsets that you can find in the market, design-wise.

You will be glad to know that they are using a carbon fiber composite instead of metal produce. That has played a crucial role in the comfort zone of the headset. They are now much lighter and comfortable to wear for a prolonged period of time.

The soft leather padding found on the earpads is exceptionally comfortable. If you have read our reviews, you would note that we do not use “extremely comfortable” unless warranted. Sadly, the earpads cannot be folded towards the inside.

That gives the headset a lack of flexibility. However, that is acceptable. The Apple Airpods Max is surprisingly comfortable. Probably, that is the only good thing we can say about the design & comfort aspect of it.

That is because we genuinely felt that the design could have been dealt with much better. There is plenty of room for improvement. The design cannot be termed elegant or stylish for a $500 headset.

It looks quite vague and weird, if we may say that. However, the quality of the materials used in producing them is top-notch. The moment you hold them, they feel pretty lightweight. You know that you will use a premium model that is placed on your head & ears.

But if you compared the model with a cheaper Sony WH-1000XM3 headset, you would be genuinely amazed at the design and looks of the Sony unit. Besides, the price of close to $200 makes a significant difference between the two models.

While the Sony model does appear elegant, the material used is primarily plastic. You cannot say that they are premium at all. Otherwise, the comfort and sealing of the Sony models are terrific.

We can forgive Apple for that because they are a new entry but may want to learn quickly in an already overcrowded market. We were delighted to know that the manufacturer has not made use of the touch controls on the model.

You can find 2 controls on the right side of the headset. The switches are quite simple and easy to access and use as well. The noise-canceling mode is present right in there. You can find a dial that is similar to the one found on the Apple Watch.

We liked the design. However, the switches can be knocked easily when you are moving the headset or adjusting the buttons. Users can click or twist the device to do a barrage of functions effortlessly.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Airpods Max: Build Quality

The build quality of the PX7 is miles ahead of the Sony & Bose headsets. Yes, these are good models that come with a flawless design and build, but the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headset is phenomenal.

It comes with a fantastic design; the noise cancellation is good too, there are plenty of stunning features in there as well. The build quality of the headset was inspired by racing cars. They are produced from carbon fiber material.

You know that they are not only firm but not too rigid either like the Sennheiser or Bose units. Users do not have to be concerned about them getting worn out because they won’t. You can place them inside your backpack and move around seamlessly.

A user of the PX model has this to say about the model. The user owns the PX unit but felt that this unit is much stronger than that though it is heavier than the PX7. The clamping force was an issue in the PX model, and there is no such thing in this model.

In the headset gaming world, they say that the unit takes time to adjust to your head. Those of you with large heads might want to be patient, and it will form well with the size of your head. However, they can be exceptions, and if you are not confident about the fitting, then you may want to check out the Sony or Bose units.

It comes available in 2 vibrant colors of sliver & grey. There is a fabric-lined headband and outstanding earpads made from a soft material. The luxury in the headset is undeniable. Users can notice that the earcups can swivel on the hinge seamlessly.

It provides you with a spectacular fitting. You will want to know that the pressure on the earpads does not cause discomfort at all. The 43 drivers provide you with a frequency range of 10Hz to 30kHz, and the earcups come labeled both on the right & left.

On the right, you can find the power switch. There is also a 3 button present on there. You would want to know that the multi-function in the middle does a wide range of functionalities. Besides, you can find 2 buttons that are dedicated to volume up and down.

You can find the USB-C port near the buttons for placing the charging cable and a 3.5mm jack. There is also the audio cable that comes included in the package. It does not come with the inline remote control and does not have a passive function in it.

Once you connect with the cable, the control panel gets disabled. However, uses can switch between the ANC and switch it off if they want. Likewise, the Airpods Max headset comes with a sublime finish & fit.

It comes with a sturdy headband that is produced from stainless steel. The material used to cover it is polyurethane that is quite soft and gentle to use. You can find a knit mesh that appears like a canopy.

It helps in balancing the headset on your head. There is no such thing as a pressure point on the unit. That is a good thing. You can easily rotate the headset seamlessly that can be placed right on the top of your head.

They come with acoustic memory foam. You can find the mesh layer that is quite breathable found on the top of it. We felt it was a bold move because they do not make you sweat during the hot months.

The size of the earcups is good, and you can fit inside large ears effortlessly. They do not feel uncomfortable at all in any situation. We noticed that they are oval in shape. Sometimes, the oval shape is much efficient than the round shape that is found in most headsets.

Though we do not have anything worthy to say about the carry case of this expensive model, the case will only help you carry the headset. If you go outside often with the headset, you may consider getting yourself a case that actually protects the unit.

Yes, it is quite ridiculous to say, and we can understand what is running in your mind. The battery working life of the model is good at almost 20 hours. It is much lesser than what you can get from the Sony WH-1000XM3, at 30 hours.

We cannot call it a value for money headset. That is because of the lack of features that is present in it. There are H1 chips on the earcups. They provide you with breathtaking sound quality that can come in handy for audiophiles.

That is about it. They have designed their own 40mm driver that comes with a dual neodymium ring magnet motor. It lets the headset to maintain a total harmonic distortion of lower than 1% from the audible range.

The Max unit weighs close to 385 grams, making them more than 100 grams heavier than the Sony WH-1000XM3 headset. Since the weight of the Max unit is evenly distributed on your head, you do not feel any sort of discomfort at all.

You do not find any pressure points as well as you can on the Sony & Bose models. Yes, they are slightly off track when it comes to the fitting. Despite trying on several heads, the Max felt simply tremendous on the head, and we can vouch for that aspect of it.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Airpods Max: Audio Performance

The audio quality of the B&W models is good. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headset comes with 3 modes of the low, medium, and high. Using the modes, you can cycle by pressing the dedicated button as you want.

You can now make use of the button according to your requirement and hear what you feel like. It provides you with extraordinary audio quality. When you remove the headset, the music is paused because of the sensors that are inside it.

When you place them again on your head, the music again begins. The modes come pretty compellingly when you make use of the low and the high. You can use the low for wanting to hear what is going around inside your office or home.

The high mode should be used when you are inside the subway or want to drown unwanted noises that are affecting your concentration on something. Our tester felt that the noise isolation is not as effective when compared to the peak levels of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphone 700 headset.

The mids & bass are fantastic. You can hear the highs are top-notch and stunning, to say the least. We found that the dynamics and the texture of the headset are second to none. It comes in a class of its own.

The unit is quite similar to the unit, and unlike a few headsets that overemphasis the opulent sound, these do not come too bogged with the noise details. They provide you with the right amount of eloquence.

In this sense, the B&W model offers you with more liveliness compared to the Sony models. Additionally, the active noise cancellation feature is terrific. You can now set the level of the pass-through that comes from the microphones.

There is a wide range of functions that are present on the headset. Users can now disable the voice prompts and also customize the standby timer on the unit. You cannot find the EQ that can be adjusted.

You can find some disturbance once in a while; that is quite common when using ANC. Overall, most users will be happy with what they hear and listen to from the headset. They can enjoy the balance that comes from the unit and the high-frequency detail.

Now, we will read about the Airpods Max from Apple. The noise-canceling performance of the headset is fantastic. The Max headset is quite exceptional in its own way. The noise-canceling could be the best in the market for the moment.

We can say that it is much better than what is found in the Sony WH-1000XM3 model. The external sound does not get inside your ears at all. For the price point, you would expect the unit to be able to do that.

In case we forget, you can make use of the transparency mode in the model that allows you to process the external noise. According to our research, this feature is quite suitable for the in-ears unit. The noise cancelation does not have to be used frequently.

Because without it, you can now make use of the headset exceptionally quite well. For now, Apple has produced a sublime model that comes infused with stupendous features embedded in it; apart from the high price, the sound quality is quite good compared to the Sony unit.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Airpods Max: Microphone Performance

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headset has a decent microphone. You can speak clearly on it because the person on the other line can hear you quite well. With the long press on the button, the music can capture the ambient noise through the microphone.

The quality of the live transmission is remarkable. Using the voice memos app that is used on the iPhone, you can clearly hear what is being said on the line. You would listen to some mild things around you, like the fan or the breathing sound, relatively low.

However, when you can have a good connection, you can understand each & every word that is being said. It offers you with intense clarify compared to other wireless headsets. Likewise, the Airpods Max headset is a tremendous model that comes with several features.

You will be amazed to know that the headset comes with 9 microphones. Besides, you can make use of the sensors that are present in the model. The 8 microphones come with a noise cancellation feature in them.

You will want to know that the Airpods Max does not come infused with the passive mode in it. The model does not provide you with the kind of sound quality through the microphone that you can expect when plugged in, which was a minor disappointment.

However, the cable ensures that the latency is effectively removed from the headset. You can make use of the Max for monitoring or recording use flawlessly. They should provide you with the kind of sound quality that you expect from it.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Airpods Max: Compatibility

The compatibility of the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headset is splendid. You will be amazed to know that the model was the first to have the Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth technology in it. These models also come with the support for aptX Apdative & next-gen aptX codec.

You can notice improved stability and latency in your smartphones or devices. Additionally, there is a 24-bit streaming aptX HD available there. It enables you to offer a smooth radio frequency environment by adjusting the streaming bitrate depending on the content you play.

You can now play games on your phone or devices without any issues because they come nicely synced. You will note that the dropout is quite rare. The same can be said about the Airpods Max.

They come infused with terrific features in them. You can use them with several devices with ease. However, performance is excellent when you make use of the Apple system. We cannot call this is a con because it is not.

But for the price, it definitely is. The headset does not contain the 3.5mm jack. Isn’t that disappointing, to say the least? When you are going to shell out close to $500 of your money, you do expect the unit to come with this basic feature.

Sadly, the Airpods Max does not have them. It comes with a lighting connector, and when you want to connect using the wired audio or plug them in the airplane, you might want to get the $35 cable.

Until this part of the review, we have not come across any drawbacks about the Airpods Max. Does it come with any flaw? The case of the headset could be its worst thing. We will tell you why.

Now, this is an under $550 model, and you would expect a sturdy case. Yes, it looks appealing and premium for the cost but does not do anything else. Why would you want to use this case in the first place when it is not going to offer ample protection?

It fails at any level at function, and we do not realize why the manufacturer decided even to have it. We guess it lets you know that the case contains the Apple headset inside it; apart from that, there is nothing else on offer, which is a huge disappointment.

No, we are not Apple fans, but if you intend on buying it, you may want to know that the unit’s performance is stupendously fatal in a good way. If you are a frequent flyer, perhaps, then you would benefit from it.

That is because it comes with the ability for you to listen to music and watch movies with aplomb. It is definitely something that you cannot receive from most rival models. However, you will want to combine the proper devices along with it.

This is a common flaw noticed in most Apple devices, including the headset. That was surprising because we thought it could provide you with excellent sound capabilities even on android devices.

The iPhone or iPad, along with the Max, offers you with the most convincing cinema sound quality. It is worth considering the B&W PX7 or PX5 as they provide you with amazing sound quality and comfort, so it will all come down to the budget in the end.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Airpods Max: Price

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headset is priced under $400. It is pretty expensive. Any headset that is priced under $500 can be considered as expensive. Some of you may be wondering whether you plan to use the PX7.

In September 2019, the maker might have dug its own hole with the release of the new model, the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 wireless headset. But, after going through its features, we are convinced that it is indeed worth the money and time invested.

The Airpods Max headset is priced under $490. It is heartening to note that the Apple model is priced more expensive than the PX7 model. There is a price difference of almost $90. We feel that it may be the decision breaker.

As you can see, the price point is way higher than most of the noise-canceling units in the market. However, it comes with a fabulous design, incredible sound performance & quality, the microphone works sublimely, and connectivity is splendid in the Apple ecosystem.

You can find some units that are priced much higher than these. You may not want to compare these models with the $1000 headset. The audio performance of the Airpods Max headset comes with breathtaking quality and probably is matchless for the moment.

But one cannot deny that Bowers & Wilkins have done an extraordinary job with the production of the PX7 headset. The models can be compared to the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM3, the Bose Noise Cancelling 700, and the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Airpods Max: Verdict

There you go, we have ended our review on the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Airpods Max headsets. These two models have taken the features and performance to another level. So is the pricing of both of them.

As we said at the beginning of the post, if you came here to read about a budget model with subpar performance, you are in for a massive surprise. We thoroughly enjoyed researching & reviewing these two excellent models.

They come with their own unique capabilities that we just read about. When you want to make use of a stunning model and impress yourself and your friends, then look no further. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 is a luxury headset that comes with a high tag.

It is one of the most popular models from the maker. Though we repeatedly mentioned a few worthy models for the unit, it just goes to show its capability. The design, comfort, and audio and noise cancellation quality are just beyond most of us.

Besides, this aspect also goes to show people are willing to pay under $500 for a decent pair of headsets that can last 10 years at least. The premium wireless noise-canceling headsets are competitive.

A good alternative that we found would be the Sony WH-1000XM3 headset. But the audio performance and design cannot be matched to the PX7 unit. However, the ANC and the comfort of the Sony models are second to none in the market for a cheaper rate.

The Bose & Sony models might be a tempting offer to the B&W models, but do not mistake this cheaper unit can provide you with better quality. Likewise, you have the Airpods Max headset that comes with powerful qualities for the very high price tag.

Yes, you do have expensive models right up to the $1000 price range. The Max gives you the ability to do what you want with the headset, like listening to music or watching videos. You do not feel that different at all.

It comes infused with the virtual surround sound consisting of 5.1 & 7.1 along with the Dolby Atmos content. You can find that the tracking is accurate as you want it to be. We found it ideal for listening to vocals as you can hear each and every word that comes out.

The sound clarity is unparalleled. The spaciousness of the sound delivery is simply remarkable to say. Our winner in this review, without a doubt, would be the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headset.