Apple AirPods Max vs Microsoft Surface Headphones: Which is the Ultimate Pair of Smart Headphones?
Introduction
In the quickly evolving world of wireless audio, tech giants Apple and Microsoft are going head-to-head with their flagship smart headphones – the sleek AirPods Max and the feature-packed Surface Headphones. Both promise an immersive listening experience with intelligent features, premium build quality, and seamless connectivity with their respective ecosystems. But which one comes out on top when you pit them against each other? And more importantly, can you use Apple‘s AirPods Max with Microsoft‘s Surface devices?
In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of each pair of headphones across key factors like sound quality, comfort, battery life, smart features, and of course, cross-platform compatibility. Let‘s dive in and find the perfect pair of smart headphones for you, whether you‘re a die-hard Apple fan or a devoted Surface user.
Connecting AirPods Max to a Microsoft Surface
First things first – can you actually connect the Apple AirPods Max to a Microsoft Surface laptop or tablet? The short answer is yes, you can. The AirPods Max use Bluetooth 5.0 which is compatible with most modern Windows 10 devices including the Surface line. However, pairing the AirPods Max with a non-Apple device does come with some limitations which we‘ll cover later.
Here‘s a step-by-step guide on how to connect your AirPods Max to a Surface:
- On your Surface device, open the Settings app and go to Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device".
- On your AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button until the status light flashes white. This means the headphones are in pairing mode.
- Back on your Surface, select "Bluetooth" in the Add a device window. It will start searching for devices.
- When "AirPods Max" shows up in the list, click on it to pair.
- Once connected, you‘ll hear a chime on the AirPods Max and the status light will turn solid white.
That‘s it – you can now use your AirPods Max with your Surface for listening to music, taking calls, and more. But before you get too excited, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Limitations of using AirPods Max with Surface
While the AirPods Max will work as a standard Bluetooth headphone with any compatible Windows device, you won‘t have access to some of the smart features that are exclusive to Apple‘s ecosystem.
For instance, you can‘t use Siri voice commands on a Surface. The AirPods Max have always-listening microphones to summon Siri with a "Hey Siri" command, but this only works when connected to an iOS/macOS device. On Surface, you can still use the built-in noise cancelling and transparency modes, but you‘ll have to control them with the physical button instead of Siri.
Other missing features when using AirPods Max with Windows:
- Automatic switching between Apple devices
- Head tracking for spatial audio
- Customizable gestures and controls
- Audio Sharing with another pair of AirPods
- Battery status in Bluetooth menu
So while it‘s totally possible to use AirPods Max as your primary headphones with a Microsoft Surface, just be aware that you‘ll be missing out on some bells and whistles that Apple users get to enjoy. You‘re probably better off using the Surface Headphones for the full Microsoft experience, but more on that later.
Sound quality
Let‘s talk about the most important aspect of any pair of headphones – how good do they actually sound? Both the AirPods Max and Surface Headphones pack in custom-tuned drivers and advanced digital signal processing for an impressive listening experience.
The AirPods Max have a slight edge when it comes to overall audio fidelity, thanks to their 40mm Apple-designed dynamic drivers. The soundstage is expansive and immersive, with crystal clear highs, detailed mids, and deep, punchy bass. They also support Spatial Audio for a surround sound-like effect when watching movies or certain music on Apple devices (doesn‘t work on Surface).
But the Surface Headphones are no slouch either. Microsoft worked with premium audio brand Omnisonic to tune the 40mm Free Edge drivers for rich, vibrant sound across the frequency range. They support Dolby Atmos and Windows Sonic spatial sound on compatible apps across Windows, Xbox, and mobile devices.
Both headphones have active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out ambient noise. The AirPods Max have 9 microphones in total, with 6 of them dedicated to ANC. The noise cancellation is best-in-class, almost eerily silent. But the Surface Headphones are highly adjustable, with 13 levels of ANC that you can dial in using the intuitive dial controls on the earcups.
Comfort and design
You‘ll be wearing these headphones for extended periods, so comfort is key. The AirPods Max have a unique mesh headband canopy that distributes weight evenly, along with memory foam earcups that create a secure yet gentle seal. However, they are quite heavy at 385 grams, which can cause discomfort during long listening sessions.
The Surface Headphones are lighter at 290g and have plush, breathable ear pads that feel great even after hours of use. Both headphones are well-built with premium materials – the AirPods Max sporting a sleek aluminum frame while the Surface Headphones have a more understated plastic construction accented by Alcantara.
Controls and smart features
One area where the Surface Headphones outshine the AirPods Max is in physical controls. The entire surface area of both earcups on the Surface cans are touch sensitive, allowing you to tap and swipe to play/pause, skip tracks, answer calls and summon Microsoft‘s digital assistant Cortana. Even cooler are the intuitive dials around the perimeter of each earcup – rotate them to precisely adjust volume and amount of ANC/ambient sound.
On the AirPods Max, you‘ll have to make do with just two controls – a noise control button for switching between ANC and transparency modes, and the digital crown for volume control, play/pause and skipping tracks. They rely heavily on Siri voice commands for hands-free control, which as we covered earlier, doesn‘t work with the Surface.
Both headphones have wear detection sensors to automatically pause audio when you take them off, and resume playback when you put them back on. Plus they each have their own carrying cases – the AirPods Max Smart Case is polarizing with its unique bra-like shape, while the Surface Headphones have a more traditional zippered hard shell case.
Battery life
Let‘s talk battery life – the AirPods Max last slightly longer at up to 20 hours of listening with ANC enabled, compared to the Surface Headphones‘ 18.5 hours. Both headphones charge over USB-C and have fast charging capabilities.
The Surface Headphones can get you almost an hour of playtime with just a 5 minute charge. Meanwhile, the AirPods Max don‘t specify an exact fast charging spec, but Apple says a 5 minute charge gives you around 1.5 hours of juice.
Neither headphones offer a 3.5mm jack for wired listening – when they run out of battery, they become expensive paperweights. Speaking of expensive…
Price and value
There‘s no beating around the bush – the AirPods Max cost a whopping $549, one of the most expensive consumer headphones on the market. For that premium price, you get a fantastic pair of headphones with best-in-class ANC, incredible sound, and a seamlessly integrated experience with the Apple ecosystem.
The Surface Headphones undercut the AirPods Max significantly at $249, offering comparable sound quality, highly adjustable ANC and intuitive controls in a sleeker, lightweight package. They are much better value overall, especially considering how well they work with Windows PCs.
Alternatives to consider
If you‘re looking for a great pair of noise cancelling headphones that work equally well with Apple and Microsoft devices, there are a few notable options worth considering:
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Sony WH-1000XM4 ($349) – Long considered the benchmark for ANC headphones, Sony‘s flagship cans have best-in-class noise cancellation, detailed sound, and long battery life. They support the high-quality LDAC Bluetooth codec and have a 3.5mm jack for wired listening.
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Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 ($379) – The most direct competitor to the Surface Headphones. They have 11 levels of highly effective ANC, a slim, lightweight design, and balanced sound quality. Bose‘s mic array is class-leading for phone calls as well.
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Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless ($399) – If audio quality is your top priority, the Momentum 3 delivers rich, detailed sound thanks to Sennheiser‘s stellar 42mm drivers. The design oozes premium with genuine leather headband and stainless steel sliders. ANC performance is decent, but not as strong as Sony or Bose.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a comprehensive comparison between the Apple AirPods Max and Microsoft Surface Headphones. The AirPods Max are the ultimate luxury headphones for Apple users, with unrivaled sound quality, premium build and materials, best-in-class ANC, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. But at $549, they are far from affordable.
The Surface Headphones offer much of the same core experience as the AirPods Max at half the cost, while adding their own unique features like intuitive dial controls and 13 levels of ANC adjustment. They are an excellent choice for Windows users and offer better cross-platform compatibility overall.
If you already own a Surface device, the Surface Headphones are a no-brainer for the best integrated Microsoft experience. But if you‘re willing to deal with some limitations, the AirPods Max will work surprisingly well with your Surface via Bluetooth while delivering even better sound quality and ANC than the Surface Headphones. Ultimately, the choice between these smart headphones comes down to your budget, preferred ecosystem, and whether you prioritize sound quality or controls and cross-platform features.
