Apple AirPods Max vs Audio Technica ATH-CKS50TW – Specs, Price & Comparison (2026)

HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU â€” Transparency mode lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you. FOCUS ON WHATâ€™S PLAYING â€” Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation removes up to 2x more background noise, so you can immerse yourself in music. ACOUSTIC-FIRST DESIGN â€” Designed with a knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions for an exceptional over-ear fit that perfectly seals in sound. FIVE FRESH COLOURS â€” AirPods Max come in five fresh colours: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple and Orange. A colour-matched Smart Case is also included. PRECISION CONTROL â€” Use the Digital Crown to play and pause music; to answer, end and mute yourself on calls; and to control volume and skip between tracks. WITH USB-C CHARGING â€” The USB-C connector lets you charge your AirPods Max with the same cable you use to charge your iPhone, iPad, Mac or other Apple devices. ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE â€” Apple-designed dynamic driver provides high-fidelity audio. Computational audio combines custom acoustic design with the Apple H1 chip and software for breakthrough listening experiences. MAGICAL EXPERIENCE â€” Pair AirPods Max by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* AirPods Max pause audio when you take them off. And Automatic Switching makes listening between your iPhone, iPad and Mac completely effortless.* PERSONALISED SPATIAL AUDIO â€” With sound that suits your unique ear shape along with dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max deliver an immersive listening experience that places sound all around you. You can also listen to selected songs, shows and movies in Dolby Atmos.

BluetoothÂ® 5.2. Noise-cancelling mode. Hear-through function. Built-in mic and controls. Voice guidance function*1. 9mm Solid Bass HD TWS drivers. QualcommÂ® cVcâ„¢ Generation 8.0. QualcommÂ® TrueWireless Mirroring. IPX4 Rain and water splashproof design. Compatible with Sonyâ€™s 360 Reality Audio*2. SCMS-T protected content and 1seg broadcasting support. Multi-point pairing function for registering multiple devices. Fast charging support - 10 minutes = 90 minutes of power ( Approx. ). 50 hour battery ( 20 hours in the earbuds + 30 hours in the charging case ).

The driver size differs between the two (38 mm vs 9 mm), which can influence sound depth, bass response, and overall audio clarity. Apple AirPods Max and Audio Technica ATH-CKS50TW are well-known options in the wireless headphone segment, offering a balance of audio quality, battery performance, and smart features. The frequency response differs (300Hz - 10KHz vs 5Hz - 20KHz), which can influence how well the headphones reproduce lows, mids, and highs. Apple AirPods Max and Audio Technica ATH-CKS50TW offer different noise cancellation capabilities (Active Noise Cancelling vs QualcommÂ® CVCâ„¢ Generation 8.0), which can impact how effectively they block external noise. Impedance levels vary (35 Ohms vs 20 ohm), which can affect compatibility and audio output when used with different devices. There is a noticeable difference in weight (386.2 GM vs 60 GM), which may affect comfort during extended use. Apple AirPods Max uses Bluetooth 5.0 while Audio Technica ATH-CKS50TW supports Bluetooth 5.2, which can impact connectivity stability and efficiency. Both headphones offer solid battery performance, making them suitable for long listening sessions and travel. From a usability standpoint, both models provide a reliable and premium headphone experience.

Verdict: Both models are competitive, and your decision should be based on your usage needs and preferred features.

Top Differences

Noise Cancelling: Active Noise Cancelling vs QualcommÂ® CVCâ„¢ Generation 8.0
Driver Size: 38 mm vs 9 mm
Bluetooth: 5.0 vs 5.2
Weight: 386.2 GM vs 60 GM
Impedance: 35 Ohms Vs 20 ohm

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Top Differences