Apple
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
$549
Released 2024-09
Best Over Ear Headphones · head-to-head
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 is cheaper at $449. Every spec and price links to its source.
Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
$449Cheaper
Released 2025-04
Which is better: the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3?
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 is the cheaper at $449. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $549 | $449 |
| Brand | Apple | Bowers & Wilkins |
| Released | 2024-09 | 2025-04 |
| ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Driver (mm) | 40 | — |
| Battery hr | 20 | 30 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Wired option | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (g) | 386 | 300 |
| Release | 2024-09 | 2025-04 |
Sources — Apple AirPods Max (USB-C): apple.com (verified 2026-06-15). Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: headphonecheck.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Battery hr: Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) 20 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 30
- Codecs: Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) SBC, AAC vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
- Weight (g): Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) 386 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 300
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
SoundGuys' measured review of the USB-C AirPods Max verifies fantastic active noise canceling and very solid wireless sound quality, with tested battery life reaching roughly 21 hours (ANC on or off). Their verdict: a great-sounding, well-built pair that is nonetheless overpriced. The USB-C model measures slightly more high-end than the Lightning version. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Active noise canceling is fantastic; Sound quality is very solid for wireless headphones; Tested battery life ~21 hours, beating Apple's claim.
Flagged: Overpriced for what it offers.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
All four whitelisted reviews of the exact Px7 S3 (SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi, TechRadar, Engadget) survived verification; every quote and the single measured figure were confirmed as literal text, none dropped. All four praise the premium build and comfortable, lighter 300g fit, and all agree the reworked ANC is improved but still trails Bose. Only SoundGuys published lab data (an average 83-84% reduction in perceived loudness); the other three are qualitative listening reviews. (4 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Premium build quality and refined, handsome design; Comfortable, lighter 300g fit; Detailed, dynamic and entertaining sound quality.
Flagged: ANC improved but still not class-leading; trails Bose; Limited/basic feature set; spatial audio missing at launch; Price has crept upward / expensive for the category.