Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) vs Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 384 g | 210 g |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 45 mm |
| Active noise cancellation | true | false |
| Spatial audio | true | false |
| Battery life | 20 h | 0 h |
Between the AirPods Max (Lightning) and ATH-R70xa, the AirPods Max (Lightning) comes out ahead in active noise cancellation / spatial audio, while the ATH-R70xa wins on weight / driver size. Overall, the AirPods Max (Lightning) scores 68 and the ATH-R70xa scores 54.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The AirPods Max (Lightning) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 13.3 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the AirPods Max (Lightning) if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. The biggest gaps in its favor are active noise cancellation, spatial audio, battery life. The single most decisive one: Has Active noise cancellation.
Pick the ATH-R70xa if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, driver size. The single most decisive one: Weight — 174.00 g less. 210 vs 384.
Both ship with comparable multipoint, ldac, water resistance, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the AirPods Max (Lightning) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) or Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa?
Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) leads the current Mars Score by 13.3 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare driver size, battery life, weight against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) if…
Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) has the measurable edge on has anc, has spatial audio, battery life h.
Choose Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa if…
Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa has the measurable edge on weight g, driver size mm.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) wins
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Battery life: 20 h vs 0 h.
Why Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa wins
- ▲Weight — 174.00 g less. 210 vs 384.
- ▲Driver size — 12.50% more. 45 mm vs 40 mm.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 384 g | 210 glead |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 40 mm | 45 mmlead |
| Impedanceⓘ | 10 Ω | 470 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 105 dBlead | 99 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | truelead | false |
| Transparency mode | truelead | false |
| Spatial audioⓘ | truelead | false |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa |
|---|---|---|
| Battery lifeⓘ | 20 hlead | 0 h |
| Fast chargeⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.0lead | 0 |
| Multipointⓘ | false | false |
| 3.5mm jack | false | truelead |
| LDACⓘ | false | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, AirPods Max (Lightning) or ATH-R70xa?+
AirPods Max (Lightning) lasts 20 hours vs 0 hours.
Do AirPods Max (Lightning) or ATH-R70xa have active noise cancellation?+
AirPods Max (Lightning) has active noise cancellation; ATH-R70xa does not.
Which supports LDAC, AirPods Max (Lightning) or ATH-R70xa?+
Neither supports LDAC.