Look. I love my Max. I do. They sound wonderful. And they’re my ANC over ears of choice. I didn’t pay close to retail too which helped.

However, I’m not gonna deny that they’re luxury listening.

There are many options in the closed back ANC space that can provide similar results for less. You can for sure get an XM4, and EQ to achieve very similar results and have fantastic ANC too.

Frankly, I bought my Max before I knew as much as I do now about EQ and their (Sony’s) app and how to tweak it to my taste. I’d have likely kept them otherwise.

I’m deep in the ecosystem as well, but one has to be realistic. They’re luxury listening.