84

AirPods Max USB-C Headphones

Over-ear · ANC · 20h · AAC · BT 5.3

$550

MSRP

74

Live 770NC Headphones

Over-ear · ANC · 65h · AAC · BT 5.3

$150

MSRP

Our verdict

The AirPods Max USB-C Headphones takes the performance lead with a 14% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the Live 770NC Headphones tells a compelling value story. At $150 versus the AirPods Max USB-C Headphones's $550 price tag, it costs 267% less while delivering performance that's only 14% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the Live 770NC Headphones is the smarter purchase. The AirPods Max USB-C Headphones only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

AirPods Max USB-C Headphones

14% faster overall

Best value for money

Live 770NC Headphones

69% better value per dollar

AirPods Max USB-C Headphones best for

Raw performance

14% faster overall

Audio

Driver Size
40mm
40mm
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
20Hz - 20kHz
Form Factor
Over-ear
Over-ear

Battery

Battery Life (ANC On)
20h
65h
Total with Case
N/A
N/A
Fast Charge
5min → 1.5h
5min → 4h

Comfort

Weight
384g
252g
IP Rating
None
None
Wireless Charging
No
No

Connectivity

Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
AAC
AAC, SBC
Multipoint
No
Yes (2 devices)

Noise Cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation
Yes (H2 chip)
Yes (Adaptive)
Transparency Mode
Yes (Adaptive)
Yes

Frequently asked questions

Is the AirPods Max USB-C Headphones worth $400 more than the Live 770NC Headphones?

It depends on your needs. The AirPods Max USB-C Headphones scores 84 overall vs 74 for the Live 770NC Headphones. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Live 770NC Headphones offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the AirPods Max USB-C Headphones or Live 770NC Headphones?

The AirPods Max USB-C Headphones delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The AirPods Max USB-C Headphones provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Live 770NC Headphones still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Live 770NC Headphones handle 4K gaming?

The Live 770NC Headphones can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the AirPods Max USB-C Headphones is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the AirPods Max USB-C Headphones or Live 770NC Headphones?

Choose the Live 770NC Headphones if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the AirPods Max USB-C Headphones if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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