Does anyone have the Audeze Mobius to compare?
Did a short comparison. To be honest, they are strikingly different sound signatures unlike the Panda and APM which aim for similar presentations when it comes to presentation.
AirPods Max vs Audeze Mobius BT
Sound
The AirPods Max (APM) and Audeze Mobius (AM) offer a mix of similar features (3D head tracking) but still have their focuses in other areas. The Mobius set up as a gaming headset that can still be used for music while the AirPods Max are a premium consumer ANC offering. The Mobius offers a sound signature that is very close to a DF neutral (for over ear headphones), but has some small adjustability with its various presets. For this, I’ll be using the Music preset which gives it a slight bump in bass.
The bass of both are presented in a very different way. The APM offer a bass that is very impactful and thick in comparison to how the Mobius flavors the music. The texturing on offered by the AM is light, but very good, especially in contrast to the near none that the APM offers. Bass presence, from the deep lows through the midbass is not an issue overall, though the APM has more presence with things like kick drums.
The major midrange differences between the two mainly come in the form of the upper midrange where the AM is far more present and offers much of the energy that is missing in the APM. The APM is more laid back and musical with quite a bit of warmth to the midrange. This is reminiscent to a classic style of signature of certain Audeze planars. The AM, however, don’t follow this classicness as they are offer bigger focus on clarity and details while still not forgetting about the lower mids. Overall, I’d actually describe the AM’s midrange as somewhat clinical; the same can be said about the treble too.
The AM is brighter than the APM overall, however, the APM still sound a little more peaky in comparison. One of the issues with the APM is that the treble has a tendency to smear things and ends up creating a lack of details. The Audeze does a far better job with the upper range offering better clarity, separation, and detailing in the treble. Both presentations of treble offer lots of splash and sparkle and loads of energy.
While the treble presentation of both headphones is very similar, the Mobius tends to offer slight refinement leading to clearer more detailed uppers. The midrange and bass presentations of both headphones are kind of on opposite ends. The Mobius being extremely linear offering some of everything while the APM kind of has a focus on sub-bass but misses on out detailing. The midrange is also kind of direct opposites as well. The APM has a warm tilt on the midrange having a smaller focus on the upper midrange and the AM having a strong focus on that area in contrast.
Overall, I’d describe the Mobius as more of a clinical headphone (something like an Etymotic in the IEM world) while the AirPods are more laid back and musical in nature.
Other Note
One thing that is typically glanced over with the APM is the UI associated with it. You put them on, press play and you’re going. The only thing that would improve this is if they were to do something like B&W PX where they press play for you after you put them on.
With the Mobius, if I want to listen to music I have to follow the following steps: 1) put the on, 2) power them on, 3) Press and hold the 3D audio button, 4) Select the appropriate EQ -> Default -> Ballistics -> Footsteps -> Music -> Press play [0 seconds]. It would be nice if I could have the headphones remember these settings…