Apple AirPods Max 2
Sony WH-1000XM6
What Buyers Say
Apple AirPods Max 2
The Apple AirPods Max 2 receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their exceptional sound quality, powerful noise cancellation, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Many users praise the clear, immersive audio and the effective ANC that can block out most background noise. However, significant complaints include high weight causing neck discomfort, poor battery life with rapid drain, and connectivity issues like frequent disconnections. A few users also report defective units that stop working within weeks, and the lack of a power-off button is a common frustration.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Powerful noise cancellation
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- Premium build quality
- Comfortable for extended use
Cons
- Heavy weight causes neck discomfort
- Poor battery life with rapid drain
- Frequent disconnection issues
- No power-off button
- Defective units stop working early
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 receives generally positive feedback for its exceptional noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and comfortable fit, with many users calling it the best wireless headphone they have owned. However, there are significant and recurring complaints about poor call quality, excessive clamping force causing discomfort, and a cheap-feeling plastic build that some find unacceptable at the premium price point. A notable number of users also report hardware defects like crackling sounds or buzzing in one ear, and the companion app receives mixed reviews for being cluttered or unintuitive.
Pros
- Exceptional active noise cancellation
- Improved sound quality and clarity
- Comfortable for long listening sessions
- Long battery life (30 hours)
- Foldable design for portability
Cons
- Poor call quality with muffled audio
- Excessive clamping force causes discomfort
- Cheap plastic build for premium price
- Hardware defects like crackling or buzzing
- Ear pads stain easily from body oils
Scores
Specifications
| Apple AirPods Max 2 | Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.39 kg | 0.25 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | memory foam | synthetic leather |
| Headband | Breathable knit mesh with stainless steel frame | synthetic leather |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm★ | 30 mm |
| Drivers | 1 | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz | 4 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 20 kHz | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | — | 48 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 103 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | Apple AirPods Max 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio, Live Translation, Bluetooth Headphones – Purple with AppleCare+ (2 years) | LDAC |
| Surround | Spatial Audio | Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones with QN3 Processor (Black) Bundle with Finder Key Chain (2 Items) | Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise-Canceling | Sony | Black | Over Ear | Over Ear | |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, PBP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | USB-C | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Cable Length | — | 1.2000000476837158 m |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 20 hrs | 30 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | 1.5 hrs★ | 3 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 5 Minutes for 1.5 Hour | 3 minutes for 3 hours playback |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 3 | 6★ |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri | Siri, Google Assistant |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | iOS Only | Sony | Sound Connect |
| Volume Limiting | ✗ | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Water Resistance | — | Waterproof |
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Max 2
- Strong connectivity (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong social proof (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong build (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Below average comfort (32nd percentile)
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong build (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong sound (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (12th percentile)12th %ile
Verdict
Scores 91 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 10 of 42 specs.