Sony XM6 vs. Apple AirPods Max 2: which high-end headphones are best?

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When it comes to wireless headphones and earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC), there are several notable brands to choose from on the market, but two titans reign supreme: Sony and Apple. Known for their exceptional sound quality, eye-catching designs, and impressive ANC performance, premium over-ear headphones like the $460 Sony WH-1000XM6 and the $550 Apple AirPods Max 2 are proof that spending more than $400 on portable audio is definitely worth it.

If you’ve been saving your pennies for a minute, you’ll want to make sure you invest in the pair of cans that will work best for you. After all, a good pair of headphones shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, but a near-perfect pair very well might. And “best for you” goes beyond the genres of music you like and the types of movies you like to watch. When you’re paying a lot of money, you want premium headphones to be premium in every way.

Comparing the Sony XM6 to the Apple AirPods Max 2 is not easy. Both products are cutting-edge examples of well-made ANC earbuds, but there may be enough small differences between the two to make one the preferred choice over the other. Let’s take a closer look.

Overall build and comfort aren’t things Sony and Apple have turned a blind eye to, although the latter opted for the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” ideology when making the AirPods Max 2. In terms of physical design, it’s the exact same set of boxes as the original AirPods Max, from the stainless steel frame to the chic aluminum earcups. Frustratingly, Apple also decided not to include a power button (another holdover from the OG Max), and at 386 grams, the AirPods Max 2 are heavier than the XM6.

Weighing 254 grams, Sony’s lighter flagship headphones are easier to wear for longer listening sessions. The manufacturer also made a number of improvements to the XM6’s chassis and mechanics, taking note of what users didn’t like about the XM5’s fit, comfort, and design. The XM6 earbuds beat the AirPods Max 2 in portability, as the former is able to collapse and fold up, something you can’t do with the Max 2. The XM6 hard case is also much better than the weird headphone pouch Apple gives you for the Max 2.

Sony and Apple also offer their flagship cans in a few different colors. The XM6 comes in Black, Midnight Blue, Platinum Silver, and Sand Pink, while the AirPods Max 2 comes in Midnight, Blue, Orange, Starlight, and Purple.

Beyond the many flourishes and customizations, which pair of high-end cans offer the best sound? Ultimately, personal preference is the ultimate deciding factor when it comes to portable audio, but the XM6 and AirPods Max 2 have some unique audible features that are worth discussing. For starters, Sony’s default sound signature for the XM6 is warm and bass-focused, a setting the company has been perfecting since the XM3 era. Industry experts have used the phrase “casual” to describe Sony’s on-ear sound, a phrase we’re also ready to defend.

Now, if you’re looking for premium clarity and instrument separation, the AirPods Max 2 might be the better choice. Apple’s rebuilt Adaptive EQ software and H2 chip enable the Max 2 to produce powerful, detail-oriented sound, especially in the treble range. But if we’re making it sound like the XM6 isn’t detail-oriented, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Neither set of cans will leave you hanging when it comes to sound performance, but we think movie buffs and singer-songwriter fans will prefer the crispness and articulation of the AirPods Max 2 over Sony’s more relaxed signature.

That said, you can still use the Sound Connect app to further fine-tune your XM6 via audio presets or your custom EQ. AirPods Max 2 users don’t get a fully custom EQ for the earbuds themselves, but can use a system-wide EQ when the earbuds are paired with a device that supports one, or use the earbuds hosting dashboard on iOS and iPadOS to access even more Max 2 refinements.

We wouldn’t spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of headphones if they didn’t have noise canceling. Fortunately, Sony and Apple are both industry-approved and lauded professionals when it comes to active noise cancellation technology, and neither the XM6 nor the AirPods Max 2 disappoint in this regard. But if we were forced to choose one over the other for ANC alone, we’d have to go with the AirPods Max 2 for low-end attenuation. Simply put: Apple’s newest headphones are better at blocking bass-heavy noises (e.g., a bus or airplane engine, an HVAC drone, nearby construction, etc.).

That’s not to say the XM6 lags behind in ANC performance. Sony’s cans do a fantastic job of reducing coworker chatter, keyboard activity, rattling dishes and utensils, and also punch above their weight class when it comes to low-frequency attenuation — it’s just that the AirPods Max 2 have the slight edge when it comes to canceling out the deepest rumbles of our lives. Again, there’s no decisive difference between the two, but even a small feat is a feat.

When it comes to call quality, the XM6 and AirPods Max 2 deliver an exceptional experience. The XM6 may be a little better at eliminating background noise and refining your voice, but the AirPods Max 2 aren’t far behind. Apple’s H2 addition also introduces a voice isolation feature, but you’ll have to dig around a bit in iOS or iPadOS to find it.

One of the AirPods Max 2’s biggest improvements is the integration of Apple’s H2 chip, which offers improved ANC performance and additional software features for Apple enthusiasts. This includes tools like Conversation Awareness, Personalized Volume, Live Translation, etc. But there is one major drawback: most of these features and settings can only be applied through an Apple device. Those of us with Android phones will still be able to use the AirPods Max 2, but without access to audio presets or any other features the H2 chip brings to the party.

The same can’t be said for Sony’s open approach to premium headphones. The XM6 is just as good for iOS users as it is for Android users, and Sony’s Sound Connect app is free for both mobile platforms and comes loaded with features. There’s even a customizable 10-band EQ to help you zero in on the perfect sound for the genre of music or type of content you’re listening to.

We should also mention that both the And when it comes to battery life, the XM6 wins by a wide margin: 37 hours with ANC enabled versus just 20 hours of ANC playback with the AirPods Max 2.

When push comes to shove, we think Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones are the best choice for most people. Not only do they offer premium sound and robust ANC, but the Sound Connect app offers a host of features and customizations that AirPods Max 2 owners could potentially be left out of. The XM6 is also $100 cheaper than the $550 Max 2, and previous generations of Sony headphones got more deals and discounts than the OG AirPods Max.