Jada Jones/ZDNET
Comply with ZDNET: Add us as a most well-liked supply on Google.
Sony, Bose, and Apple have all launched the most recent era of their over-ear headphones inside the previous 12 months. With Apple’s launch of the AirPods Max 2, the trifecta is full. If you happen to’re able to improve your over-ear headphones and are weighing your choices between Sony’s WH-1000XM6, Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely (2nd Gen), and Apple’s AirPods Max 2, you may have some severe selections to make.
Additionally: I changed my Sony WH-1000XM6 with the AirPods Max 2 for per week – and did not miss a beat
I’ve worn all three, and every has its personal set of strengths and weaknesses. Typically, Bose gives probably the most versatility, Sony gives probably the most audio customization, and Apple gives the perfect expertise for Apple customers.
If you do not have Apple units, contemplate your self fortunate that your choices are right down to Sony and Bose. Yow will discover our detailed comparability between the QC Extremely 2 and WH-1000XM6 right here. When you have no less than an iPhone, let’s get right into a three-way comparability.
Here is the best way to decide which one you should purchase, based mostly on how every mannequin excels and falls flat in the actual world.
Specs
Apple AirPods Max 2Sony WH-1000XM6Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones (2nd Gen)Battery life20 hours30 hours30 hoursWired connectivityUSB-C3.5mm jackUSB-C; 3.5mm jackCodec supportSBC, AACSBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3SBC, AAC, AptX AdaptiveAudio modesANC, Transparency Mode, Adaptive ANCANC, Ambient Sound Mode, Adaptive Sound ControlANC, Conscious Mode, ActiveSenseSpatial audioYes (Spatial Audio with Head Monitoring)Sure (360 Actuality Audio)Sure (Immersive Audio)Further featuresLive Translation, Siri Interactions, Dialog Consciousness, studio-quality audio recording, low-latency audio editingSpeak-to-Chat, Home windows Swift Pair, Google Quick Pair, LE Audio, Head GesturesCustomTune, auto low-power mode, Cinema ModePrice$549$459$449
You should purchase the AirPods Max 2 if…
Jada Jones/ZDNET
1. You have got an expansive Apple ecosystem
The AirPods Max 2 are finest fitted to these with a number of Apple units, equivalent to an iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. Every of those units gives new AirPods Max capabilities, equivalent to low-latency gaming, near-real-time audio modifying, and watching TV and flicks in Spatial Audio. If you happen to typically work and play throughout a number of Apple-made screens, you may discover probably the most utility within the AirPods Max 2 inside and out of doors the home.
Evaluate: Apple AirPods Max 2
Although you may join the AirPods Max 2 to non-Apple units through Bluetooth, you may miss out on the very options price $549, together with Siri, Spatial Audio, Reside Translation, Adaptive Audio, and extra. In case your solely Apple system is an iPhone, however you continue to need AirPods, contemplate the AirPods Professional 3.
2. Spatial Audio is most essential to you
Apple’s Personalised Spatial Audio is unmatched, whereas its rivals do not maintain a candle to it. The AirPods Max 2’s upgraded audio efficiency and processing are on full show when consuming media in Spatial Audio, with clear object imaging and readability. Apple licenses Dolby Atmos, that means its Spatial Audio applied sciences can “learn” Dolby Atmos information.
Additionally: Do Apple’s new AirPods Max 2 beat the AirPods Professional 3? I’ve tried each, this is my take
Conversely, Sony and Bose supply proprietary spatial audio codecs, foregoing Dolby Atmos licensing in favor of in-house upmixing. Consequently, its spatial audio codecs are hit-or-miss and never practically as full of life or sensible as Apple’s. Nonetheless, Spatial Audio on the AirPods Max 2 is unavailable on non-Apple units.
You should purchase the Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
Jada Jones/ZDNET
1. Customization is essential
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are extremely customizable and feature-rich, giving customers an elaborate in-app equalizer and the power to regulate noise cancellation power based mostly on location and sure behaviors. Moreover, Sony gives a number of audio codecs for wi-fi listening, together with its DSEE Excessive to reinforce the standard of compressed information, higher-quality LDAC and LC3 codecs, Auracast, and AAC and SBC.
Evaluate: Sony WH-1000XM6
Then again, Apple and Bose have extra restricted customization choices: Bose gives a restricted EQ just for bass, mids, and treble, and Apple gives EQ presets with an Apple Music subscription. Moreover, Apple limits customers to the AAC and SBC codecs, whereas Bose gives AAC, SBC, and AptX Adaptive.
2. You employ Android and Home windows units
With most individuals’s anchor system, as within the system they construct their private system ecosystem round, being a smartphone, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 supply probably the most utility to Android customers.
Though Android and iOS customers can entry the XM6’s host of options, together with Bluetooth Multipoint, adaptive noise cancellation, gaming mode, and extra, Android customers can maximize the XM6’s suitable Bluetooth codecs.
Additionally: Your Sony headphones simply acquired a helpful Bluetooth improve with the most recent software program patch
Most Android telephones help Sony’s LDAC and Bluetooth’s LC3 codecs for higher-quality wi-fi audio streaming. Although Samsung telephones use Qualcomm chips, Samsung doesn’t license AptX codecs in favor of its proprietary codecs, and chips inside Google Pixel telephones don’t help AptX.
So, with Bose and Apple, most Android customers are caught with SBC or AAC, which may be hit-or-miss on Android.
Additionally, Sony caters to Android and Home windows customers with Bluetooth Multipoint, Home windows Swift Pair, and Google Quick Pair. The XM6 headphones additionally help head monitoring in LE Audio, Gemini Reside, Head Gestures, and Communicate-to-Chat, mirroring Apple’s Spatial Audio with Head Monitoring, Siri Interactions, and Dialog Consciousness.
You should purchase the Bose QuietComfort Extremely 2 if…
Jada Jones/ZDNET
1. Consolation is nonnegotiable
Bose didn’t embody the phrase “consolation” in its product title in useless. Bose’s headphones are very snug, and its premium QC Extremely 2 headphones function plushy, roomy earcups, a light-weight construct, and a delicate, relaxed clamping power. They’re straightforward to put on for hours at a time, making them an excellent selection for working, touring, and commuting.
Evaluate: Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones (2nd Gen)
Conversely, I discovered the Sony XM6 to have a tighter clamping power that squeezed my glasses into strain factors round my ears, inflicting discomfort inside the first hour of damage. Apple’s AirPods Max 2 function the identical weight distribution and match as the primary era, and its notably weighty earcups may cause fatigue for some after a couple of hours.
2. You have got an iPhone and different non-Apple units
In case your system ecosystem’s anchor is an iPhone, however you may have a non-Apple desktop, laptop computer, pill, or TV, you may discover probably the most utility with Bose’s premium headphones. These headphones help the AAC codec, which is the first Bluetooth codec for iOS, providing higher-quality audio and energy consumption than SBC.
Additionally: Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely exhibits the corporate nonetheless outperforms Apple in a single key space
Bose upgraded its second-gen over-ears with USB-C audio help, together with 16-bit/48kHz lossless audio. If the remainder of your system ecosystem consists of non-Apple units, you’ll not lose the QC Extremely 2’s function set whereas linked to it, together with Immersive Audio, ANC, ActiveSense, Cinema Mode, and extra.
Author’s selection
Out of the three flagship headphones from Apple, Sony, and Bose, I desire the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones (2nd Gen).
I delegate all of my every day audio duties — primarily consisting of hands-free cellphone calls and listening to music whereas exercising — to my AirPods Professional 3. That leaves duties equivalent to listening whereas working and touring to my Bose QC Extremely 2, that are extra snug to put on for hours than Sony’s and Apple’s newest headphones.
Not like the AirPods Max 2, the Bose QC Extremely 2 retain a 3.5mm headphone jack to connect with a aircraft’s infotainment system, and in contrast to the WH-1000XM6, the Bose QC Extremely 2 function USB-C audio to wire to my iPhone 17.
