Worth: One Prices a Lot Extra
Bose and Sony raised the costs of their premium headphones over the previous yr. Apple did not, however that does not imply Apple’s value is decrease. The QuietComfort Ultras value $499, up from $429 for the earlier technology. Equally, Sony elevated the value of its WH-1000XM6 headphones from $429.99 to $449.99 in comparison with the older pair.
With Bose and Sony basically on the identical value, the AirPods Max 2 are far and away the most costly at $549—the identical value as the unique pair. That additional $100 is perhaps all you have to know.
Winner: Tie (Bose, Sony)
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Every of those headphones takes a unique design method. The Sony XM6s look lots just like the previous-gen XM5s, with matte plastic supplies that maintain the construct light-weight and useful. There are a couple of shade choices (Black, Silver, Midnight Blue, and Sand Pink), and Sony has reintroduced a foldable design for higher portability. They give the impression of being a bit blocky, however in individual, the construct high quality feels nice. Bose’s QuietComforts fold up even tighter, which makes them probably the most moveable possibility right here. They have shiny metallic accents and are available Black, Lunar Blue, Plum, and White Smoke. These headphones have trendy designs, however they do not essentially stand out in a crowd.
(Credit score: Christian de Looper)
The AirPods Max 2 design exists on the next airplane. The complete metallic construct offers them an unmistakably premium really feel, and the detachable earcups are a pleasant contact. Apple provides the widest shade choice, too—Blue, Midnight, Orange, Purple, and Starlight. There’s one thing timeless concerning the design’s cleanliness and ease, although Apple hasn’t modified the looks in any respect from the unique AirPods Max. The trade-offs? The Max 2s are noticeably heavier because of all that metallic, and so they do not fold up for simpler touring. Purely on model, they’re probably the most distinctive and high-quality of the three. The Digital Crown dial stays the most effective management mechanisms you will discover on any headphones; quantity and playback changes really feel exact and satisfying.
Winner: Apple AirPods Max 2
Consolation: Weight Issues
You’d anticipate the heavy metallic construct of the Max 2 to be a consolation drawback—and it’s, however maybe not as a lot as you would possibly assume. Apple has executed a commendable job spreading the load throughout the mesh headband, and the plush earcups do not clamp down too onerous. Nonetheless, you’re feeling the Max 2s in your head in a manner that lighter opponents keep away from. They’re comfy to put on, however the weight by no means absolutely disappears. It is notably noticeable when you transfer round.
The Sony XM6s and Bose QuietComforts are extra comfy. Sony’s headphones supply a safer match that feels fully steady throughout motion. Of the three, although, Bose headphones take the consolation crown because of their decrease clamp power and thicker padding, making them your best option for lengthy listening periods. Each the Bose and Sony weigh about the identical (round 9 ounces), considerably lower than the AirPods Max 2 (13.6 ounces). If prolonged consolation is a high precedence, the Bose cans are your finest guess for lengthy flights and prolonged listening, whereas Apple’s weighty Max 2s usually tend to trigger fatigue.
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Extremely
Circumstances and Cables: Compact Is Key
Sadly, Apple has caught with the meme-worthy rubber Sensible Case, which is little greater than a delicate cowl for the earcups that provides little in the best way of actual safety. You additionally get a high-quality USB-C cable that doubles as a wired audio cable. Need to use a 3.5mm supply? You may want to purchase Apple’s separate USB-C-to-3.5mm cable. A correct onerous case that absolutely protects this dear funding, full with room for cables, would go a good distance right here.
Each the Bose and Sony headphones include a clamshell onerous case and all of the cables you want for charging and wired listening. Every features a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, whereas Bose ships a 2.5mm to three.5mm cable for its smaller enter port, and Sony contains a normal 3.5mm cable. Sony’s case has a satisfying magnetic clasp as a substitute of a zipper; the Bose case is smaller and extra compact, matching the headphones’ tighter, closed dimensions. The smaller case and wires give Bose the portability benefit.
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Extremely
Bluetooth and Connectivity: Codecs and iCloud
All three headphones help the fundamental AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs. That is the tip of the record for the AirPods Max 2, although. The QuietComfort Ultras add AptX Adaptive, which works with appropriate Snapdragon-powered telephones. And in traditional Sony style, the XM6s embrace LDAC, which is appropriate with most trendy Android telephones and helps high-quality audio streaming over Bluetooth. All three headphones help USB-C audio, with the AirPods Max 2 dealing with as much as 24-bit/48kHz lossless playback over a wired USB-C connection.
(Credit score: Christian de Looper)
Bose and Sony help Bluetooth multipoint, letting you join the Ultras and XM6s to 2 units without delay. The AirPods Max 2 skip conventional multipoint, however they get one thing arguably higher. When you’re within the Apple ecosystem, the Max 2s can seamlessly change between your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook so long as you are signed in to the identical iCloud account on all three. Since you are not restricted to simply two units, that is extra versatile than multipoint, so long as you are all-in on Apple merchandise.
Sony takes the codec win since LDAC helps extra telephones than AptX Adaptive, whereas Apple wins for device-switching versatility (offered you employ Apple units).
Winner: Tie (Sony and Apple)
Battery Life: Bose and Sony Beat Apple
None of those headphones provides class-leading battery life, however there are some variations price calling out. The AirPods Max 2 is available in final at 20 hours of battery life with energetic noise cancellation enabled. Making issues worse, when you do not put them of their case whenever you take them off (which places them in deep sleep), precise listening time dips under that quantity. Anecdotally, I discover the battery depletes rapidly (lower than 20 hours) beneath heavy use. The Bose QuietComforts and Sony XM6s each supply 30 hours of battery life with ANC on.
(Credit score: Christian de Looper)
Sony expenses the quickest of the three. Plugging them in for 3 minutes gives as much as 3 hours of listening. The Bose headphones should be plugged in for quarter-hour to offer 3 hours of listening. Plugging the AirPods in for five minutes offers you 1.5 hours of listening time.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Cell App: Customization Wins Out
The app expertise differs considerably. The AirPods Max 2s take probably the most bare-bones method. There isn’t any devoted app; as a substitute, all of the settings reside in iOS Settings, the place you’ll be able to tweak noise modes, allow computerized head detection, and modify Spatial Audio preferences. Some settings are additionally accessible via Management Heart. The mixing is seamless when you’re an Apple consumer, however you will not discover a conventional EQ, which limits sound customization.
Bose’s app is pared again and straightforward to navigate. From the primary display, you’ll be able to entry noise modes, Bluetooth settings, and button shortcuts, plus a fundamental EQ. That EQ is simplistic to a fault—you’ll be able to modify broad bass, mid, and treble sliders with no frequency labels, so fine-tuning is proscribed.
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Sony’s Sound Join app is extra advanced than the Bose app, however it contains way more settings. For instance, you’ll be able to configure noise modes, button shortcuts, and location-based noise profiles. The true standout is a complete 10-band EQ with bands starting from 31Hz to 16kHz. It takes a little bit of time to navigate, however the degree of customization offers Sony the win. When you wish to dial in your personal sound, Sony’s app is in a unique league solely.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Noise Cancellation: The Closest It is Ever Been
This is among the most contested classes, and the reply is not as clean-cut because it was once. The AirPods Max 2 characteristic considerably improved ANC over the unique. Apple claims its new H2 chip has higher algorithms for managing the eight mics used for noise cancellation, offering 1.5x higher efficiency. The result’s AirPods that do a superb job dealing with low- and lower-mid-frequency noise. On public transport, in cafes, and in different noisy places, they ship deep silence, coupled with efficient noise discount in consistent-level environments like on planes.
The Bose QuietComforts are notably robust at blocking high-frequency sounds and constant drones from issues like airplane engines. The draw back is that Bose takes a reasonably heavy-handed method that creates a noticeable “vacuum” impact (destructive stress), which some folks discover uncomfortable over longer listening intervals.
(Credit score: Christian de Looper)
Sony’s XM6 headphones take a extra refined, delicate method than Bose. They outclass Bose by a bit, however they’re now not the king of ANC; the AirPods Max 2 do a barely higher job. All three are among the many finest we have examined, and we’re splitting hairs by choosing a winner.
Winner: Apple AirPods Max 2
Beneficial by Our Editors
Transparency: One Is Greatest for Speaking Heads
The AirPods Max 2 do not simply beat the others at ANC; they’re additionally a transparent winner in transparency modes. Apple’s implementation is pure and constant, with out the hiss launched by Bose and Sony. Apple’s transparency can also be good at reproducing excessive frequencies, which will be troublesome even for costly headphones. That makes the AirPods Max 2 your best option for having face-to-face conversations whereas sporting headphones (when you should).
Bose and Sony aren’t too far behind. Their transparency modes sound pure, however they don’t seem to be fairly as refined as Apple’s. Apple additionally provides Adaptive Audio, which intelligently blends ANC and Transparency modes primarily based in your environment, and Dialog Consciousness, which pauses audio the second you begin speaking.
Winner: Apple AirPods Max 2
Sound High quality: It Comes Right down to Tunings and Tweakability
All three headphones sound glorious. The AirPods ship a clear, separated sound with an emphasis on crispness, readability, and airiness. The 40mm drivers produce deep, tight bass extension and sharp highs—the perfect high-end response of the three. Apple boosts the bass past a impartial tone, however it’s not over-the-top. The soundstage is wider and extra vibrant than the competitors, and vocals come via with spectacular weight. The catch (once more) is there is no EQ, so you have to be pleased with Apple’s tuning presets out of the field. In addition they help 24-bit/48kHz lossless playback over a wired USB-C connection out of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac for the very best high quality.
The Bose QuietComforts lean right into a bass-rich character, too. You get soundstaging with extra air and extra ahead vocals, plus higher background element decision than you would possibly anticipate. When you favor a heat, partaking hear with no need to the touch an EQ, Bose delivers. They don’t seem to be as clear in instrument separation because the AirPods, although, and the bass extension is not as deep.
(Credit score: Christian de Looper)
The Sony XM6 cans supply probably the most impartial sound, and given their distinctive EQ, you’ll be able to tweak it to sound precisely how you like. Out of the field, they’ve barely pulled-back mids and a contact of bass enhance. The soundstage is extra compact than the AirPods Max 2, however the element is spectacular. The pure sound offers them a pleasing attraction.
If Spatial Audio issues to you, the AirPods Max 2 are the perfect of the bunch (so long as you employ them with Apple units). They’ll take precise surround-sound enter by way of Dolby Atmos slightly than spatialize a stereo supply, which makes a big distinction for films and TV streamed by way of an Apple TV.
The AirPods have the widest soundstage, and whereas not tremendous impartial, I do actually love their tuning. Nevertheless, the Sony headphones are probably the most impartial of the bunch and supply higher adjustability.
Winner: Tie (Apple and Sony)
Mic High quality: The Does-It-All Possibility Bests the Others
The microphones on all three of those headphones are fairly good—simply adequate for even your most essential calls. There may be, nonetheless, a transparent winner: the AirPods Max 2. The AirPods supply crisp highs, good physique, and the flexibility to seize stereo and Spatial Audio if wanted. Furthermore, the AirPods help Dwell Name Transcription, permitting you to talk with somebody who makes use of a unique language.
In the meantime, the microphones of the QuietComfort Ultras and the XM6s are fairly crisp and good at chopping exterior noise. They don’t seem to be fairly as robust at eradicating background noise because the AirPods.
Winner: Apple AirPods Max 2
