Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Airpods Max | It's Not Even Close

Summary

In this detailed comparison, Mark Steiner pits the AirPods Max against the Sony XM6 headphones, highlighting key differences in design, comfort, noise cancellation, sound quality, and functionality. While the AirPods Max remains impressive after nearly five years, the Sony XM6s excel in comfort, battery life, and noise isolation, with advanced features like customizable EQ and improved microphone quality. The XM6s, priced lower, offer a more comfortable and versatile experience, making them a strong contender for those outside the Apple ecosystem, while the AirPods Max still shine for Apple users seeking seamless integration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sony XM6 headphones have improved significantly in comfort and build compared to the AirPods Max, making them lighter and more comfortable for long listening sessions.
• 😀 The AirPods Max, while built with metal, are less comfortable than the Sony XM6, with users often reporting discomfort during extended use.
• 😀 Sony's XM6 has a foldable design, which offers greater portability compared to the AirPods Max, which lacks this feature.
• 😀 The Sony XM6 comes with more versatile controls, including an improved touchpad and customizable buttons, compared to the AirPods Max's dial and button system.
• 😀 Battery life is significantly better on the Sony XM6, lasting 30 hours compared to the 20-hour battery life of the AirPods Max, and Sony's charging is faster with quick charge functionality.
• 😀 Noise cancellation on both headphones is excellent, but the Sony XM6s feature a newer noise-cancelling chip and better passive isolation, offering a slight edge over the AirPods Max.
• 😀 Transparency mode, once a standout feature of the AirPods Max, is now on par with the Sony XM6, though some users still prefer the natural sound of the AirPods Max.
• 😀 The microphone quality of the Sony XM6 has been significantly improved, outperforming the AirPods Max in noisy environments and delivering better voice isolation during calls.
• 😀 Connectivity is an area where the Sony XM6s excel, with faster and more stable device switching compared to the AirPods Max, which is especially noticeable when connecting to non-Apple devices.
• 😀 Sound quality is highly subjective, but the Sony XM6, with customizable EQ, offers a tailored listening experience, while the AirPods Max delivers excellent sound but with no EQ adjustments available.
• 😀 The Sony XM6s are the more cost-effective option at $450 compared to the AirPods Max, which retail at $550, making them a better value proposition for most users.

Q & A

How have the Sony XM6 headphones evolved compared to previous Sony models and AirPods Max?

The Sony XM6 headphones have significantly improved in comfort, noise cancellation, and features like the touchpad controls and custom EQ options. They've also introduced the ability to fold, which was missing in earlier models. Compared to the AirPods Max, the XM6s offer more comfort, longer battery life, and better noise isolation.

What are the main physical design differences between the Sony XM6 and the AirPods Max?

The Sony XM6 headphones are made from plastic, which makes them lighter and more comfortable for long listening sessions. The AirPods Max are constructed entirely from metal, which, while premium, can cause discomfort due to the tight fit. The XM6 also brings back the ability to fold, while the AirPods Max can only rotate their ear cups.

Which headphones are more comfortable for extended wear?

The Sony XM6 headphones are far more comfortable for extended wear compared to the AirPods Max. The cushioning on the headband and ear cups makes the XM6s feel weightless, while the AirPods Max, with their heavier metal build, can cause discomfort after around 45 minutes of use.

How do the control systems on the Sony XM6 and AirPods Max differ?

The AirPods Max feature a crown dial for volume and media control, which feels similar to the Apple Watch's dial, along with a button for toggling between noise-cancelling and transparency modes. The Sony XM6 retains a touchpad layout for controls, with swipe gestures for volume and track control, along with a button for noise-cancelling and ambient mode.

How does the noise cancellation compare between the Sony XM6 and AirPods Max?

Both headphones offer excellent noise cancellation, but the Sony XM6 headphones edge out the AirPods Max thanks to a new noise-cancelling chip and superior passive isolation. The AirPods Max still perform admirably despite being almost five years old.

What improvements have been made to the transparency mode in the Sony XM6 compared to previous generations?

The Sony XM6 headphones have closed the gap on transparency mode, an area where previous generations like the XM4 and XM5 were weak. The XM6 now offers transparency mode comparable to the AirPods Max, though the latter still sounds slightly more natural when speaking while wearing the headphones.

How do the microphones on the Sony XM6 and AirPods Max perform in noisy environments?

The microphones on the Sony XM6 headphones outperform the AirPods Max in noisy environments. The XM6s do a better job of rejecting external noise, making your voice clearer in loud settings. In quiet environments, the microphone performance is similar between the two, but the Sony XM6 is more reliable in loud conditions.

How does the connectivity between devices differ between the Sony XM6 and the AirPods Max?

The AirPods Max seamlessly connect within the Apple ecosystem, offering easy switching between Apple devices. However, the Sony XM6s, though limited to two device connections, outperform the AirPods Max in switching speed and reliability, especially when connecting between a laptop and a phone.

How does sound quality compare between the Sony XM6 and AirPods Max?

Both headphones offer excellent sound quality. The AirPods Max provide high-quality sound out of the box with little customization, while the Sony XM6s allow for more extensive EQ customization. Both sound impressive, but the XM6s shine for those who want to tweak their audio preferences.

Which headphones are a better value for the price?

The Sony XM6s offer better value for money compared to the AirPods Max. Priced at $450 compared to the AirPods Max's $550, the XM6s provide more comfort, longer battery life, and a folding design, making them a more practical and affordable option for most users.