Sony lately got here out with a brand new set of high-end over-ear noise canceling headphones, so we thought we might evaluate them to the AirPods Max to see how Sony’s 2025 headphones measure as much as Apple’s headphones that have not seen a notable replace since their 2020 launch.
The WH-1000XM6 headphones are the newest in Sony’s WH-1000X headphone sequence, and Sony hasn’t gotten higher at naming within the three years for the reason that prior-generation WH-1000XM5 headphones got here out. Sony elevated the value when it launched the XM5 headphones in 2022, and the value goes up once more. The XM6 headphones are actually $450, which is not too far off of the AirPods Max worth when you get them on sale. Apple’s retail worth continues to be $549, however Amazon and different retailers typically promote them for much less.
With the XM5, Sony did away with the choice to fold the ear cups in, however that is been reversed with the XM6. The ear cups do fold, so the XM6 headphones are extra moveable than the AirPods Max, which don’t fold. The AirPods Max “case” has been derided for years for its foolish, non-protective design, and the XM6 have a a lot better case. Sony’s case has a satisfying, rounded design with hardshell safety for the headphones and a slim match because of the folding design. There’s slightly pocket inside to carry a USB-C cable for charging, and to make the headphones simpler to entry, the case is magnetic as a substitute of utilizing a zipper.
Apple nonetheless wins in relation to design due to the aluminum construct of the AirPods Max, however the XM6 headphones are extra comfy to put on for lengthy intervals of time since they’re lighter.
The AirPods Max have all the time had wonderful sound high quality, however the XM6 additionally sound nice. Sony’s headphones have a bonus as a result of there’s an choice to regulate the EQ and advantageous tune sound by means of the Sound Join app.
Each units of headphones are about equal in relation to Lively Noise Cancellation, although the AirPods Max could have a little bit of an edge. It is spectacular that Apple’s 2020 ANC is on par with 2025 ANC from Sony. The XM6 headphones have a Transparency mode just like the AirPods Max, so you possibly can have sound reduce by means of when wanted. Transparency works effectively on the XM6, coming near the AirPods Max transparency. There’s additionally a Background Noise choice that performs music at a low degree so you possibly can nonetheless stick with it conversations.
Battery life has improved since Apple launched the AirPods Max, and the XM6 headphones final for as much as 30 hours with ANC on. The AirPods Max solely final for as much as 20 hours with ANC lively. Each the AirPods Max and the XM6 cost over USB-C, however AirPods Max additionally use USB-C for wired connectivity. On the XM6, there is a wired choice, however you’ll want to use a 3.5mm audio cable.
Music controls are swipe-based, so you’ll want to swipe to vary the amount and swap tracks. Sony did put a bodily off button on the XM6 headphones, which is not one thing that is accessible with the AirPods Max.
The AirPods Max have advantages within the Apple ecosystem like instantaneous connection and quick system swapping, and that is one thing that is missing with the Sony headphones. In case you have a variety of Apple merchandise and do not thoughts the burden of the AirPods Max, you may choose them to the XM6. If you happen to’re not swapping gadgets typically and like a extra comfy match, the XM6 are the higher headphones.
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