I replaced my Sony WH-1000XM6 with the AirPods Max 2 for a week - and didn't miss a beat

1 day ago 96

pros and cons

Pros

Beautiful, detailed sound
Exceptional object imaging
Intelligent features thanks to H2 chip

Cons

No changes to outer design
No improvements to battery life

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Admittedly, I was not a huge fan of the AirPods Max when they first launched years ago. They had a beautiful silhouette that informed the design evolution of several of Apple's contemporaries, and they worked seamlessly across Apple's OS. But beyond that, there wasn't much more to them.

Sony offered comparable sound quality and noise cancellation, Bose could live up to the occasion with significantly fewer software limitations, and both were priced a few hundred dollars less.

Also: Best AirPods 2026: I've used every pair of Apple headphones and earbuds - these are the winners

This sentiment somewhat lingers with the release of the AirPods Max 2, so the pressing questions are: "If your AirPods Max are two to six years old, is the second generation worth the upgrade?" and "If you're AirPods Max-curious, should you choose them over Sony or Bose's latest models?"

After wearing the AirPods Max 2 for nearly a week, I've already made up my mind about them, and we're only at the third paragraph: Everything there is to love about the AirPods Max 2 is everything you can't see, and, if you weren't remotely interested in the first generation, you won't care for these either. Let me explain.

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Here's what didn't change

Apple made no changes to the AirPods Max 2's external hardware, keeping the same chassis with a familiar stainless-steel headband, a mesh canopy, memory foam earpads, and hefty anodized aluminum earcups. The second-generation weighs the same as the first, so if you didn't like the fit or weight distribution of the first-gen AirPods Max, you won't vibe with the AirPods Max 2.

Also: AirPods Pro 3 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2: I listened to both, and there's a sonic difference

The infamous Smart Case is still alive and well, so if you were hoping the AirPods Max 2 would arrive with a dedicated power button, I have bad news. Additionally, there are no improvements to battery life, meaning the AirPods Max 2 still promise 20 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled; its competitors -- even the notably battery-deficient Bose -- are promising upwards of 30 to 40 hours these days. Like its predecessor, the AirPods Max 2 have nine microphones: eight for Active Noise Cancellation, and two of those eight join an additional microphone for voice pickup.

The bottom line is no one will be able to tell that you have the latest version of the AirPods Max by glancing at you in the TSA security line.

Improvements are in the ear of the beholder

The AirPods Max 2's most compelling characteristic is its sound quality. Apple upgraded its second-generation over-ears with its top-tier H2 audio processor, a new high-dynamic-range amplifier, and a reconstructed digital signal processor to accommodate the headphones' new H2 chip.

A wider dynamic range brings more color, depth, and realness to the music reproduced by the AirPods Max 2. They deliver incredible detail across genres, most notably when listening to Apple's lossless codec on Apple Music. Listening to BTS's "Swim," vocals are front and center, and the AirPods Max 2's bass response is much tighter than before, showcasing a similar audio tune-up from the AirPods Pro 2 to AirPods Pro 3.

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The AirPods Max 2's sound profile is airy, detailed, and dynamic, mixing generally liked audio characteristics of present mids and a prominent bass response with hi-fi attributes of accuracy, balance, and transparency. Compared to Sony's WH-1000XM6, Apple nails higher frequencies without too much shine or sharpness, which can lead to ear fatigue. On the other hand, Bose's sound profile is lower-mids to low-end heavy, with noticeable distortion at high volume and much less revealing of intricate sonic details.

A more balanced audio profile, coupled with the headphones' new under-the-hood upgrades, allows much more instrument separation, emotion, and vibrancy to come through the AirPods Max 2. Dolby Atmos playback is incredible, with its imaging and localization in 3D soundscapes significantly better than those of Sony and Bose.

Charli xcx's "Sympathy is a Knife" and Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" are two of my favorite Dolby Atmos tracks, and the AirPods Max capture the movement of individual audio channels better than any headphones I've worn.

I don't usually get excited about Dolby Atmos-compatible headphones, since their two-channel setup pales in comparison to what a 5.1-channel setup can do with Atmos. Apple found a way to expand the AirPods Max 2's soundstage and deliver more accurate imaging while listening to music or watching movies and TV shows.

Also: Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. Apple AirPods Pro 3: I tested both earbuds, and this pair wins

I watched the Knicks versus Thunder game on Peacock in Dolby Atmos, and while the announcers' voices stayed front and center, the players' shoes scuffing across the court and the ball dribbling from one basket to the other clearly moved from ear to ear, with sounds carefully and accurately traveling between my left and right ears.

I can also see the AirPods Max 2's improved object imaging being particularly enjoyable for gamers who value hearing in-game footsteps or other players' voices, and for pinpointing where in their digital surroundings those noises originate.

A case for being 'AirPods Pro'

Like the 2024 USB-C AirPods Max, the second-generation over-ears from Apple support 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio via a wired USB-C connection. The AirPods Max 2 sport undeniable improvements in fidelity, and the upgraded H2 audio processor is partly responsible, bringing adaptive EQ, improved call voice quality with Voice Isolation, and studio-quality voice recording.

The H2 chip also brings Camera Remote to AirPods Max 2, allowing users to press and hold the digital crown to control their iPhone or iPad's camera app. Finally, a 15ms low-latency response when connected to a Mac or iPad with the USB-C cable allows professionals to work close to real-time, and the AirPods Max 2 are compatible with mixing and creating music in Personalized Spatial Audio.

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The inclusion of the H2 chip's intelligent features with the AirPods Max 2's enhanced acoustic makeup makes them attractive to audio professionals, especially those who already enjoyed completing professional audio tasks with the first-generation AirPods Max. Though these features can and will benefit everyday users, they're not the ones the desk worker, gym goer, or frequent flyer will find most useful. Let's talk about that.

Still the top choice for Apple users

Apple's H2 audio chip provides a list of intelligent features to the AirPods Max 2, with machine learning and improved audio processing algorithms powering Live Translation, Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, Siri Interactions, Voice Isolation, Personalized Volume, and stronger noise cancellation.

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Apple flexes its muscles with its Transparency Mode, which is undoubtedly the best in the game, as it's natural-sounding and reproduces virtually zero noise floor when engaged, even without music playing. Noise cancellation is definitely improved over the previous generation, though Bose's ANC is slightly better at minimizing human voices.

Adaptive Audio debuts in Apple's over-ears, which automatically engage noise cancellation and Transparency modes to adapt to your environment's noise levels. I found that Sony's adaptive ANC is better at identifying and processing sudden, sharp noise disruptions, while Apple's adaptive algorithm is better at adapting to "predictable" dynamic environments, such as a gym or grocery store.

Siri Interactions is my favorite AirPods feature, especially Head Gestures, which let you nod to accept and interact with incoming notifications, or shake to reject them. I'm happy that these features finally made their way to Apple's over-ear headphones, though they've been around since iOS 18 was released in 2024.

Additionally, features such as Conversation Awareness and Live Translation are nice-to-haves, but they perform better and make more sense in a smaller form factor, like the AirPods Pro 3.

Still, I can't deny that the AirPods Max 2 fit perfectly into one's Apple-dominated device ecosystem, allowing seamless switching between Apple devices, connectivity with an Apple TV, and intelligent features that make everyday use smoother when paired with an iPhone.

ZDNET's buying advice

If the AirPods Max 2's intelligent features, powered by the H2 chip (Live Translation, Conversation Awareness, Siri Interactions, etc.), are most catching your attention, I recommend buying the AirPods Pro 3 instead. You can access those features, plus waterproofing, heart rate monitoring, and hearing health, in a more sensical and practical form factor for $300 less.

With the AirPods Pro 3, you'll get Apple-centric earbuds with the entire host of intelligent features and earbuds that can perform better in more environments and contexts. Then, you can offload your over-ear needs for noise cancellation and comfort to a $100-cheaper pair of premium headphones, such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 or the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Also: I tested Sony and Bose's best headphones for months - how my buying advice has changed in 2026

If you've been wanting the AirPods Max for years, but couldn't justify the lack of upgrades over the years, the AirPods Max 2 will scratch your itch. If you already have AirPods Max, especially 2024's USB-C version, I wouldn't rush to upgrade; $549 for the same audio chip you can find in Apple's earbuds isn't a fair shake.

However, if higher fidelity in the context of gaming, TV and movie-watching, audio recording or editing, and Apple's list of smart features in an over-ear headphone checks every box on your headphones wishlist, you'll be happy with the AirPods Max 2.

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