Apple AirPods Max vs. Sony XM6: Which flagship wins?

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are all the rage right now. A moderately upgraded design with adaptive noise cancellation and proprietary audio technologies have earned them the title of best sound-first headphones here at Mashable. Furthermore, they perform efficiently with all Android and iOS/macOS devices.

However, if you’re solely an Apple user, Sony’s all-new flagship cans aren't the only noise cancellers to consider. The AirPods Max remain a top choice based on their impeccable integration with Apple products, not to mention their solid noise reduction, striking spatial audio, and ultramodern look.

These are two of the best noise-cancelling headphones money can buy. But which is the smarter investment? When Mashable's former tech editor compared the previous-gen Sony XM5 headphones to the AirPods Max, she gave Apple the edge. But when it comes to the AirPods Max vs. Sony XM6 headphones, Sony has pulled ahead.

Before diving into the results, we should note that we're hoping to see both of these headphones on sale during Amazon's upcoming Prime Day sale. The best Prime Day deals always include tempting offers on headphones, and discounts on the AirPods Max are always a highlight of the sale. The XM6 headphones just came out on May 15, but we're crossing our fingers that they'll get their first-ever discount for Prime Day, which kicks off on July 8 this year.

Apple has the superior design and ecosystem 

The AirPods Max have a sleek and professional appearance that complements the iPhone’s premium construction. Unique details like the aluminum unibody, mesh headband, and plush padding give these headphones plenty of swagger. There's a reason people wear them as fashion accessories. Our only complaint is the purse-inspired Smart Case that provides very little protection.

Adding to the AirPods Max’s appeal is seamless integration with the iPad, iPhone, Macs, and AppleTV. Pairing is instantaneous. On top of that, any implemented changes (e.g., controls, EQ, software updates) to the headphones will be saved on your iCloud account and carry over to preferred Apple devices.

The WH-1000xM6 look almost exactly like the WH-1000XM5s, which isn’t a positive. Both sets of headphones are composed of recycled materials and have a minimalist, plastic-heavy design that lacks the business-class aesthetic of past entries. Comfort and fit are adequate on the WH-1000XM6, and it’s nice that they fold inward for convenient storage with the redesigned carrying case. 

Sony’s headphones are compatible with Android and iOS/macOS through the Sound Connect app. They also come with Google Fast Pair and Find My Device support. While we enjoy these extras, along with the ability to customize the headphones on either platform, the level at which the AirPods Max operate on iOS is transcendent.

Winner: AirPods Max | Read our full review of the AirPods Max headphones

Sony dominates all other key points, including ANC and sound

We’re not sugarcoating anything here — the WH-1000XM6 headphones trounce the AirPods Max in nearly every other category. There's a reason the AirPods Max have been absent from Mashable's guide to the best headphones for over a year.

Let’s start with the two biggest advantages in the AirPods Max vs. Sony XM6 battle: active noise cancellation and sound. Sony’s ANC technology does a phenomenal job of eliminating unwanted sounds across the frequency spectrum. The new Adaptive NC Optimizer works well for auto-adjusting noise neutralization to your surroundings. Over 20 levels of ambient sound levels are available to hear your surroundings clearly and with precision at high volume.

Refined 30mm drivers give Sony’s headphones terrific balance, bass, and definition. Audio is elevated through DSEE Extreme technology, which increases fidelity on poorly engineered tracks. LDAC codec support streams hi-res audio at CD-like quality on Android devices. There’s also a customizable EQ with well-engineered presets in the companion app for personalizing sound. Lastly, you have 360 Reality Audio for lively 3D sound, though the feature is limited to a few streaming platforms.

Numerous smart controls are programmed into the WH-1000XM6. The physical buttons and touch sensors work well, and the new Mute button comes in handy to silence music on demand. Cool features like Speak-to-Chat do the same when detecting your voice. Digital assistance is just as rewarding for hands-free functionality. Sony’s 12-mic array delivers superb speech recognition for Google Assistant and Siri use, as well as voice calling. A full charge equates to 40 hours of listening time, depending on how you use them. ANC drops it down to 30 hours.

The AirPods Max only have one level of ANC, and it’s... sufficient. We’ve tested these headphones in various environments over the years and found them effective against low- and mid-frequency sounds. High-frequency sounds can be distracting when in proximity (my son’s cries often break my concentration). Apple’s 40mm drivers dish out accurate mids, deep bass, and sharp highs. The adaptive EQ notably adjusts sound on the fly. Personalized Spatial Audio creates immersive 360-degree sound when indulging in Dolby Atmos content (for cinephiles, the AirPods Max do take the edge). Lossless audio is now achievable through the USB-C connector, and it sounds surprisingly good. The trade-off is being tethered to a media player.

The coolest feature on Apple’s headphones is the digital crown, which is a multifunctional dial to manage the controls (playback, volume, digital assistant). “Hey Siri” voice activation works flawlessly. Voice calling is top-notch, but not better than Sony's. There are no touch controls. Battery life still disappoints at 20 hours per charge. A 5-minute charge will net you 1.5 hours of playtime, however. Placing these headphones in the Smart Case enables an ultra-low power mode for battery preservation.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6 | Read our full review of the Sony XM6 headphones

Two expensive investments — one clear winner

The AirPods Max are pricier at $529.99, but they often go on sale for $479 or less at Amazon and Walmart. You can even find the old Lightning version for as low as $449. Meanwhile, the newer WH-1000XM6 have a $449 MSRP, which is a $50 increase from their predecessor. Our tech editor, Timothy Beck Werth, also believes the WH-1000XM6’s steep cost is justified by their robust spec sheet. The Mashable team (and this writer) agrees. We can’t say the same for the AirPods Max.

Ultimately, when it comes to the Sony XM6 vs. AirPods Max question, we have a clear preference. However, Apple's uber-stylish headphones have their fans, and for good reason.

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6