Short answer: the Apple AirPods Max. It ranks #291 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $496.49. The Sony WH-1000XM6 ranks #386, rated 2.3/5, at $458, $38.49 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Apple AirPods Max is the better-sounding pick. Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 4.5 dB low with an 8.9 dB dip near 7.3 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The case for the Sony WH-1000XM6: Active noise cancelling, up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on (40 with it off) and LDAC, AAC and LC3 support cover most wireless needs, and a cable can be used too. Watch for: An 11.5 dB dip near 8.1 kHz and treble about 3 dB under target leave cymbals and detail muted, so the sound is dark and heavy rather than balanced, with a preference score of only 43.
Buy the Apple AirPods Max. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $38.49 you would save on the Sony WH-1000XM6 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple AirPods Max | Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $496.49 | $458.00 |
| Ranked | #291 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #386 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Bluetooth | Wireless and wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (384.8 g) | 0.6 lbs (254 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 43 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.53 dB standard deviation | 3.41 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.35 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.83 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Impedance | - | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 103 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | - | 4Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 30 hours (40 with ANC off, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Apple AirPods Max: $496.49 Amazon $496.49 eBay
Pros: Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat. Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. It uses 1 x 40mm dynamic.
Cons: Presence sits about 4.5 dB low with an 8.9 dB dip near 7.3 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. A Harman score of 62 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Full Apple AirPods Max review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2020 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Bluetooth |
| Deviation From Target | 2.53 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.35 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (384.8 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,273 Hz | +3.6 dB | 2.41 |
| Peak | 218 Hz | -2.9 dB | 1.41 |
| Peak | 1,031 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.99 |
| Peak | 3,185 Hz | +3.1 dB | 0.56 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,508 Hz | +2.7 dB | 2.20 |
| Peak | 66 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.65 |
| Peak | 4,045 Hz | +2.1 dB | 5.82 |
| Peak | 4,834 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Sony WH-1000XM6: $458.00 Wireless Amazon $458.00 Lowest Sony $459.99 eBay
Older models: the Sony MDR-1000X (ranked higher, rated 3.9/5), the Sony WH-1000XM2 (ranked higher, rated 3.7/5), the Sony WH-1000XM5 (ranked higher, rated 2.6/5), the Sony WH-1000XM4 (ranked higher, rated 2.5/5) and the Sony WH-1000XM3 (ranked lower, rated 1.8/5). See every Sony WH-1000X generation.
Pros: Active noise cancelling, up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on (40 with it off) and LDAC, AAC and LC3 support cover most wireless needs, and a cable can be used too. The tuning suits bass lovers: in hobbyist measurements on squig.link sub-bass sits about 7.5 dB and mid-bass about 6 dB above target, giving films and electronic music plenty of weight. At 48 ohms and 103 dB/mW it also runs easily from a phone in wired mode, and it rates above the Sony INZONE H9 II.
Cons: An 11.5 dB dip near 8.1 kHz and treble about 3 dB under target leave cymbals and detail muted, so the sound is dark and heavy rather than balanced, with a preference score of only 43. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless rates higher and costs less.
Full Sony WH-1000XM6 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (40 with ANC off, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.41 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 43 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.83 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (254 g) |
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