# Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max (USB-C): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Sony WH-1000XM6 (Sony) and Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) (Apple) among over ear headphones.

## Side by side

| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | not published | $549 |
| Brand | Sony | Apple |
| Released | 2025-05 | 2024-09 |
| ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Driver (mm) | 30 | 40 |
| Battery hr | 30 | 20 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC |
| Wired option | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (g) | 254 | 386 |

## Key differences

- Driver (mm): Sony WH-1000XM6 30 vs Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) 40
- Battery hr: Sony WH-1000XM6 30 vs Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) 20
- Codecs: Sony WH-1000XM6 SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 vs Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) SBC, AAC
- Weight (g): Sony WH-1000XM6 254 vs Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) 386

## What reviewers say

**Sony WH-1000XM6** — Three whitelisted testers (SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi, Tom's Guide) rate the WH-1000XM6 a strong flagship. SoundGuys (5-day test) logged 37 hours 14 minutes of battery with ANC and a 4.8/5 MDAQS score, praising excellent ANC, sound and microphone but flagging thin pads and no USB-C audio. What Hi-Fi (Awards 2025 winner, five stars) calls it the best-sounding Sony flagship with class-leading calls and rates comfort a full 5/5. Tom's Guide's 3-months-later follow-up is the outlier, judging the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 better-sounding and the Bose QC Ultra better at blocking noise, and calling the build cheap-feeling for $449. Reviewers split on comfort, value and how much the XM6 improves on the XM5. (3 sourced reviews.)

**Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)** — SoundGuys' measured review of the USB-C AirPods Max verifies fantastic active noise canceling and very solid wireless sound quality, with tested battery life reaching roughly 21 hours (ANC on or off). Their verdict: a great-sounding, well-built pair that is nonetheless overpriced. The USB-C model measures slightly more high-end than the Lightning version. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- Sony WH-1000XM6: https://www.headphonecheck.com/test/sony-wh-1000xm6 (headphonecheck.com, verified 2026-06-15)
- Apple AirPods Max (USB-C): https://www.apple.com/airpods-max/specs/ (apple.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/over-ear-headphones/sony-wh-1000xm6-vs-apple-airpods-max-usb-c/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Sony WH-1000XM6 (not published) vs Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) ($549) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/over-ear-headphones/sony-wh-1000xm6-vs-apple-airpods-max-usb-c/
License: CC BY 4.0.