Which headphones should I get? Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2), Sony XM6, and AirPods Max

Now that the all-new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) have officially launched, you may wonder how they compare to industry favorites like the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000xM6. 

Do they sound as good as the competition? Has noise cancellation been increased? Where does battery life stand? I’m here to answer these questions, and much more.

For the past three weeks, I’ve been testing the second-gen QC Ultra to see where they rank among the trio. Time to block out all the distractions and jump right in!

Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) vs. Sony XM6 headphones

It is Bose’s best versus the market’s best. On the surface, these two headphones are marginal upgrades from their predecessors. Let’s see if the QC Ultra can dethrone the XM6 as the best headphones overall.

Battery life: Sony has the upper hand with the XM6 carrying up to 40 hours of playtime. ANC decreases it to 30 hours, and spatial audio sheds another 5 hours. Quick charging also goes to Sony: a 3-minute charge nets you 3 hours of use with a USB-PD compatible AC adapter. This version of the QC Ultra receives a bump in battery life (up from 24 hours to 30 hours), though spatial audio drains about 6 to 8 hours. Bose’s quick charging technology pales in comparison; a 15-minute charge for 2.5 hours isn’t exactly “quick.” 

Noise cancellation: The XM6 subdues ambient noise with ease. Bird chirping, construction sites, and emergency vehicle sirens go unnoticed. Sony’s mics do an impeccable job of filtering out these noises, as well as loud voices. But it is the 20-level transparency mode that steals the show. I was able to eavesdrop on conversations taking place across the street. All other standard noises entered loudly and clearly.

Nevertheless, the QC Ultra have unbeatable ANC. Modifications to the ActiveSense algorithm make ambient noise sound more natural. Bose’s adaptive noise cancellation is on point and removes background fracas at a ridiculously high level, no matter the environment. My toddler often surprised me when working from home; I couldn’t hear him calling for attention or sneaking up behind me. Nearly all outdoor noises were neutralized. Certain high-frequency sounds (e.g., sirens, whistles) were audible, but none broke my concentration.

Sound performance: Sony has the best-sounding headphones money can buy, thanks to powerful drivers and proprietary technologies that strengthen sound output. Expect robust bass right out of the box, along with crisp mids and striking highs. Turning on the DSEE feature raises fidelity on music tracks. LDAC codec support means high resolution over Bluetooth when streaming content on Android devices. The 360 Reality Audio format delivers convincing 3D effects to enjoy select content. In addition, Sony’s multiple well-engineered presets in the EQ setting complement their assigned categories.

The Bose app allows you to customize the EQ settings for the QC Ultra.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Audio quality is satisfying on the QC Ultra. Clarity and high-end delivery have been improved. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec creates wireless hi-res sound on Android devices. There is a customizable EQ with four presets in the companion app. USB-C lossless playback produces clearer audio (this feature is absent on the XM6). Then comes Bose’s universal spatial audio format: Immersive Mode. It’s a game-changer that works with all stereo content. You’re not restricted to Dolby Atmos like most other headphones. Immersive Audio brings a truer sound presence to anything you play, be it a Napster-ripped MP3 file, Spotify track, or action movie.

Usability: You won’t have issues connecting to Android, iOS/macOS, or Windows. Bluetooth 5.4 with dual-device pairing allows each set of cans to connect to two different platforms at the same time. Sony grants more ways to operate the XM6 via motion, physical, touch, and voice controls. All work flawlessly. The QC Ultra’s advanced controls (e.g., capacitive volume rail, voice activation) work exceptionally well, but their multifunctional buttons often struggle to register input. The biggest differentiator is special features, which the XM6 crush. We’re talking everything from a 10-band EQ to auto-adjust volume settings and upscaling audio technologies. The QC Ultra have a much smaller feature set. Standouts include multiple ANC profiles and a sidetone setting to hear your voice louder on calls.

Should you buy Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) or Sony XM6 Headphones?

It’s a tough call since they share the same MSRP: $449. Overall, the XM6 get you more functionality for your dollar. If extras like touch and smart voice controls aren’t essential, then the QC Ultra are well worth the look based on their clearer voice calling, prime spatial audio, and slightly higher ANC.

Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) vs. Apple AirPods Max

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Both are practically director’s cuts of the originals. Upgrades are minimal, but noteworthy. The biggest question you should be asking is which headphones are more futureproof?

Battery life: Apple left playtimes unchanged: 20 hours. That is with ANC on and off. USB-C charging has been employed this time around. Meanwhile, Bose upped the QC Ultra’s battery life from 24 to 30 hours. Where Apple has Bose beat is quick charging. The AirPods Max can generate 1.5 hours of playtime on a 5-minute charge, whereas the QC Ultra require 15 minutes to achieve 2.5 hours of listening time.

Noise cancellation: Bose refined its digital signal processing to increase noise reduction. I couldn’t tell much difference between this version and the previous. All I know is that the new QC Ultra delivers class-leading ANC capable of eliminating close to 90 percent of unwanted sounds. Quiet Mode demonstrates top-tier ambient listening for increased situational awareness. 

The AirPods Max’s noise cancellation remains the same. It silences a high number of low- and mid-frequency sounds, but it struggles with high-frequency sounds. Apple’s Transparency Mode is still an excellent choice for hearing ambient sounds and conversations. If only Apple added its newest listening modes from the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3: Conversation Boost, Hearing Aid, and Live Translation.

You can choose from multiple sound modes in the Bose app.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Sound performance: Both models have enticing sound profiles. They also come with adaptive sound technologies that tailor audio to your hearing, plus spatial audio and USB-C lossless playback. I favor the QC Ultra for their richer sonic presence.  

Bose’s CustomTune feature adjusts sound to your ear shape and balances output, while minimizing distortion. It handles high frequencies better than Apple’s adaptive EQ. Lossless audio is equally great. Apple’s Personalized Spatial Audio mode creates immersive sound and places effects precisely on the soundstage for a theater-like listening experience. However, Bose’s Immersive Mode produces stellar spatial mixes and works with all stereo content.

Usability: The QC Ultra are more platform-friendly and easily connect to Apple and Android devices; the latter takes advantage of one-tap Google Fast Pair. Furthermore, they run on the latest Bluetooth version (5.4) and support dual-device pairing. Bose’s multifunctional buttons don’t always register input. Luckily, its capacitive volume rail and voice assistance are reliable.  

The AirPods Max instantly connect to all Apple devices. You can manually pair them to an Android device, but the process isn’t as seamless as it is with other headphones. Nothing beats Apple’s “Hey Siri” voice activation for hands-free voice commands. Lastly, there’s the cool-looking digital crown (aka the dial) that provides accurate playback and volume control. 

Should you buy Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) or Apple AirPods Max?

Buy the Bose QC Ultra because they are cheaper than the AirPods Max and superior in multiple categories (e.g., ANC, battery life, connectivity, sound). Not to mention the QC Ultra have been updated with modern specs that will keep the headphones fresh for the next 2 to 3 years. The AirPods Max are outdated in several areas.

So, are the Bose QC Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) really worth buying?

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Only if you want the absolute best noise cancellation and spatial audio. 

Ideally, you could save up to $350 by looking into the best budget headphones under $100, some of which offer impressive ANC, playtimes, and sound quality. Just don’t expect grade-A performance.

In conclusion, the QC Ultra Headphones are the go-to for noise cancellation and spatial audio, while Sony’s XM6 headphones are a greater value that meets all marks. Skip the AirPods Max completely.