Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Sony ULT Wear: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods Max 2: 53% of 196 owners recommend it, vs 47% of 154 for the Sony ULT Wear.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Apple AirPods Max 2

53%of 196 owners recommend
53% recommend · 19% neutral · 28% don't
Owners praise
  • Rich, clear sound, the reason owners who keep it give most often
  • Strong noise cancelling, one of the features owners praise most
  • Comfortable for many owners, some for whole flights or workdays, though about as many find it too heavy
Owners complain about
  • Faults reported by many owners, mainly battery drain while sitting in the case and dropped connections, with several needing resets or a replacement unit
  • Heavy for many owners, some of whom get sore heads or headaches within an hour or two
  • Most first-generation owners who upgraded hear only small gains, though a smaller group calls it a clear step up
Full owner report →

Sony ULT Wear

47%of 154 owners recommend
47% recommend · 17% neutral · 36% don't
Owners praise
  • Big, punchy bass that owners who like heavy low end love
  • Noise canceling that owners rate highly
  • Strong value, with some owners saying it comes close to Sony's pricier XM models for much less
Owners complain about
  • Plastic hinges that crack or snap, often during normal handling, anywhere from a few weeks to over a year after purchase; some owners had a second pair break the same way, while others say a replacement has held up
  • The sound splits owners: many say it needs EQ tweaks to sound right, some find the bass overblown or muddy, and a few expected more bass than they got
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Apple AirPods Max 2 if
  • ✓Apple users who value tight integration with their devices and can exchange a faulty unit
  • ✓Listeners who want strong noise cancelling paired with full, detailed sound
  • ✓Buyers who can try them on and return them if the fit is wrong
Skip it if
  • Anyone sensitive to heavy headphones, especially for long sessions
  • First-generation Max owners hoping for a big jump in sound
Get the Sony ULT Wear if
  • ✓Bass lovers who want heavy, adjustable low end
  • ✓Buyers who want strong noise canceling without paying flagship prices
  • ✓Listeners willing to spend time tuning the EQ in the app
  • ✓People with larger ears who want deep, padded earcups for long sessions
Skip it if
  • Anyone who needs headphones to survive daily handling for years without hinge worries
  • Listeners who don't want to adjust any sound settings

What Apple AirPods Max 2 owners say

“My AirPods Max 2 are pretty good and little bit better than AirPods Pro 3 in terms of ANC.”
— @AdityaBandaru13 on YouTube
“I bought a pair of these on a whim and couldn't be happier. I had resisted because a friend said they were uncomfortable. I actually find them comfortable and the noise cancelation is insane.”
— @jimtipton8888 on YouTube
“Just got my AirPods Max 2 yesterday and I’m already experiencing a massive battery drain.”
— @KevinHouseyutiol on YouTube

What Sony ULT Wear owners say

“I recently purchased the Sony ULT Wear and I love it!”
— @jamesbarlett246 on YouTube
“The bass is honestly pretty fun, sometimes I just wanna press a button and destroy the song I'm listening to.”
— @Pika915 on YouTube
“To be fair, I didn't hear hardly any difference. The ULTs fit my head better, but they looked much chunkier on my ears as the phones stuck out way more. I've decided to keep the XM4s and return the ULTs.”
— @1977ver on YouTube

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Sony ULT Wear: frequently asked questions

Is the Apple AirPods Max 2 or the Sony ULT Wear better?

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods Max 2: 53% of 196 owners recommend it, vs 47% of 154 for the Sony ULT Wear.

Who should get the Apple AirPods Max 2?

Owners point the Apple AirPods Max 2 at apple users who value tight integration with their devices and can exchange a faulty unit, and listeners who want strong noise cancelling paired with full, detailed sound.

Who should get the Sony ULT Wear?

Owners point the Sony ULT Wear at bass lovers who want heavy, adjustable low end, and buyers who want strong noise canceling without paying flagship prices.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Apple AirPods Max 2 is faults reported by many owners, mainly battery drain while sitting in the case and dropped connections, with several needing resets or a replacement unit. For the Sony ULT Wear, it's plastic hinges that crack or snap, often during normal handling, anywhere from a few weeks to over a year after purchase; some owners had a second pair break the same way, while others say a replacement has held up.