Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Sonos Ace Ultra

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AirPods Max 2 compared with Ace Ultra

	AppleAirPods Max 2	SonosAce Ultra
Overview
Released
Released	April 2026	September 2026
Sound
Type
Type	Over-ear	Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking
Spatial audio with head tracking	Yes	Yes
Driver size
Driver size	–	40 mm
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	SBC and AAC	SBC, AAC and aptX Lossless
Lossless over USB-C
Lossless over USB-C	Yes	Yes
Chip
Chip	H2	–
Drivers
Drivers	Apple-designed dynamic driver and custom high dynamic range amplifier	Custom-designed 40 mm dynamic driver in each cup
Chip
Chip	H2 in each ear cup	–
Noise cancelling detail
Noise cancelling detail	Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the original AirPods Max; Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness	Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation adjusts to changes in fit and surroundings; Aware mode with optional Voice Boost; sidetone lets you hear your own voice during calls
Audio features
Audio features	Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; Personalised Volume; Voice Isolation; studio-quality audio recording; Live Translation; 24-bit, 48 kHz Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C; analogue sources need Apple's USB-C to 3.5 mm Audio Cable, sold separately	Dolby Atmos and dynamic Dolby Head Tracking with compatible content and devices; TrueCinema tunes playback to your room and compatible Sonos soundbar; TV Audio Swap supports two pairs, with head tracking available for one pair. Adaptive EQ plus 3-band or 8-band EQ and Loudness controls
Hearing health
Hearing health	Loud Sound Reduction	–
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 20 hours	Up to 35 hours
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Storing them in the Smart Case puts them in an ultra-low-power state	Replaceable 1060 mAh lithium-ion battery; up to 35 hours with ANC or Aware mode on, or 50 hours with ANC off in the maker guide
Fast charging
Fast charging	5 minutes of charging gives around 1.5 hours of listening	Three minutes from empty provides up to three hours of listening; full charge from empty in up to three hours. USB-C power adaptor sold separately
Design
Weight
Weight	386.2 g	322 g (better)
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	5.3	6.0
Two devices at once
Two devices at once	–	Yes
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	Digital Crown (turn for volume; press once to play, pause, answer a call or use camera remote; twice to end a call or skip forward; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri); listening mode button; “Hey Siri” or just “Siri”; Siri Interactions	Content Key slides for volume and presses for playback, calls and audio swapping; Noise Control button cycles noise modes or activates the connected device's voice assistant; Power/Bluetooth button; wear detection pauses and resumes playback
Microphones
Microphones	Nine microphones in total, eight for Active Noise Cancellation and three for voice pickup (two shared with ANC)	Ten microphones for noise control, calls, Aware mode and TrueCinema
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	–	Adjustable stainless-steel headband; rotating ear cups with magnetically attached replaceable cushions; contrasting right-cup interior. Current UK page gives 322 g, while the maker guide gives 325 g
Dimensions
Dimensions	–	Current UK page gives 193 mm height, 163 mm width, 90.8 mm ear-cup width and 45 mm ear-cup depth; maker guide instead lists overall depth 84 mm
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	No IP rating published; maker guide says the headphones are not waterproof
Case weight
Case weight	134.5 g (Smart Case)	–
Works with
Works with	Full features with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro on the latest software; works as Bluetooth headphones with other devices, with limited features	Bluetooth multipoint to two devices, disabled by default; USB-C digital audio and supplied USB-C to 3.5 mm analogue cable, with Bluetooth disabled during cable use. Maker guide specifies aptX Lossless; SBC and AAC are listed by What Hi-Fi. Headphone linking over 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi on 2.4 or 5 GHz requires a compatible Sonos speaker and the Sonos app; opt-in Early Access, provided as-is and subject to change
Colours
Colours	Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange	Black, Soft White, Agave, Sand
In the box
In the box	AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C Charge Cable, documentation	Headphones, travel case with removable cable pouch, 0.75 m USB-C to USB-C cable, 1.2 m USB-C to 3.5 mm cable, setup and warranty documentation; analogue cable is not compatible with third-party replacements