Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 comparison, as someone who has purchased each of these headphones with my own money.
I’ve conducted thorough testing of these headphones, and I will break down a winner for each category including:
- Comfort and Fit
- Features
- Battery Life
- Noise Cancelling Performance
- Sound Quality
- Value
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist. I also run the RecordingNOW YouTube channel with over 20,000+ subscribers and over 4 million+ views, where you can watch the video versions of all of our reviews and comparisons.
Let’s dive right in!
Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Comparison in Short
At around $80 cheaper than the AirPods Max 2, with superior comfort, slightly better sound quality, very competitive noise cancelling performance, 50% more battery life, and native Android and iOS support, it’s hard to go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2. The AirPods Max 2 does have best-in-class noise cancelling performance, superior build quality, more premium feel, and seamless Apple ecosystem connectivity.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
Sound Quality
Technical Details
On paper, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 is capable of higher sound quality due to having aptX Lossless and Adaptive high-res codec support, which is capable of 24-bit / 96 kHz at a bitrate up to 860 kbps.
In contrast, the Apple AirPods Max 2 has no high-res codec support, and is limited to AAC at 16-bit / 44.1 to 48 kHz, with a maximum bitrate of 320 kbps. Although it’s worth noting that Apple’s AAC is highly efficient, so the difference is less than it seems on paper.
In wired USB-C mode, both headphones are capable of Lossless Audio at the same 24-bit/48kHz.
The Bose has more flexibility due to its 3-band Custom EQ via the app, while the AirPods Max 2 is mostly limited to its stock tuning (although it’s a pretty good one).
To conduct this test, I used my Questyle QCC Dongle Pro to unlock aptX and LDAC support:
![Questyle QCC Dongle Pro [MFi Certified] USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter with LDAC,aptX Lossless&aptX-Adaptive,Low Latency Bluetooth 5.4 Dongle for PS5,Wireless Lossless Transmitter for PC/Headphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21jT-Cm5ZVL._SL500_.jpg)
If you’re an iPhone user, or if your phone doesn’t support aptX codecs, then I highly recommend you pick up the dongle above which will cover both LDAC and aptX Adaptive high-res codecs. It’s the only one of its kind that supports both, to my knowledge.
Sound Profile Comparison
- AirPods Max 2: Neutral bright, detailed, open soundstage, treble-forward, clean bass response, energetic.
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2: More consumer-friendly, V-shaped, bass and treble forward, slightly recessed mids, more sub-bass, detailed, energetic.
Out of the box, I prefer the slightly more neutral and refined sound of the AirPods Max 2 over the more consumer-friendly Bose QC Ultra 2.
Both headphones have an “energetic” quality to them, due to a forward treble pushing details and airiness.
The difference is that the Bose has slightly more recessed mids and a more prominent bass and sub-bass, while the AirPods Max 2’s bass is much tighter but leaner.
This allows the AirPods Max 2’s mids to be more forward and have a better tonal balance as a whole.
Now it’s important to note that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 has a 3-band custom EQ in its app, and this allows much more flexibility versus the AirPods Max 2 that is pretty much stuck with its stock tuning.
Full Sound Test
Although I slightly prefer the AirPods Max 2’s sound out of the box due to its more refined tuning, things changed once I started applying the Bose’s custom 3-band EQ.
Factor in the higher source quality from the Bose’s high-res codec support in aptX Adaptive, and these 2 factors are enough to put the QC Ultra 2’s sound quality slightly ahead of the AirPods Max 2.
Make no mistake, these two headphones are very competitive with each other for sound quality, with the Bose just a touch ahead.
They are really two different flavors, with the AirPods Max being the more “clinical”, while I like to lean further into the Bose’s “warmer” and “musical” sound signature using EQ.
Bass
The Bose QC Ultra 2 has noticeably more bass quantity than the AirPods Max 2 (and can be EQ’d even further), while the AirPods Max 2 has arguably the higher bass quality.
The AirPods Max 2’s bass is clean and lean, allowing the mids to breathe nicely without introducing muddiness.
I like to add a touch more bass to the Bose via EQ and it starts to really come alive, showcasing a lot more visceral impact, slam, and deep sub-bass extension.
I would say the Bose’s bass is simply the more satisfying as a whole, although a tad boomier compared to the APM2.
Mids
Both headphones are capable of producing some decent mids and being vocal-forward, depending on how you EQ the Bose.
Out of the box, I slightly prefer the mids on the AirPods Max 2 which is a bit more forward and detailed.
Once the Bose is EQ’d properly, they’re on par with each other for vocals and instruments in this range.
Treble
Both headphones are pretty treble-forward out of the box, and I would say it’s a strength of both headphones, as they’re both quite detailed.
I would say the AirPods Max 2 has a bit more airiness and open soundstage, but it’s also rather “bright” sounding, which some people may not prefer. The Bose is smoother in comparison.
Once again, the Bose’s EQ is a difference-maker as you can either boost the treble slightly for more detail (which I prefer to do), or smoothen it out to be less bright than the AirPods Max 2.
Overall
I think from a hardware driver and headphone amp perspective, the AirPods Max 2 and Bose QC Ultra 2 are pretty equal.
But it’s the aptX Adaptive codec support and custom EQ that gives the QC Ultra 2 an overall slight edge over the very good, but limited AirPods Max 2.
To put things into perspective, the Bose QC Ultra 2 is able to match the USB-C Wired Lossless Audio sound quality of the AirPods Max 2, but wirelessly thanks to its high-res codec support.
AirPods Max 2 Score: 8.8 out of 10
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Score: 9.0 out of 10
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
Comfort
Here are the weights of these 2 headphones compared to some competitors, using our in-house scale:
- Sony WH-1000XM6 – 252.8 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 – 262.2 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 – 312.0 grams
- Sennheiser HDB 630 – 313.4 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 – 320.1 grams
- Bang & Olufsen H95 – 323 grams
- Focal Bathys – 350 grams
- Focal Bathys MG – 365.5 grams
- Bang & Olufsen H100 – 375.6 grams
- Dali IO-12 – 379.4 grams
- Apple AirPods Max 2 – 384.4 grams
- Apple AirPods Max – 385.0 grams
Here we have quite an interesting comparison of the heaviest headphone in the class going up against one of the lightest we’ve tested.
Now before you judge them based on their weight, Apple did a great job to mitigate that weight with the AirPods Max’s design.
First off, the mesh headband results in virtually zero top-of-head pressure.
Both earcups have large interior space so my ears are mostly free inside.
The AirPods Max 2’s acoustic foam earpad cushions are also decently supportive, but not the softest. I slightly prefer the plush leather on the earpads of the Bose QC Ultra 2.
Lastly, the AirPods Max 2’s clamping force is firm but not overly strong, which helps comfort as well.
The Bose QC Ultra 2 has the more relaxed clamping force for me, combined with its lighter weight.
Overall, the Bose is arguably the most comfortable wireless over-ear headphone we’ve tested in its class, while the AirPods Max 2 is decently comfy but just impossible to hide the 120 gram weight penalty, especially tested back-to-back.
AirPods Max 2 Score: 8.0 out of 10
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Score: 10 out of 10
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality
Features
The AirPods Max 2 has the upgraded Apple H2 chip that is responsible for real-time processing of noise cancelling, adaptive audio, microphones, and more.
The microphone quality has been improved with new “studio grade” microphones built into the AirPods Max 2, although the microphone quality is also excellent on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2.
Some niftier modern features of the AirPods Max 2 include “Live Translation” that provides real-time audio translation of foreign languages, head gestures for answering calls, and conversation awareness to lower volume while you are speaking.
The AirPods Max 2 has that unique Apple ecosystem connectivity, which allows seamless switching across multiple Apple devices.
On the other hand, the Bose QC Ultra 2 has native app support on both Android and iOS devices, making it a bit more flexible.
Battery Life
Here is the battery life ratings of both headphones with active noise cancelling turned ON:
- AirPods Max 2 – 20 hours
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 – 30 hours
The Bose QC Ultra 2 has the clear battery life advantage, boasting 50% more battery life than the AirPods Max 2.
It’s worth noting that the AirPods Max 1 and 2 are the lowest rated for battery life in this class.
Build Quality
The AirPods Max 2 has the slightly superior build quality and premium feel over the Bose QC Ultra 2.
The AirPods Max 2 features a stainless steel headband core that is exposed at the hinges, along with aluminum earcups.
Interestingly, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 also has a stainless steel headband core, with aluminum used for the hinges.
But where they differ is that the Bose uses a ton of plastic on the exterior of the earcups and headband, making it feel noticeably cheaper to the touch.
The Bose uses protein leather on its earpad cushions and headband which does feel nicer than the acoustic foam of the AirPods Max 2.
Practicality
Both of these headphones serve well as daily drivers, but the Bose is more practical due to its 120 gram lighter weight and 50% more battery life.
I’ve used both headphones in the gym for working out and they can both get the job done, but the lighter weight of the Bose is more pronounced during movements versus the bulkier, heavier AirPods Max 2.
For travel, I also prefer the Bose’s foldability and compact hardshell case that protects the entire headphone, over the “Smart Case” on the AirPods Max 2 that only covers the earcups (see photo above).
AirPods Max 2 Score: 8.0 out of 10
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Score: 9.0 out of 10
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
Noise Cancelling Performance
Let’s cut straight to the chase, these are two of the best noise cancelling headphones in the entire class currently, alongside the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sonos Ace.
The AirPods Max 2 claims 1.5x the noise cancelling of the previous-gen AirPods Max 1, which was already fairly competitive with the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QC Ultra 2.
Now on paper, I was fully expecting the AirPods Max 2 to now be in another league compared to the slightly older Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2.
I will say that I think the AirPods Max 2 is now slightly better overall, but the Bose is still very competitive.
You can’t go wrong with either of these headphones for your noise cancelling needs.
Also, I prefer the more natural-sounding Transparency Mode on the AirPods Max 2 due to Apple’s H2 chip. The Bose is fairly decent for its Transparency Mode, but not as natural-sounding.
AirPods Max 2 Score: 10 out of 10
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Score: 9.5 out of 10
Winner: AirPods Max 2
Value
The AirPods Max 2 is newer and retails at $549 USD, but is currently available for $529.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 retails for around $449 USD, but has been seen on sale for as low as $379 to $399.
So at minimum, we’re talking about an $80 USD price gap, in favor of the Bose.
This clearly makes the Bose QC Ultra 2 the better dollar value to the AirPods Max 2, since it’s competitive everywhere, and arguably superior in comfort and sound quality.
The AirPods Max 2 still wins on its build quality and premium feel, along with seamless Apple ecosystem connectivity.
But the Bose has native app support for both iOS and Android users, which is a plus.
AirPods Max 2 Score: 7.5 out of 10
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Score: 8.5 out of 10
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
Overall Scoring Breakdown
- Best-in-class noise cancelling performance
- Premium build quality
- Very good sound quality
- Apple ecosystem connectivity
- 20 hour battery life
- There’s better sound quality
- No high-res codec support
- Limited on Android devices
- Very good sound quality
- Elite noise cancelling performance
- Incredibly comfortable and lightweight
- Native iOS and Android app support
- Not cheap
- Lots of plastic
- There’s better sound quality
Our Verdict: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
The newer Apple AirPods Max 2 is a great product that has been slightly refined from the 1st generation, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 is simply one of the strongest all-arounders we’ve tested to date.
At around $80 cheaper than the AirPods Max 2, with superior comfort, slightly better sound quality, very competitive noise cancelling performance, 50% more battery life, and native Android and iOS support, it’s hard to go wrong with the Bose QC Ultra 2.
That said, the AirPods Max 2 is still also one of the best daily drivers we’ve tested with its best-in-class noise cancelling performance, build quality, premium feel, and seamless Apple ecosystem connectivity.
If I was a heavy Apple ecosystem user, this would level the playing field for me as a toss-up.
But for everything else, the Bose QC Ultra 2 is currently the one to beat.
Lastly, if you’d like to save some money and keep supporting RecordingNOW.com’s 100% independent, unbiased reviews, do consider using some of our affiliate links below to shop and even just compare prices. We purchase all products we review with our own money to maintain the highest level of integrity, and your support goes into that plus a continuously improving site experience.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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