Headphones / Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Apple AirPods Max 2
The most beautifully built headphone here — and the heaviest, with no EQ.
Wins overall by 1.0 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.0-point gap makes the Apple AirPods Max 2 the straightforward choice here. The most beautifully built headphone here — and the heaviest, with no EQ.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are both closely matched headphones models, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is $370 cheaper than the Apple AirPods Max 2 ($179 vs $549). On Noise Cancelling, the Apple AirPods Max 2 leads (9.0 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Battery, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed. On Call & Mic Quality, the Apple AirPods Max 2 leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. Overall, the Apple AirPods Max 2 scores 7.5/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.5/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $179.00 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2021 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 20 | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | Apple rates only the 20-hour ANC-on figure | 50 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 10 | 10 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Weight (g) | 386 | 307✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by Apple | 45 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Apple Active Noise Cancellation on the H2 chip, using 8 of the 9 microphones, with Adaptive Audio, Transparency and Conversation Awareness | None |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes, but only across compatible Apple devices | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 9 | Audio-Technica states dual beamforming mics; independent testing counted one |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange | Black |
Category Scores
Battery
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Apple AirPods Max 2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Apple AirPods Max 2 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 2.0 — a 7.0-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is marginally ahead, 6.8 to 6.5. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions is your priority.
Sound Quality
The Apple AirPods Max 2 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Apple AirPods Max 2 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Apple AirPods Max 2 and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are level here, at 6.0/10 each. foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Gaming
The Apple AirPods Max 2 and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are level here, at 7.0/10 each. latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.0 — a 2.0-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Apple AirPods Max 2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Apple AirPods Max 2 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.5 — a 2.0-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Apple AirPods Max 2 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.0 — a 2.0-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Apple AirPods Max 2 if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Max 2 scores 9.0/10 here (how well ambient noise is blocked).
- • Call & Mic Quality matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Max 2 scores 8.5/10 here (voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls).
- • Durability matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Max 2 scores 9.5/10 here (build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity).
- • Your main use case is travel.
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 8.5/10 here (playtime, standby, and charging speed).
- • Value matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 7.0/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • You want to spend less — it's $370 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is students.
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Max 2
Pros
- +Exceptional build — stainless steel and machined aluminium, the most premium object here
- +24-bit lossless over USB-C with ultra-low latency
- +Best-in-class Spatial Audio with head tracking on Apple devices
- +Live Translation and studio-quality recording
Cons
- −386g, a full 74g heavier than the next heaviest here, and it tells over long sessions
- −Still no EQ of any kind, at any price
- −AAC and SBC only, so Android users get the worst codec support here
- −Almost every headline feature requires an Apple device, including firmware updates
- −20 hours is the shortest battery here
- −No true power off — only the Smart Case
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Pros
- +The M50x sound signature, one of the most trusted references in audio
- +LDAC hi-res support
- +Largest drivers here at 45mm
- +Low-latency mode genuinely helps for video
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling at $179
- −Bluetooth 5.0 on a headphone still sold in 2026
- −Heaviest non-Apple option at 307g
- −The platform is now five years old
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Apple AirPods Max 2 or Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Apple AirPods Max 2 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Apple AirPods Max 2 or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Apple AirPods Max 2 scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.0/10 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Battery, the Apple AirPods Max 2 or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores higher on Battery (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Apple AirPods Max 2 or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Apple AirPods Max 2 scores higher on Call & Mic Quality (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Which is better for Value, the Apple AirPods Max 2 or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores higher on Value (7.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Is the Apple AirPods Max 2 worth the price difference over the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the cheaper option at $179 versus $549. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Apple AirPods Max 2 is the better fit if you mainly care about travel. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the better fit for students.
What's the warranty on the Apple AirPods Max 2 vs the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Apple AirPods Max 2 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Soundcore Space One — $99.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.