Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso

Apple AirPods Max 2

The build is genuinely premium — aluminium cups, a steel frame and a breathable knit-mesh headband that outclasses rivals' plastic. But Apple changed nothing in six years: at 386g these are heavy, reviewers split on whether they are comfortable past 45-90 minutes, and the Smart Case is still widely disliked.

• The aluminium chassis, breathable mesh headband and magnetic ear cushions feel very Apple, very polished and very expensive — but at 386g you absolutely notice them on your head, especially during longer listening sessions.
• GSMArena argues Apple should have addressed weight in this generation — simply making the Max 2 30% lighter would have gone a long way toward making them more approachable.
• Apple didn't change probably the number-one concern of the AirPods Max — making them more comfortable — and after years the over-the-top band still gets weighed down and heavy over time.
• Stephen Robles doesn't notice the clamping strength in the first 20-30 minutes, but it becomes uncomfortable for him around the 45-minute-to-hour mark and beyond.
• After 30 days the clamping force loosens and the earpad foam softens — one long-term reviewer rated comfort as roughly on par with the much-lighter Sony XM6 once broken in.
• The all-metal build is genuinely premium, but the design causes metal-on-metal contact that scratches the $550 headphones over time.
• The Smart Case — widely nicknamed the bra or purse case — still leaves the headband exposed and offers little real protection, and there is still no power button.
• Reddit owners of the first Max echo the disappointment that the weight and the much-mocked case carry over unchanged into the Max 2.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso

The Enso's headline change is purely cosmetic: an all-black finish with a single white circular 'Enso' brushstroke marking 10 years of the M50x. Underneath, it is the same plastic-and-metal closed-back build — comfortable for a couple of hours, with swivelling cups and a flimsy pouch.

• The Enso marks the 10-year anniversary of the M50x with a fresh minimalist design — an all-black finish with a styled swirling accent that honours Japanese artistry.
• Audio-Technica describes the Enso as a return to the original sophisticated all-black colourway after years of varied limited-edition designs, with the circle reflecting both that return and the iconic rings on the M50x.
• The build itself doesn't change much for the Enso — it keeps the same swivelling ear cups and the proven M50x construction.
• The mainly plastic body with metal-notched headband adjustments looks spectacular in its matte finish, with hinges that let the closed-back cups fold down for storage.
• The memory-foam pads feel stiff initially but break in with use; clamping force is secure rather than overly tight, and it fits comfortably for a couple of hours.

Apple AirPods Max 2

At an unchanged $549 the Max 2 is a hard sell on pure value. Against the Sony XM6 and Bose QC Ultra 2 it trades battery and weight for build quality and ecosystem; against Apple's own $249 AirPods Pro 3 reviewers question why anyone outside the ecosystem would pay more than double.

• Z Reviews argues the premium build and Apple-ecosystem connectivity make the Max 2 look like decent value at $50 cheaper than the plasticky Sony XM6 and Bose QC Ultra 2 flagships.
• The Sony XM6 costs around $400 new and offers 30 hours of battery — 10 more than the Max 2 — making it the more practical daily driver despite a less premium build.
• 9to5Mac calls the AirPods Max 2 'more of a status symbol than an actual product worth $550', recommending the AirPods Pro 3 for most Apple users instead.
• The Bose QC Ultra 2 offers 30 hours of battery for about $100 less and is roughly 120g lighter, beating the Max 2 on the two specs that matter most for travel.
• Tom's Guide concludes you are paying for the Apple ecosystem, the design and a bit of status — the value case rests almost entirely on owning other Apple devices.
• Reddit owners repeatedly say $549 is hard to justify for headphones used only part-time, with several preferring Bose for comfort-plus-ANC at a lower price.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso

As a collectible 10th-anniversary edition, the Enso's value rests on whether the artwork appeals — the audio is identical to the standard M50x. Reviewers still rate the M50x platform a strong wired buy, while rivals like the AKG K371 and Sennheiser HD 280 Pro / HD 58X compete hard on sound and comfort.

• The Enso is positioned as a celebration of legendary performance with a new symbolic look and a level of rarity Audio-Technica hasn't offered in years — its value is partly collectible.
• For its price and longevity, the M50x remains one of the best do-everything wired over-ear headphones you can buy.
• RTINGS calls the M50x one of the best values on the market thanks to its strong price-to-performance ratio for critical listening.
• The AKG K371 sells around the same price, follows the consumer target curve more closely, isolates slightly better and is more comfortable for glasses-wearers — though the M50x feels more durable.
• Against the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro the M50x is better built and noticeably more comfortable with spare cables included — overall better value even at its higher price.