Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Sennheiser HD 505 | TechTalkTown
Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Sennheiser HD 505
Apple AirPods Max 2
Apple
7.6
A great-sounding chip upgrade trapped in a six-year-old body
Sennheiser HD 505
Sennheiser
8.3
An affordable on-ramp to the legendary Sennheiser house sound
Apple AirPods Max 2
What Reviewers Agree On
The H2 chip and a new high-dynamic-range amplifier deliver a genuine, audible sound upgrade over the original AirPods Max — cleaner, more detailed, tighter and less bloated bass
Noise cancellation is excellent and back near the class top — measured at roughly 89% average attenuation with especially strong low-frequency (20-200Hz) cancellation
Best-in-class Apple-ecosystem integration — instant pairing and effortless automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV
Premium aluminium-and-steel build with a breathable knit-mesh headband that genuinely outclasses the plastic of rival flagships
Spatial Audio with head tracking is the best implementation among over-ear headphones, especially for movies and TV
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Max 2
Pros
The H2 chip and a new high-dynamic-range amplifier deliver a genuine, audible sound upgrade over the original AirPods Max — cleaner, more detailed, tighter and less bloated bass
Noise cancellation is excellent and back near the class top — measured at roughly 89% average attenuation with especially strong low-frequency (20-200Hz) cancellation
Best-in-class Apple-ecosystem integration — instant pairing and effortless automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV
Premium aluminium-and-steel build with a breathable knit-mesh headband that genuinely outclasses the plastic of rival flagships
Detailed Comparison
Sound Quality
Apple AirPods Max 2
The clearest win of this generation. The H2 chip and a new high-dynamic-range amplifier give the AirPods Max 2 a noticeably cleaner, more detailed and better-controlled sound than the original — though the tuning leans bright and there is still no manual EQ.
The original amplifier had limited headroom and a higher noise floor that capped sound quality; the new high-dynamic-range amp removes that ceiling, and the bass is more accurate and less bloated than the original AirPods Max.
Apple says any improvement in sound and noise cancelling is strictly down to the H2 chip and a new high dynamic range driver — Apple did not change the physical design.
Z Reviews describes the Max 2's sound as open, clean, detailed and neutral-bright — very detailed and energetic, not the front-of-class leap Apple's '1.5x better' marketing implied.
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USB-C wired playback unlocks 24-bit/48kHz lossless and low-latency audio straight out of the box
Deal Breakers
Battery life is unchanged at 20 hours with ANC on — 10 to 40 hours behind class rivals like the Sony XM6, Bose QC Ultra 2 and Sennheiser Momentum 4
At 386g the headphones are heavy and many reviewers find them uncomfortable past the 45-90 minute mark, with no comfort changes in six years
An unchanged $549 price for what is essentially a chip-only upgrade — reviewers repeatedly question the value
The divisive Smart Case still offers no real protection and leaves the headband exposed; there is still no power button
There is no manual EQ, only AAC/SBC over Bluetooth (no LDAC/aptX), and the experience is degraded on Android
Several owners report battery-drain and connectivity bugs that Apple is expected to address via firmware
Sennheiser HD 505
What Reviewers Agree On
Delivers the classic balanced, midrange-forward Sennheiser house sound with a wider soundstage than the HD 600-series
Exceptionally light (237g) and comfortable for long listening sessions, with gentler clamp than older Sennheisers
Modular HD 500-series design with user-replaceable earpads and a detachable, twist-lock cable for easy repair and longevity
Easy to drive — runs loud from a simple USB-C dongle or laptop jack, though it scales with a dedicated amp
Strong value as an entry point into open-back audiophile listening at a $250 launch price
Deal Breakers
The older HD 6XX / HD 600 sits at a similar street price and is still widely called the better-value pick
A treble peak around 6-8 kHz can sound bright or slightly fatiguing on hi-hats and cymbals for some listeners
Open-back design leaks sound both ways — useless for commuting, offices or any noisy environment
Build is functional plastic rather than premium, which some buyers expect more of at this price
Spatial Audio with head tracking is the best implementation among over-ear headphones, especially for movies and TV
USB-C wired playback unlocks 24-bit/48kHz lossless and low-latency audio straight out of the box
Cons
Battery life is unchanged at 20 hours with ANC on — 10 to 40 hours behind class rivals like the Sony XM6, Bose QC Ultra 2 and Sennheiser Momentum 4
At 386g the headphones are heavy and many reviewers find them uncomfortable past the 45-90 minute mark, with no comfort changes in six years
An unchanged $549 price for what is essentially a chip-only upgrade — reviewers repeatedly question the value
The divisive Smart Case still offers no real protection and leaves the headband exposed; there is still no power button
There is no manual EQ, only AAC/SBC over Bluetooth (no LDAC/aptX), and the experience is degraded on Android
Several owners report battery-drain and connectivity bugs that Apple is expected to address via firmware
Sennheiser HD 505
Pros
Delivers the classic balanced, midrange-forward Sennheiser house sound with a wider soundstage than the HD 600-series
Exceptionally light (237g) and comfortable for long listening sessions, with gentler clamp than older Sennheisers
Modular HD 500-series design with user-replaceable earpads and a detachable, twist-lock cable for easy repair and longevity
Easy to drive — runs loud from a simple USB-C dongle or laptop jack, though it scales with a dedicated amp
Strong value as an entry point into open-back audiophile listening at a $250 launch price
Cons
The older HD 6XX / HD 600 sits at a similar street price and is still widely called the better-value pick
A treble peak around 6-8 kHz can sound bright or slightly fatiguing on hi-hats and cymbals for some listeners
Open-back design leaks sound both ways — useless for commuting, offices or any noisy environment
Build is functional plastic rather than premium, which some buyers expect more of at this price
The Max 2's vocals sound more forward and engaging than the Gen 1, but on default settings without Headphone Accommodations the two are not dramatically different.
SoundGuys notes Apple itself delivers slightly better audio on the cheaper AirPods Pro 3 in some regions — the Max 2 dips a little more around the mid-treble in their measured frequency response.
There is still no manual EQ slider — you are stuck with Apple's tuning unless you use Headphone Accommodations as a workaround.
GSMArena's verdict: the sound is good and the H2 brings real gains, but the AirPods Pro 3 ends up being another thing the smaller, cheaper earbuds do better.
Sennheiser HD 505
The HD 505 carries the signature balanced, midrange-led Sennheiser tuning into an affordable open-back, adding a touch more bass warmth and a wider soundstage than the HD 600-series. The main critique is a treble lift around 6-8 kHz that some listeners find bright.
Sennheiser tuned the HD 505 to capture the best virtues of several HD 500-series models with no undesirable changes from the broader lineup.
It presents Sennheiser's signature balanced sound — the tuning targets a more analytical output rather than beefy bass or tight treble.
The midrange is the standout — for Sennheiser, 'normal' midrange means it is better than 99% of headphones on the market.
Imaging is precise and the sound stretches out to the sides rather than feeling like speakers smashed against your ears.
The 505's voicing keeps the spirit of the legendary HD 600 but with a wider soundstage — a serious-performing way into the hobby without spending a ton.
Treble does its job keeping things clean and energetic, but gets a little bright around 6-8 kHz on hi-hats and cymbals — a glare the HD 600 doesn't have.
There is a subtle papery or dry quality to acoustic guitars, likely an elevation somewhere between 4-6 kHz.
Versus the HD 550, the 505 is broadly in line up to ~8 kHz but the 550 has even more bass below 80 Hz — about a 5% sound difference overall.
Sennheiser is not known for thumpy, hard-hitting bass — the lower mids and subbass come in fairly nicely, but bass-focused listeners may want more.
The HD 505 takes EQ well — boosting it in an equalizer keeps bass and subbass prominent while staying clear and well-separated from other frequencies.
Comfort & Design
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.
Sennheiser HD 505
The HD 505 reuses the proven HD 500-series chassis: a featherlight 237g frame, cushy earpads and gentle clamp that make it one of the most comfortable open-backs in its class. The trade-off is a functional plastic build that doesn't feel premium.
Refreshingly light at 237g without the cable, with solid (if not premium) build and cushy earpads.
It largely sticks to the HD 500 series' tried-and-tested design, keeping it compatible with first- and third-party accessories.
Lighter and gentler than the HD 600 — it has the least clamp pressure on the table and is more comfortable than the rest.
In a minor upset, the HD 505 is more comfortable than the HD 600 thanks to slightly gentler headband compression plus its lighter 237g weight versus 260g.
The softer earpads give a better seal for larger ears and glasses wearers, though that matters less on an open-back.
Value vs Competition
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.
Sennheiser HD 505
At $250 the HD 505 is the cheapest genuine entry into Sennheiser's open-back lineage, but it lands in a brutal price band: the older HD 6XX/HD 600 and the new HD 550 both make a strong case against it, and Beyerdynamic and HiFiMan add more pressure.
The HD 505 competes in a crowded segment against Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic and others in the sub-$300 price range.
It slots in beneath the benchmark HD 600 series while ticking plenty of boxes for music fans chasing sonic quality on a budget.
For around the same money you can get a used HD 650 or a new HD 6XX/HD 600 — any of which gives a truer representation of the source.
The HD 6XX is meaningfully less expensive and remains the indisputable value king — not just in Sennheiser's lineup but in headphones at this price range.
For $20 more the new HD 550 might steal some of the 505's thunder with even stronger bass and arguably less annoying treble peaks.
Some buyers may expect a more premium, metal-heavy build at this price — the build feels more plastic than premium.
Reviewers ding Sennheiser's HD 5xx naming convention as confusing, even as the headphone itself is well liked.
Owners note the same earpads carry across the 5xx models and aftermarket pads fit, though OEM pads are softer and insulate slightly better.
Reviewers favour the 505 over the HD 560S for its subbass extension and wider soundstage, calling it a fix for the 560S's biggest issue — though some listeners still prefer the 560S's excitement.
Strong competition from HiFiMan price drops and Fiio's FT1 means the community will scrutinise how the 505 holds up at $250.
It is a great headphone for what it is and performs excellently for its price point — worth the money if you're shopping this space.
