All three sound excellent, but they sound different. Here's what matters:

Sony WH-1000XM6: Warm and bass-forward

The XM6 emphasizes low end. Bass is substantial and present in a way that makes pop, hip-hop, and EDM sound engaging. Midrange has better clarity than the XM5. Treble is smooth, avoiding harshness but potentially lacking airiness.

If you like music that thumps, the XM6 does that well. Sony's app has a 10-band EQ if you want to tune it.

Bose QC Ultra: Balanced and natural

More neutral presentation. Bass is punchy but doesn't dominate. Midrange is clear. Treble has sparkle without getting harsh.

Often described as the most "natural" sounding. Works well with all genres.

AirPods Max: Bright and detailed

Most analytical of the three. Bass is tight and controlled. Midrange and treble are crisp and articulate. Detail retrieval is excellent.

Great for classical, jazz, and acoustic music. Some find the brighter tuning fatiguing for long sessions.

My take:

For casual listening and bass-heavy music, the XM6 sounds most fun. For all-around versatility, the Bose sounds most balanced. For critical listening where detail matters, the AirPods Max excels.

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The box includes the essentials and not much else. Here's exactly what you get:

What's inside:

• WH-1000XM6 headphones (in your chosen color)
• Hard carrying case
• USB-C to USB-C charging cable
• 3.5mm audio cable (with inline mic)
• Quick start guide and warranty papers

The carrying case:

Actually quite nice. Hard shell that protects the headphones well. Much smaller than the XM5's case because the headphones fold again. Pocket inside for cables and mesh section in lid for small accessories.

The cables:

The USB-C cable is short. Works fine for laptops or power banks.

The audio cable has an inline microphone that some find annoying. It can create static when touched. Many users buy a cheap third-party cable without the mic for cleaner audio.

What Sony didn't include:

No airplane adapter. No USB wall charger. No extra ear cushions.

The lack of an airplane adapter is annoying since flying is a main use case. Buy one for $5-10 on Amazon if needed.

The verdict:

Nothing fancy, but nothing essential is missing. The case is good quality. Consider grabbing an airplane adapter before your next flight.

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Build quality is generally good, but there's one thing worth knowing about: some users have reported hinge issues.

The hinge situation:

When Sony brought back the folding design, they redesigned the hinge mechanism. A small number of users have reported cracking at the point where the headband connects to the earcup.

Is this widespread? It doesn't appear to be. Reports suggest manufacturing variance on certain batches rather than a fundamental design flaw. Sony's warranty covers manufacturing defects, so affected users should get replacements.

Overall construction:

The XM6 is built similarly to most premium wireless headphones. Quality plastic with synthetic leather padding. Comparable to the Bose QC Ultra. Less premium than the AirPods Max, which uses aluminum but weighs significantly more and costs more.

The headband padding holds up well. Ear cushions are durable with normal use. The folding mechanism works smoothly.

How to protect your investment:

1. Use the included case. Always.
2. Be gentle when folding.
3. Store properly when not using them.

If something goes wrong:

Sony's warranty covers manufacturing defects. Contact support if you experience issues.

The hinge concerns are worth being aware of, but shouldn't be a dealbreaker. Most users have no problems.

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