# Which has better call quality - Sony WH-1000XM6 or AirPods Max 2?

> Microphone and voice call performance comparison

*Published: 2026-03-19 | Updated: 2026-03-19 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/sony-wh-1000xm6-vs-airpods-max-2-call-quality*

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## Product: Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
**Brand:** Sony

Both headphones deliver excellent call quality. The differences are subtle, and either serves well for calls and video conferencing.

## Sony WH-1000XM6 Call Performance

The [Sony WH-1000XM6](https://shopsavvy.com/products/0235d6d8-979b-fa71-17a6-280d8bc64c78) features 12 microphones with beamforming technology to isolate your voice while suppressing ambient sounds. Voice reproduction is clear and natural, even in moderately noisy environments.

## AirPods Max 2 Call Performance

Apple's Voice Isolation uses the H2 chip to separate your voice from background noise in real-time. Conversation Awareness automatically lowers playback when you start speaking.

## Head-to-Head Results

**Quiet environments:** Both sound excellent. No meaningful difference.

**Coffee shops and offices:** Both handle background noise well. Your voice comes through clearly.

**Extremely noisy settings:** The AirPods Max 2's Voice Isolation produces slightly cleaner results in busy streets and airports.

**Wind:** Neither handles wind well. This is an over-ear design limitation. For outdoor calls in windy conditions, consider in-ear headphones or devices with boom microphones.

**Video conferencing:** Both are excellent for Zoom, Teams, and similar apps. Colleagues hear you clearly, and ANC keeps you focused.

## The Verdict

Call quality is essentially a tie between the [Sony WH-1000XM6](https://shopsavvy.com/products/0235d6d8-979b-fa71-17a6-280d8bc64c78) and AirPods Max 2. Apple has a slight edge in extremely noisy environments, but Sony's 12-microphone array delivers comparable performance in most situations. Choose based on other factors—call quality won't disappoint on either device.

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*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*