Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) vs Sennheiser - HD 660S2
Between the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) and HD 660S2, the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) comes out ahead in active noise cancellation and spatial audio, while the HD 660S2 wins on weight and driver size. Overall, the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) scores 65.7 and the HD 660S2 scores 64.2 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (65.7 vs 64.2). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. The biggest gaps in its favor are active noise cancellation, spatial audio, battery life.
Pick the HD 660S2 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, driver size.
Both ship with comparable multipoint, ldac, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Why Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) wins
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Battery life: 20 h vs 0 h.
Why Sennheiser - HD 660S2 wins
- ▲Weight — 124.00 g less. 260 vs 384.
- ▲Driver size — 5.00% more. 42 mm vs 40 mm.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Sennheiser - HD 660S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 384 g | 260 glead |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Sennheiser - HD 660S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 40 mm | 42 mmlead |
| Impedanceⓘ | 10 Ω | 300 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 105 dBlead | 104 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | truelead | false |
| Transparency mode | truelead | false |
| Spatial audioⓘ | truelead | false |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Sennheiser - HD 660S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 20 hlead | 0 h |
| Fast chargeⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Sennheiser - HD 660S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3lead | 0 |
| Multipointⓘ | false | false |
| 3.5mm jack | false | truelead |
| LDACⓘ | false | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or HD 660S2?+
AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) lasts 20 hours vs 0 hours.
Do AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or HD 660S2 have active noise cancellation?+
AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) has ANC; HD 660S2 does not.
Which supports LDAC, AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or HD 660S2?+
Neither supports LDAC.
Spec-level deep dives
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