Audio equipment: Sonos Era 300 vs. Apple AirPods Max 2

Quick Verdict

The Sonos Era 300 is a better choice for users who want a room-filling spatial audio experience with multiple voice assistant options and multi-room audio capabilities. The Apple AirPods Max 2 are more suitable for users who prioritize personal listening with excellent noise cancellation and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, despite being more expensive.

The Sonos Era 300 is a standalone speaker designed for spatial audio in a room, while the Apple AirPods Max 2 are headphones for personal listening.
The Sonos Era 300 supports multiple voice assistants (Alexa, Sonos Voice Control, Siri) and has multi-room audio capabilities, whereas the AirPods Max 2 primarily integrate with Siri and offer seamless switching between Apple devices.
The AirPods Max 2 offer active noise cancellation and battery life, features not applicable to the Sonos Era 300.
The Sonos Era 300 has a more complex driver configuration with six drivers, while the AirPods Max 2 use Apple-designed dynamic drivers.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Sonos Era 300	Apple AirPods Max 2
Name	Sonos Era 300	Apple AirPods Max 2
Price	$449	$549
Spatial Audio Support	Yes, with Dolby Atmos	Yes, with dynamic head tracking
Dolby Atmos Compatibility	Yes	Yes
Driver Configuration	Six drivers: four tweeters (one forward-firing, two side-firing, and one upward-firing) and two woofers (angled left and right). Each driver is powered by a Class-D amplifier.	Apple-designed dynamic drivers
Frequency Response	Bass response is relatively flat to about 40 Hz	Passably complies with the target curve, with a neutral mid-range. Treble sounds warm, but slightly dull depending on the pitch.
Microphone Quality for Calls	Built-in microphones for voice control, good far-field performance	Nine microphones with beamforming technology. Performs better than other ANC headphones in windy conditions.
Noise Cancellation Effectiveness	Not specified for active noise cancellation	Excellent. Effectively filters out low rumbles and nearby conversations. Some reviews note it's among the best on the market. May be less effective after a firmware update.
Battery Life (hours)	N/A	Up to 20 hours with ANC enabled. Up to 20 hours of movie playback with ANC and Spatial Audio.
Charging Time (minutes)	N/A	5-minute charge provides around 1.5 hours of listening time. Full charge takes around 2 hours.
Connectivity Options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4 GHz/5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC, AAC), Apple AirPlay 2, USB-C port (for use with Sonos Line-In Adapter or Combo Adapter, sold separately, for Ethernet or audio line-in)	Bluetooth 5.0. Some models have a USB-C port.
Voice Assistant Integration (Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa)	Amazon Alexa (built-in, Wi-Fi only), Sonos Voice Control, Siri (via Apple Home app, limited to Apple Music). Google Assistant is not supported.	Siri
Multi-room Audio Capability	Yes, compatible with other Sonos S2 speakers	Not explicitly mentioned, but seamless switching between Apple devices is supported.

Overall Comparison

Sonos Era 300: $449, 6 drivers, multiple voice assistant support. Apple AirPods Max 2: $549, up to 20 hours battery life, excellent noise cancellation.

Pros and Cons

Sonos Era 300

Pros:

Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos creates a more immersive listening experience
Easy setup and intuitive control via the Sonos app
Good microphone performance even in noisy environments
Wide support for streaming services
Supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands and Bluetooth 5.0
Good build quality using post-consumer recycled plastic

Cons:

Some compression may occur at maximum volume, impacting clarity
Distortion can occur at higher volumes
Dolby Atmos Music primarily supported through Amazon Music and Apple Music
Some users have reported cosmetic issues like uneven gaps or grill protrusions
Google Assistant is not supported

Apple AirPods Max 2

Pros:

Immersive spatial audio experience
Effective noise cancellation
Good microphone quality for calls
Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
Solid wireless connection
Sturdy build quality

Cons:

Voice assistant only works with Siri
Noise cancellation might be less effective after a firmware update
Some users find them heavy and may experience discomfort after a couple of hours

User Experiences and Feedback

Sonos Era 300

What Users Love

Fills a room with sound
Creates a spacious stereo soundstage
Easy to set up and control
Good voice command performance

Common Complaints

Compression at maximum volume
Distortion at higher volumes
Cosmetic issues reported

Value Perception

Good sound quality for the price
Immersive spatial audio experience

User Recommendations

Projects sound throughout the room
Creates a 3D soundstage
Built-in Alexa offers good performance, even in noisy environments

Apple AirPods Max 2

What Users Love

Exceptional comfort during extended sessions
Superb all-around clarity, benchmark insight, and excellent dynamics and musical organization
Incredibly effective at blocking out distractions
Connecting to iOS devices is easy
The use of premium materials gives a solid and durable feel

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking is transformative and creates a virtual surround sound experience that feels genuinely immersive.
The headband is brilliantly engineered to distribute weight evenly.
The stainless steel headband and aluminum ear cups feel sturdy.
The AirPods Max microphones are designed with beamforming technology, which helps to focus on the user's voice while minimizing background noise.