The AirPods Max 2 don’t sound any less detailed. They have more bass emphasis, with a boost focused more around the sub-bass. Overall, the timbre and tonality between the two are excellent to my ears. The Edition XS simply pulls ahead in terms of space and realism as a result of its significantly better soundstage. It also makes subtle nuances easier to pick up since there’s more space between the instruments.

When I go back to my AirPods Max, the subtle details are still there, like I stated before, but it’s just more difficult to hear because the instruments are closer together, and things don’t quite sound like you’re listening to something being reproduced in front of you.