Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs DT 770 Pro: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 53% of 196 Apple AirPods Max 2 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 197 for the DT 770 Pro.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Apple AirPods Max 2

53%of 196 owners recommend
53% recommend · 19% neutral · 28% don't
Owners praise
  • Rich, clear sound, the reason owners who keep it give most often
  • Strong noise cancelling, one of the features owners praise most
  • Comfortable for many owners, some for whole flights or workdays, though about as many find it too heavy
Owners complain about
  • Faults reported by many owners, mainly battery drain while sitting in the case and dropped connections, with several needing resets or a replacement unit
  • Heavy for many owners, some of whom get sore heads or headaches within an hour or two
  • Most first-generation owners who upgraded hear only small gains, though a smaller group calls it a clear step up
Full owner report →

DT 770 Pro

55%of 197 owners recommend
55% recommend · 20% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptionally comfortable for long sessions, with soft velour pads that owners say let them wear the headphones for hours (some cite 15-hour days) without fatigue
  • Built to last for years of daily use, with many owners reporting the same pair still going strong after 3, 9, even 13-15 years
  • Punchy, full bass with a balanced V-shaped signature that many describe as fuller and better-tuned than rival closed-backs
Owners complain about
  • Sharp, peaky treble (the well-known 'Beyer treble') that many find harsh, sibilant, or fatiguing, sometimes causing headaches after 10-15 minutes
  • Plastic components (headband sliders, hinges, earcup connectors) that crack or break over time, sometimes worsened by heat and humidity
  • Tight clamping fit and small earcups that some owners find uncomfortable, causing jaw soreness or head squeezing within an hour of wearing
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Apple AirPods Max 2 if
  • ✓Apple users who value tight integration with their devices and can exchange a faulty unit
  • ✓Listeners who want strong noise cancelling paired with full, detailed sound
  • ✓Buyers who can try them on and return them if the fit is wrong
Skip it if
  • Anyone sensitive to heavy headphones, especially for long sessions
  • First-generation Max owners hoping for a big jump in sound
Get the DT 770 Pro if
  • ✓Gamers and FPS players wanting wide, precise soundstage in a closed-back set
  • ✓Home studio mixers/producers who value detail and don't mind a bright signature
  • ✓Long-session listeners who prioritize all-day comfort and light clamp
  • ✓Buyers on a budget wanting durable, repairable headphones that last a decade-plus
Skip it if
  • Treble-sensitive listeners; harsh, sibilant highs cause fatigue or headaches
  • Anyone needing a detachable cable, since the fixed cable often frays or breaks

What Apple AirPods Max 2 owners say

“My AirPods Max 2 are pretty good and little bit better than AirPods Pro 3 in terms of ANC.”
— @AdityaBandaru13 on YouTube
“I bought a pair of these on a whim and couldn't be happier. I had resisted because a friend said they were uncomfortable. I actually find them comfortable and the noise cancelation is insane.”
— @jimtipton8888 on YouTube
“Just got my AirPods Max 2 yesterday and I’m already experiencing a massive battery drain.”
— @KevinHouseyutiol on YouTube

What DT 770 Pro owners say

“i'd say go for the Beyerdynamics since their only drawback is their harsh upper register of the frequency and nothing else. For the money, you can't beat them!”
— chrissb34 on Reddit
“dt 770 100% and hyperx quadcast microphone! Best combo ever and "cheap"”
— NervousNobody666 on Reddit
“The long term durability of these headphones seems to really depend on the climate where you live. When I moved to Florida the humidity and/or heat really caused them to start deteriorating fast.”
— Lord_swarley on Reddit

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs DT 770 Pro: frequently asked questions

Is the Apple AirPods Max 2 or the DT 770 Pro better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 53% of 196 Apple AirPods Max 2 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 197 for the DT 770 Pro.

Who should get the Apple AirPods Max 2?

Owners point the Apple AirPods Max 2 at apple users who value tight integration with their devices and can exchange a faulty unit, and listeners who want strong noise cancelling paired with full, detailed sound.

Who should get the DT 770 Pro?

Owners point the DT 770 Pro at gamers and FPS players wanting wide, precise soundstage in a closed-back set, and home studio mixers/producers who value detail and don't mind a bright signature.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Apple AirPods Max 2 is faults reported by many owners, mainly battery drain while sitting in the case and dropped connections, with several needing resets or a replacement unit. For the DT 770 Pro, it's sharp, peaky treble (the well-known 'Beyer treble') that many find harsh, sibilant, or fatiguing, sometimes causing headaches after 10-15 minutes.