Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: 71% of 234 owners recommend it, vs 53% of 196 for the Apple AirPods Max 2.

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 →

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X

71%of 234 owners recommend
71% recommend · 14% neutral · 15% don't
Owners praise
  • Pinpoint imaging for gaming
  • Great all-rounder for music and gaming
  • Detailed, fairly neutral sound
Owners complain about
  • Strong clamp needs breaking in
  • Flimsy headband peels and cracks
  • Bass-light for bass heads
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 Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X if
  • ✓Competitive gamers needing precise footstep imaging
  • ✓Home producers mixing on a budget
  • ✓Listeners wanting a neutral, detailed sound signature
  • ✓Buyers who want great sound without a dedicated amp
Skip it if
  • Bass heads wanting deep, boomy low end
  • Anyone sensitive to strong headphone clamp force

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 Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X owners say

“I bought the 900 proX as my first high end headphone for mostly gaming and music. They caused me to spend another 2k on speakers and a schiit stack because id never heard such beatiful sounds. Worth it”
— @Lperry on YouTube
“900 sounds more natural, intimate and less fatiguing but it doesn't stage the same way.”
— Bret Halford on Head-Fi
“That joint is a huge weak point in my opinion.”
— @drewmorg. on YouTube

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: frequently asked questions

Is the Apple AirPods Max 2 or the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X better?

Real owners lean toward the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: 71% of 234 owners recommend it, vs 53% of 196 for the Apple AirPods Max 2.

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 Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X?

Owners point the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X at competitive gamers needing precise footstep imaging, and home producers mixing on a budget.

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 Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X, it's strong clamp needs breaking in.