Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) vs Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 384 g | 350 g |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 45 mm |
| Active noise cancellation | true | false |
| Spatial audio | true | false |
| Battery life | 20 h | 0 h |
Between the AirPods Max (Lightning) and DT 1990 Pro MK II, the AirPods Max (Lightning) comes out ahead in active noise cancellation / spatial audio, while the DT 1990 Pro MK II wins on weight / driver size. Overall, the AirPods Max (Lightning) scores 68 and the DT 1990 Pro MK II scores 51.4 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The AirPods Max (Lightning) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 16.6 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the AirPods Max (Lightning) 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. The single most decisive one: Has Active noise cancellation.
Pick the DT 1990 Pro MK II if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, driver size. The single most decisive one: Weight — 34.00 g less. 350 vs 384.
Both ship with comparable multipoint, ldac, water resistance, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the AirPods Max (Lightning) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) or Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II?
Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) leads the current Mars Score by 16.6 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare driver size, battery life, weight against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) if…
Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) has the measurable edge on has anc, has spatial audio, battery life h.
Choose Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II if…
Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II has the measurable edge on weight g, driver size mm.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) wins
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Battery life: 20 h vs 0 h.
Why Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II wins
- ▲Weight — 34.00 g less. 350 vs 384.
- ▲Driver size — 12.50% more. 45 mm vs 40 mm.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 384 g | 350 glead |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 40 mm | 45 mmlead |
| Impedanceⓘ | 10 Ω | 250 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 105 dBlead | 102 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | truelead | false |
| Transparency mode | truelead | false |
| Spatial audioⓘ | truelead | false |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II |
|---|---|---|
| Battery lifeⓘ | 20 hlead | 0 h |
| Fast chargeⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.0lead | 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 (Lightning) or DT 1990 Pro MK II?+
AirPods Max (Lightning) lasts 20 hours vs 0 hours.
Do AirPods Max (Lightning) or DT 1990 Pro MK II have active noise cancellation?+
AirPods Max (Lightning) has active noise cancellation; DT 1990 Pro MK II does not.
Which supports LDAC, AirPods Max (Lightning) or DT 1990 Pro MK II?+
Neither supports LDAC.