Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) vs Beyerdynamic - DT 1990 Pro MK II
Between the AirPods Max (Lightning) and DT 1990 Pro MK II, the AirPods Max (Lightning) comes out ahead in active noise cancellation and spatial audio, while the DT 1990 Pro MK II wins on weight and driver size. Overall, the AirPods Max (Lightning) scores 65.7 and the DT 1990 Pro MK II scores 66.2 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (65.7 vs 66.2). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
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.
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.
Both ship with comparable multipoint, ldac, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
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 ANC; DT 1990 Pro MK II does not.
Which supports LDAC, AirPods Max (Lightning) or DT 1990 Pro MK II?+
Neither supports LDAC.
Spec-level deep dives
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