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Apple AirPods Max 2 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleAirPods Max 2SteelSeriesArctis Nova Pro Omni
Overview
ReleasedApril 2026May 2026
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size–40 mm
Back–Closed
Impedance–38 ohms
Spatial audio with head trackingYes–
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AACSBC and LC3
Lossless over USB-CYes–
ChipH2–
DriversApple-designed dynamic driver and custom high dynamic range amplifierCustom neodymium magnetic drivers; 10–40,000 Hz; 98 dB SPL at 1 kHz/1 mW; THD under 1%
ChipH2 in each ear cup–
Noise cancelling detailUp to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the original AirPods Max; Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Conversation AwarenessFour-microphone hybrid ANC with adjustable transparency mode
Audio featuresPersonalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; Personalised Volume; Voice Isolation; studio-quality audio recording; Live Translation; 24-bit, 48 kHz Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C; analogue sources need Apple's USB-C to 3.5 mm Audio Cable, sold separatelyHi-Res Wireless certified up to 24-bit/96 kHz; LC3plus over LE Audio; GameHub has three USB-C system inputs, line-in and line-out, OLED screen and control wheel. OmniPlay mixes USB1 + USB2 or USB3 + Bluetooth + line-in. Supports Tempest 3D Audio, Windows Sonic and SteelSeries Sonar Surround; DTS Headphone and Dolby Atmos licences sold separately
Hearing healthLoud Sound Reduction–
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 20 hoursUp to 19 hours
Battery life detailStoring them in the Smart Case puts them in an ultra-low-power stateTwo lithium-ion batteries; each up to 30 hours over 2.4GHz with ANC off, 50 hours over Bluetooth with ANC off, or 19 hours over simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth with ANC on; spare charges in GameHub
Fast charging5 minutes of charging gives around 1.5 hours of listening15 minutes for up to 4 hours of play over USB-C
Design
Weight386.2 g339 g
Bluetooth5.35.3 with LE Audio
Two devices at once–Yes
Headphone cableYesYes
ControlsDigital Crown (turn for volume; press once to play, pause, answer a call or use camera remote; twice to end a call or skip forward; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri); listening mode button; “Hey Siri” or just “Siri”; Siri InteractionsVolume/ChatMix dial, source mix, power/pairing/quick switch, mic mute, ANC mode and Bluetooth media controls; multifunction wheel controls GameHub remotely
MicrophonesNine microphones in total, eight for Active Noise Cancellation and three for voice pickup (two shared with ANC)Retractable ClearCast Pro omnidirectional boom microphone with onboard AI noise rejection; 50–16,000 Hz response, −40 dBV/Pa sensitivity and 32 kHz/16-bit bandwidth; noise rejection works across systems
Fit and ear tips–Closed-back (PC Gamer); memory foam cushions with vegan leather covering and suspended inner headband
Case weight134.5 g (Smart Case)–
Works withFull features with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro on the latest software; works as Bluetooth headphones with other devices, with limited featuresXbox Series X|S and Xbox One, PC, PS5 and PS4, Switch and Switch 2 in TV mode, USB-C mobile devices and Mac; Xbox uses GameHub USB3. Arctis Companion app requires iOS 15.6 or Android 9; GG/Engine Windows 8.1 or macOS 10.13; Sonar and PC ChatMix Windows 10 or later. Bluetooth stores up to ten paired devices
ColoursMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, OrangeGraphite (Black on product page), White, Midnight Blue
In the boxAirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C Charge Cable, documentationHeadset, GameHub, second battery, two 1.5 m USB cables, microphone pop filter and carrying bag

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