Compare Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Cooler Master CH351 Gaming Headset

Review evidence is negative or limited for 3.5mm analog input availability, with reviewers citing missing support or practical drawbacks.

Reviewers generally found ANC significantly improved and near the top of the class, with a few noting Bose or Sony remain competitive.

There is no strong case for active noise canceling here; one included review flatly says the headset is not noise-canceling.

Review evidence is strongly positive for advanced software features, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is strongly positive for aesthetics / discreet profile, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is strongly positive for anc background noise level, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is generally positive for anc effect on sound signature, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is generally positive for anc sound impact on audio, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Android compatibility is limited: playback works, but many setup, settings and advanced features are Apple-only.

Android support is explicitly listed for the CH351, making mobile pairing part of its intended use case.

Review evidence is mixed for app, showing useful capability alongside clear limits.

Software support is inconsistent in the included reviews, ranging from no companion app at all to optional PC software on another Cooler Master unit.

The H2 chip is consistently framed as the main upgrade behind ANC, features, mic processing, and responsiveness.

Review evidence is negative or limited for aptx, with reviewers citing missing support or practical drawbacks.

Latency is viewed positively after H2 and USB-C changes, especially for wired use, gaming mode or editing.

Review evidence is generally positive for auto-play/wear detection, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is mixed for auto on/off reliability, showing useful capability alongside clear limits.

Review evidence is strongly positive for award recognition, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is generally positive for bass performance, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Bass is a recurring strength, delivering weighty explosions and energetic low end without fully burying other cues.

Battery life is repeatedly treated as a weakness: 20 hours is usable but now behind several competitors.

Review evidence is generally positive for bluetooth, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Wireless stability is the CH351's biggest weakness, with persistent static and buzzing reported even during active use.

Review evidence is generally positive for bluetooth version, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is strongly positive for build quality, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Material quality looks decent for the money, though not every component feels equally premium.

Wired USB-C lossless playback at 24-bit/48kHz is praised, but wireless listening remains codec-limited.

Review evidence is strongly positive for button control usability, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Control usability varies sharply, from simple inline buttons on one review unit to a crowded, error-prone earcup layout on the other.

The CH331's permanently attached fabric-wrapped cable is long, practical for desk use and presented as a solid part of the package.

The Smart Case remains a common complaint because protection and travel practicality are limited.

Review evidence is generally positive for charging, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is mixed for clamping force comfort, showing useful capability alongside clear limits.

Codec support is consistently limited to Apple-friendly basics, with reviewers noting missing hi-res Bluetooth options.

Review evidence is generally positive for comfort during long use, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Long-session comfort is mixed: soft pads help, but weight and head pressure are recurring complaints.

Review evidence is generally positive for connectivity options, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is generally positive for design and aesthetics, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Styling lands well in both reviews, whether you prefer playful colorways or a more subdued black-on-black look.

Cable convenience is mixed across the included reviews, with one headset using a removable aux cable and the other a fixed cord.

A detachable boom mic adds welcome flexibility for switching between gaming use and a cleaner everyday setup.

Review evidence is strongly positive for dolby atmos with head tracking, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

The CH351 includes a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle, but the wireless experience is undermined by static noise.

Review evidence is generally positive for durability over time, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is generally positive for ear cup padding quality, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

The ear pads are a consistent positive, described as soft faux/protein leather and generally comfortable on the ears.

Review evidence is generally positive for ear cup swivel/rotation range, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Cup movement is limited overall; the CH331 cups pivot outward but do not offer especially generous articulation.

Apple ecosystem integration is one of the clearest strengths, especially pairing and automatic switching.

Custom EQ is a consistent limitation; reviewers repeatedly note there is no true manual EQ.

EQ customization is weak overall, either missing entirely or present but not especially effective.

Review evidence is generally positive for features at launch, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is negative or limited for firmware update roadmap, with reviewers citing missing support or practical drawbacks.

Review evidence is generally positive for frequency response accuracy, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

The drivers reproduce both heavy bass and finer ambient details well enough to sound convincing, even if the signature is not neutral.

Review evidence is strongly positive for headband adjustability, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

The CH331 offers useful headband extension, giving it enough adjustment range for fit tuning.

Review evidence is generally positive for headband padding quality, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is strongly positive for head gestures, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is strongly positive for immersive audio quality, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is mixed for included accessories, showing useful capability alongside clear limits.

The CH351 package is well equipped with a dongle, aux cable and detachable microphone.

Review evidence is generally positive for instrument separation, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

The reviews point to good layer separation, making footsteps, ambience and soundtrack elements easier to distinguish.

Review evidence is strongly positive for integrated microphone, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Microphone functionality is a core feature across the included reviews, even though the exact implementation differs.

Review evidence is negative or limited for ldac, with reviewers citing missing support or practical drawbacks.

Review evidence is negative or limited for le audio readiness, with reviewers citing missing support or practical drawbacks.

Review evidence is strongly positive for maximum volume clarity, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is strongly positive for microphone noise reduction, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

The CH351 mic does a notably good job suppressing nearby household noise in the included test.

Review evidence is generally positive for microphone quality for calls, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

On the CH351, the detachable mic is clear and loud enough for chat or streaming without sounding thin.

Review evidence is generally positive for midrange clarity, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Midrange detail is solid for the class, with dialogue and vocal texture coming through better than a typical one-note budget tuning.

Review evidence is mixed for multi-platform compatibility, showing useful capability alongside clear limits.

The CH351 stands out for broad platform support across consoles, computers and mobile devices.

Review evidence is strongly positive for multipoint connectivity reliability, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is strongly positive for noise isolation (passive), with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Passive isolation is limited, with one review explicitly noting that room sounds still bleed through.

Most reviewers recommend the headphones for Apple users or premium ANC buyers, but not necessarily for recent USB-C AirPods Max owners.

Review evidence is negative or limited for portability/foldability, with reviewers citing missing support or practical drawbacks.

Portability is not a strength, as the included evidence points to a desk-first design rather than a travel-friendly one.

Review evidence is strongly positive for premium feel, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is mixed for preset eq profile quality, showing useful capability alongside clear limits.

Preset tuning is not a standout, with profiles either absent or too similar and bass-skewed to feel useful.

Review evidence is generally positive for replaceable earpads, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is mixed for replaceable pads/headband, showing useful capability alongside clear limits.

RGB lighting exists on the CH331, but control is minimal and limited to basic on or off behavior rather than real customization.

Review evidence is generally positive for sensors, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is generally positive for smart listening features, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is generally positive for smart pause performance, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is strongly positive for software/setup simplicity, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Basic setup is easy enough, but the overall experience is weakened by limited customization and, on the CH351, awkward controls.

Sound quality is widely praised as clean, detailed, and refined, though a few reviewers call the improvement incremental or not truly audiophile.

The included reviews consistently praise big, immersive gaming sound, although the CH351's wireless buzzing drags down the overall experience. Both reviews paint wired operation as a strong scenario, with seamless connection and better overall sound performance.

Review evidence is strongly positive for soundstage width, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Wide staging is one of the clearest strengths, helping worlds feel larger and positional cues easier to place.

Spatial audio is generally positive, especially with head tracking and Apple content, though not every reviewer treats it as essential.

Spatial or virtual surround performance is a real highlight, adding convincing depth and directionality in games.

Review evidence is generally positive for stability, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

On-head stability is only average, with one review noting that the headset can slide around during movement.

Review evidence is generally positive for streaming service integration, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Transparency mode is one of the strongest areas, often described as natural or class-leading.

Review evidence is negative or limited for travel friendliness, with reviewers citing missing support or practical drawbacks.

Review evidence is generally positive for treble clarity, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Treble detail is good enough to keep smaller environmental sounds audible, including birds, crackling fire and distant effects.

USB-C is a clear practical win, enabling wired lossless playback and simpler modern cabling.

USB-C is part of the CH351 setup, appearing in its dongle and port layout.

Value depends heavily on Apple ecosystem use and tolerance for the price, battery, weight, and case tradeoffs.

Review evidence is strongly positive for voice assistant integration, with reviewers describing it as a standout strength.

Review evidence is generally positive for volume output, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Volume output is described as lively and forceful, with enough punch to make games and music sound exciting.

Review evidence is negative or limited for water/sweat resistance rating, with reviewers citing missing support or practical drawbacks.

Review evidence is generally positive for wear detection auto-pause, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Review evidence is generally positive for wear detection performance, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Weight is a repeated comfort drawback; the metal build feels premium but can become fatiguing.

Both reviews call the headset noticeably heavy, which becomes more obvious the longer you wear it.

Review evidence is generally positive for wind noise handling, though comments are sometimes context-dependent.

Xbox support is not a strength in the included evidence, and one review specifically steers Xbox shoppers toward other models.