Lodewijk Vos Destroys the Headphone Hype: Real-World Studio Cans Reviewed

The main event is a brutal, hands-on comparison between four headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro, OneOdio Studio Max 2, and HiFiMAN Sundara. LØ doesn’t sugarcoat—he calls the M50x a workhorse that “technically sucks” but still gets the job done if you know its quirks. It’s tough, universal, and you can replace it anywhere from Chiang Mai to your local corner shop. The DT990 Pro gets props for comfort but loses points for its fixed cable and suitcase-busting size—plus, the highs are apparently sharp enough to cut glass.

Then comes the curveball: OneOdio Studio Max 2. LØ admits he’d never heard of them, but their low-latency wireless feature and smart jack design make them a surprise contender. They’re comfortable, flexible, and sound better than the price tag suggests. The HiFiMAN Sundara, meanwhile, is the dark horse—planar, open-back, and delivering a level of detail that leaves the others gasping for air. Each pair gets its moment in the sonic street fight, with strengths and weaknesses exposed for all to see.

LØ breaks down the open-back versus closed-back war with zero fluff. Open-back cans like the DT990 Pro and Sundara are mixing kings—great for detail, but everyone around you will hear your dodgy basslines. Closed-back options, like the M50x and Studio Max 2, are more versatile for recording and travel, even if they sound a bit boxy. If you can afford both, do it; if not, closed-back is the safer bet for most producers on the move.

Planar headphones get their own moment in the spotlight. The Sundara’s ribbon tech means lightning-fast transients and brutal honesty—perfect for critical listening, not so much for casual Spotify binging. LØ’s take: planars are a revelation for mixing, especially when you need to hear every click, pop, and accidental snare hit. But don’t expect them to flatter your ego or your tracks—they’re here to expose everything.

Wireless cans usually mean lag and heartbreak, but the OneOdio Studio Max 2 shakes things up with a claimed nine-millisecond latency. LØ puts them through their paces, from modular noodling to recording sessions, and finds the freedom genuinely useful—no more cable spaghetti or tripping over your own gear. The wireless setup isn’t perfect: there’s a bit of noise, some phasing, and a fiddly power-on routine that needs a firmware miracle, but for tracking and general studio chaos, it’s a game-changer.

Battery quirks aside, the Studio Max 2 delivers enough punch to make it a legit all-rounder. LØ’s verdict: the sound takes a slight hit in wireless mode, but it’s more than good enough for most tasks, and you can always plug in for critical work. If you want to roam your studio like a caffeinated ferret, these cans might just be your new best mate.