OneOdio Studio Max 2 Review: 9 ms Wireless or Marketing Hype?

Unlike smart glasses, wireless headphones stopped feeling unusual a long time ago. Today, everyone makes them: major audio brands, gaming companies, and little-known manufacturers from online marketplaces. But while Bluetooth has long been a good solution for walks, sports, and watching movies, users still tend to choose wired options for gaming, video editing, audio work, and other tasks where minimal latency matters.

The problem is simple: no matter how good Bluetooth gets, signal delay does not disappear completely. Of course, you barely notice it when watching videos, but in fast-paced games, editing, or voice recording, even a slight audio delay can become annoying. That is why many gaming headsets still use their own 2.4 GHz wireless modules, while professional headphones often remain wired-only.

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 tries to bring those two worlds together. This is not just another pair of Bluetooth headphones, but a versatile model with several connection options at once: regular Bluetooth for smartphones and laptops, wired connection for professional work, and the proprietary M2 transmitter with a claimed latency of just 9 ms. It sounds as if the manufacturer has finally found a compromise between the convenience of wireless devices and the responsiveness of wired solutions. But is that actually true?

In this review, I will not simply repeat the specifications from the manufacturer's website. Instead, we will check how well the Studio Max 2 works in real use: whether they are comfortable for several hours at a time, whether you can play wirelessly without discomfort, how well they handle different music genres, movies, and editing, whether the latency really feels that low, and whether these headphones can replace several devices at once.

The packaging already makes it clear that OneOdio does not position the Studio Max 2 as just another pair of wireless headphones for a smartphone. The box looks premium and neat, without loud design elements or a dozen marketing slogans. Once opened, there is another inner box, and the headphones themselves are neatly placed inside a hard case.

And while many manufacturers limit themselves to the headphones, a charging cable, and a couple of leaflets, OneOdio took the bundle much more seriously here.

Inside the box, you get:

I really liked the included case. It is hard, holds its shape well, and is clearly designed for more than just home storage. If you often take headphones with you, this accessory will definitely be useful.

The M2 transmitter also deserves separate attention. It is what separates the Studio Max 2 from most regular Bluetooth headphones. Thanks to it, you can connect the headset through OneOdio's own wireless channel with minimal latency, but we will return to its capabilities later.

My first impressions from the unboxing were entirely positive. Everything is neatly arranged in its place, nothing rattles around inside the box, and the overall package feels genuinely well thought out.

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 cannot really be called compact headphones. This is a fairly large over-ear model that immediately feels like a serious device. If you have used regular gaming headsets before, the difference will not be dramatic: in terms of size, the Studio Max 2 is only slightly larger than most popular competing models.

At the same time, the first thing you notice after unboxing is the build quality. Almost every part feels reliable: nothing dangles, nothing feels loose, and there is no sense that the manufacturer decided to cut corners somewhere. The plastic is dense and pleasant to the touch, while the metal elements in the construction only strengthen the impression of a solid product.

I especially liked the folding mechanism. Each ear cup can rotate almost 180 degrees. For DJs, this is a familiar feature that allows one-ear monitoring, but it also turns out to be useful in everyday life. The headphones become noticeably more compact, so even if you forget the included case at home, you can easily put them in a backpack or bag without worrying that they will take up too much space.

During my time with the headphones, I had no complaints about the build quality. They did not start creaking when folded, the hinges kept their original firmness, and the plastic still feels as sturdy as it did on day one. Of course, final conclusions about durability can only be made after a year or two of active use, but the Studio Max 2 makes a very good first impression.

Despite their large size, the headphones look fairly neat on the head. This is not a bulky gaming headset with aggressive styling and RGB lighting, but rather a universal model that looks appropriate both at home at a computer and on the road. I especially liked the metal decorative inserts on the outer side of the ear cups. They make the device look more expensive without making the design too flashy.

Despite their appearance, the OneOdio Studio Max 2 does not feel like typical wireless headphones for casual everyday use. It is clear that the manufacturer designed them with people in mind who spend far more than one hour at a time wearing headphones: musicians, DJs, sound engineers, and other specialists. Still, that does not stop them from being comfortable in regular daily use.

The ear pads play a major role here. They are genuinely large, fully surround the ear, and are not too stiff. Pressure is distributed evenly, and the ear cups do not start irritating you after half an hour, as can happen with some full-size models.

During testing, I used the Studio Max 2 several times for roughly an hour and a half to two hours without a break. Only after that did I feel like taking them off for a few minutes to give my head and ears a rest. Even then, there was no strong pressure or feeling that the headphones were squeezing my head.

Of course, you will not completely forget that you are wearing full-size headphones weighing almost 400 grams. But by the standards of their class, the Studio Max 2 turned out to be very comfortable. If you are used to spending several hours at a computer playing, working, or simply listening to music, they most likely will not cause serious discomfort.

Flexibility is probably the main advantage of the OneOdio Studio Max 2. During the day, you can listen to music from your smartphone over Bluetooth. In the evening, you can play on PC through the proprietary M2 transmitter with minimal latency. And when needed, you can connect them by cable to an audio interface, mixing console, or other professional equipment.

In Bluetooth mode, the Studio Max 2 behaves like any modern pair of wireless headphones. They connect quickly to a smartphone or laptop, hold the connection reliably, and work great for music, movies, videos, and other everyday tasks. Owners of compatible devices can also use the LDAC codec, which provides higher-quality audio transmission compared to standard Bluetooth codecs.

But the main feature of the Studio Max 2 is the proprietary 2.4 GHz mode. It uses the included M2 transmitter, which turns the headphones from a regular Bluetooth model into something much closer to a full wireless gaming or studio headset. With this device, the manufacturer claims latency of just 9 ms. I obviously cannot verify that number with laboratory equipment, but based on personal impressions, the delay is practically nonexistent. During testing, I did not notice any desync while working with audio software, editing, or playing games. Every action was accompanied by sound almost instantly, and after a few minutes, you stop thinking about the fact that you are using wireless headphones at all.

That, perhaps, impressed me the most. Minimal latency is usually associated exclusively with wired connection, although more and more modern devices are trying to get rid of this compromise. It is similar to how modern gaming monitors gradually push older models aside thanks to high refresh rates. The Studio Max 2 may not completely destroy that stereotype, but they definitely make you look at modern wireless technology differently.

If you prefer a wired connection, there are no restrictions either. The body has 3.5 mm and 6.35 mm ports, and the required cables and adapters are already included, including a coiled cable for professional equipment. You will not need to buy extra adapters or accessories.

In real life, this turns out to be even more convenient than it sounds. For example, you come home after a walk during which you listened to music via Bluetooth. The M2 transmitter is already connected to your computer. All you need to do is move the switch on the headphones and turn on the transmitter, and within a moment they automatically switch to PC mode. No repeated pairing, no device search, and no unnecessary steps.

I love online shooters and have been playing Escape from Tarkov for more than eight years. I even prepared a separate review for the game's release, so I understand very well how badly strong audio delay can affect the overall gameplay experience. For wireless headphones, the absence of noticeable latency is not just a nice bonus for me, but one of the main requirements.

When I first connected the Studio Max 2 to my computer through the M2 transmitter and went into several raids, what surprised me most was not even the lack of delay, but the volume and overall sound quality. With my regular gaming headphones, which cost around a hundred euros, I can also clearly hear footsteps and gunshots, determine sound direction, and roughly understand where the enemy is. However, the Studio Max 2 handles this noticeably better, especially in fast-paced shooters, which is where they really shine. If you also enjoy first-person shooters, you can check out our list of the best shooters on PC and consoles.

For the first time in a long while, I had to lower the system volume on my computer so I would not go deaf during a firefight. At the same time, even at maximum volume, gunshots, explosions, and other loud sounds do not turn into a muddy mess. Every source remains distinguishable, and the overall soundstage does not fall apart even in the noisiest moments. The maximum volume was still too much for me personally, but the headroom is genuinely impressive.

No. During testing, I did not notice any delay in Escape from Tarkov or in other games. Gunshots, footsteps, interface interactions, and all other sounds played exactly when they should.

Aside from gaming, I record voice-over for short VGTimes videos several times a week and regularly work in dedicated audio recording and editing software. The situation was the same there: I did not notice any meaningful desync between my actions and the sound.

The manufacturer's claimed 9 ms may really be there, but without special equipment, it is impossible to verify. By ear and by feel, there is practically no delay.

The Studio Max 2 noticeably emphasizes low frequencies, which is quite expected for headphones designed partly for DJing. The sub-bass is not flat. It is easy to feel in electronic tracks and gives them the necessary volume. At the same time, the low end does not turn into a constant rumble and does not drown out the rest of the track.

I mostly listen to metal and rock, so I adjusted the equalizer for myself almost immediately. After a small correction, bass guitars and drums began to sound clear and dense, but without excessive pressure. I like a rich low end, but I do not want guitars, vocals, and other instruments to disappear into the background because of it. By the way, game music has long since become its own art form. We recently explained how soundtracks for games are made.

The mids are also well defined, although this is where I had the most questions. The factory tuning of the Studio Max 2 is primarily aimed at electronic music, DJing, and monitoring, so they are not ideal for mixing live instruments. In complex metal tracks, the mids can sometimes feel slightly recessed, and without equalizer adjustment, some instruments may lack expressiveness.

The highs are clean and detailed enough. When listening to metal, hi-hats (part of a drum kit. Ed.) and cymbals do not cover everything else and do not become harsh even after several hours. On the contrary, like the vocals, they are slightly pushed back compared to the bass and lower mids. This presentation will not suit everyone, but it allows you to listen to music for a long time without feeling that the treble is literally hitting your ears.

It would be wrong to say that the Studio Max 2 offers some supernatural or absolutely neutral sound. They have a distinct character with an emphasis on low frequencies, which sometimes needs to be corrected with an equalizer. However, the headphones separate instruments well and do not turn dense compositions into an unreadable mess. Even in tracks with multiple guitars, heavy drums, and vocals, each element remains distinguishable.

The main thing for me is that I can listen to music on the Studio Max 2 for a long time without getting tired of overly sharp highs or an excessively aggressive presentation. The headphones are tuned primarily for practicality, especially for live mixing, monitoring, and beatmatching. At the same time, they are perfectly suitable for everyday listening, especially if you spend a little time finding the right equalizer settings.

Before buying them, you should also keep one important limitation in mind: when connected through the M2 transmitter, the computer receives only audio output. The built-in microphone is not available in this mode, so you cannot use the Studio Max 2 as a full gaming headset for Discord, TeamSpeak, or in-game voice chat. For communication, you will need a separate microphone, or you will need to connect the headphones via Bluetooth if higher latency is not a major issue in your use case.

When connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth, the built-in microphone works without problems. I used it for calls, recording voice and video messages in Telegram, and during study calls in Microsoft Teams. Voice transmission is clean and intelligible, and the people I spoke to did not complain about low volume or serious interference.

Naturally, in terms of recording quality, the built-in microphone cannot replace a dedicated USB model and is not suitable for voice-over work. However, for calls, voice messages, and work conferences, it is more than enough.

Battery life turned out to be one of the strongest sides of the Studio Max 2. After roughly four hours of listening to music, the charge dropped by a little less than 10%. If we roughly extrapolate that result, a full charge would be enough for about 35-40 hours of continuous use. However, this should not be treated as an exact measurement, because the final result depends on volume, the selected codec, and connection mode.

If you use the headphones for four hours a day, that result would be enough for about a week without charging. Over seven days, the drain would be around 70%, so even with fairly active use, you definitely will not need to reach for the charger every evening.

The manufacturer claims up to 120 hours of playback over Bluetooth. In low-latency mode, battery life predictably decreases, since the headphones can work for up to 60 hours, while the M2 transmitter is rated for up to 50 hours. Independent tests also confirm that charge drains very slowly in regular use, although real figures, again, may be lower than the stated maximum because of high volume and the selected operating mode.

A full charge takes about two and a half hours, so there is no need to leave the headphones plugged in overnight. The Studio Max 2 also supports fast charging: five to ten minutes plugged in should be enough for around eight hours of playback. In other words, even if you discover that the headphones are dead right before a trip or work session, a short charge will be enough for almost the whole day.

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 wins you over with versatility. The headphones can be connected via Bluetooth, through the low-latency M2 transmitter, or with a regular cable. Thanks to that, the same model works for music from a smartphone, PC gaming, and audio work.

The 2.4 GHz mode also deserves special praise. Through M2, the latency is almost imperceptible, so the headphones are comfortable to use in online shooters, editing, and audio work. Add to that the high volume headroom, good sound detail, and solid instrument separation in dense compositions.

Battery life was also a pleasant surprise. The charge drains slowly, and thanks to fast charging, even a few minutes at the outlet are enough for long use. The two audio jacks, rich bundle, and convenient mobile app, where you can adjust the equalizer and other settings to your liking, complete the picture.

The main drawback of the Studio Max 2 is the weight. The headphones sit comfortably on the head, but after several hours, their mass still becomes noticeable. For home use, work, or travel, this is not critical, but the model is poorly suited for sports. During active movement, the large ear cups can shift, and the ears start heating up fairly quickly.

Another limitation is related to the M2 transmitter. As I mentioned earlier, in 2.4 GHz mode, the computer receives only sound, while the built-in microphone is unavailable. That means you will need a separate microphone for Discord, in-game chat, or voice recording.

Finally, the factory sound tuning will not suit everyone. The headphones noticeably emphasize low frequencies, while vocals and mids are pushed slightly backward. For electronic music and DJing, this presentation makes sense, but fans of rock, metal, or a more neutral sound will need to use the equalizer.

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 suits several types of users at once. Gamers will appreciate the minimal latency through M2 and precise sound positioning. Editors and streamers get a convenient wireless model for work, although they will need a separate microphone for voice recording. Musicians and DJs will benefit from the wired connection, 6.35 mm jack, and pronounced low-frequency range. Regular users get strong battery life, convenient controls, and the ability to use one pair of headphones with a smartphone, computer, and professional equipment. If you are looking for a device for gaming, I also recommend checking out our list of the most demanding games. It is in projects like those that the advantages of M2 mode are felt most clearly.

Can the Studio Max 2 fully replace wired headphones? In many scenarios, yes. Paired with the M2 transmitter, they provide such low latency that during gaming, editing, and everyday work, the difference from a wired connection is practically unnoticeable. Flexible sound adjustment and strong battery life let you stop worrying about charging and constantly switching between devices for a long time.

At the same time, the Studio Max 2 should not be seen as a universal tool for strict studio mastering. For that kind of work, a more neutral wired model is still the better choice. However, for DJing, gaming, editing, listening to music, and regular everyday use, these headphones offer more than enough. In the end, the OneOdio Studio Max 2 turned out to be exactly the rare kind of device that really can do a lot, while not turning versatility into a pile of compromises.