Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have a weight of 287g, these weigh below 320g, which we consider as the highest average a headphone should weigh for comfort during long use. We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with. The Apple AirPods Max, at 384.8g
are heavier than the Creative Zen Hybrid 2 by 97.8g
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 are foldable, which makes them more portable.
Foldable headphones are easier to transport and take up less storage space. Over-ear headphones have larger earpads that fit around your entire ear Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have a comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. This design is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors.
Apple AirPods Max with this design offer potential for maximum bass and loudness levels. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Apple AirPods Max also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds.
How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 outside (noise from your surrounding) and adding -1 inside (counter sound within the device) to make zero hence "diluting" the noise.
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 allow you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise.
Apple AirPods Max too have active noise cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each may work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting, mode, or noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time. Passive Noise Cancellation uses well-designed ear cups to seal out unwanted noise.
This is used for both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones where the headphone itself will keep surrounding noise out. The Creative Zen Hybrid 2 sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that also the Apple AirPods Max isolates you from ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
Low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device reproduces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Creative Zen Hybrid 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, the lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass. Apple AirPods Max's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices produce equal bass
High frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component reproduces high audible frequencies and if it changes to the signal on the way through.
Creative Zen Hybrid 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, the higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. Apple AirPods Max's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that
both devices produce equal treble
The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the headphone. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 driver unit is 40mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass.
Apple AirPods Max driver unit is 40mm in diameter,
making both devices similar in how loud their sound gets
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty reproducing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better sound. Neodymium magnets if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so.
They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux. The Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have this type of magnet. Apple AirPods Max have it too, devices with neodymium magnets are lighter and more powerful than those which use ferrite magnets.
It is also known that they have more bass and clear high notes. If your headphones play wirelessly, cancel ambient noise, or enhance your listening experience with active features, their battery life will reduce over time. The device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Creative Zen Hybrid 2's battery life is 67 hours
Apple AirPods Max's battery life is 20 hours. Each time you recharge your headphones, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first.
But over a few years, you may find that your device, no longer plays for long like it used to. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your headphones.
Apple AirPods Max too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your headphones, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. Creative Zen Hybrid 2's battery power is 600mAh, more battery power can be an indication of longer battery life.
Apple AirPods Max's battery power is 664mAh. A rechargeable battery is a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use. Creative Zen Hybrid 2's battery can be recharged and used over again.
The Apple AirPods Max too have a rechargeable battery. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 can be used wirelessly, wireless devices allow you more freedom of movement not restricted by a cable. The Apple AirPods Max also can be used wirelessly
2.4GHz wireless is used for devices such as headsets such as the Creative Zen Hybrid 2, keyboards, and mice similar to Bluetooth but with a proprietary radio frequency.
It typically offers better performance than Bluetooth, with low latency and good stability. Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 has a v5.2
Apple AirPods Max has a Bluetooth version of v5.
Newer versions provide faster data transfers. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C plug is now part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets, it features reversible plug orientation and cable direction.
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
The Apple AirPods Max support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances.
The Creative Zen Hybrid 2 can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth or infrared to another device. The Apple AirPods Max can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth
Being an industry standard audio plug, a standard 3.5mm male connector is suitable for use with all MP3 players and computer sound cards. This means that it is commonly used in stereo headphones to your phone or connecting your phone to an external amplifier, sound bars, your car radio, etc.
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 has this connector giving it a wider range of connectivity with most of the sound devices out there. All plugs have at least a tip and sleeve with the number of rings that stand as a differentiating factor. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have only 5 microphones, more microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise.
The Apple AirPods Max microphones are only 9. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.
The Apple AirPods Max too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard. It’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.
The Apple AirPods Max support ambient sound mode as well allowing you to hear the ambient sound even while wearing them. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 support multipoint, which allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Apple AirPods Max support multipoint count. Bluetooth multipoint would come in handy because you can be on one call without missing notifications coming from another device. There is a control panel on the Creative Zen Hybrid 2 body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to.
The Apple AirPods Max too have a control panel on them. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 can be used as a headset. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone.
Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc. Apple AirPods Max can be used as a headset.
since they have a built-in microphone
