Apple officially announced the AirPods Max 2, the first real update to its over-ear headphones. You can pre-order them on March 25, and they will ship in early April. The new headphones look just like the first version, keeping the big, colorful earcups and matching headband. However, the inside features Apple’s H2 chip, which first appeared in the AirPods Pro 2, bringing many new capabilities.
A key improvement is better noise cancellation. Apple claims that with the H2 chip and new audio software, the AirPods Max 2 are 1.5 times more effective at blocking noise than the previous model. This means a quieter listening experience for users.
For audio quality, the AirPods Max 2 also include a new amplifier. This delivers clearer music and boosts spatial audio performance. If you want to listen to music in the highest quality, you can do so using the included USB-C cable, which supports lossless audio.
The H2 chip also enables several smart features for the AirPods Max 2. One is “Adaptive Audio,” which intelligently switches between transparency and noise-canceling modes based on your surroundings. This allows you to hear important sounds when needed while still blocking out distractions. Another useful feature is conversation awareness, which automatically lowers your music volume and increases transparency when you start talking. Live Translation also comes to the AirPods Max 2, letting you translate spoken language to and from your chosen language using your AirPods and iPhone.
Essentially, the AirPods Max 2 now offer nearly all the features found in the AirPods Pro 3, but in an over-ear design. What hasn’t changed is the price. The AirPods Max 2 still cost $549, which is considerably more expensive than most competing headphones. While the original AirPods Max had excellent sound, their outdated features and high cost made them hard to recommend in recent years.
Given that the first AirPods Max launched in 2020, these new headphones are long overdue. Many feel these updates should have arrived in 2024 when Apple only added USB-C and new colors, without changing much else.
