Apple’s over-ear headphones now offer enhanced sound and additional features, but they remain hefty and costly.
Five years after the original AirPods Max release, Apple’s new $549 AirPods Max 2 boasts remarkable sound quality, thanks to a new built-in amplifier and H2 chip upgrade. These headphones match the noise-canceling prowess of competitors like Sony and Bose.
However, the AirPods Max 2 is more an upgrade than a redesign. They closely resemble the first-gen model and share similar drawbacks. The H2 chip, introduced with the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022, introduces features like adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and live translation. Despite new capabilities, they are still heavy, lack a power button, and have an inadequate case.
Their 40-millimeter drivers, paired with a high dynamic range amplifier, deliver improved sound. Bass is rich and defined, enhancing music without overshadowing mid and high frequencies. They also support lossless audio at 24-bit/48kHz with a USB-C cable.
Integrating seamlessly with Apple products, the AirPods Max 2 offer fast pairing, Siri interactions, and spatial audio. The H2 chip powers adaptive audio, voice isolation, and live translation, among other features.
Adaptive audio blends ANC and transparency for optimal listening but lacks manual intensity adjustment. Conversation awareness can be slow, and voice isolation during calls isn’t as clear as Sony headphones.
Non-Apple devices lose several features, like Siri gestures and spatial audio, though noise cancellation toggles remain accessible.
Despite the improvements, existing problems persist. At 385 grams, they’re heavier than rivals like Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and Bose Ultra, and their clamping force could be uncomfortable for some users. Their case still provides minimal protection.
The lack of a true power-off button is another issue, although the deep sleep mode conserves battery efficiently.
Priced at $549, the AirPods Max 2 are about $100 costlier than Sony and Bose counterparts but offer excellent sound and ANC within the Apple ecosystem.
For most users, Sony XM6 and Bose Ultra are superior choices, offering good sound, robust noise cancellation, better multipoint connections, and quality travel cases at a lower price.
Substantial design tweaks and a proper case could have made the Max 2 exemplary Apple headphones, leaving enthusiasts hoping for improvements in future iterations.
Photography by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge