Apple introduces new headphones, or do they?
The AirPods Max 2 mark the first significant update to Apple’s sole over-the-ear headphones since their debut in 2020; the 2024 revision merely swapped the Lightning port for USB-C, retaining the AirPods Max name.
Now, the AirPods Max 2 have arrived, but with limited upgrades. After a week of testing, here’s my evaluation.
Design, colors, battery life: Unchanged
Lumping these elements together feels warranted here: there’s been no change. The design, weight, and dimensions are identical, as are the color options: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange.
I’ve compared my older Midnight USB-C AirPods Max to the new Blue ones sent by Apple. It’s impossible to visually distinguish the models despite the two-year difference.
Design-wise, the sleek and comfortable appearance remains appealing, and I have no critiques for the physical controls on the right earcup.
Some users find the 386.2-gram AirPods Max heavy; they’re considerably bulkier than Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra, which are about 130 grams lighter. The weight doesn’t bother me, but potential buyers should note the lack of weight reduction from the original model.
However, the requirement to fully fold the AirPods Max inwards poses a high risk of earcup abrasion, necessitating Apple’s less-than-stellar Smart Case for protection.
The Blue variant, more silver than actual blue, is attention-grabbing compared to the subtler Midnight. It’s surprising that no new colors were introduced. Battery life remains at 20 hours with no discernible changes.
Unchanged Sound Quality
The AirPods Max 2 maintain the sound quality of their predecessors, despite the new H2 chip claimed to enhance it. The sound is broad and detailed, with pronounced bass and treble but a slightly subdued mid-range. Adjusting settings on iPhone improves the mid-range presence.
Comparative listening through wired and wireless setups showed no audible difference between the new and old models, though noise canceling has seen improvements.
Improved Noise Cancellation and Software Features
The new AirPods Max 2 have improved noise cancellation, being more adept at adapting to environmental noise. However, they still don’t match the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds in noise-canceling performance.
With the H2 chip, the AirPods Max 2 now offer several advanced features such as Adaptive Audio and Personalized Volume, previously available in the AirPods Pro 3, providing a customizable listening experience.
Great but Not Revolutionary
The AirPods Max 2 remain a premium choice for dedicated Apple users, offering good sound quality and excellent integration with Apple devices. However, they present minimal upgrades over the original model, with the H2 chip being the principal advancement.
Without a reduction in the $549 price and significant advancements, the AirPods Max 2 are best suited for first-time buyers of Apple over-the-ear headphones. Existing users won’t find enough reasons to upgrade, and those seeking optimal noise cancellation might consider the AirPods Pro 3 instead.