Ethan Cole
Apple's AirPods Max 2 are finally here, more than five years after the original launched. While the 2024 refresh added USB-C and new colors, and a firmware update brought lossless audio, a true sequel was overdue. The AirPods Max 2 deliver better sound and new capabilities, but they still carry the same old problems: they're heavy, expensive, and come with a case that offers little protection.
Priced at $549, the AirPods Max 2 sound phenomenal thanks to a new built-in amplifier, an upgrade from the H1 to the H2 chip, and noise cancellation that rivals the best from Sony and Bose. However, this is an upgrade, not a reinvention. They look identical to the first-gen model and share many of the same flaws. The H2 chip, first seen in the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022, brings features like adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and live translation. But they're still heavy, lack a power button, and the case remains awful.
Sound and Features
The 40-millimeter drivers are the same as the original, but they're now powered by an improved high dynamic range amplifier. The result is better sound. Bass is full and defined — on Billie Eilish's "bury a friend," you can hear the tonality of deep low notes instead of a muddy thud. Some might find the bass a bit heavy, but it doesn't overpower the mids and highs. Vocals and instruments are clear and present. The Max 2 also support lossless audio at 24-bit / 48kHz via USB-C to USB-C cable.
Integration into the Apple ecosystem is seamless: fast pairing, Siri interactions with head gestures, automatic device switching, and spatial audio all work smoothly. The H2 chip enables features like adaptive audio, conversation awareness, personalized volume, voice isolation, and live translation.
"Adaptive audio blends ANC and transparency to adapt to your environment while keeping you aware. It's my go-to mode on Apple headphones." — Reviewer
Adaptive audio blends ANC and transparency to adapt to your environment. Apple nails the ANC/transparency blend, and even though you can't manually adjust intensity like on Sony models, I don't miss it. Conversation awareness can be handy, though it doesn't always react quickly enough. Voice isolation works well, but call clarity wasn't quite as good as on Sony headphones.
As with other Apple headphones, connecting to a non-Apple device strips away most of the smart features. You can still toggle noise cancellation with the button, but auto switching, Siri gestures, fast pairing, spatial audio, and adaptive audio are unavailable.
Design and Build
Apart from the H2 chip and improved sound and ANC, the Max 2 are identical to the original — flaws included. They're built solidly: stainless steel headband, telescoping arms, aluminum ear cups, knit mesh canopy, and memory foam cushions. They feel more premium than the mostly plastic Sony and Bose offerings. But they're also heavy at 385 grams — the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose Ultra Headphones are around 254 grams — and the clamping force can be too much for some. I could wear them for a couple hours before feeling pressure on my head and in front of my ears, but a friend struggled to go more than 30 minutes.
Another issue Apple chose not to fix is the pathetic excuse for a case. It's really just a flexible wrap for the ear cups that puts the headphones into deep sleep. It offers virtually no protection, especially for the mesh headband. Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, and B&W all include a proper hard case with their multi-hundred-dollar headphones.
There's still no way to truly turn them off. They enter deep sleep when placed in the "case," and a full charge lasts months in that state, so it's not a major omission. Still, for peace of mind, I'd like the option.
Price and Competition
Then there's the price. Even with the general increase in headphone pricing over the past year, at $549 the AirPods Max 2 are about $100 more than the Sony XM6 and Bose Ultra Headphones at regular prices.
No doubt the AirPods Max 2 are great headphones. They sound incredible, support spatial audio, and have top-tier ANC. They're also intuitive to use with other Apple devices. If you own the first-gen Max — especially the Lightning version — the AirPods Max 2 are a worthy, albeit expensive, upgrade.
But I don't think they're the right choice for most people. The Sony XM6 and Bose Ultra are better options, especially outside the Apple ecosystem, where the Max 2 lose many of their best features. Both sound good and have excellent noise cancellation, plus better multipoint connectivity. They're also cheaper, lighter, and come with proper travel cases.
It's frustrating. With a few design tweaks and a case that actually works as a case, the Max 2 could have been the perfect Apple headphones. Instead, I'll have to wait for the AirPods Max 3.
