After the most intense launch week Apple has had in a long time, with the iPhone 17e, MacBook Neo, MacBook Pro and iPad Air all within a few days… there was still room for more. AirPods Max 2 are coming.
And the AirPods Max 2 appear when no one expected them at this time, and they do it with strong arguments: H2 chip, better noise reduction and all the smart features which the originals never had. The long awaited renovation has finally arrived.
AirPods Max 2 data sheet
CLUTCH | Circumural |
|---|---|
CONVERTER | A dynamic converter developed by Apple |
SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT | Cerrado |
CHIP | Apple H2 for headphones (per earbud) |
CONNECT | USB-C and Bluetooth 5.3 |
AUTONOMY | Up to 20 hours of playback |
Microphones | Nine microphones in total: Eight microphones for active noise cancellation. Three microphones for voice capture (two common with active noise cancellation and one additional) |
Features |
|
WEIGHT | 386.2 grams |
DIMENSIONS | 16.86 x 8.34 x 18.73 cm |
PRICE | 579 euros |
The leap that AirPods Max 2 has been waiting for for years
The original AirPods Max were exceptional headphones, but over time their processor was exposed. The W1 chip did not reach H2 already offered in AirPods Pro. Now, with the H2 inside, the AirPods Max 2 not only closes that gap, but also opens the door to Apple’s entire catalog of smart features that, until today, were exclusive to other AirPods models like the Pro 3, Pro 2, and AirPods 4.
Adaptive audio, enhanced Hi-Fi sound, real-time translation and speech detection. All features that the AirPods Max didn’t have. I with its price of 579 eurosthey could not afford it. Now with AirPods Max 2, they are on par with their brothers.
Noise cancellation takes another step forward in AirPods Max 2
The star of the ad is active noise cancellation. With new digital signal processing algorithms optimized for the H2, lAirPods Max 2 promise 1.5 times more effective noise cancellation than the previous generation. In practice, this translates into airplane engines, commuter trains, and city noise disappearing louder.
Transparency mode is also getting better. Apple notes that this sounds more natural than before, which has historically been harder to achieve in on-ear headphones. We can confirm this once we have them, but on paper the jump is interesting.
The color and design of AirPods Max are identical to the previous model
AirPods Max 2 with clearer sound
AirPods Max 2 include a new amplifier with high dynamic range which Apple describes as being able to deliver clearer sound without compromising the sound signature of the original model. Spatial Audio also improves instrument localization, providing a more consistent bass response and more natural mids and highs.
These are the only helmets that allow it cthe rear and mix in Custom Spatial Audio with Head Tracking in Logic Pro. Latency has also been improved, directly benefiting players using Game Mode on iOS, macOS, or iPadOS.
AirPods Max 2 lacks smart features
H2 suddenly unlocks everything that users of the original AirPods Max could never have. Adaptive Audio automatically controls the level of noise cancellation based on the environment. Speech detection lowers the volume as soon as it detects that you are speaking.
And then there is Real-time translation is perhaps the most striking. Supports ten languages including Spanish, English, French, German, Japanese and Chinese. Of course, this requires an Apple Intelligence compatible iPhone with iOS 26.
AirPods Max 2 price and availability
AirPods Max 2 can be reserved at from March 25 in five colors: blue, purple, midnight, star-white and orange. Same as the previous generation when they switched to a USB-C connection. Availability comes in early April at a price of 579 euros.
A question many will ask when Apple took into account that the competition (especially Sony and Bose) has improved significantly in the last five years. What’s undeniable is that while the originals sounded good with older gear, it’s worth analyzing what the H2 can do in this design.
Of course, the price remains the same.. And after a few weeks with much more affordable products and prices, it was interesting to see the AirPods Max at €579 and the MacBook Neo at €699. Although they say that music tames beasts…and wallets, apparently.
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