After a five-year wait, AirPods Max 2 are finally available. If their redesign is not revolutionary and remains very close to those of their predecessors, they bring welcome improvements thanks to the new H2 chip hidden there.
Here is my opinion after six days of using the AirPods Max 2.
Buy AirPods Max 2: $529 (was $549)
What hasn’t changed
Before discussing what’s new, it’s essential to highlight what remains the same in the AirPods Max 2.
- The design is identical to that of previous models.
- Dimensions and weight remain the same:
- Height: 7.37 inches (187.3 mm)
- Width: 6.64 inches (168.6 mm)
- Depth: 3.28 inches (83.4 mm)
- Weight: 13.6 ounces (386.2 grams)
For my part, I’ve worn AirPods Max almost every day since their launch in December 2020. Perhaps my big head explains why their weight doesn’t bother me as much as others. Visually, I find the AirPods Max sublime. The aluminum shells integrate seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, and the stainless steel arms give a premium feel.
However, one thing is clear: if you didn’t like the fit of the first AirPods Max, you won’t like them any more this time around. Criticisms regarding weight and size have not been taken into account.
Another aspect I would have liked to see improved is the ability to fold, unlike almost every other helmet. This takes up a considerable amount of space in my backpack, and I’ve already experienced situations where the AirPods Max were the only reason my bag was too bulky to fit under the seat in front of me.
AirPods Max 2: What’s new
Here are three major hardware changes within AirPods Max:
- The H2 chip replaces the H1.
- A new wide dynamic amplifier.
- A new 5 GHz wireless chip for improved audio latency.
According to Apple, the H2 chip combined with “new computational audio algorithms” means AirPods Max 2 deliver “up to 1.5x more effective” active noise cancellation. I noticed a noticeable improvement in ANC with the AirPods Max 2 compared to the original. For example, while doing yard work at my house recently, the AirPods Max 2’s ANC almost completely blocked out the noise from machinery, unlike my old AirPods Max.
I can’t wait to test the AirPods Max 2’s ANC on my next flight. I always felt like the first AirPods Max weren’t up to the task of muffling the constant noise of airplane engines. Maybe that won’t be the case this time.
Interestingly, while ANC performance is clearly better, I think the jump between AirPods Max 1 with H1 and AirPods Max 2 with H2 is not as significant as that seen between AirPods Pro 1 and 2. This is perhaps due to the inherent differences between passive noise cancellation. offered by the in-ear design of AirPods Pro and the circum-aural design of AirPods Max.
Improvements and new features
The H2 chip brings a multitude of new features to AirPods Max 2:
- ADAPTIVE AUDIO: Automatically adjusts ANC and transparency levels depending on the environment.
- CONVERSATION AWARENESS: Reduces music volume when the user starts talking.
- LIVE TRANSLATION: helps in communication between different languages.
- VOICE ISOLATION: favors voice during calls by blocking ambient noise.
- CAMERA CONTROL: allows you to trigger a photo or video recording remotely.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO RECORDING: For creators wanting more natural sound.
- LOUD NOISE REDUCTION: Protects against loud environmental noise while preserving sound quality.
- CUSTOM VOLUME: Adjusts the sound level according to user preferences.
- INTERACTIONS WITH SIRI: Users can respond to Siri by nodding or shaking their head.
All of these features will be familiar to you if you’ve used AirPods Pro 2 or 3. However, this is the first time they have appeared in the over-ear model of AirPods Max.
The general performance and reliability improvements brought by the H2 chip are also notable. Headphones connect faster, connection stability has improved, and interactions with Siri are faster.
Regarding sound quality, although a slight improvement could be noted, it remains below expectations. I wouldn’t recommend purchasing the AirPods Max 2 solely for the supposed improved sound quality.
Our opinion
As a daily AirPods Max user, I’m happy with this review. Apple either had to update the AirPods Max or remove them from sale. Continuing to sell them at $549 with the same H1 chip since 2019 would have been a mistake for the already remarkable AirPods range.
The AirPods Max 2 do not reinvent the bar. They don’t even provide answers to the most common criticisms, such as design, comfort and price. Those who were not convinced by the old model will not change their mind with this one. On the other hand, if you were hesitant, know that they are now a better product than last week. If you were hoping for a radical overhaul, it’s time to make other choices.
For me, the AirPods Max 2 are a significant upgrade. With better ANC, support for ADAPTIVE AUDIO, and the quality of life improvements offered by the H2 chip, AirPods Max 2 meets many update expectations.
Buy AirPods Max 2: $529 (was $549)
