Pour a surprise, it’s a surprise indeed! Apple announces the AirPods Max 2, a significant revision of its audio headset. According to Apple, the AirPods Max 2 benefits from even more powerful active noise cancellation, superior sound quality, and new features.
This new generation actually fills a gap left by the USB-C model launched in 2024: the H1 chip is finally replaced by the H2, the same one found in the AirPods Pro 2 and subsequent models. Thanks to this change, features such as adaptive audio, conversation detection, and instant translation are finally available on the headset.
Here are all the new functions available on the AirPods Max 2:
– Adaptive audio (combines active noise cancellation and Transparency mode to control the noise level based on changes in the sound conditions of the environment); – Conversation detection (when you start talking, the volume of multimedia content decreases and the voices of people nearby are amplified); – Live translation; – Voice isolation; – Custom volume; – Reduction of loud sounds (automatically reduces loud ambient noises while preserving audio quality); – Device control via head gestures (nod your head to say ‘yes’ or shake it from side to side to say ‘no’).
The H2 chip also contributes to improving other essential aspects of the product. The AirPods Max 2 is said to have an active noise cancellation up to 1.5 times more effective than the original model. And thanks to a new digital signal processing algorithm optimized for the H2, the Transparency mode would offer a more natural sound.
“The sound quality is remarkably clear, rich, and detailed. Combined with features like personalized spatial audio, it offers a deeply immersive experience,” says Eric Treski, director of audio product marketing. The AirPods Max 2 incorporates a new extended dynamic range amplifier for a more ‘pure’ sound.
Like the first-generation AirPods Max in USB-C version, this new model supports lossless 24-bit/48 kHz audio when connected to a source via USB-C cable (a cable is provided). The Bluetooth connection, on the other hand, goes from version 5.0 to 5.3.
Regarding the rest, Apple does not announce any changes. This is a pity, as some faults would have deserved to be corrected. The canopy tends to loosen over time, the Smart Case is quite ridiculous, and condensation may form inside the earphones. The design is really identical to the previous generation, as confirmed by the unchanged dimensions (187 x 168 x 83 mm) and weight (386 g). The announced battery life with active noise cancellation also remains limited to 20 hours, far from what some Sony or Bose headphones offer.
The AirPods Max 2 will be available for pre-order from Wednesday, March 25 for an early April release. The price remains at $579, making it still one of the most expensive headphones in its category. The color options remain the same: blue, purple, midnight, starlight, and orange.
