For a surprise, this is a surprise! 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 that equips the AirPods Pro 2 and subsequent models. Thanks to it, features such as adaptive audio, conversation detection, and instant translation finally make their appearance on the headset.
Here are all the new features available on the AirPods Max 2:
- adaptive audio (combines active noise cancellation and Transparency mode to control the noise level based on changing sound conditions in 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;
- customizable volume;
- reduction of loud sounds (automatically attenuates loud ambient noises while preserving audio quality);
- camera toggle;
- head gestures (nodding for “yes” or shaking side to side for “no”).
The H2 chip is also used to enhance other essential aspects of the product. The AirPods Max 2 is said to have 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, the director of product marketing for audio. The AirPods Max 2 integrates 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 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio when connected to a source via USB-C cable (a cable is provided). The Bluetooth connection, on the other hand, is upgraded from version 5.0 to 5.3.
As for the rest, Apple does not announce any changes. It’s a shame, as some flaws would have deserved to be corrected. The canopy tends to loosen over time, the Smart Case is quite ridiculous, and condensation can 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 starting on 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 also remain the same: blue, purple, midnight, starlight, and orange.
