Apple Just Dropped the AirPods Max 2 With Improved ANC and Translation
These bad boys are open for preorders on March 25 and have the same $549 price tag as the first gen.
The wait is finally over. After years of the original model holding down the fort, Apple has officially introduced the AirPods Max 2, which will be available to preorder on March 25. At first glance, you’ll recognize that iconic, premium silhouette - the breathable knit mesh headband and those sleek aluminum earcups haven't gone anywhere. But don’t let the familiar looks fool you; the real magic of this second generation is tucked away on the inside, transforming these from a "luxury accessory" into a more modern audio powerhouse.
Suggested Reading
Apple AirPods Max 2 | $549 | B&H Photo
Related Content
The headline upgrade is the jump from the aging H1 chip to the state-of-the-art H2 chip. If you’ve been eyeing the features of the AirPods Pro but preferred the over-ear feel, this is your moment. The H2 chip enables Adaptive Audio, which intelligently blends Transparency mode and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to match your environment in real-time. Even better, the ANC is now up to 1.5x more effective than the first generation, meaning those hums of airplane engines or office chatter fade into the background more completely than before.
For those who hated having to take their headphones off just to order a coffee, the new Conversation Awareness feature is a total game-changer. It automatically lowers your media volume and enhances the voices in front of you the moment you start speaking (but the baristas might appreciate if you take them off to order). Plus, the transition from Lightning to USB-C is now standard, finally allowing for a "one-cable-fits-all" lifestyle. This isn't just for charging, either, the USB-C connection now supports 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio, giving audiophiles the high-fidelity wired experience they've been asking for since 2020.
Ultimately, while the original AirPods Max set the standard for build quality, the AirPods Max 2 finally brings the tech up to speed. With new "quality of life" additions like Voice Isolation for crystal-clear calls and Siri head gestures (yes, you can now nod "yes" or shake your head "no" to respond to notifications), these headphones feel like a truly complete package. We have yet to see how these really compare to the first gen models, but the upgrades sound worth it.