AirPods Max 2 evaluation: Apple’s new wi-fi headphones sound like a success

Apple has had a busy begin to 2026. The tech big has already launched spectacular new merchandise, together with the extra wallet-friendly iPhone 17e, quicker M5-powered iPad Air and a £599 laptop computer referred to as the MacBook Neo. However the US expertise big is not stopping there.

There’s now a giant refresh to its AirPods Max over-ear headphones that sounds fairly spectacular. Though issues look an identical on the surface, there’s loads of upgrades occurring inside, because of the most recent H2 chip being popped underneath the colorful aluminium earcups.

This increase guarantees to carry a swathe of sensible options to the Max, together with Adaptive Audio, Dialog Consciousness and Dwell Translation for these instances once you head overseas and do not perceive the native lingo.

So, are they any good and must you actually splash out a whopping £499 to personal a pair?

I have been attempting out these new premium cans forward of their official launch subsequent month, and there isn’t any query that the Max are one other actually nice pair of headphones.

Because of a brand new high-dynamic vary amplifier and improved Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC), you get a fair higher audio expertise than the earlier AirPods Max, which have been refreshed in 2024. These have been already thought to be a few of the greatest music makers within the enterprise, however the Max 2 takes issues as much as 11.

Out of the field, they take seconds to arrange because of Apple’s quick pairing expertise, and as soon as seamlessly related to my iPhone, the sound expertise is totally faultless.

All of my playlists and totally different genres of music have been loved in super-rich element, final readability and with loads of bass. The Max 2 are whole pleasure and simply nearly as good as different top-rated headphones – resembling Bowers & Wilkins Px8 – I’ve examined over the previous 12 months.

Because of the H2 chip, the upgraded ANC now blocks out extra background noise than earlier than. That is important for anybody who needs to listen to music on trains, planes or in bustling cafes with out the din of life getting in the way in which.

Placing the previous Max and new Max 2 to a background noise check, there isn’t any query that Apple has improved issues with the most recent headphones doing a a lot better job of chopping out sounds you do not wish to hear.

For these wanting the last word listening expertise, AirPods Max 2 additionally help 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio by way of USB-C, so you’ll be able to hear music the way in which artists supposed. One other audio bonus is the extra bandwidth of H2. This allows the next-generation Adaptive EQ algorithm, which extra precisely optimises the listening expertise and adapts settings for various head and ear shapes.

In fact, the brand new Max 2 additionally get Apple’s sensible Spatial Audio tech with dynamic head monitoring. This makes listening to music, watching motion pictures and enjoying video games really feel much more immersive with sound hitting ears from all instructions.

This replace is not nearly audio high quality because it additionally provides a swathe of helpful upgrades to Apple’s premium over-ear cans. Firstly, there’s Voice Isolation, which undoubtedly helps when making calls because it’s capable of improve your voice while considerably lowering background noise.

Personalised Quantity learns your listening preferences over time and robotically adjusts the media quantity to swimsuit each preferences and the atmosphere.

One other bonus is Dwell Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, which now involves AirPods Max.

Lastly, you should utilize the Digital Crown on the aluminium case to snap pictures or video by way of the Digital camera Distant perform.

Speaking of that Digital Crown, I am nonetheless a giant fan of this tactile dial because it gives a a lot simpler method to management the quantity with out annoying contact controls discovered on some rival headphones.

The AirPods Max 2 are glorious, however I do have some niggles.

There is not any design change in 2026 – even the colors keep the identical because the 2024 refresh that added USB-C charging.

Clearly, if it ain’t broke, do not repair it, and there is nothing flawed with the way in which they give the impression of being. The Max 2 are additionally supremely snug and really feel tremendous premium in your head. That stated, it could have been good to see some delicate adjustments, new colors or a refresh that separates the previous from the brand new.

One other concern is that Apple hasn’t modified the much-criticised “purse” case, which gives little safety when shoving them in a backpack.

Each new pair of cans I’ve just lately tried include a tough case that covers the entire product. It is a unusual determination to not change that smary case. The one bonus is a intelligent ultra-low energy mode which preserves battery life for months as soon as the headphones are popped inside.

Lastly, there’s the value. The AirPods Max 2 value £499. It is some huge cash particularly when there are such a lot of rivals that supply top-notch audio at a decrease value.

For instance, you’ll be able to seize the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 or Sony’s WH-100XM6 for £329 – that is over £150 much less.

So, must you purchase them?

I’ve beloved each minute of utilizing the brand new AirPods Max 2 and that is one other sensible replace from Apple. They sound nice, the ANC is unimaginable, and the intelligent upgrades – resembling Dwell Translation and Dialog Consciousness – are genuinely helpful.

Simply remember that they do not look any totally different from earlier than, and there are a lot of cheaper choices out there.