A month after Apple’s AirPods Max 2 went on sale, there’s quite a bit to love, however little of it’s new, and there is not a lot cause to improve from the unique mannequin.
That is the uncomfortable fact that I got here to after spending a couple of weeks with Apple’s premium headphones. Nevertheless it additionally should not be a shock for anybody who took even a cursory look on the specs sheet.
Any second-generation product takes what the first-gen mannequin did nicely after which builds upon it. However with AirPods Max 2, Apple took the simple approach out. And it is an actual disgrace that it did.
AirPods Max 2 do enhance upon the unique mannequin, bringing some AirPods Professional options alongside for the journey. Nonetheless, too many first-gen issues persist, setting customers up for a similar frustrations.
And that is the issue right here. These consumers will spend $549 for a pair of AirPods Max 2 headphones. What they will get is nice audio, however with points that should not be there.
In case you’re purchasing for nice audio with some hanging design points, I’ve excellent news for you. There are doubtless some nice OG AirPods Max offers obtainable. You must most likely purchase these as an alternative.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: Acquainted look, acquainted errors
After I say that AirPods Max 2 look acquainted, I am not kidding. I am not even exaggerating, as a result of they’re an identical.
That even extends to the colours on provide. There are nonetheless 5 so that you can select from. And so they’re nonetheless Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and Orange.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: Area Grey and Midnight side-by-side
I have been utilizing the Midnight headphones, they usually have a barely completely different hue from my authentic Area Grey mannequin. These even have a Lightning connector, however aside from that, they’re nearly inconceivable to inform aside.
AirPods Max 2, after all, have a USB-C port for charging this time round. You may also use a USB-C to USB-C cable if you wish to get pleasure from lossless audio.
Like the unique and mid-cycle USB-C refresh, AirPods Max 2 use steel as their materials of selection. Which means they’re nonetheless heavy, weighing in at 386.2 grams or 13.6 ounces.
As somebody who is not a fan of plastic headphones, I am pleased with the steel development Apple makes use of. I additionally do not thoughts the load as a result of it provides an air of high quality to the headset.
What I do not like is Apple’s continued use of a mesh headband. It is infamous for stretching and sagging, and there is little to counsel that AirPods Max 2 consumers will not have the identical difficulty.
The excellent news is that there are aftermarket equipment that assist right here. They connect to the scarf and use one other materials to distribute the load. You will doubtless spot one on my AirPods Max in among the photographs right here.
Controls-wise, nothing has modified right here. You will discover holes for the microphone and for air motion on the left ear cup. On the appropriate, there is a USB-C port on the underside.
Up prime, Apple’s acquainted Digital Crown is used for quantity and playback controls. The remaining button is used to cycle between the lively noise cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes.
Lastly, there’s the case. It is the identical as the unique AirPods Max case and one of many most important issues I anticipated Apple to repair with this second era.
Alas, it selected to not. And this case nonetheless does nearly nothing to guard the headphones throughout transit. The highest and backside of the steel ear cups are left naked.
Sadly, the case can be the one approach to put the AirPods Max 2 to sleep. Depart them out, they usually’ll by no means slip into the deep sleep mode that preserves battery life.
Which means you may must fiddle with the case and its magnetic flap quite a bit. The dearth of a approach to sleep the headphones exterior of the case is one other difficulty I anticipated to be mounted this time round.
Once more, alas.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: The H2 makes its presence felt
One of many few locations the place Apple has tweaked issues is the usage of a brand new H2 chip. The identical chip first debuted in Apple’s AirPods Professional 2 from 2022, so it is not new know-how.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: The acquainted Good Case makes a return
It is new to Apple’s headphones, although, and brings with it some new options. Apple says the brand new chip is able to improved audio processing. However as Andrew O’Hara stated in his preliminary evaluation, you may be hard-pressed to inform the distinction.
Apple additionally says that AirPods Max 2 provide 1.5x extra lively noise cancellation than the earlier era. I can not refute the declare, however AirPods Max have been already class leaders right here, and I’ve discovered AirPods Max 2 to be simply nearly as good.
Fortunately, you’ll discover a distinction in case you use any of those new options:
- Adaptive EQ adjusts the sound based mostly on the match and seal between the ear cups and your head.
- Dwell Translation that interprets languages as somebody speaks
- Adaptive Audio that adjusts the ANC and Transparency modes based mostly on the quantity of your surroundings.
- Conversational Consciousness that lowers the quantity when somebody speaks to you and raises it after they’re achieved.
- Customized Quantity mechanically adjusts the quantity after studying your preferences.
- Head gestures so you possibly can management Siri by shaking and nodding your head.
- A Digicam Distant characteristic means you possibly can press the Digital Crown to take a photograph utilizing your iPhone.
Keep in mind that these options are additionally obtainable on AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods Professional 3. Some are even current on the entry-level AirPods 4 as nicely.
The H2 additionally handles the entire options AirPods house owners have turn out to be accustomed to. Prompt gadget pairing and switching are nonetheless current, and as welcome as ever.
Rounding out the options, Apple’s H2 helps AirPods Max 2 run for as much as 20 hours between prices, even with ANC and Spatial Audio enabled. I’ve discovered that to be an affordable expectation, they usually cost rapidly utilizing a USB-C cable.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: Apple’s audio chops shine once more
Apple is aware of how one can make nice audio. It is confirmed it with all of its most up-to-date AirPods wi-fi earbuds, and it proved it with the unique AirPods Max.
With AirPods Max 2, it is as soon as once more confirmed that few can compete with its wi-fi audio capabilities.
AirPods Max 2 sound glorious. They profit from new excessive dynamic vary amplifiers this time round, marking the one {hardware} change moreover the H2 chip.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: Apple’s best-ever headphones, identical to its final
The result’s the acquainted, wealthy AirPods Max sound. Besides, dare I say, turned as much as 11 this time round.
Music sounds heat and stuffed with physique because of a robust bass efficiency when the audio requires it. The highs could also be a bit on the brighter facet than some may like, however that is nitpicking.
With the wonderful ANC enabled, AirPods Max 2 make it straightforward to fall into an album. It envelopes you. In a desert of lackluster wi-fi headphones, AirPods Max 2 are an oasis of crisp, clear sound.
However then, so are AirPods Max. Even over 5 years after their 2020 launch, I’ve but to seek out wi-fi headphones which have bettered them.
And sure, that applies to AirPods Max 2 as nicely. They’re each inch nearly as good as AirPods Max, however higher? I’ve but to expertise it, sadly.
Rounding issues out on a extra constructive observe, AirPods Max 2’s ANC and Transparency modes do not disappoint. Once more, Apple’s headphones absolutely sit on the prime of the pile in each regards, though Sony continues to offer it a run for its cash.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: A missed alternative
As I sit right here, penning this evaluation whereas listening to AirPods Max 2, I discover myself disenchanted. Not as a result of they do not dwell as much as the unique, however as a result of Apple had such a stable basis to construct upon.
And but, it selected to not.
As nice as AirPods Max 2 sound, and as a lot as I get pleasure from listening to them, they’re nearly inconceivable to suggest.
For present AirPods Max house owners, there’s little right here to warrant spending a lot cash to improve. Not until one of many new H2-powered options calls to you, and never when the entire similar errors have been made.
They’re a neater promote to anybody contemplating AirPods Max 2 as their first Apple headphones. However you completely want to concentrate on the issues earlier than you set down your $549.
As I write this in 2026, AirPods Max 2 are doubtless the best-sounding wi-fi headphones I’ve ever worn. However whether or not they’re the most effective, general, is a more durable query to reply.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: Useful “L” and “R” markings assist orientation
At $549, they seem to be a expensive buy. They do not have an actual case to maintain them protected, and there is not any approach to flip them off. They’re additionally heavier than most individuals might be used to, and the scarf mesh will doubtless sag a lot earlier than it ought to.
In case you’re nonetheless glad to throw down $549 for AirPods Max 2 with that in thoughts, extra energy to you. You are going to get a pair of headphones that sound nice with glorious ANC to your cash.
Or you possibly can save 100 {dollars} or extra and get the unique. They’re going to sound nice.
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: Professionals
- No wi-fi headphones sound higher
- Trade-leading ANC and Transprency mode
- H2 chip provides some nice-to-have options
- Prompt pairing and gadget switching
AirPods Max 2 evaluation: Cons
- They nonetheless will not sleep exterior of the case
- Good case provides little safety
- Identical colours as last-gen mannequin
- Pricey at $549
AirPods Max 2 score: 4 out of 5
Scoring one thing like AirPods Max 2 out of 5 is tough. Scoring something out of 5 is not straightforward, however whenever you’re reviewing the successor to a earlier launch, issues get extra difficult. Within the case of AirPods Max 2, Apple has a great pair of headphones on its fingers. They sound nice, and are about as premium-feeling as these items get.
Then again, AirPods Max 2 do not enhance upon AirPods Max in ways in which I feel they need to have. The enhancements which were made are unlikely to vary the sport for many headphone consumers, too.
In selecting a rating, I’ve gone with a 4 as a result of, in isolation, AirPods Max 2 are a top quality product. If AirPods Max did not exist, they’d simply get a 4 for his or her sound and construct high quality.
In case you already personal AirPods Max, take into account the evaluation rating a 3 or 3.5, as an alternative. AirPods Max 2’s rating can be diminished by the shortage of significant enhancements to the unique’s shortcomings.
For AirPods Max house owners, there’s little, if any, cause to improve to AirPods Max 2.
The place to purchase AirPods Max 2
AirPods Max 2 are on sale now at Apple and different retailers, with Amazon and Walmart discounting the headphones barely.
You may also decide up first-gen AirPods Max with USB-C for $449 at B&H Photograph and Walmart whereas provides final.
Our AirPods Max Worth Information provides straightforward value comparability throughout in style Apple resellers as nicely.
