Apple introduces AirPods Max 2
After all of these years.
On Monday, Apple announced the new-and-improved AirPods Max 2, an upgraded version of the $550 over-ear headphones from Apple. Not only does this come at a shock because of how little attention the headphones have gotten from Apple in the past 5 years, but also because we (technically) already got a 2nd generation AirPods Max.
Back in 2024, Apple announced a refreshed model of the AirPods Max, adding USB-C for charging and better noice cancellation and Personalized Spatial Audio, along with new colors. As much backlash as this "new generation" received, it was still an update, so what is really different in this new "2nd generation" model?
Well, the new headphones got an updated H2 chip, which allows for 1.5x better noise cancellation, and Adaptive Audio. The headphones also support lossless audio over a USB-C cable, which is a nice-to-have, but not a must-have. The new AirPods Max also have the Camera Remote feature, as well as Live Translation and Conversation Awareness to aid in volume control for music during conversations and live translation.
By and large, these are all features that are trickling down from AirPods Pro, which makes the "Max" moniker all the more confusing. For $550, these headphones are still missing a lot that should be included at this price. The quality of the headphones is still great, but the $550 price tag may be a bit much. It's clear that Apple's market for high-end headphones is, and has been since 2020, essentially gone, but Apple may be trying to win them back. Apple's position for the future of AirPods Max may be to make them more ultra, and connect the Ultra brand together. This could clarify the product line and allow for more cohesion throughout their lineup.
Either way, Apple's new AirPods Max 2 are good enough headphones that modernize Apple's over-ear headphones for the first time in some time. We will have to wait and see what Apple does soon.
