Apple has announced AirPods Max 2, the second generation of its over-ear headphones, powered by the H2 chip first introduced in AirPods Pro 2. Orders open March 25 at $549, with availability beginning early April. The headphones come in midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue.
Improved Noise Cancellation and Transparency
The H2 chip enables ANC that Apple claims is up to 1.5x more effective than the first-generation AirPods Max. A new digital signal processing algorithm also improves transparency mode, which Apple says now sounds more natural when passing through environmental audio.
Improved Audio Quality and Lossless Support
AirPods Max 2 include a new high-dynamic-range amplifier. When connected via the included USB-C cable, the headphones support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio. Apple states this makes them the only headphones that allow musicians to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking inside Logic Pro and compatible apps.
Wireless audio latency has also been reduced, with Apple noting improvements for Game Mode on iOS, macOS, and iPadOS.
New Intelligent and AI-Powered Features
Several capabilities from AirPods Pro 2 come to AirPods Max for the first time with this generation:
- Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts ANC and Transparency levels based on the surrounding environment
- Conversation Awareness lowers media volume when the user begins speaking to someone nearby
- Voice Isolation filters out ambient noise during calls using H2 computational audio
- Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, enables real-time in-person translation across languages
- Camera Remote allows users to trigger the iPhone or iPad camera shutter and start or stop video recording by pressing the Digital Crown
Additional features include Loud Sound Reduction, Personalized Volume, and Siri head-gesture responses.
Pricing and Availability
AirPods Max 2 start at $549 in the United States and are available to order from March 25 through apple.com and the Apple Store app, with in-store availability and deliveries beginning early April in more than 30 countries.
AppleCare+ coverage is available for the headphones. New subscribers may also receive three months of Apple Music at no cost with purchase.
AirPods Max 2 For Apple Buyers
Apple focuses on refining the AirPods rather than redesigning them.
With better ANC, improved sound, and smarter features, Apple is aiming to keep its high-end headphones competitive, especially for users who want a mix of premium audio, smart features, and creative tools in one device.
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