The AirPods Max 2 are a great sequel, but not an ambitious one.

Over five years have passed since Apple first introduced the original AirPods Max, a premium entry into the over-ear headphone market. While the initial release captivated many with its distinctive design and high-fidelity audio, subsequent years saw only incremental improvements. A minor hardware update in 2024 brought new color options and, notably, transitioned the Lightning port to USB-C, a change primarily driven by evolving EU regulations. Prior to that, a 2023 software update delivered crucial enhancements such as lossless audio support and ultra-low latency capabilities. Despite these periodic tweaks, the anticipation for a truly new iteration had been building, suggesting that a comprehensive refresh was long overdue.

A Refined Audio Experience, Not a Revolution

Priced at $549, the AirPods Max 2 certainly deliver an incredible sound experience. The core of this improvement lies in a new, more powerful built-in amplifier that drives the familiar 40-millimeter dynamic drivers. This enhancement, combined with the upgraded H2 internal chip (a leap from the original H1), elevates the audio performance significantly. The noise-canceling capabilities have also seen a noticeable improvement, now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the industry’s best offerings from rivals like Sony and Bose, providing an immersive listening environment that effectively silences distractions.

However, the narrative surrounding the AirPods Max 2 is less about a groundbreaking reinvention and more about a substantial upgrade. They maintain an identical aesthetic to their first-generation predecessors, and disappointingly, many of the original model’s criticisms persist. While the H2 chip, initially introduced with the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022, unlocks a suite of new functionalities for the Max 2, such as adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and live translation, these additions don’t mask the underlying design continuity. The headphones remain notably heavy, still lack a dedicated power button for complete shutdown, and the much-maligned Smart Case continues to offer minimal protection, leaving users yearning for a more robust solution.

Diving Deeper into Sound Performance

The 40-millimeter drivers, while physically unchanged from the original AirPods Max, are now supercharged by an improved high dynamic range amplifier. This upgrade immediately translates into a richer, more defined listening experience. The bass, for instance, is not just powerful but also boasts excellent definition. When listening to tracks with deep low frequencies, such as Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend,” the tonality of each note is discernible, avoiding the common pitfalls of boomy or muddled bass often found in lesser headphones. While some might find the bass response slightly heavy, this “low-end oomph” proved highly enjoyable across various genres, from pop and rock to intricate orchestral pieces. Crucially, this robust bass never overpowers the upper frequencies; instead, it provides a solid foundation, allowing other elements of the mix to shine.

Midrange vocals and instruments are reproduced with remarkable clarity and presence. They are easily delineated within the soundstage, never sounding recessed or overly forward. A prime example is the opening French horn in Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 2” with Emil Gilels, which sounds incredibly rich and warm, setting a beautiful stage for Gilels’ subsequent piano entry. When the full orchestra swells into the main theme, the blend of strings, woodwinds, brass, and timpani creates an enveloping soundscape that can make you forget you’re merely reviewing a product and instead just immerse yourself in the music. Furthermore, the Max 2 now supports lossless audio at 24-bit / 48kHz when connected via a USB-C-to-USB-C cable. This was a significant feature introduced in a 2023 update for the original Max (for USB-C models) but is a standard inclusion with the Max 2, ensuring high-fidelity audio for discerning listeners.

Enhanced Ecosystem Integration and Smart Features

As expected from an Apple product, the AirPods Max 2 integrate effortlessly into the Apple ecosystem. This seamless connectivity manifests in features like fast pairing, intuitive Siri interactions (including head gestures for commands), automatic switching between Apple devices, and immersive spatial audio. The H2 chip, a powerful processor that was ahead of its time when it debuted with the AirPods Pro 2, truly comes into its own here. Over the past few years, Apple has continuously expanded the functionality of devices utilizing this chip, including the AirPods Pro 3, and these advancements are now fully present in the Max 2. Key features include adaptive audio, conversation awareness, personalized volume, voice isolation, and live translation.