Apple AirPods Max 2 Review: Solid Sequel Lacks Ambition
▼ Summary
– The AirPods Max 2 are a long-overdue update that features a new H2 chip, an improved amplifier for better sound, and enhanced noise cancellation.
– They retain the same design and major flaws as the original model, including a heavy build, a poor protective case, and no physical power button.
– The headphones deliver excellent audio quality with full, defined bass and clear midrange, and they support lossless audio via a USB-C cable.
– Their deep integration with the Apple ecosystem provides features like adaptive audio and auto-switching, but these are unavailable on non-Apple devices.
– At $549, they are significantly more expensive than key competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose Ultra Headphones.
Five years after the debut of the original model, the AirPods Max 2 have finally arrived. While a 2024 refresh added USB-C and a 2025 update enabled lossless audio, this second-generation release marks the first substantial hardware revision. Priced at $549, these headphones deliver exceptional audio quality and competitive noise cancellation, but they represent a cautious evolution rather than a bold leap forward.
The core sonic experience is superb, largely due to a new high dynamic range amplifier driving the familiar 40-millimeter drivers. Bass response is full and defined, providing satisfying weight without muddying the midrange. Listening to complex orchestral pieces reveals a rich, warm soundscape where individual instruments remain clearly delineated. The H2 chip also enables support for lossless audio at 24-bit/48kHz when connected via a USB-C cable, a significant step for audiophile-grade wireless listening.
Integration with the Apple ecosystem remains a major strength. Features like fast pairing, automatic device switching, and spatial audio work seamlessly. The H2 chip unlocks newer functionalities such as adaptive audio, which intelligently blends noise cancellation and transparency modes, and conversation awareness. However, these advanced features are exclusive to Apple devices, limiting the headphones’ versatility for multi-platform users.
Despite the internal upgrades, the fundamental design and several key flaws from the first generation persist. The AirPods Max 2 are visually identical to their predecessor and share the same premium construction with stainless steel and aluminum. Unfortunately, they also retain the same 385-gram weight, which is notably heavier than rivals from Sony and Bose. The clamping force can cause discomfort during extended listening sessions for some users.
The most glaring oversight remains the inadequate case. It functions more as a protective sleeve that triggers a deep sleep mode than a true travel case, offering minimal physical protection for the headphones, especially the delicate mesh headband. Other major brands include structured cases with their premium headphones, making Apple’s continued use of this flimsy design a persistent point of criticism. Additionally, there is still no physical power button, relying instead on the automatic sleep mode when placed in the case.
For Apple loyalists with first-generation AirPods Max, particularly the Lightning model, this upgrade offers meaningful improvements in sound and features. The noise-canceling performance is top-tier, effectively rivaling the best from Sony and Bose. Yet, for the broader market, the value proposition is less clear. Competing models are significantly lighter, include proper travel cases, offer better multi-point connectivity for non-Apple devices, and cost around $100 less.
The AirPods Max 2 are excellent headphones that deliver a fantastic listening experience within Apple’s walled garden. However, their high price, substantial weight, and unchanged design shortcomings prevent them from being a universal recommendation. They feel like a solid but safe update, leaving room for a more ambitious redesign in a future iteration.
(Source: The Verge)
