Apple has officially unveiled AirPods Max 2, the long awaited successor to its premium over ear headphones. The new model keeps the same familiar design but adds the company’s H2 chip along with improved Active Noise Cancellation, new software features, and support for lossless audio when connected with USB-C.
And frankly, this update was overdue. Apple released the first AirPods Max back in 2020 and then proceeded to sell the same model for years at a very high price without offering a meaningful upgrade. For a company that updates most of its hardware regularly, letting a $549 pair of headphones sit unchanged for that long always felt a bit odd.
The company says the updated headphones can deliver up to 1.5 times more effective noise cancellation than the original AirPods Max. That improvement comes from the H2 chip combined with new computational audio algorithms and the existing microphone array. Apple claims this helps block out environmental sounds such as airplane engines or train noise more effectively.
Sound quality is also getting some attention. Apple says the new AirPods Max 2 include a high dynamic range amplifier that should provide cleaner audio while maintaining the overall sound signature people expect from the original model. Spatial Audio is also improved, with Apple promising better instrument separation, more consistent bass, and more natural mids and highs.
For users who want the highest quality audio possible, the headphones support 24 bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when connected using the included USB-C cable. Apple says this wired option also enables ultra low latency audio, which could be useful for music production workflows or gaming.
Apple is also bringing several features powered by its H2 chip to the new headphones. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts the balance between noise cancellation and transparency depending on the surrounding environment. Conversation Awareness lowers playback volume when the user begins speaking with someone nearby.
Another new feature is Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence. The idea is that two people speaking different languages can communicate more easily in person while wearing the headphones. Voice Isolation is also included to help make calls clearer by prioritizing the user’s voice while reducing background noise.
Apple is also targeting content creators with a few additions. AirPods Max 2 can be used for studio quality audio recording, which could appeal to podcasters, interviewers, or musicians who want a simple recording setup. The headphones can also double as a camera remote by pressing the Digital Crown to trigger photos or start and stop video recording on an iPhone or iPad.
Other features include Loud Sound Reduction to help protect hearing, Personalized Volume that adapts to listening habits over time, and new Siri interactions that allow users to respond to notifications by nodding or shaking their head.
Apple says the headphones also incorporate more recycled materials. The magnets contain 100 percent recycled rare earth elements, the ear cushions use recycled polyester, and the circuit boards include recycled gold plating and tin solder. Packaging is entirely fiber based.
AirPods Max 2 will be available to preorder starting March 25 and will begin shipping early next month. Color options include midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue. Pricing starts at $549 in the United States.
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