There are two ways to look at this. Consistency is great. Or, is this it? There’s a five-year gap between the first Apple AirPods Max and the sequel, leaving perhaps more scope for the latter question to be asked by those who might be willing to deviate from ₹That headphone is priced at Rs 67,900 which (despite all the criticism) will still set aspirational benchmarks. People would like to be seen with it, in fact they would love to be seen with it. A lot has changed with the audio hardware that drives the experience, but it’s almost impossible to tell the two generations apart at first glance.
In 2024, the Generation One Point Five update gave the AirPods Max a USB-C port in line with EU guidelines mandating universal charging aperture. Apple used that moment to add lossless audio via USB-C and ultra-low latency to the AirPods Max. But a trio of big spec upgrades have been reserved for now – a new built-in amp, the H2 audio processing chip, and changes to active noise cancellation. The latter is even more important given the window between the two generations, which has seen competition including Sennheiser and Sony seriously step up the game on noise cancellation algorithms.
What hasn’t changed is the design, including the lack of a power button and the smart case design that you still need to be careful with. The weight, at 386.2 grams, is also the same—some of you may find it a little heavy initially, before your neck muscles adjust to it over time. The positive side of that weight and heft is that its construction is very sturdy and great. This isn’t exactly something Apple will compromise on. The combination of aluminum ear cups, metal frame with continuous adjustment, and a taut mesh headband looks great in any of the five dual-tone colors. If you want to be restrained then you should choose midnight. For maximum attention, choose orange or purple colors.
The major audio upgrade from a minor upgrade a few years ago also added lossless audio when connected via USB-C, which the Lightning port didn’t have. That fundamental part allows the AirPods Max 2 to have the new H2 chips as their main step forward. Some may feel this isn’t enough for ultra-premium headphones, but it’s Apple’s method of cooking things exactly the way they think it’s perfect. And that’s pretty much the case here, with the original 40mm audio driver size (they’re custom-made drivers) paired with an improved high dynamic range amplifier, delivering a sound that will leave nothing on the table to complain about. And it also includes going a step further with noise cancellation.
Between the last generation and this one, the AirPods Max 2 make it clear from the start that music has a lot more definition, although the already wide soundstage continues without change. What was already deep has become even better, and there is no continuity attached to it. The H2 chip clearly leaves its mark in the most positive ways, not only with the audio experience, but also delivering on the promise of the Apple ecosystem. The bass is definitely higher than last year, and in a good way, with near-perfect tuning. This will be most noticeable with playlists that are leaning toward uptempo music.
The more powerful bass doesn’t intrude on the upper frequencies, and there’s a great balance that you’ll appreciate more after listening to a variety of tracks on the AirPods Max 2. That said, if you’re looking for Sony-esque booming bass that’s ready to be remixed and music on the spot, Apple’s audio tuning is too sophisticated to be able to deliver it. The midrange instruments are well detailed and find their place within the soundstage, while vocals flow through with ample clarity. For example, if you go the wired route with your iPhone or Mac, the AirPods Max 2 will support lossless audio at 24-bit/44kHz.
Referencing the ecosystem promise I mentioned earlier, the H2 chip is capable of adding one and a half times more capable noise cancellation, conversation awareness, faster noise reduction, and live translation. Especially for the noise cancellation aspect, it is on par with the flagship headphone competition. The Adaptive mode blends noise cancellation and transparency when needed to allow the user to be more aware of their surroundings, and is the ideal mode when traveling. For example, conversational awareness is important for public transportation announcements—what does it mean if the response comes in the middle of a sentence? In my book, Apple has found the perfect tuning for this balancing act, amid competition from Sony, Sennheiser, Sonos, and even Dyson.
Apple should have found an alternative to the Smart Case, which essentially wraps around the ear cups but doesn’t provide any protection to the headphones anywhere else (the mesh headband is a concern, as in a typical backpack with other items sharing the same space). And you’ll need this case to put the headphones into power saving mode, as there’s no manual way to power them off. This could also be an opportunity for an optional accessory, a hard case or something that’s a little tougher with full coverage, the way headphones bundle cases. But that hasn’t been the case for nearly six years now, and it’s unlikely that will change.
Let’s make one thing clear – there is no perfect headphone. What works for you may not work for me, and vice versa. The Apple AirPods Max 2 are really just as good to be integrated into the Apple device ecosystem (combine these with Android or Windows, and you lose a lot of smart functionality). They sound great, battery life remains the same, and the new audio processing hardware is a major improvement. By all comparison benchmarks, the AirPods Max 2 are a definite upgrade over the first-generation AirPods Max. It’s up to you to decide how far along you are in your first-generation AirPods Max journey.
