More than five years after the launch of the Original AirPods MaxApple presents its second real generation of these over-ear headphones. The most important novelty is the arrival of H2 chipthe same one that has already equipped the AirPods Pro 2 since 2022, which allows the incorporation of functions that the original Max had not been able to offer for years. It is not a design revolution – the exterior is practically identical to the 2024 USB-C model – but a technological update that some will consider late.
The internal leap is considerable, at least on paper: until 1.5 times more active noise cancellation than the first generation, a new high dynamic range amplifier and a renewed list of features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation DetectionReal Time Translation, Voice Isolation and Siri interactions using head gestures. Many of these features have long been available in other cheaper AirPods, so the Max 2 basically matches the rest of its own range, without surpassing it.
What has not changed in its renewal
The aluminum and stainless steel construction remainswith its breathable mesh pads and digital crown to control the volume. The autonomy reaches 20 hours with active cancellation, a solid figure compared to the competition. USB-C connection enables lossless audio to 24 bits and 48 kHzsomething exclusive to these helmets within the Apple ecosystem. What has not improved is the Smart Case: it is still that minimalist case that protects the pads but leaves the headband exposed, a solution that is difficult to defend in a product in this price category.
The exterior hasn't changed either, which depending on how you look at it speaks of design coherence odand shortage of ideas. Apple has added five new colors – Midnight, Star White, Blue, Purple and Orange – as the only aesthetic concession.
Apple AirPods Max 2 technical sheet
- Chip: Apple H2 (on each earbud)
- Noise cancellation: Active ANC, up to 1.5x more efficient than the previous generation
- Audio: Apple-designed dynamic transducer; high dynamic range amplifier; 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio over USB-C; custom spatial audio with head tracking
- Microphones: 9 in total (8 for ANC, 3 for voice)
- Sensors: Optical, position, case detection, accelerometer, gyroscope
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3; USB-C (audio and charging)
- Autonomy: Up to 20 hours with ANC active
- Features: Adaptive Audio, Conversation Detection, Voice Isolation, Real-Time Translation, Custom Volume, Siri head gesture interactions, Ambient Sound Mode
- Dimensions: 168.6 × 187.3 × 83.4mm 386.2g
- Colors: Midnight, Star White, Blue, Purple, Orange
- Box contents: AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C cable
- Availability: Orders from March 25; available at the beginning of April
- Price: €579 (Spain)
Price and competition
In Spain, the AirPods Max 2 are sold for 579 euros, compared to $549 in the United States. The Orders open March 25 and actual availability is scheduled for early April. It is a price that clearly places them as a luxury product within the Apple ecosystem, without pretensions of being a generalist option.
Meanwhile, the competition has continued to advance. The Sony WH-1000XM6 They offer potentially better noise cancellation, weigh less, and cost significantly less. For users outside the Apple ecosystem, the decision is simple. For those who live between iPhone, Mac and iPad, the Max 2 has real advantages: custom spatial audio with head tracking via USB-C cable is unique on the market, and the integration with Apple remains difficult to match. The price, however, leaves little room for doubt: at almost 580 euros, whoever buys these helmets knows exactly why they choose them, and it is not precisely because of the quality-price ratio.
