AirPods Max 2: First reviews at a glance

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The AirPods Max 2 officially go on sale tomorrow. Shortly before the launch, numerous media outlets have published their detailed reviews. The general consensus: A long overdue but successful update – with clear strengths and familiar weaknesses.

After more than five years without a true update, Apple has introduced the AirPods Max 2, a successor model that remains externally unchanged but boasts a whole host of improvements under the hood. The new H2 chip, a redesigned amplifier, and numerous software features provide a significant modernization. Test reports paint a largely unanimous picture: The AirPods Max 2 sound better, offer improved noise cancellation, and finally catch up functionally with the AirPods Pro 3. At the same time, criticism of the unchanged design persists.

Those interested in the technical innovations in detail can find a separate article on apfelpatient.de. We have also compiled a complete comparison with the first generation as well as an overview of what has remained the same.

Sound: Noticeably better, especially via USB-C

One of the most important aspects of premium headphones is sound quality – and initial tests have been overwhelmingly positive. Tom's Guide describes the AirPods Max 2 as the best-sounding Bluetooth headphones they have ever tested. The sound is described as rich, detailed, and fun all at once. The separation between highs, mids, and lows is particularly praised.

MacRumors confirms this impression, describing improved instrument separation and a more powerful, but not overpowering, bass. Those who pay attention to the mix of music will immediately notice the leap in quality. The difference is clearly audible in direct comparison to the first-generation AirPods Max.

CNN Underscored directly compared the AirPods Max 2 to the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2, finding that Apple's performance in the highs and mids was on par. However, the testers preferred the warmer sound of the Sony and Bose in the bass range. On the other hand, the AirPods Max 2 offered a wider soundstage with more space for individual elements.

USB-C supports lossless audio at 24-bit/48kHz. According to several reviewers, the wired mode sounds significantly better than Bluetooth playback. 9to5Mac emphasizes that the switch from Lightning to USB-C is a major advantage, especially for owners of the original version.

Active Noise Cancellation: Significantly improved

Apple advertises the ANC of the AirPods Max 2 as being up to 1.5 times more effective than its predecessor. Test reports confirm a noticeable improvement, although the exact extent is difficult to quantify.

9to5Mac reports that while gardening around the house, the AirPods Max 2 blocked almost all machine noise, whereas the predecessor still allowed the noise to pass through noticeably. The reviewer is looking forward to testing the headphones on an airplane, as the original version showed weaknesses, particularly with the constant drone of the engines.

CNN Underscored conducted particularly extensive testing of the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) on the New York subway. The tester directly compared the AirPods Max 2 with their predecessor: With the first generation, conversations from several rows away were still perfectly audible. With the AirPods Max 2, only indistinct murmurs were perceptible – a clear improvement.

Engadget and AppleInsider also confirm the improvement. However, AppleInsider notes that the new features essentially just add to what the AirPods Pro 3 have offered for some time. While this is generally welcome, it's not truly new.

Adaptive audio and intelligent features

The H2 chip brings all the modern AirPods features to over-ear headphones for the first time. These include Adaptive Audio, conversation detection, voice isolation, personalized volume, Siri gestures via head nod, and live translation.

9to5Mac highlights Adaptive Audio as the most important new feature for everyday use. This function automatically adjusts the balance between noise cancellation and transparency mode to the environment. This is precisely the feature the reviewer missed most when wearing the original AirPods Max instead of the AirPods Pro 3.

CNN Underscored tested the live translation with a Spanish-speaking colleague who spoke a Caribbean dialect. The tester was surprised by how fast and accurate the translation was – the colleague gave it a 99 percent accuracy rating.

Engadget points out that while conversation detection works well, it can occasionally be triggered by unintentional noises. Users who dislike the automatic volume adjustments can disable the feature.

One drawback: The health features of the AirPods Pro 3 – including the hearing test and the hearing aid function – are missing from the AirPods Max 2. According to Engadget, this is because the ear cushions of the over-ear headphones do not seal the ear as tightly as the silicone tips of the AirPods Pro.

Design: No changes – and that's polarizing

The biggest criticism in almost all reviews is the completely unchanged design. Weight, dimensions, materials, and construction are identical to the first generation. The AirPods Max 2 still weigh around 385 grams, making them among the heaviest over-ear headphones on the market.

9to5Mac criticizes in particular the fact that the AirPods Max are not foldable. On flights, they take up a disproportionate amount of space in a backpack. MacRumors summarizes that Apple has not addressed any of the common design criticisms – neither regarding the weight, nor the case, nor the lack of a power button.

The Smart Case remains unchanged and is consistently cited as a weak point by reviewers. AppleInsider describes it as minimalist but in need of improvement. What Hi-Fi had already criticized the case on the original model and notes that nothing has changed.

Several reviewers, however, praised the build quality. AppleInsider highlighted the aluminum earcups and stainless steel headband as premium materials that show no signs of wear even after years of use. Tom's Guide commended the design as still elegant and high-quality.

Battery life: Unchanged at 20 hours

Battery life remains at 20 hours with noise cancellation activated – a figure unchanged since the first generation. Compared to the competition, this is now significantly lower. The Sony WH-1000XM6 offer 30 hours, and the Nothing Headphone (a) even 75 hours with ANC.

Tom's Guide reports that the tester listened for approximately 25 hours over seven days and had to recharge the headphones twice. Whether the more efficient H2 chip would theoretically have allowed for longer battery life remains unclear – Apple appears to have invested the savings in increased processing power.

Comparison with the Competition

Several reviews directly compare the AirPods Max 2 with its main competitors, the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2.

CNN Underscored rates the AirPods Max 2 as being on par with Sony and Bose in terms of sound and ANC, but notes that Apple is slightly more restrained with the bass. Their strength lies in the wider soundstage and better integration with the Apple ecosystem. Tom's Guide goes even further, calling the AirPods Max 2 the best overall over-ear headphones in terms of sound – rich, bass-heavy, detailed, and clean all at once.

Trusted Reviews points out that the Sony WH-1000XM6 is significantly cheaper at €399 and also lighter (254g vs. 386g) and foldable. For Android users or buyers without a strong Apple connection, Sony remains the more rational choice.

Phone quality and recording

Microphone quality during phone calls has been described as significantly improved in several tests. AppleInsider tested voice recording in a noisy restaurant and was impressed with the quality when voice isolation was enabled. Callers on the other end also reported that the voice was clear and easily understood.

Engadget highlights the new feature for studio-quality audio recording. This could make the AirPods Max 2 a particularly useful tool for podcasters and content creators. Combined with the camera remote control via the Digital Crown, this opens up even more possibilities for creative professionals.

AirPods Max 2: A successful update with known weaknesses

The overall impression from the reviews is predominantly positive. The AirPods Max 2 deliver better sound, noticeably improved noise cancellation, and with features like Adaptive Audio, live translation, and voice isolation, they finally catch up to the AirPods Pro 3.

At the same time, the familiar weaknesses remain: the high weight, the unchanged Smart Case, the lack of a foldable design, and the stagnant 20-hour battery life. Several reviewers describe the AirPods Max 2 as an upgrade that will primarily appeal to those who either own the original 2020 version or are entering the over-ear headphone market from Apple for the first time.

Tom's Guide awards the highest praise, calling the AirPods Max 2 the best over-ear headphones in its current test field. MacRumors sees it as an overall disappointing update because Apple didn't change the design – but the sound and ANC are fantastic. Engadget sums it up as the title already suggests: Better late than never.

The AirPods Max 2 will be available starting tomorrow, April 1st, in five colors for €579. If you're still undecided, you can find all the relevant information in our comprehensive AirPods Max 2 buying guide. The headphones are available in the Apple Online Store and from retailers such as Amazon. (Image: Apple)