Apple’s AirPods Max 2 are presented as Apple’s second attempt at over-ear headphones designed to compete with market leaders like Bose and Sony. While reviewers acknowledge the product’s stellar performance, several initial design complaints persist.
The headphones maintain the look of the first model, featuring a mesh-covered headband and large aluminum earcups. The design is reported to be popular, leading to the AirPods Max being seen widely, and is noted for its metal construction which contributes to a premium, well-built feel. However, this metal construction results in a weight of 386g, making them heavier than some competitors, such as the 250g Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).
In terms of performance, the AirPods Max 2 boast great sound and top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The ANC performance was noted to be comparable to the best offered by Bose and Sony, effectively cutting out background sounds from machinery or café chatter and replacing them with silence. A significant upgrade stems from the new H2 chip, which facilitates new features, including live translation, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness, features previously available on the AirPods Pro.
The new H2 chip and an upgraded amplifier noticeably improve the sound quality compared to the original AirPods Max, while the ANC remains highly effective, noted as being better at cancelling out noise in all forms than the previous generation.
Despite these advancements, the product retains several drawbacks. Critics point out that the case remains largely unhelpful, and the absence of a physical power button is considered intensely irritating. Furthermore, while the claimed 20 hours of battery life with ANC on is reported to ring true, the actual test results indicated a drop of 10% after just over two hours at 50% volume on a Spotify playlist.
The reviewer concludes that while the AirPods Max 2 are very good and represent noticeable upgrades, they may not be the best headphones overall. Nevertheless, the headphones are expected to sell well.
Source: Trusted Reviews