Apple AirPods Max 2 Review: Iterative Upgrade with iOS Integration

Apple released the AirPods Max 2 at $549, an iterative update to the 2020 original. The design remains identical, with milled aluminum casing, magnetic ear cups, and mesh headband. Key hardware changes include USB-C charging and the new H2 chip. Software upgrades from the AirPods Pro 3 are now included: Siri, Live Translation, head-based gestures, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Personalized Spatial Audio. Noise cancellation blocks about 80% of propeller noise. Bluetooth upgraded from 5.0 to 5.3 for better stability. Battery life is approximately 20 hours with active listening, notably less than competitors like Sony WH-1000XM6 (30 hours). There is still no power-off button; headphones enter low power mode after 5 minutes but drain continuously. Sound quality is praised for deep bass and clear highs, though no manual EQ is available. The case remains the same soft magnetic design. The reviewer notes that owners of the original AirPods Max do not need to upgrade, but for iPhone users, these are the best over-ear option.