Apr 01, 2026
3 min read
Six years after the release of the first AirPods Max, Apple finally announced the true evolution of the AirPods Max 2. But does the integration of the H2 chip as the only change risk leaving this model with the impression of déjà vu?
|Construction ||
|Fun |Circumstantial |
|Poids |387 g |
|Connection |USB-C |
|Removable pads |Jo |
|Protective cover provided |Yes |
|User Experience||
|Connexion sans-fil |Bluetooth |
|Bluetooth Multipoint |Mitte |
|Supported Bluetooth Codecs |AAC, SBC |
|Application |iOS |
|Protection ||
|Active noise reduction |Yes |
|Environment Listening |Yes |
|Hands-free equipment ||
|Hands-free set |yes |
Six years after the first AirPods Max, Apple has finally announced a real breakthrough with the AirPods Max 2.But with the introduction of the H2 chip as the only change, isn't this model in danger of leaving a feeling of déjà vu?
When you know that the AirPods Max launched in 2024 differed only with the USB-C connector, the AirPods Max 2 is the first real renewal of Apple's range of headphones.
Although it is a complete product on paper, its structure remains unchanged compared to the first model of the factory in 2020. It keeps the same design, the same transducers, the same microphones, the same battery, etc. The only change is the integration of the current well-established H2 chip, which replaces the old H1.In fact, this model is not less than AirPods Pro 3 in the body of the headphones.
Beyond influencing parameters such as sound reproduction, active isolation and call quality, above all this chip allows AirPods Max 2 to benefit from the current features of the Apple ecosystem.So, given the apparently alarming development, aren't we facing a simple update?
The AirPods Max 2 goes on sale in March 2026 for € 579 at midnight and is available in blue, purple and orange stars.
AirPods Max 2 in version 8E246 tested with an iPhone running iOS 26.4.
For the second version of its iconic Bluetooth headphones, we would have praised Apple for opting for the revised design, albeit in few details.
In fact, the AirPods Max 2 is not without its drawbacks.Their non-folding nature interferes with their practical strength during travel, while their fabric headbands are fragile, sensitive to fading, and tend to loosen slowly over time.If the headphones are rotated 90°, we can criticize the rather unpleasant rest on the neck due to their generosity.
Whether we agree with its design or not, we have to admit that the build quality is still exemplary, even six years after the first version.The all-premium AirPods Max 2 are flawlessly built, and the almost exclusive use of aluminum gives it a durable feel.We also appreciate the magnetic panels, which are very easy to replace, which is a rarity in this price range.
Furthermore, Apple could have taken advantage of this innovation to provide an actual cover, instead of repeating the Smart Case that only covers the shell.For a helmet at this price point, we have a right to expect an opaque storage method, which provides protection from impacts and dust.
AirPods Max 2 has the same construction and material and offers the same comfort as always.Along with good weight distribution, the mesh material headband and cushions are very pleasant to the touch and don't cause too much pressure or pinching effect while providing very good support.
We also raved about their breathable nature and the generous space left in the ears compared to the faux leather used by most helmets on the market.
As with the design in general, we regret that Apple did not take into account criticism about its weight.With 387 g on the scale, the AirPods Max 2 remain among the heaviest headphones on the market, far from the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2) headphones, whose weight does not exceed 250 g.For this reason, people try to forget the helmet when traveling, especially during long walks.If the headband is too tight, since no solid element is in contact with the top of the skull, this feeling of heaviness is attributed to the metal shells.
Free from a complicated user interface, the two physical controls on AirPods Max 2 provide pleasant and intuitive control right out of the box, even for beginners.The large knob offers isolation mode control and Bluetooth pairing, while the Digital Crown wheel lets you control playback, adjust volume, move between tracks and take calls.
The latter now lets you remotely trigger a photo or video while the iOS camera app is open, which is the only new feature compared to the first-generation AirPods Max.
We can always regret the absence of a dedicated button to turn off the headset manually, this lack is even more damaging because the automatic standby system is only activated once the headset is placed inside.If you want to maintain your autonomy as much as possible, having a smart suitcase with you will be essential.
The AirPods Max 2 are upgraded from a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver to 5.3.Unfortunately, this development doesn't spoil the experience in any way, as the headphones still ignore any form of lossless wireless streaming, settling for simple AAC and SBC codecs.Measured at 175 ms, the latency is quite limited, but it is still too high to not notice any audiovisual delay in the game content.
As always, Apple keeps the functionality basic for its environment.So, there is no need to rely on fast connection, multi-point connection or even using port sensors when using AirPods Max 2 under Android.On the other hand, with one or more iPhones, the connection is very smooth.
Like its older brother after the update in 2025, the AirPods Max 2 allows audio playback with a cable via its USB-C port.Knowing that this is the only way to benefit from the refund without losses and delays, the option is noticeable.
Note that this connection works on Android and with any USB-C to USB-C cable.On the other hand, for sources equipped with a 3.5 mm mini-jack output, only a proprietary cable costing €45 will do.
The integration of the H2 chip represents the only development of the AirPods Max 2 hardware. In addition to the excess computing power that acts on other parameters, it primarily enables the inheritance of the modern functionality of the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2. For comparison, limited to the adjustment of the controllers, the original configuration of AirPods and audio devices AirPods.goli is visible today.
The main contribution concerns the adaptive ANC, which analyzes the environment in real time to automatically adjust the isolation.In practice, it is more convincing than the competitors thanks to the slider which favors the maximum level of noise reduction or transparency according to needs.Active volume reduction in transparency mode reduces sudden noises and responsiveness is comparable to AirPods Pro 3.
Other typical Apple functions appear, such as conversation detection and adaptive volume, which lowers the volume during the exchange and adapts it to the surrounding noise.We also find call control using head gestures, as well as direct translation through the headset microphones.
In the absence of a dedicated app in the Google Play Store, AirPods Max 2 is obviously not configurable under Android, integrated directly into the iOS Settings app, so it must develop in the Apple ecosystem to take full advantage.
Considering the acoustic space and unchanged transducers, the evolution of the AirPods Max 2 sound is based on a new "dynamic range amplifier" and an increase in the computing power of the H2 chip, which will greatly influence the efficiency of adaptive equalization.adjustment.
Unsurprisingly, the sound balance of the AirPods Max 2 remains very close to that of its predecessor, with just the edges of the spectrum pushed back a bit.The headphones have a pleasant yet controlled character that highlights clarity and level of detail without overdoing it.
Where the first AirPods Max took a more measured approach to bass than Sony and Bose, the AirPods Max 2 fine-tunes the balance between impact and depth.The included drum hits are a little lighter, while the upper bass gets a hint of definition and control.
If comparing humidity in the treble contributes to the impression of a less hollow recovery, however, this region is still very emphasized, which gives the headphones a familiar look.High-pitched sounds (bells, hi-hats, etc.) are less predictable, but their subtlety is emphasized due to the slightly quieter midrange.All therefore maintain a certain lightness, which is reflected especially in the voice that always emphasizes the voice.However, Apple avoids excess thanks to a slight reduction in high-mid/low treble.Reproduction is bright, extremely detailed, lively and airy, but never really aggressive.
Thanks to a slightly smaller "V" profile, AirPods Max 2 presents a slightly more pronounced diameter than its predecessor.Previously, smart background elements stand out more while sharper instruments (snare drums, guitar riffs, etc.) are present.Moreover, precision in this area is definitely present.The lower mid-range is sufficient to support the fundamentals of the vocals, while the slight roll-off of the upper mid-range reduces excessive clarity and resonance.Combined with a still clear treble, this modified edge can give sounds a sophistication that is sometimes a bit artificial, although the timbres are respected.
Whether we understand the triple demo of the AirPods Max II or not, its technical level remains excellent.The difference between instruments and vocals is wonderful, while the sound is wide, deep and airy.I also appreciate that we can play the AirPos Max II a little clearer than its predecessor.This auxiliary power is also completely malicious, as it is possible to push the level very high without introducing any imbalance or dynamic compression.
The Cupertino brand announced 1.5 times more noise reduction than the original AirPods Max. This is an improvement more than 2x promised between AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3. The improvement is also based only on the H2 chip, and the two headphones share the same passive isolation and the same microphone. Therefore, we should not expect miracles.
In fact, if the attenuation of the entire spectrum is excellent in both models, we can note the ability to improve the remaining dark acoustic sound at low frequencies in the AirPods Max 2.The result is a clean feel of a muted bubble that's better equipped for static sound, but that's hardly a change.
Achieving -35 dB of attenuation around 200 Hz, AirPods Max 2 are the most effective headset on the market for muting city noise, train traffic or various vibrations.The sound system remains effective in the low range, with Apple's headphones contributing to the clarity of active noise such as the engine base or ambient conversations.
However, the passive isolation offered by the fabric ear cushions is a bit stiff to completely obscure the presence of sounds, with the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and the Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2) headphones doing a better job, so it's not unusual to understand the content of a sharp note nearby.
For balance, the ANC of the AirPods Max 2 is undoubtedly one of the best on the market.We also found it to be very effective against wind noise and pleasant as it is not stressful.
In the past, the AirPods Max have long offered the most effective transparency mode on the market, before being gradually joined by more modern references such as the Sony WH-1000XM6.
Unsurprisingly, the AirPods Max 2 can't push this excellence even further.However, the low-mids have been slightly enhanced, making them more balanced in relation to the 1.5 kHz brightness peak, and featuring a meatier, more natural sound reproduction.Either way, Apple's headphones are some of the best in this category.
If the microphone structure of the headset has not changed, with nine units including three dedicated to the headset, the H2 chip slightly improves the experience.Already effective in the first AirPods Max, the architecture of the new model is distinguished mainly by a clearer and wider sound capture in a variety of situations.
Like the AirPods Pro 3, Apple has chosen to slightly filter the ambient noise so that it does not interfere with the sound.The results are very interesting in noisy urban areas, because our voice keeps its nerve when faced with problems, it pushes back.
Quietly indoors, we can still notice saturation in the high frequencies, but the increase in clarity is very noticeable.
With a non-removable battery, the AirPods Max 2 still advertises up to 20 hours of battery life with volume down enabled.If the promise is measured at 21 hours at 60% volume, this performance remains well above the market average, which currently stands at around 36 hours.Durability could be better, sadder as the battery continues to drain as long as the headphones are not in the case.
AirPods Max 2, which has already reached a glass ceiling, in addition to the secondary features provided by the H2 chip, will slightly improve noise reduction and calls.The headset only grows in terms of sound with a proportion that is still balanced and immersive, but its presentation character will remain differentiated.For the rest, if it is still a good version today, it is difficult not to be disappointed with Apple, because in terms of construction the same headphones of the years 2020 offer. It seems that the evolution is so lazy that we will find out if Apple still cares about its activity in headphones.
If the AirPods Max 2 maintains its place among the best Bluetooth headphones on the market, the competition has increased since 2020. More affordable references now hold the upper hand, such as the Sennheiser HDB 630 for its natural sound or the Sony WH-1000XM6 for noise reduction.
Moreover, considering their price of 579 euros, Apple's conservatism leaves much to be desired.Even ignoring the experience that depends a lot on its ecosystem, we would have appreciated real structural developments: more lightness, a more resistant battery or even a protective case worthy of the name.AirPods Max 2, however, remain flawless thanks to their particularly thoughtful design, which still makes them one of the most desirable items in Apple's catalog today.
