With the AirPods Max 2, Apple Unveils Its Next Generation of Must-Have Headphones

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Apple‘s AirPods Max headphones made quite the impression when they launched in 2020, instantly attracting fans like Timothee Chalamet, Dua Lipa and JENNIE with the product’s sleek and elevated look, while earning thumbs up from tech journalists for crisp and immersive audio.

Now, Apple is hoping lightning strikes twice with the launch of the AirPods Max 2, the next generation in the venerable tech brand’s over-ear wireless headphones.

The most impressive update is on the noise cancellation prowess of the AirPods Max 2, with Apple reporting that the new headphones “deliver ANC that’s up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation.” You’ll notice it when you’re on a plane and the whiz and whirl of the airplane engine suddenly fades away; or when crossing an intersection in a bustling city, and the crowd and traffic noise dissipates.

I live on a second-floor unit in an apartment building located on a main road in Los Angeles, and I’ve found the original AirPods Max headphones to be a lifesaver for when I want to put on some tunes to focus on work and not hear the honking and screeching of cars below. The AirPods Max 2 promise an even more immersive experience, by detecting and canceling out background noise before it even hits your ears.

Of course if you still need to pay attention to your environment — I.e. in the office or when walking in traffic — you can set the cups to Transparency Mode, which filters in some natural sounds, so you’re not completely unaware or zoned out to what (or who) is around you. Voice Isolation technology automatically moves your voice to the forefront during calls, while blocking out ambient noise. And if you’re listening to a playlist or podcast, Apple’s Adaptive Audio feature automatically adjusts the noise cancellation levels depending on how noisy your environment is, so there’s always a balance of music with organic outside sounds.

A new feature we like is “Conversation Awareness,” which automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing in your ears, to make it easier to hear and talk to those around you.

One other new feature we like: Live Translation, which does exactly as the name suggests, by letting you read or listen to an English-language translation of a conversation when you are talking to someone who’s using another language. The same feature is available in Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 model, which I tested last fall, and while it took me a bit of time to set up Live Translation (mostly making sure my phone was updated), once I got it to work, it was pretty intuitive.

The AirPods Max 2 retain the same premium look and feel as its predecessor, with the flexible mesh headband for breathability and cushy, pillow-like earpads for comfort (Apple has also upped their sustainability efforts by using 100% recycled polyester in the ear cushion). What I liked: you won’t sweat through these headphones, even when wearing for long periods of time. And as someone who wears glasses, I found that the headband wasn’t squeezing my temples in at all. The exterior has the clean and minimalist look I love, and Apple has these headphones available in five colors online, including the orange colorway that was so popular with users of the iPhone 17.

The AirPods Max 2 wireless headphones are available to purchase online now with a suggested retail price of $549. In my opinion, Apple’s got another winner on its hands, with the AirPods Max 2 offering that perfect balance of audio and aesthetics, to deliver another pair of headphones that will be topping everybody’s must-have list this year.