10 Audio Improvements in Apple's New AirPods Max 2

[MacRumors]

Apple refreshed the AirPods Max today, and the main new addition is an H2 chip that replaces the H1 chip. The H2 chip has previously been used in the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2 and later, but it's new to the AirPods Max. It brings multiple audio improvements alongside an updated high dynamic range amplifier.

We've listed all of the audio features that are new to the AirPods Max according to Apple.

• Active Noise Cancellation - The AirPods Max 2 have up to 1.5x more active noise cancellation because of the more powerful H2 chip and a new computational audio algorithm that detects and counters external sound.
• Adaptive Audio - The AirPods Max support Adaptive Audio, adjusting the level of ANC based on your environment.
• Transparency - Apple says it is using a new digital signal processing algorithm built for the H2 and the AirPods Max microphone array to make Transparency sound more natural. Your own voice will sound more realistic, and so will other sounds. Transparency lets you hear what's going on around you, with environmental noise filtered through the AirPods Max microphones.
• Loud Sound Reduction - Adaptive Audio includes Loud Sound Reduction and the AirPods Max will automatically reduce loud environmental sounds like lawn mowers or construction equipment.
• Personalized Volume - Another Adaptive Audio feature, Personalized Volume learns your volume preferences across different environments over time and automatically adjusts.
• Conversation Awareness - When you start to talk, Conversation Awareness kicks on and lowers the volume of what you're listening to while amplifying voices so you can hear a response. When you're done talking, the sound returns to its previous volume.
• High-fidelity audio improvements - Apple says the H2 chip and a new high dynamic range amplifier provide more headroom for the driver, resulting in richer bass, more natural vocals, and improved localization of instruments. Users can expect more accurate and consistent bass along with more natural sounding mids and highs.
• Adaptive EQ - Apple retuned Adaptive EQ for the H2 chip, and the feature now extends to higher frequencies. Adaptive EQ uses inward-facing microphones to sample what you're hearing, adjusting playback in real-time. According to Apple, users will get a more consistent listening experience across different fits, movements, and ear geometry.
• Voice Isolation - Voice Isolation isolates your voice in noisy environments so people can hear you when you're on a call. Voice Isolation also lets creators capture high-quality vocals.
• Reduced wireless audio latency - Apple says latency is lower with the H2 chip in the AirPods Max 2. The AirPods Max support Bluetooth 5.3, up from Bluetooth 5.0 in the prior model.

There are other features enabled by the H2 chip that aren't tied directly to audio, like Live Translation, camera remote functionality, and the option to activate Siri without using "Hey." The AirPods Max 2 also still have all of the other features from the original AirPods Max, like personalized spatial audio, quick pairing, device switching, and more.

Apple did not make other design changes to the AirPods Max, and the overall fit and look have not been updated. Compared to the AirPods Pro 3, the main AirPods Max benefit is lossless audio. With a wired USB-C connection to a device, the AirPods Max offer 24-bit 48kHz lossless audio, which the AirPods Pro can't match.

The AirPods Max are priced at $549, and Apple plans to accept pre-orders on Wednesday, March 25. A launch will follow in early April, but Apple hasn't provided a specific date yet.

Article Link: 10 Audio Improvements in Apple's New AirPods Max 2

 

[bmustaf]

For $549 you can get an audio ASIC driving ANC, transparency, and audio quality that was state of the art in 2022 with a hardware design from 2020. Man. Times are tough.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

i wonder if they're going with a very V shaped sound like is the trend (which is what they've done with app3)

 

[snipr125]

i wonder if they're going with a very V shaped sound like is the trend (which is what they've done with app3)

V shaped sound is the most popular amongst the masses (more bass). Audiophiles generally prefer a flat equalisation, so you can hear the lows, mids and highs better, that's why i'm keeping hold of my APP2 for as long as possible!

 

[G5isAlive]

The same people that complained about the first ones will complain about the second… I like mine.

 

[westerlu77]

It’s so stupid to not let customer themself choose how to to set their eq. Adaptive eq can never compensate that.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

V shaped sound is the most popular amongst the masses (more bass). Audiophiles generally prefer a flat equalisation, so you can hear the lows, mids and highs better, that's why i'm keeping hold of my APP2 for as long as possible!

app2 aren't exactly flat either, but yeah, im also looking for a pair, and it's a real struggle. haven't found anything in over a month now, starting to get despeerate. as for headphones i got a pair of edifier stax spirit s3 which for 150 bucks provides a far better sound than airpods max, with 80h battery life (but no anc)

 

[lowkey]

I like my Max1 but prefer AirPod Pro 3 for ANC and daily use. They really need a user EQ function, especially the Max.

 

[iLuddite]

Might get a pair just for wired lossless audio (even though my trusty $20 EarPods do a decent-enough job for the money).

 

[DMG35]

This update is beyond pathetic.

 

[Kylo83]

they ran out of h1 chips

 

[thefredelement]

I have the original and never use them, they're just too heavy for any length of time

 

[Belisama]

I like them but they are not worth $550 IMO.
For this price you can almost get a brand new MB Neo... I don't need a Neo, but Apple accessories are jut too expensive. They make so much money with Macs and iPhone. They could make cheaper accessories.
They tend to "pro", "ultra" or "max" everything and that's not good.

 

[Mity]

• Reduced wireless audio latency - Apple says latency is lower with the H2 chip in the AirPods Max 2. The AirPods Max support Bluetooth 5.3, up from Bluetooth 5.0 in the prior model.

Why not Bluetooth 6 like the iPhone 17 Pro? Bluetooth 5.3 came out in 2021. For $600 inc. tax I expect the latest tech...

 

[brunerd]

When you start to talk, Conversation Awareness kicks on and lowers the volume of what you're listening to...

But is clever enough to know I'm just singing along!? I tried it on my AirPod Pros 2 and turned it off after a few minutes and some sing-along worthy songs! 🎤😄

 

[thatguywill]

It’s so stupid to not let customer themself choose how to to set their eq. Adaptive eq can never compensate that.

If you use them with Mac you can influence the sound with an equaliser app.
I also have a portable Sony Hi-res audio player I use the 2024 APPM’s with and with the USB-C cable again the equaliser you choose on the device works instead of built in equaliser.

 

[PCMacUser]

But is clever enough to know I'm just singing along!? I tried it on my AirPod Pros 2 and turned it off after a few minutes and some sing-along worthy songs! 🎤😄

That's hilarious -- I encountered the same issue the other day with my APP3s, and thought "well Apple didn't think about that, did they?"

 

[Happy_John]

I like my Max1 but prefer AirPod Pro 3 for ANC and daily use. They really need a user EQ function, especially the Max.

For me, the Max arę great for sitting on the sofa at night, listening to musić and watching movies. I wouldn’t take them outdoors ona run and I wouldn’t use them for phonecalls. I use actual AirPods for that.

So I don’t really consider the Max as AirPods, they’re over ear hedphones with decent drivers that have the AirPods compatibility and very nice physical controls.

Because of that, I don’t really expect this new iteration to be significantly different - I’d strongly believe that the reason they have the H2 chip is that they’ve closed production of the H1 chip and have run out of their stockpile - having one audio chip production linę is cheaper than two. The benefits to the user is just marketing after the fact.

Keep in mind that I think there’s far less difference between the APP3 and AP4 ANC than is generally claimed, apart from the tips creating a seal and the other not having tips.

The physical speakers in the Max are the same, and in over-ear headphones, that’s going to be the biggest factor.

It’s the same production logic of sticking an iPhone SoC in the Studio Displays - they already had the chip for other products, but it doesn’t mean it makes a significant improvement to the device itself.

But, really, I’ll be interested to see what the morę sane and least outrage baity reviewers say.

 

[transpo1]

i wonder if they're going with a very V shaped sound like is the trend (which is what they've done with app3)

The upper mids are much clearer in the APP3 vs. APP2 and I do enjoy that clarity, despite the fact that they fit my ears worse than the previous generation.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

The upper mids are much clearer in the APP3 vs. APP2 and I do enjoy that clarity, despite the fact that they fit my ears worse than the previous generation.

way too bright. but I think it's due to adaptive audio which is why it is so idiosyncratic. i've tried buds 4 pro samsung and they exhibit the same issues, but disabling adaptive audio fixes it and it then sounds great. I guess I might have some weird ear canal

too bad you can't disable that feature on airpods...or can yoU?

 

[Minato1990]

Well
Keeping my first gen one then

 

[MrMacintoshIII]

Anyone who wants to trade up better post theirs online to sell before launch!

 

[Neil J. Squillante]

How many people will buy the MacBook Neo and AirPods Max? I’d like to see that Venn diagram.

 

[datsdatcharlie]

And where is the H3 chip? Imo i much prefer the AirPods Pro

 

[Siliconguy]

Adaptive Audio includes Loud Sound Reduction and the AirPods Max will automatically reduce loud environmental sounds like lawn mowers or construction equipment.

Did Apple release proper NRR (noise reduction rating) numbers this time?