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AirPods Max 1 vs. AirPods Max 2 Buyer's Guide: 25+ Differences Compared

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Apple has now announced the AirPods Max 2, bringing the first major hardware upgrade to Apple's over-ear headphones since their debut. So how does the new model compare with both earlier versions of ‌AirPods Max‌?

AirPods-Max-1-vs-AirPods-Max-2-Buyers-Guide-Feature.jpg

In late 2020, Apple announced the AirPods Max, a whole new AirPods variant with an over-ear design. In September 2024, the company refreshed the AirPods Max's selection of color options and swapped the Lightning port for USB-C, enabling 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio over a wired connection.

Now, with the arrival of the AirPods Max 2, Apple has introduced a far more substantial upgrade than the 2024 refresh. The new model adds the H2 chip, more powerful Active Noise Cancellation, improved Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio features such as Conversation Awareness and Personalized Volume, updated Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with reduced latency, and enhancements to Spatial Audio and sound quality.


Following the announcement, the full range of differences between the original Lightning model, the USB-C refresh, and AirPods Max 2 are outlined below:

AirPods Max
(2020, Lightning)		AirPods Max
(2024, USB-C)		AirPods Max 2
(2026)
H1 chipH1 chipH2 chip
Active Noise CancellationActive Noise CancellationImproved Active Noise Cancellation (1.5x stronger)
Transparency ModeTransparency ModeImproved Transparency Mode
Adaptive Audio
Conversation Awareness
Voice Isolation
Personalized Volume
Loud Sound Reduction
Camera Remote
Live Translation
"Hey Siri" commands"Hey Siri" commands"Hey Siri" and "Siri" commands
Siri Interactions (privately respond to Siri announcements by simply nodding their head yes or gently shaking their head no)
Custom high dynamic range amplifier
New digital signal processing algorithm
Spatial AudioSpatial AudioImproved Spatial Audio (improved localization of instruments, more accurate and consistent bass response, and more natural-sounding mids and highs)
Lossless Personalized Spatial Audio via USB-C to USB-C cableLossless Personalized Spatial Audio via USB-C to USB-C cable
Enhanced audio via Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable"24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio" via USB-C to USB-C cable"24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio" via USB-C to USB-C cable
Audio recordingAudio recording"Studio-quality" audio recording
Create and mix audio in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking via USB-C to USB-C cableCreate and mix audio in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking via USB-C to USB-C cable
Bluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3
Reduced wireless audio latency
Reduced latency audio via Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable"Ultra-low" latency audio via USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable"Ultra-low" latency audio via USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable
Lightning portUSB-C portUSB-C port
Available in Silver, Space Gray, Sky Blue, Pink, and GreenAvailable in Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Purple, and OrangeAvailable in Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Purple, and Orange
Released December 2020Released September 2024Release in April 2026
Now discontinuedNow discontinued$549


The original AirPods Max with Lightning are becoming increasingly difficult to find as remaining inventory has gradually dried up over the past two years. While some third-party retailers may still have limited stock or refurbished units available, the model is no longer widely sold. For buyers who can still locate a pair at a substantial discount, the Lightning version can remain an appealing option. It offers the same distinctive design, premium build quality, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Spatial Audio support that defined the product when it launched in 2020. If you primarily use AirPods Max wirelessly for casual listenin, have no interest in the newer software capabilities, or have other Lightning devices, the original model still delivers a good core experience.

The AirPods Max with USB-C, introduced in 2024, remain widely available and until today represented Apple's current version of the headphones. Aside from the switch from Lightning to USB-C and a new set of color options, the hardware is largely identical to the original model. A firmware update alongside iOS 18.4 restored wired audio input and enabled 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio over a USB-C connection when used with a USB-C to USB-C cable. This gives the USB-C model a clear advantage over the Lightning version for users who want the best possible wired audio quality. It also enables creator-focused capabilities such as Lossless Personalized Spatial Audio and the ability to create or mix content in Spatial Audio with head tracking. For most users listening wirelessly, however, the overall experience remains very similar to the original model.

The newly announced AirPods Max 2 represent the first meaningful upgrade to the product since its debut. The new model introduces Apple's H2 chip, enabling significantly improved Active Noise Cancellation, enhanced Transparency Mode, and Adaptive Audio features such as Conversation Awareness, Personalized Volume, and Voice Isolation. Apple has also improved Spatial Audio performance and added Bluetooth 5.3 with reduced wireless latency. Together, these upgrades bring the ove... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: AirPods Max 1 vs. AirPods Max 2 Buyer's Guide: 25+ Differences Compared
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/airpods-max-1-vs-max-2/
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  • Haha
Reactions: Z-4195
Still a travel monster like the first generation. Does not collapse and takes up lots of space.

My first generation has resided in drawer somewhere for years.

I use a Bose over ear headset system that is travel friendly in terms of storage space used when traveling and has similar sound characteristics.

I wonder if the folks that designed Apple's headset ever traveled in the economy seats and tried ti figure out where to put them in the tight seating constraints?

Putting lip stick on a headset does not change the headset.
 
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Honestly it all comes down to the noise cancellation and the sound quality. If they improved on the original I'm in. I wish the battery life was better but again the main priorities are sound quality improvements and better ANC. This feels like a 1.5 update but I'll wait for the reviews.
 
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switz said:
Still a travel monster like the first generation. Does not collapse and takes up lots of space.

My first generation has resided in drawer somewhere for years.

I use a Bose over ear headset system that is travel friendly in terms of storage space used when traveling and has similar sound characteristics.

I wonder if the folks that designed Apple's headset ever traveled in the economy seats and tried ti figure out where to put them in the tight seating constraints?

Putting lip stick on a headset does not change the headset.
Click to expand...
I just hang mine outside my backpack when I fly somewhere. Doesn’t take space inside the luggage 🤷‍♂️
 
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e1me5 said:
I thought we had BT6 already.
Click to expand...
neeh, we are at Bluetooth 5.3 sadly, but i expect since its already released in 2024...to be an 2027 thing
only the iphones and Mbp has BT 6 for now
So maybe next year with the airpods pro we start getting Bt6 on the wireless airpods segment
 
switz said:
Still a travel monster like the first generation. Does not collapse and takes up lots of space.

My first generation has resided in drawer somewhere for years.

I use a Bose over ear headset system that is travel friendly in terms of storage space used when traveling and has similar sound characteristics.

I wonder if the folks that designed Apple's headset ever traveled in the economy seats and tried ti figure out where to put them in the tight seating constraints?

Putting lip stick on a headset does not change the headset.
Click to expand...
I like to picture my Eddie Cue in a Hawaiian shirt somewhat ajar which flaps in a warm California breeze. He is flying business class with his vehicle in cargo to the nearest gas station to refuel or recharge. After that task is done he flys back home (1.2 miles away).

🛫🛬
 
e1me5 said:
Oh man, where is the wireless looseless audio that it will make my life better? 🤣
Click to expand...
Yeah, I find it strange that to get the presumably superior audio experience you need to plug them in.
Don’t know how much of a trend “plugging in” actually is, but I found this little piece interesting.
 
MayaUser said:
neeh, we are at Bluetooth 5.3 sadly, but i expect since its already released in 2024...to be an 2027 thing
only the iphones and Mbp has BT 6 for now
So maybe next year with the airpods pro we start getting Bt6 on the wireless airpods segment
Click to expand...
Also iPad Pro and iPad Air have bt 6. Also MacBook neo and MacBook Air
 
  • Love
Reactions: rezwits
These better be future proof for the upcoming Siri/Apple Intelligence updates (if and when they come out). Because 6 years of waiting for a tiny upgrade to H2 instead of coming out with a brand new H3 is ridiculous. My guess was they were waiting to fix Siri before releasing these. I will be pissed off if I buy them and 1-2 years down the line they are refreshed to work with some new intelligence features.
 
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1. Thanks for putting it all in a table. Not all writers here do that.
2. "Loud Sound Reduction" - that sounds like something I could do without.
3. Where is the 'case'? Not in the pics, not in the description.
4. What type of cable is needed for 24/48? Can I use my iPhone cable? Can I use my iPhone to get 24/48?
5. Does it come with a cable?
6. Does it come with a charger? Or optional with a slight increase in price?
 
I may finally upgrade from my original Airpod Max, if only to finally be able to ditch the extremely flimsy Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable. As far as I can tell, only Apple sells the cable that will allow audio to work, they're like 40 bucks, and break extremely easily.
 
I'm pretty disappointed that Apple still didn't figure out how to do low-latency, high-quality bidirectional audio (i.e. microphone enabled).

As soon as I start using the microphone on my AirPods Pro 2, the audio output codec notably degrades (even though it's miles better than with the AirPods Pro (1)). And you can forget about anything that requires anything close to realtime audio.

Apple makes custom chips for their headphones, nowadays they make their own custom wireless chips and somehow not even between these devices we can get this.

A 5 year old product gets a chip bump to a chip that itself is 3.5 years old.
 
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switz said:
Still a travel monster like the first generation. Does not collapse and takes up lots of space.

My first generation has resided in drawer somewhere for years.

I use a Bose over ear headset system that is travel friendly in terms of storage space used when traveling and has similar sound characteristics.

I wonder if the folks that designed Apple's headset ever traveled in the economy seats and tried ti figure out where to put them in the tight seating constraints?

Putting lip stick on a headset does not change the headset.
Click to expand...
I’ll give you my address can you ship it to me ? It’s been unused for years so I’ll take it off your hands
 
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Reactions: juxnchx, Stars&Stripes and G5isAlive
Honestly, still way too expensive, there’s no headphone jack, they’re still closed back (surely they could make switchable cups at that price for open back mode) and the colours are still insipid. For that price it needs to tick all the boxes and this isn’t close sadly.
 
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