AirunJae
macrumors 6502a
This is the update that should have shipped in 2024. Sigh… will wait until they change the actual headband/earcups themselves before considering to upgrade from the 1st Gen, as I found the comfort lacking for me.
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AirPods Max 2 Now Available for Pre-Order With Delivery as Soon as April 1
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Asthmatic Kitty
macrumors regular
We won't know how big of a difference to audio quality the H2 makes until we get the reviews in the next few days. With the APP 1 -> 2 transition the H2 chip made a huge difference to the audio quality. If it's a similar improvement here then they'll definitely warrant the “2” in the name.
Asthmatic Kitty
macrumors regular
I think Apple can replace the batteries for $79 or something, so why would they go in the bin once the battery dies?
What would you call them that’s just as short and just as identifying (so people can tell the difference between buying the ones with one h chip or another)? Because retailers would rather they just be called AirPods Max so they can sell people the old one without them knowing.
joshwithachance
macrumors 68030
Improved sound quality alone isn't enough in this case. These things need a proper REDESIGN. Particularly in terms of the case, lack of power button and weight reduction.
But Apple clearly doesn't give a **** about the Maxes, so I doubt that will ever happen.
joshwithachance
macrumors 68030
AirPods Max (H2). Much like how they do with the Mac and iPad line.
Just traveled with my Max USB C’s.
Still work great. I just don’t see a big reason for an upgrade.
Still work great. I just don’t see a big reason for an upgrade.
" We don't know" Truth! Makes me wonder why so many waste so much negative energy Max 2-ranting online when nobody has heard the Max 2 yet.
switz
Contributor
What an April Fool's joke this so called upgrade is for this product. I have had more Apple gear since 1990 than many folks and got suckered in when the first generation of this headset came out.
I went back to Bose and have zero interest in this Apple product along with the Vision goggles.
I went back to Bose and have zero interest in this Apple product along with the Vision goggles.
joshwithachance
macrumors 68030
Because most people's primary concern with the Maxes doesn't stem from sound quality.
I agree. Probably not a big reason to upgrade. But I do like the idea of having some of the features I like to use on the AirPods Pro 3 in the Max. But more important for me is if "I" hear a notable difference in sound quality or not. Luckily I can return the Max 2 if I don't find any notable sound upgrades vs Max USBC.
iRun26.2
macrumors 68020
Maybe it’s not good enough for you, but for me it is and I don’t think I’m the only one. I’m fine with just a small noise cancelling improvement. That’s all I need to make the product worthwhile buying.
repoman016
macrumors 6502
Well, as you can tell by a lot of responses in this thread it doesn't matter. People will still buy them 🤔
I wish there was just one major fix to the flaws of the Max that could make me want to upgrade from my first gens. If either the battery life was up to par with today's headphones at around 50-60 hours or if the headband didn't wear out and reduce comfort I'd order them right now.
Just one of those 2 things would be enough!
As it stands I'd only get better ANC and Airpods in general have always had decent ANC to begin with. I don't need to spend more than 500 bucks just for the ANC.
The Airpods Pro 1/2/3 are cheap enough that when they die after 5-6 years you can buy a new pair on sale for around $180 or even below. The Max are too expensive for that.
What does this actually mean if you buy the Max 2 now: The headband wears out after 3-4 years and some units develop a fault with an internal flex cable around this time too. What you'll want to do is ask Apple for the battery replacement service after 3 or so years in hopes that they'll switch out the entire unit and give you a new headband in the process.
Even though you'll want to set aside the $80 for the Apple battery service what you'll really need is a new headband. If Apple accepts the unit swap you will get a new battery of course but what you are really after is the headband. Apple does not sell or replace the headband individually for any Max model.
And still Apple has outlasted other headphones for me: I had very popular Sonys, I think those were the XM3's, and they eventually died and a repair wasn't offered. Even some wired headphones with non-replaceable earcups had their earcups material break down and that was a big lesson for me: Never buy headphones that don't have swappable earcups. Apple offers (expensive) earcup replacement for all Max models so at least they have that.
Just one of those 2 things would be enough!
As it stands I'd only get better ANC and Airpods in general have always had decent ANC to begin with. I don't need to spend more than 500 bucks just for the ANC.
Since they have the exact same battery life and outer shell it stands to reason that they will be exactly the same inside (other than the improved electronics with the H2 chip). It honestly shouldn't even need a battery replacement if the battery life weren't so limited to begin with. I charge my gen 1 Airpods Max at least twice a week and still find them at a low percentage occasionally. No battery replacement helps the fact that you can deplete them within just 2 days where other headphones last over a week.
The tiny Airpods Pro are different from the Max when it comes to the battery. The Pro 1 will eventually die from dead old batteries and the cheapest option is to buy the Pro 2 on clearance sale now. The Max on the other hand will typically face other issues before the battery replacement becomes relevant.
The Airpods Pro 1/2/3 are cheap enough that when they die after 5-6 years you can buy a new pair on sale for around $180 or even below. The Max are too expensive for that.
What does this actually mean if you buy the Max 2 now: The headband wears out after 3-4 years and some units develop a fault with an internal flex cable around this time too. What you'll want to do is ask Apple for the battery replacement service after 3 or so years in hopes that they'll switch out the entire unit and give you a new headband in the process.
Even though you'll want to set aside the $80 for the Apple battery service what you'll really need is a new headband. If Apple accepts the unit swap you will get a new battery of course but what you are really after is the headband. Apple does not sell or replace the headband individually for any Max model.
And still Apple has outlasted other headphones for me: I had very popular Sonys, I think those were the XM3's, and they eventually died and a repair wasn't offered. Even some wired headphones with non-replaceable earcups had their earcups material break down and that was a big lesson for me: Never buy headphones that don't have swappable earcups. Apple offers (expensive) earcup replacement for all Max models so at least they have that.
But that small ANC improvement costs over 500 bucks. How is that worthwhile? Of course I'd like better ANC, who wouldn't? But the very least Apple could have done was double the battery life. Even 40 hours would just put them on par with budget headphones now. The new Sennheiser flagship headphones offer 60 hours at a similar price point.
To me $500 is nothing. Chump change. When you have a high paying job you can throw money away.
jclardy
macrumors 601
Yeah, the release is really strange. There really isn't anything here that is groundbreaking, H2 has been around for a while. It seems like maybe they just had a boatload of extra H1's so they did the AirPods 1.1 with USB-C for a year to offload them before offloading the last of the H2's before the Pro's get an H3 in a few months.
iRun26.2
macrumors 68020
It’s my money. If I only want that small improvement why should I feel bad about spending $550 on it?
CharlesShaw
macrumors 68030
Ah, the value of a dollar. I'm reminded of this 1960's VW ad where the departed's will is being read. 🤣
So, BASICALLY the same thing with more characters? OH, THESE don’t deserve to be called AirPods Max 2, they should add a set of parenthesis and an H!
AirPods Max (H2)
“You know, the parenthesis looks too busy, drop those”
AirPods Max H2
“Ugh, that looks like Sony branding, can we drop the H?”
AirPods Max 2
“NOW IT’S SOMETHING IT DOESN’T DESERVE!” LOL
transpo1
macrumors 68000
Apple really needs to start accepting trade-ins for AirPods Pro and Max so at least we get something when we upgrade (and so they can be recycled).
What a great ad! Love it. Thanks for sharing.
btrach144
macrumors 68040
You're missing the more important part which is the new driver. These are headphones. The driver is the only thing the matters.