AirPods Max 2: What Rumors Say Ahead of the Apple Event Next Month

[lowkey]

Never upgrading APM until they add:

USB-C port
Ability to use them while charging
Full headset support over USB-C on both Mac and Windows
Lossless audio over USB-C
Remove the faulty-by-design mesh headband and replace it with foam
Reduce weight by ~100 grams
BT 5.3

Additionally a foldable design is basically mandatory at this point, as is a well designed travel case. They really are a nightmare to travel with.

Agree. Whenever I travel I revert back to my Bose QC35mkii, which are lighter, more comfortable for long periods, fold up, and come with a case that protects them in hand luggage.

At work I use my APM all the time because they have great noise cancelling and I’m taking them on and off regularly. Also the transparency mode is good for switching on to have conversations with colleagues.

However there are a few design issues that prevent them from being awesome imo.

Because the pivot point of the cups are at the top, there is uneven pressure at the top compared to the bottom. This makes them uncomfortable for long periods. My QC35s are better in that regard as they pivot centrally and a more comfortable.

The mesh in the headband stretches, rendering it useless. Basically the weight of the headphones rest on the two hard bars rather than the mesh.

They are just too heavy for long periods of use.

Whether this is a positive or negative really depends on your subjective opinion, but they are very forgiving to poor recordings. It’s good for listening to crappy YouTube videos, but they are generally not revealing of details in HD recordings. My Slate VSX headphones are way better in this regard.

No power button is a real pita. At work I need to have the case on my desk for every time I want to not wear them for a few hours.

If the designed stays the same I don’t think I’ll buy another pair.

 

[svish]

Expecting only minor changes and probably some new colours.

 

[dampfnudel]

I can’t believe Apple would not include the H2 chip. I have the AirPods Pro 2 and if a Max 2 didn’t have similar features I would decline getting it.

Maybe there’s a delay with the second generation and it won’t be released until next year so Apple decided to just change to USB-C to expedite the transition from lightning to USB-C with their products?

 

[dampfnudel]

Never upgrading APM until they add:

USB-C port
Ability to use them while charging
Full headset support over USB-C on both Mac and Windows
Lossless audio over USB-C
Remove the faulty-by-design mesh headband and replace it with foam
Reduce weight by ~100 grams
BT 5.3

Additionally a foldable design is basically mandatory at this point, as is a well designed travel case. They really are a nightmare to travel with.

I guess we’re waiting for the second generation then because it sounds like Apple wasn’t ready to release it this year. There’s a lot of room for improvement and the two main sticking points are comfort and ease of travel with it. It’s also inferior in performance to the H2-equipped AirPods Pro 2 which may be another unresolved sticking point with this minor update.

 

[ds2000]

If its just USB-C, keeping that terrible case then I'll be getting the Sony's. My headphones have been at deaths door for about 6 months so I was hoping we'd see something new with these.

 

[erasr]

Honestly, any kind of new release of these is long overdue at this point

I don't even care if these end up being the AirPods Max gen 1.5 because of the only thing being the port change from lightning to USB-C

The battery life of my current ones I've had for years (since 2021) is just abysmal now, and they are the sole remaining thing that's keeping me from getting rid of lightning for good

3 years and the battery is abysmal?! That’s not giving me a warm feeling for AirPods Max. I’ve been waiting for these new ones, hmm.

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

The Beats Studio range is probably a good fit for your budget.

AirPods Max are the super-premium headphone experience. The pricing on these is not unreasonable.

Anyone reading this and thinking about it, I say no, save up until Max’s are a go. Don’t have ‘em (yet, waiting on info on gen 2) but my next ova ears would most cert. be Pod Max…that metal Construction I need in my life…plastic beats get stomped out quick : (

I do not mind paying a premium for these at all. They feel and sound luxurious. I've used them almost all day every day since 2021 for work and have not had any issues at all, ever. I use the lightning to 3.5mm cable. Only thing I've done is replace the ear cushions late last year which did make a noticeable difference in comfort.

I'm really hoping for an H2 (or 3!), Bluetooth 5.3, and a better case. I do not mind or even want folding tbh, I love the stainless steel build now how it is.

Yeah like I was sayin that build looks perfect for us heavy handed individuals…I swear I don’t know my own strength sometimes haha

It wouldn’t sell with just that. It would have to also do 3D audio and EQ in -gasp- Windows. Preferably with a DAC breakout box. Oh and multi-point for PC and phone simultaneously. I don’t think we have to worry since Apple doesn’t and has never understood gaming apart from “people do this on our devices.” But they’d have to make something that competes with the arctis nova pro wireless and they don’t have the institutional motivation to do so.

Ok, so maybe they’re not the BEST gaming headset but do they work at all with PS 5? Say, just plug it in to the controller and at least get audio (3d??) if not a crappy mic as well?..

Agree. Whenever I travel I revert back to my Bose QC35mkii, which are lighter, more comfortable for long periods, fold up, and come with a case that protects them in hand luggage.

At work I use my APM all the time because they have great noise cancelling and I’m taking them on and off regularly. Also the transparency mode is good for switching on to have conversations with colleagues.

However there are a few design issues that prevent them from being awesome imo.

Because the pivot point of the cups are at the top, there is uneven pressure at the top compared to the bottom. This makes them uncomfortable for long periods. My QC35s are better in that regard as they pivot centrally and a more comfortable.

The mesh in the headband stretches, rendering it useless. Basically the weight of the headphones rest on the two hard bars rather than the mesh.

They are just too heavy for long periods of use.

Whether this is a positive or negative really depends on your subjective opinion, but they are very forgiving to poor recordings. It’s good for listening to crappy YouTube videos, but they are generally not revealing of details in HD recordings. My Slate VSX headphones are way better in this regard.

No power button is a real pita. At work I need to have the case on my desk for every time I want to not wear them for a few hours.

If the designed stays the same I don’t think I’ll buy another pair.

Hmmm yeah def no power button sounds horrendous for a bigger style product…as far as the case and horrible travel experiences im hearing about in just this thread alone, it def seems like Apple is going to stick to the case style they use…it fits their MO… making oodles-of-cash…it’s almost S if they want you to have multiple maxs for different locations lol smh

Plus, no power button means more frequent battery upkeep, of course… that garden premium tax 🏝️

 

[MNWildFan]

Of course! This is the one I have, but there are others on Amazon that look pretty much identical to me:
Magnetic charger

Whoa, this looks nice! And for only $10? Not bad at all!

This could make for a nice solution not just for home, but for traveling as well. At that price, I may as well buy one for home, and one for my travel bag!

 

[MNWildFan]

3 years and the battery is abysmal?! That’s not giving me a warm feeling for AirPods Max. I’ve been waiting for these new ones, hmm.

Yeah, and with how much I used them, it makes sense

20 hrs is the original advertised battery life for them, but with how much I've used them over the years, I now only get about half of that

 

[D-a-a-n]

I won't even consider them as long they don't have a power off button/mode.

 

[enrvuk]

I’ve had the Max since the 2nd month they were out. To me, they’re still the best sounding, best noise cancelIng headphones I own… That includes the Sony XM4’s and I tried the Bose for 2 weeks before sending them back, as they were NOT IMHO as good as either the Sony’s or Max’s.

I’ve been wanting to upgrade for the last 2 years… IF the only upgrade is USB C and Battery… I’ll be looking at the Sony XM5’s. I’ll keep the Max’s, buy this minimal improvement, and keeping the price at $550… Hard Pass… I’d like to see improved battery life, lighter in weight, better noise canceling and for the love of all that’s holy…please a better case… And Maybe MOST importantly, a power/on-off switch/button! New colors might be nice… I think rather than the satin they used on the V1’s, a matte would be cool

And that's the thing sound is subjective. Most reviewers rate the Sony's higher, but if you don't prefer them, it doesn't matter.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

If the information shared by Gurman is accurate, that means the AirPods Max would not be updated with the H2 chip that debuted in the second-generation AirPods Pro a few years ago.

Oh no. I hope he is wrong this time. Not adding H2 on an already overpriced headset just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Closingracer]

And that's the thing sound is subjective. Most reviewers rate the Sony's higher, but if you don't prefer them, it doesn't matter.

This. I have the Song WH-1000XM5 and Beats Studio pros. I actually prefer the beats TBH. I'll probably be fine not getting the Airpods because I get 90% of the same features with beats with the added benefit of it not being gimped using it with an Android phone as well. Airpods pro 2 I have work fine with my Android phone but I'll have to always remember to turn off Bluetooth on my iPhone if I want them to auto connect to my android phone

 

[dumastudetto]

Anyone reading this and thinking about it, I say no, save up until Max’s are a go. Don’t have ‘em (yet, waiting on info on gen 2) but my next ova ears would most cert. be Pod Max…that metal Construction I need in my life…plastic beats get stomped out quick : (

I absolutely agree with you! AirPods Max are not massively more expensive than Beats Studios, sound better, and are a much more durable, premium build. But if $350 is your absolute limit, Beats Studios offer tight integration with the best of the Apple ecosystem and Apple Music features.

 

[boston04and07]

Whoa, this looks nice! And for only $10? Not bad at all!

This could make for a nice solution not just for home, but for traveling as well. At that price, I may as well buy one for home, and one for my travel bag!

Oh yeah, in addition to the one that lives on my phone I keep an extra in my travel bag, just in case. I think I’ve been using them for like a year now or so and they’ve worked great.

 

[devinher]

I’ve had the Max since the 2nd month they were out. To me, they’re still the best sounding, best noise cancelIng headphones I own… That includes the Sony XM4’s and I tried the Bose for 2 weeks before sending them back, as they were NOT IMHO as good as either the Sony’s or Max’s.

I’ve been wanting to upgrade for the last 2 years… IF the only upgrade is USB C and Battery… I’ll be looking at the Sony XM5’s. I’ll keep the Max’s, buy this minimal improvement, and keeping the price at $550… Hard Pass… I’d like to see improved battery life, lighter in weight, better noise canceling and for the love of all that’s holy…please a better case… And Maybe MOST importantly, a power/on-off switch/button! New colors might be nice… I think rather than the satin they used on the V1’s, a matte would be cool

Which Bose did you have? The Ultras?

If Apple took your advice on those updates, I'd be all in.