Apple Discusses AirPods Max 2, Says H2 Chip Has More to Offer in Future

[MacRumors]

TechRadar's Jacob Krol recently sat down with Apple's VP of Platform Architecture Tim Millet and Director of Audio Product Marketing Eric Treski to discuss the AirPods Max 2, including the H2 chip and increased active noise cancellation.

AirPods Max 2 have the same overall design as the previous generation, with most of the improvements coming from the upgrade to the H2 chip, including up to 1.5× more active noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation.

Even still, Apple suggested that the H2 chip has more to offer, with future AirPods Max 2 firmware updates likely to unlock additional features.

"H2 is this platform that continues to demonstrate that it has continued headroom," said Millet.

Regarding the up to 1.5× more active noise cancellation, Apple said it is not a cherry-picked stat.

"We take that average at 1.5 times across an average of all frequencies," said Treski. "We're not cherry-picking individual frequencies or a certain range."

TechRadar's interview contains more comments from Millet and Treski, so be sure to check it out if you are interested in learning more.

AirPods Max 2 are available at Apple Stores and began arriving to customers starting today.

Article Link: Apple Discusses AirPods Max 2, Says H2 Chip Has More to Offer in Future

 

[ID_Field_Blank]

Still can’t believe they stuck with the same design, they look nice but need an update for weight.

Old Apple would never have shipped something so chunky for version two - they were obsessed with iterating for thinner and lighter but apparently not on the only product that matters in?!

 

[iMac The Knife]

Everything Apple offers anymore, has more to offer in the future.

 

[goonie4life9]

That's right, folks, it's time to get STOKED for the ALL NEW H2 platform. This is the biggest advancement in H-series chips since Apple revolutionized the headphone chip space with the H1. And Apple didn't stop there. Stay tuned for some incredible advancements coming to the H2 as part of the BEST pipeline ever! Apple thinks you're gonna love it.

But seriously, Apple's song and dance is getting to be a parody of itself. It's always "just wait what we have in store!"

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple is hiding the fact that H2 may offer more than just AAC codec support. There is a possibility it could support the Qualcomm AptX codec or the Sony LDAC codec, upgradeable with a software upgrade to the phone itself.

 

[repoman016]

Will one of those additional features be a physical power switch?

 

[AppleMega]

That says to me that the H3 is coming sooner rather than later.

 

[Rogifan]

I’m curious how these stack up against the Sennheiser HDB 630 or even the Momentum 4’s. I have the Momentum 4’s which I love. The sound is great and they’re very comfortable. Noise cancelling isn’t quite as good as AirPods Pro but sound is better for sure.

 

[Bones402]

Way to go Apple, innovation at its finest....April Fools

 

[Rukes]

I think Apple is hiding the fact that H2 may offer more than just AAC codec support. There is a possibility it could support the Qualcomm AptX codec or the Sony LDAC codec, upgradeable with a software upgrade to the phone itself.

I don’t see Apple wanting to license other codecs, but don’t forget the H2 chip in the recent AirPod Pro 2 USB-C and 3 has the ability to do wireless lossless with the Vision Pro. I’m sure they will end up enabling that for other apple devices with the Max 2.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Never, and I do mean never, purchase tech with "future" features in mind.

 

[klasma]

"H2 is this platform that continues to demonstrate that it has continued headroom,"

It probably has Max Headroom.

 

[qacjared]

That says to me that the H3 is coming sooner rather than later.

I know right.

"We've got some great PowerPC products in the pipeline yet to be introduced," said Steve Jobs at the Intel launch in 2005

“We have some new Intel-based Macs in the pipeline that we're really excited about." said Tim Cook at the 2020 WWDC keynote.

 

[nortonandreev]

So H3 won’t be out anytime soon.

 

[gothicgeek]

AirPods Max are amazing but I just can't justify the price. It's nice that they updated them finally to include the new chip and some other enhancements, but it's insane that you can now get a MacBook Neo for less than the cost of these. I know thats comparing Apples to Oranges (or other Apples) but still it's a little crazy. Well as Apple once said, "here's to the crazy one."

 

[mistymac]

No Apple store where I live and these are nowhere to be found at the third party stores that are supposed to be carrying them. Yay..

 

[Ries]

I don’t see Apple wanting to license other codecs, but don’t forget the H2 chip in the recent AirPod Pro 2 USB-C and 3 has the ability to do wireless lossless with the Vision Pro. I’m sure they will end up enabling that for other apple devices with the Max 2.

It's because you wear the headset and airPods at the same time, they are always close together. The issue is range and keeping them reliable connected at a high enough bandwidth.

 

[boswald]

Although I don't have a pair of my own yet, I'm kind of excited to see what kind of things new firmware updates will unlock.

 

[RandomKiwi]

Once again I ask what on earth people are complaining about. They are headphones. They made them sound better with better noice cancellation. Who gives a flying fudge that they kept the look the same - that’s pretty standard for Apple accross many of its products, especially its headphones.

 

[shawnforever]

Who gives a flying fudge that they kept the look the same

I would agree with you that design changes for the sake of design changes don't make sense. But most of us aren't arguing for random, arbitrary design changes. We want different headphones. Some want lighter weight, a physical power switch, different headband design, or a design that protects the problematic ribbon cable that breaks and causes connection issues and ultimately device death. So it's not just how they look; it's also how they function.

 

[Zacarias5]

Once again I ask what on earth people are complaining about. They are headphones. They made them sound better with better noice cancellation. Who gives a flying fudge that they kept the look the same - that’s pretty standard for Apple accross many of its products, especially its headphones.

I am happy for the same design and premium form factor. My Max USBC have worked out very well. Happy to upgrade to the same with better tech, more features and in some scenarios, potential for better sound.

 

[svish]

Overall the update is not a major one. Not sure how many with the 1st generation will upgrade. Also not sure whether new features will become available to this model. Apple could release an entirely new model with new features. So no point in purchasing a device/headphone with a particular chip so that it could receive new features.

 

[Ethosik]

I would agree with you that design changes for the sake of design changes don't make sense. But most of us aren't arguing for random, arbitrary design changes. We want different headphones. Some want lighter weight, a physical power switch, different headband design, or a design that protects the problematic ribbon cable that breaks and causes connection issues and ultimately device death. So it's not just how they look; it's also how they function.

Some of us don’t want those changes either. I like the weight. I wear mine 18 hours a day every day and it feels just fine.

 

[CrysisDeu]

> H2 is this platform that continues to demonstrate that it has continued headroom

I think Apple just mean they can use this chip on Airpods Max as well

 

[NvidiaIntelPC]

Will one of those additional features be a physical power switch?

Literally no wireless IEMs have a power switch, so why AirPods Max not having one is such a big deal is beyond me. I mean, I’m not against it, but it’s not important. There are other areas they need to improve—weight, battery life, higher-quality codecs. A case power switch isn’t a necessity.