Apple releases AirPods Max 2, price remains at $549, noise cancellation improved by 1.5 times

Apple Inc. launched the AirPods Max 2 on Monday, upgrading this flagship over-ear headphone with stronger active noise cancellation capabilities and a range of features previously introduced in the AirPods Pro lineup. Apple stated in a press release that the active noise cancellation effect of the AirPods Max 2 is 1.5 times better than that of the original product released at the end of 2020. In 2024, Apple made a minor update to the AirPods Max, adding a USB-C port and supporting lossless wired audio. The headphones are priced at $549, consistent with the previous generation, and will begin accepting pre-orders on March 25, with an expected official launch in early April. Apple offers the AirPods Max 2 in five colors: blue, purple, orange, midnight, and starlight (light gold). Additionally, Apple has replaced the older chip in this high-end headphone with the updated H2 chip, enabling features such as Live Translation and Conversation Awareness. The conversation awareness feature automatically lowers the volume when the user is speaking. The AirPods Max 2 also supports Adaptive Audio, which automatically balances noise cancellation intensity based on the environment. Loud Sound Reduction is another feature carried over from the AirPods Pro series, which reduces the intensity of harsh sounds like sirens and construction noise. At the same time, Apple has upgraded the microphones in the AirPods Max 2 to achieve "studio-quality audio recording" and reduced wireless latency, providing better performance when gaming while wearing the headphones. This release comes shortly after Apple launched several new products earlier this month, including the iPhone 17e, the $599 MacBook Neo, and the new Studio Display XDR, along with upgraded versions of the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Air, and Studio Display