Technology company Apple has introduced the AirPods Max 2, upgrading its premium over-ear headphones with stronger active noise cancellation (ANC), new artificial intelligence (AI) features, and tools for creators such as podcasters and musicians.
The second-generation AirPods Max is powered by Apple’s H2 chip, which enables several intelligent audio features. Among the additions is Adaptive Audio, which automatically adjusts the balance between ANC and Transparency mode based on surrounding noise levels. Conversation Awareness also detects when a user begins speaking to someone nearby and lowers the volume of music while reducing background noise.
The device also introduces Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, allowing users to communicate across languages during in-person conversations.
The new headphones promise to deliver ANC that is up to 1.5 times more effective than the previous model, helping block sounds such as airplane engines or commuter trains.
Another upgrade is Voice Isolation, which uses computational audio processing to prioritize the user’s voice during calls while suppressing background noise.
For content creators, AirPods Max 2 include studio-quality audio recording, which are useful to podcasters, singers, and interviewers to capture clearer voice recordings with more natural vocal texture. The headphones also function as a camera remote, allowing users to press the Digital Crown to take photos or start and stop video recording on an iPhone or iPad.
Audio performance has also been enhanced with a new high dynamic range amplifier designed to produce cleaner sound while maintaining the original AirPods Max audio profile. The headphones support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when connected via USB-C, enabling musicians to create and mix audio with Personalized Spatial Audio and head tracking in apps such as Logic Pro.
AirPods Max 2 will be available for pre-order starting March 25 at midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue, with retail availability expected early next month.
