Apple’s AirPods Max 2 retains the machined aluminum ear cups and knit mesh canopy of the original, but uses USB-C for charging and features the new H2 chip that powers the current generation of AirPods Pro. Adaptive Audio integrates both Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode based on how much ambient noise exists around you, eliminating the need to touch anything when changing environments, meaning walking from a quiet office into a busy street. Battery life runs up to 20 hours with ANC active, and Personalized Spatial Audio dynamically tracks your head position, so the sound surrounds you instead of being contained within your skull.
Head over to Amazon to get the Apple AirPods Max 2 for just $449, down from their usual price of $549. That’s a $100 discount and 18% off.
Over-ear headphones with adaptive noise cancellation and 20-hour battery life
The H2’s main innovation is its ability to process audio from the microphones at a rate far higher than the H1 in the first-generation AirPods Max. That greatly enables the continuous adjustments required for Adaptive Audio and Voice Isolation by isolating your voice from surrounding ambient noise during calls. When you make a call, the other person hears you, not the environment you’re in.
Adaptive Audio automates many functions that used to be done manually. Instead of toggling back and forth between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio adjusts the balance as needed. For example, if you walk past a fire truck with sirens blaring, they will pass through while it continues to suppress ambient background noise. Conversation Awareness also reduces volume during conversations.
Each ear cup is made of machined aluminum rather than plastic. The breathable knit mesh material covering the top of the cans distributes the weight evenly throughout your head. Finally, the magnetic attachment system connecting the memory foam cushions to the ear cups eliminates the time-consuming task of taking them apart and sending them off for repairs if they wear out.
Using your iPhone’s camera, Personalized Spatial Audio creates a map of your unique ear structure and applies it to create an accurate representation of sound around you. As you move your head, dynamic head tracking ensures that the audio follows your viewing experience on your mobile device. Watching movies on long trips becomes comparable to sitting in a room filled with speakers providing true stereo separation.
USB-C offers an added advantage over the previous Lightning port, since the same cable can charge multiple devices. In this case, the same cable that charges your laptop or smartphone also charges these headphones. With up to 20 hours of playback with ANC enabled, you can get through a full week of commutes without recharging; a mere 5 minutes of charging provides about 1 hour and 30 minutes of listening time. They come in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange with a Smart Case included.