Apple’s finally refreshed the original AirPods Max nearly six years after release. The previous version is still one of the best over-ear headphones on the market for anyone after a quality listening experience, and the newer version builds on that while also adding quite a few nice upgrades too.
Prices start at $529, with some colors sitting at $549. That’s in line with the original model’s pricing. If you’ve been looking to treat yourself to one, there’s already a discount that makes the purchase a bit sweeter. The blue, starlight, and orange versions are currently available at a 7% discount for $509 on Amazon, down from $549. That’s basically less than what you’d pay for the previous-generation model right now, and shipping is free too.
Two listening modes, plus plenty of smart features
The pair is designed with a breathable knit-mesh canopy, memory foam, and custom textile ear cushions, and telescoping arms for an extremely comfortable fit. This makes it easy to have the headphones on for longer without feeling too much pressure around your ears.
You’ll enjoy improved high-fidelity audio at all volume levels. Lows stay clear, mids are expansive, and bass gets the punch it needs to really bring your favorite tunes to life. Expect a truly immersive experience, whether you’re vibing to a 90’s classic, catching up on a podcast while travelling, watching a movie, or just taking quick meetings. The highlight here is the incredible ANC capabilities. AirPods Max 2 offer up to 1.5 times stronger noise cancellation than the previous version, so the headphones are going to block out distractions a lot more effectively. It’s going to feel as if it’s just you and your favorite artist in the room vibing together, even when you’re actually in a busy cafe. This can also mean more peaceful flights and better focus on work in shared spaces.
Adaptive Audio takes the experience even further by adjusting the level of ANC based on the noise in your surroundings. Then there’s Conversation Awareness, which automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing when you’re trying to have a conversation with someone. This way, you won’t awkwardly have to remove the headphones every time you need to talk. But for situations where you need to stay aware of what’s happening around, Transparency mode comes in handy. It lets ambient sounds in, so you can listen to announcements or traffic while also enjoying music!
The headphones also support lossless audio via USB-C, along with personalized spatial audio that makes the sound surround for immersive listening.
Another nice feature that deserves a mention in Live Translation. It picks up conversations as they’re happening, and translates them into your preferred language in real time – great for when you’re travelling to a different country and want to communicate with the locals. As for the battery, a single charge gets you around 20 hours of listening with Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio enabled.
There’s plenty more to appreciate here. You can now grab the latest and greatest AirPods Max 2 in Blue, Orange, or Starlight for $509 at Amazon. That’s after a nice (and pretty unexpected) 7% discount. The offer won’t last long, so it’s best to hurry to get your orders in.