186: Apple Announces AirPods Max 2 - Worth Upgrading?

Welcome back to the show—this week swerved fast. We were geared up for touchscreens on Macs, then boom, AirPods Max 2 dropped out of nowhere.

Total curveball. I thought the big refresh was a year away, with a full redesign rumored for 2027, but this update signals Apple isn’t abandoning Max.

It’s the upgrade 2024 should’ve been; the H2 was sitting there. Outside looks unchanged, which has people excited for the real redesign, but interest is sky high already.

Hardware is basically the same except for the H2, so the gains are from processing. My launch pair died, I replaced them recently, and I’m tempted—but not enough to re-buy yet.

Let’s hit features. From 2020 you get USB-C, fresh colors, and all the H2 magic; even lightning-era owners should feel a big jump. Does one and a half times better noise canceling really land?

On planes it should be stellar. The surprise is improved transparency, which was already best-in-class; rivals still add hiss or an echo, so I’m curious how Apple pushed this further.

That tracks; most brands miss on transparency. Sony gets close, but Apple’s feels natural instead of mic-y.

Adaptive smarts like conversation awareness are handy, though they sometimes lag kicking ANC back in. If that flows as well on Max as on the Pros, I’m happy.

I shut conversation awareness off—too many false triggers on flights—even if it’s better now.

Adaptive audio that dials ANC to the city around you is great when streets get loud.

Related tools help too: loud sound reduction for sirens and personalized volume for steady comfort.

I also use adaptive transparency like earplugs at concerts or even Monster Jam with my kid; it turns painful volume into something listenable without losing the moment.

Unexpected example, but it fits.

Live translation finally arrives, though I’d still use earbuds so people don’t think I’m tuned out; I take headphones off when talking face to face.

Same on flights—I pop one out rather than rely on transparency. Vision Pro on a plane would feel even stranger.

Exactly. Eye contact features don’t fix that social cue.

Siri gets head-nod replies and the shorter wake phrase now.

I disable gestures, but the one-word trigger was overdue; even with Siri’s limits, it speeds up timers and lights.

H2’s DSP and amp promise cleaner audio, and Apple says the call mics are studio-grade; we should test them on a full episode.

I went from hating the weight to wearing Max most of the workday, but the case is dreadful and the mesh headband sags, so I added a silicone support and wish Apple had updated that part.

I expect the big redesign to chase comfort and structure with new drivers, while sticking to H2 and selling it as better fit and sound.

Please give us a real power switch and a proper case, even if sold separately; the headphones are excellent, the case is one of Apple’s worst ideas.

Value check: Sony’s WH-1000XM line is lighter, cheaper, and matches or beats Max in a lot of ways; Apple wins in transparency and materials.

Max shine in the Apple ecosystem—instant device switching is a daily joy, and the build feels premium. Discounts under five hundred help, even if they still cost more.

Sony’s analog jack is clutch on planes; Bluetooth to seatback screens is a hassle, and AirPods need adapters to go wired.

Spicy thought: if you’re buying Max, consider an iPad for travel instead of airline screens.

I get the ergonomics of seatback screens on long flights, though. Vision Pro is amazing to try, but most people don’t need one.

I’ve even run in Max; they bounce but you adapt. They’re fantastic and flawed at once—pricey, fragile headband, and that case.

I stick to earbuds with transparency at the gym for awareness.

You still get personalized spatial audio, USB-C lossless up to 24-bit forty-eight kilohertz, Bluetooth five point three for lower latency, and colors in starlight, midnight, blue, purple, and orange.

Bottom line: if you’re on the original lightning Max and they’re aging, upgrade—you’ll feel it. If H2 isn’t a must, hunt for a deal on the one point five. Email us your Siri habits and, sure, tell Hartley how out of touch he is.

Thanks for listening—we’ll catch you next week.