AirPods Max 2 experience: It seems nothing has changed, but it sounds like everything has gotten better.

During the commemorative event for the company's 50th anniversary, Apple quietly launched the AirPods Max 2, still priced at 3,999 yuan.

It upgrades the chip from H1 to H2. While improving the Bluetooth version and noise - cancellation performance, it also adds the adaptive audio function. The device is equipped with a large dynamic driver unit designed by Apple. Together with the H2 chip, there are also some changes in sound quality.

Compared with the previous minor "upgrade" version that only replaced the interface with USB - C, the AirPods Max 2 has made some practical small adjustments in some subtle aspects and functional performance. However, with many small upgrade points, it becomes a major update.

ifanr conducted an experience review of the AirPods Max 2 for about a week. Our feeling is:

Everything seems the same, but everything sounds better.

The noise - cancellation is really powerful.

The biggest upgrade in configuration still starts with the chip replacement.

Both sides of the AirPods Max 2 are equipped with the H2 chip. The supported Bluetooth version has been upgraded from 5.0 in the previous generation to 5.3.

The connection stability performance is not much different from before. When the AirPods Max 2 is connected to a MacBook or an iOS device to watch videos or play games using non - official apps, there is basically no obvious delay. The wireless performance in daily use is quite stable.

The noise - cancellation performance is also very strong. The AirPods Max 2 can suppress the regular noise in office scenarios and coffee shops, such as the wind noise of the air - conditioner, the keyboard typing sound, and the background music in the coffee shop. You can hardly hear them after putting on the headphones.

For users like me who use a 6 - fan radiator matrix under the laptop while working, you can hardly hear the fan sound after putting on the AirPods Max 2. Even if you turn the fan to the maximum and listen closely, you can only feel a slight flow of wind.

Moreover, the response speed of the AirPods Max 2's noise - cancellation switching is very fast. It will turn on immediately when it detects that the user puts on the headphones. There is a short change process when turning on, allowing you to feel the process of the noise - cancellation turning on, without the sudden sense of "pop" and instant silence.

When the noise - cancellation is turned on, the inside of the headphones feels very clean and quiet, without obvious background noise. This also helps to improve the sound listening experience.

In addition to a 1.5 - fold improvement in noise - cancellation performance, the AirPods Max 2 also adds the function of adaptive noise - cancellation audio compared to the previous generation. It allows the headphones to actively adjust the noise - cancellation level, adapting the noise - cancellation strength according to different environments, thus ensuring wearing comfort. The adjustment is also imperceptible, and people won't have obvious perception when wearing the headphones and walking around, increasing the comfort of use.

Users can switch to the transparency mode independently through the button on the left headphone.

It has to be said that Apple's transparency mode is still the best one at present. The sound in the transparency mode is very natural. The wind sound is smooth and silky. The keyboard typing sound is very real. The human voice doesn't have an obvious "microphone recording feeling". After turning it on, it feels almost the same as taking off the headphones.

For daily use in a coffee shop, you can use this mode for short conversations with others.

Sweeter and better to listen to

In terms of sound, the AirPods Max 2 is equipped with a dynamic driver unit designed by Apple. Compared with the previous - generation AirPods Max, the second - generation uses the H2 chip and adds a customized high - dynamic amplifier to the headphones.

The device has a built - in adaptive equalization function, which has been re - tuned for the H2 chip. After the user wears the headphones, the headphones can adjust the sound output according to the wearing situation (factors such as the fit of the earpads and the wearing form), so as to output a sound effect suitable for the current wearing state.

In terms of connection methods, the AirPods Max 2 also supports USB - C connection and Bluetooth connection.

When the mobile phone and the MacBook are connected via USB - C cable, the headphones will start in the wired connection mode supporting lossless audio, which will be clearly marked in the sound menu of iOS and macOS for users to choose.

In terms of Bluetooth, currently only AAC, which does not support lossless audio, is available. To listen to lossless audio on the AirPods Max 2, you still have to use the USB - C wired connection.

In terms of listening experience, the high - dynamic amplifier added by Apple this time can cooperate with the customized unit to provide more dynamics, which will improve the low - frequency sound, vocal performance, and sound field performance.

The overall sound is thicker and fuller than the previous generation. The texture and strength of the drum beats are stronger, and the sense of hierarchy is also more prominent than the previous generation. In addition, Apple has improved the overall clarity during sound tuning this time. The sound effect processing is more prominent, and the edges of the sound are sharper than before. While increasing the sharpness, it also increases the fullness of the sound effect, making the sound sound more solid and rich, without the dry feeling caused by improving sharpness and clarity.

In addition to the improvement in sound thickness and texture, the sound extension of the AirPods Max 2 is more comfortable and smooth than the previous generation.

Especially when playing lossless audio via USB, when the amount of information increases and the sound accuracy improves, the edges of the sound effect of the AirPods Max 2 are smoother, without obvious edges and corners, and it sounds more comfortable. The sounding process of musical instruments is more complete, and the after - sound of musical instruments fades away slowly, which is more real, and the digital feeling also decreases a lot.

While the sound accuracy is improved, the high - frequency sound doesn't sound as irritating and dry, and the sound also has a sense of high - end sweetness.

However, limited by the AAC Bluetooth encoding, the wireless sound is slightly rougher than the wired sound. If you want to listen to music at home or at your desk, using a wired connection will still help improve the sound quality.

These remain unchanged

From the packaging to the appearance design, the AirPods Max 2 continues the overall style of the series.

After opening the pure - white two - layer packaging, you can see the AirPods Max 2 in the smart headphone case. The headphones have no folding structure. The headband and the headphone case can just be fixed in the inner circle of the packaging, and you can pick it up like a handbag.

On the lower side of the headphones, there is a USB - C to C data cable, which can be used to connect the AirPods Max 2 for charging and audio transmission. There are also some paper documents.

The color options of the AirPods Max 2 are the same as the previous generation. Apple still offers five options: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange. The appearance of the device has not changed either. It seems difficult to distinguish the difference between the two generations from the appearance before the new generation's exclusive special color options are launched.

There is not much change in the overall device either. The AirPods Max 2 still uses the mesh - designed headband covered with a skin - friendly material. The overall weight is 386.2g, which is still relatively heavy among flagship - positioned over - ear headphones.

Thanks to the excellent ergonomic design, the headband and the relatively soft mesh earpads can relieve most of the wearing pressure. While ensuring stability, the AirPods Max 2 has no obvious pressure - generating points when worn, and it's quite easy to move your head while wearing the headphones. There isn't much difference compared with Sony's WH - 1000X series, which weighs more than 200 grams.

However, to ensure wearing stability, the headband of the AirPods Max 2 is still adjusted a bit tight. Some users with larger head circumferences may still feel that it pinches their heads when wearing it.

Personally, I think it's okay. When wearing glasses, the soft earpads can also relieve the pressure, and the wearing experience is still quite comfortable.

It should be mentioned that the sliding groove on the AirPods Max 2 headphones is smoother and more comfortable than the