AirPods Max 2: Worth the $549 Upgrade?
Five years after the original, Apple released the AirPods Max 2nd Generation with H2 chip and Live Translation.
What's New
- •H2 chip — Adaptive Audio and Live Translation
- •High Dynamic Range amplifier for richer sound
- •USB-C (finally ditching Lightning)
- •Live Translation in 12+ languages
- •Improved ANC with Adaptive Transparency
- •Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking
Pricing
| Retailer | AirPods Max 2 | Original Max |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | $549 / $749 CAD | Discontinued |
| Best Buy | $549 | $449 (clearance) |
| Amazon | $529 | $399 (while stocks last) |
Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra
| Feature | Max 2 | Sony XM6 | Bose QC Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $399 | $429 |
| Battery | 20 hrs | 40 hrs | 24 hrs |
| ANC | Adaptive | Adaptive | Adaptive |
| Weight | 384g | 254g | 250g |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Should You Buy?
From original Max: Yes, USB-C and Live Translation are worth it.
From Sony/Bose: Only if deep in Apple ecosystem. Sony XM6 offers better battery at $150 less.
Compare all premium headphone prices at shopsmartai.org.
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