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Apple

Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)

Name: Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Brand: Apple
SKU: B0GSS4SGZR
Price: 479.00 USD

Current price · Amazon US

$479

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Price last checked 40m ago

noise cancelling & sound

9/ 10

ANCNoise cancelling

0.010.0

At 9, its noise cancelling beats 98% of over-ear headphones we've measured.

Measured on 61 of the 238 we've cataloged.

4.3/ 5

SoundMDAQS Overall

4.3

1.05.0

A 4.3 puts its audio quality in the top half of over-ear headphones we've measured.

Measured on 44 of the 238 we've cataloged.

See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality

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Key specs

Battery Life Wireless

20 hBelow average

20 h

11 h100 h

below average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 238 we've cataloged.

Charging Method

USB-CMost common

Usb-c89%Micro usb8%Others3%

Usb-c is the most common — on 89% of the 135 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).

Bluetooth Version

5.3

5.028%5.325%5.216%5.411%

5.3 appears on 25% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).

Connection Type

Bluetooth

Wired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others2%

Bluetooth appears on 44% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).

Battery

Battery Life Wireless: 20 h
Charging Method: USB-C
Full Charge Minutes: 5 min
Battery Life Anc On: 20 h
Battery: Yes
Fast Charging: Yes

Connectivity

Bluetooth Version: 5.3
Connection Type: Bluetooth
Bluetooth Codec: SBC, AAC
Multipoint Devices: 2 devices
Headphone Jack: No
USB Charging: Yes

Design

Weight: 386 g
Color Options: Blue, Purple, Midnight, Orange, Starlight
Foldable: No

Features

Spatial Audio: Yes, head tracking
Companion App: IOS + Android
Eq Customization: No, Adaptive EQ only
Auto Pause: Yes
Live Translation: Platform AI
Voice Assistant Support: Siri only

Build

IP Rating: None
Material Chassis Primary: Aluminum with memory foam and fabric
Water Resistance: No

Microphone

Count: 9
Microphone: Yes

Sound

Acoustic Design: Closed-back
Ambient Mode: Yes - adjustable level
Anc Modes: Off,anc,transparency,adaptive
Driver Size: 40 mm
Driver Type: Dynamic driver
Frequency Response Signature: V-shaped
Noise Cancellation Type: Active

Release

Date: 2026-03
Msrp Usd: 549 USD
Year: 2026

Lab data

How we test ›

Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.

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Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve

Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.

Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen): frequency response, as measured in the SoundGuys lab. Frequency in hertz.
Frequency (Hz)	Response (dB)
20	6.6
25	6.2
32	5.2
40	4.2
50	4.0
63	3.3
80	2.4
100	0.9
125	0.1
160	-0.5
200	-0.4
250	-1.0
315	-1.5
400	-1.9
500	-1.6
630	-0.6
800	-0.1
1000	0.0
1250	0.5
1600	1.8
2000	4.4
2500	5.6
3150	6.2
4000	1.4
5000	-2.0
6300	5.0
8000	8.2
10000	5.6
12500	3.0
16000	-6.8
20000	-15.9

Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)

Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.

Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen): passive isolation, as measured in the SoundGuys lab. Frequency in hertz.
Frequency (Hz)	Attenuation (dB)
21	0.5
26	-0.8
33	0.5
41	-1.3
52	-2.5
65	2.9
82	-5.2
103	-3.8
130	0.9
163	5.2
205	9.2
259	12.5
325	15.0
410	14.9
516	15.6
613	16.3
772	18.5
972	20.8
1220	19.8
1540	20.6
1940	26.3
2440	28.1
3070	29.6
3870	30.2
4870	42.3
6130	40.1
7720	35.7
9720	35.7
12200	35.3
15400	36.4
19400	38.4

Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)

Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.

Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen): noise cancelling, as measured in the SoundGuys lab. Frequency in hertz.
Frequency (Hz)	Total attenuation (dB)
21	13.8
26	18.3
33	20.9
41	21.7
52	28.4
65	27.3
82	32.1
103	38.6
130	38.0
163	38.9
205	39.2
259	35.0
325	35.5
410	37.0
516	34.0
613	33.4
772	35.9
972	35.7
1220	30.7
1540	27.1
1940	30.5
2440	29.6
3070	28.3
3870	28.7
4870	41.3
6130	42.4
7720	34.0
9720	35.6
12200	37.0
15400	37.0
19400	41.7

SoundGuys review

SOUNDGUYS rating

7.8/ 10

Recommended

Reviewed byHarley Maranan & Christian ThomasVideo Lead · Editor-at-largeReviewed April 2026

Noise cancelling9.0

Isolation7.0

Battery life9.0

Comfort & fit8.5

Connectivity7.5

Design7.0

The verdict

The Apple AirPods Max 2 inherits the best and worst of the original, but packs a new H2 chip to improve noise cancellation and unlock new software features. An iterative update for existing AirPods Max customers, but a compelling option for Apple device owners willing to pay a premium.

✓Liked: Excellent noise cancellation, Great sound quality, Good microphone quality, USB-C audio

✕Could be better: Feels heavy, Subpar battery life, Apple-exclusive features, Expensive

Read the full SoundGuys review →

Owners

How we verify owners

Nobody who owns the Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen) has written in yet.

Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.

Own the Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)?

Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.