Apple unveils second-generation AirPods Max at $549, more than five years after debut

Apple on Monday unveiled the second generation of its premium AirPods Max over-ear headphones at $549, more than five years after the first version's launch.

The update marks Apple's first major refresh of the over-ear ‌headphones ⁠since their ⁠2020 debut, as the company adds new features ​and improved noise cancellation to compete more aggressively in the ​premium headphones market.

Currently, the segment is largely dominated by Japan's Sony Group, Bose and ​Sennheiser.


Powered by Apple's in-house H2 ⁠chip, which ‌runs the latest range of ​AirPods devices, ​the new headphones will be ⁠available to order from March 25 in ​more than 30 countries, with retail ​availability beginning early next month, the company said.

Upgrades to the AirPods Max 2 include better active noise cancellation, an improved microphone system and a range of new features ‌including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Live Translation.

Live translation, first introduced on the AirPods Pro 3 in ⁠September, enables users to translate in-person conversations across languages using Apple Intelligence, the company's artificial intelligence platform.

AirPods Max 2 also supports high-resolution lossless audio when connected via USB-C, targeting music creators and professional users who require higher fidelity audio, Apple said.