For many people, purchasing a new pair of the best headphones is an exciting event. For others, especially those looking to get the most bang for their buck, it can be a daunting task. Choosing between different types, brands and frequency responses is often difficult. With so many intricacies, it’s completely understandable to choose a pair of headphones based solely on the strength of the brand. Surprisingly, though, the highest-rated pair on today’s market isn’t Bose, Sony, or even audiophile darling Sennheiser.
According to Consumer Reports, the best noise-canceling over-ear headphones are actually the Apple AirPods Max 2. The original iteration of this product was well-received by the general public, so you shouldn’t blame Apple for keeping what worked the first time while also providing a series of massive upgrades. These earbuds may sport a near-identical design and look suspiciously like their predecessor, but feature-wise, the Apple AirPods Max 2 come with improved active noise cancellation (ANC), a bunch of quality-of-life bells and whistles, and significant updates to the sound quality itself.
As an Apple product designed for a broader consumer base, these noise-canceling headphones go a long way toward justifying the $549 price tag. But the real question is whether they hold up in terms of fidelity and sound. Fortunately, this is the case. The audio experience they provide is top-notch, with many users praising the improvements to both the overall sound quality and the ANC, which is much more effective this time around.
What makes Apple AirPods Max 2 so good
Considering that Consumer Reports’ list of noise-canceling over-ear headphones also ranks hard hitters like Sennheiser, landing the top spot is nothing short of impressive. This is largely due to the updated H2 chip, which improves the sound quality of the AirPods Max 2 thanks to a better adaptive EQ. While the basic design remains unchanged, the new high dynamic range chip and amplifier deliver superior dynamics and balance, with some reviewers even noting that the soundstage now seems more lively and open. Sound quality is a matter of personal taste, mind you, but if you’re looking for headphones that fall into this category, the Apple AirPods Max 2 certainly won’t disappoint.
Even if you’re an audiophile looking for an open-headphone-like ambience in a convenient closed-back package, Apple offers Natural Transparency mode that enhances the experience by blending surrounding sounds. The ANC is also very effective, with many reviewers pointing out how much external noise the AirPods Max 2 blocks out, even in noisy environments. As expected by Apple, the AirPods Max 2 pack a lot of punch in the extras department, with features ranging from live translation to custom volume and Siri head gestures.
Part an incredible pair of headphones, an extension of your iPhone, and a fashion statement, the AirPods Max 2 continue Apple’s series of iconic pieces of technology. Although the model reigns supreme in this category, some reviewers criticize the overall weight, comfort, and battery life, and others feel that it doesn’t improve much on what the original brought. The $549 price may be premium, but so is the sound quality and all the extras you get with the AirPods Max 2.
