AirPods Max 2 Could Miss Out on Adaptive Audio Features

The second-generation AirPods Max could miss out on Adaptive Audio, according to a rumor coming out of Asia.

Airpods Max Feature Green Triad
The rumor comes from Weibo user "Instant Digital," who claims that while new ‌AirPods Max‌ will "definitely" come out this year, the only change will be a USB-C port. The headphones will apparently continue to forgo Adaptive Audio due to the presence of an older processor.

Adaptive Audio encompasses three features: Adaptive Noise Control, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness. Adaptive Noise Control blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode to adjust the level of noise control based on the changing noise conditions in your environment, Personalized Volume adjusts the media volume based on environmental conditions and volume preferences, and Conversation Awareness lowers media volume and enhances voices in front of you.

The features are exclusive to the second-generation AirPods Pro because they require the H2 chip's processing power. The first-generation ‌AirPods Max‌ feature the H1 chip and did not gain Adaptive Audio via a software update as a result. Multiple rumors suggest that the only notable improvement offered by the second-generation ‌AirPods Max‌ will be a USB-C port instead of Lightning for charging and wired audio playback, potentially alongside some new color options, meaning that the H2 chip will continue to be absent.

Despite the ‌AirPods Max‌'s $549 price point, the second-generation AirPods Pro might still offer superior hardware and software than their over-ear sibling, touting features such as the H2 chip, Bluetooth 5.3, Adaptive Audio, improved Active Noise Cancellation, skin-detect sensors, sweat and water resistance, the U1 chip, Precision Finding, and support for MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.

Apple's refreshed over-ear headphones are expected to launch in late 2024 alongside two fourth-generation AirPods models.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro and Air Feature

Two iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Colors Appear to Scratch More Easily

Friday September 19, 2025 10:02 am PDT by
As reported by Bloomberg today, some of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models on display at Apple Stores today are already scratched and scuffed. French blog Consomac also reported on this topic. The scratches appear to be most prominent on models with darker finishes, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in Deep Blue, and the iPhone Air in Space Black. Images Credit: Consoma ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Coming Soon, Likely With iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Fix

Thursday September 18, 2025 9:17 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The update will have a build number of 23A350, or similar, the account said. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's Henry T. ...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

iPhone 17 Pro Max Teardown Reveals Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 Modem for 5G

Friday September 19, 2025 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone Air is equipped with Apple's custom C1X modem for cellular connectivity, all of the iPhone 17 models are outfitted with Qualcomm modems still. A teardown video shared on Chinese platform Bilibili today (via Reddit) appears to confirm the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem in particular. The same modem is likely used in the iPhone 17 and iPhone ...
iphone 17 pro max techwoven

Here Are The Best Cases You Can Buy for Your New iPhone 17 and iPhone Air

Friday September 19, 2025 6:46 am PDT by
Apple's new iPhones launch today, and there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to protecting your new device from drops and scratches. In this article, we're taking a look at some of the best options for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Air cases, as well as a few charging accessories. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users

Wednesday September 17, 2025 2:56 pm PDT by
It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected. Any major design change can create controversy as people get used to the new look, but the MacRumors forums, Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and social media sites seem to feature more criticism than praise as people discuss the update. Complaints There are a long...
iphone 17 pro inside

iPhone 17 Teardowns Confirm SIM and eSIM-Only Battery Capacities

Friday September 19, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared an iPhone 17 Pro teardown video, offering a closer look inside the model with a SIM card tray. We are still waiting for repair website iFixit to share a more comprehensive teardown of the latest iPhone models, but this video provides a good look in the meantime. The device features various internal design changes, including larger rear camera...

Top Rated Comments

nortonandreev Avatar
21 months ago
I love my AirPods Max but it’s ridiculous how outdated they are and that a new version is not coming anytime soon…
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
21 months ago
I sometimes miss the "old" analog days when you bought a high quality pair of headsets that lasted over a decade, no charging, battery replacement ...
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G5isAlive Avatar
21 months ago
I know all the rumors say the Max will lack the H2, but rumors have been wrong before. Let's hope so in this case. Most of the time I can understand where Apple is coming from, but this baffles me.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikethebigo Avatar
21 months ago
I literally cannot believe they would sell them without the H2. Or even an H3.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrfunnypenguin Avatar
21 months ago
They are not worth $500 if they don't have an aux port so you can play lossless on them.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frou Avatar
21 months ago
Tim allocated the AirPods Max 2 design team one week total, and they had to pull allnighters to get the USB-C port over the line
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)