Because we can’t be far off second-gen flagship Apple over-ears, right?
The Apple AirPods Max are an incredibly popular pair of noise-cancelling headphones that still appeal to Apple fans who want great sound and have a big budget. That’s why they’re our top choice for Apple lovers in both our best over-ear headphones and best noise-cancelling headphones guides.
It’s no surprise then that there’s been a lot of interest in what’s coming next from the Cupertino giant. After all, the Apple AirPods Max launched in December 2020. Does that mean the Apple AirPods Max 2 will be here soon – because you’d think so, no?
Although no official details about the AirPods Max 2 have been released, Apple analyst Jeff Pu says he expects the AirPods Max 2 could be on their way to us by the fourth quarter of 2024. Read our AirPods Max 2 rumors, possible release date and what we want to see guide for the latest news. But what tech and features should Apple borrow from audio rivals to ensure the success of the AirPods Max 2? Read on. 1. A better carrying case from Bose, Earfun and Sony
The original AirPods Max carrying case was controversial. In our review, we called it “hopeless” and “horrible”. Not just because it looked a bit silly (we saw people comparing it to a sleep mask and a bra when it was first launched), but because it offered little to no protection for what is an incredibly expensive set of headphones.
Of course you can pay extra for a hard case, but these headphones already require a significant outlay, so we don’t think you should have to. Especially considering plenty of other brands that make high-end headphones provide much better, sturdier, less ridiculous-looking cases.
For example, both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless come with simple cases with hard shells that the over-ears fold up into. Even less-than-perfect cases, like the one that comes with the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones that’s quite big and bulky, offer a decent level of protection that’s essential for travel.
