AirPods Max · Navy Blue
Over-ear · 2020
AirPods Max 2
H2 chip · 1.5× ANC · 24-bit USB-C lossless
AirPods Max 2 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Max · Navy Blue lands at 88 and AirPods Max 2 at 92. That puts AirPods Max 2 ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick AirPods Max · Navy Blue if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick AirPods Max 2 if…
- ✓Up to 1.5× more effective ANC vs original AirPods Max
- ✓24-bit / 48 kHz lossless audio over included USB-C cable
- ✓H2 enables Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation, Live Translation
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
AirPods Max 2Tuning, detail, and staging
AirPods Max 2 leads on sound (93 vs 88).
Noise cancelling
AirPods Max 2ANC strength for commute and travel
AirPods Max 2 leads on anc (95 vs 86).
Comfort
AirPods Max 2Long-session wearability
AirPods Max 2 leads on comfort (90 vs 87).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | AirPods Max · Navy Blue | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | — |
| Release year | 2020 | — |
| Chip | — | Apple H2 headphone chip |
| ANC | — | Up to 1.5× more effective vs original |
| Audio | — | 24-bit / 48 kHz lossless (USB-C wired) |
| Amplifier | — | High dynamic range |
| Battery | — | Up to 20 hours with ANC |
| Charging port | — | USB-C |
| Spatial audio | — | Personalized with dynamic head tracking |
| Colors | — | Midnight / Starlight / Orange / Purple / Blue |
| Features | — | Adaptive Audio + Voice Isolation + Live Translation |
AirPods Max · Navy Blue
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
AirPods Max 2
- +Up to 1.5× more effective ANC vs original AirPods Max
- +24-bit / 48 kHz lossless audio over included USB-C cable
- +H2 enables Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation, Live Translation
- −Same $549 price with no battery-life increase
- −Same exterior design as 2020 original
- −Lossless requires wired USB-C connection
FAQ: AirPods Max · Navy Blue vs AirPods Max 2
Which is better, AirPods Max · Navy Blue or AirPods Max 2? +
AirPods Max 2 scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is AirPods Max · Navy Blue worth the price? +
At $549, AirPods Max · Navy Blue delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Is AirPods Max 2 worth the price? +
At $549, AirPods Max 2 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in anc.
Does AirPods Max · Navy Blue or AirPods Max 2 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sound quality, AirPods Max · Navy Blue or AirPods Max 2? +
AirPods Max 2 — leads on sound (93 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, AirPods Max · Navy Blue or AirPods Max 2? +
AirPods Max 2 — leads on anc (95 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.