Apple introduced the AirPods Max way back in 2020, and they remain popular as a wireless over-ear noise cancelling headphone option. Less than a year ago, new colors were added along with USB-C charging, but otherwise the AirPods Max remained the same.
Yet despite AirPods Max popularity and Apple Music’s push into spatial audio, AirPods Max has never been able to decode hi-res audio tracks. That partly changes next month with Apple’s announcement of a free firmware update that unlocks lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio. But there’s a catch — you’ll need to connect a wire. Also maximum resolution is capped at 24-bit/48kHz, even though higher resolution audio is offered on Apple Music and other music services.
It’s also worth noting that luxury headphone competitors have already enabled hi-res audio solutions up to 24-bit/192kHz. Such models include the Focal Bathys and Bowers & Wilkins Px8.
In all cases, the innovation is not actually in the headphones themselves, but in the DAC. In Apple’s case, the DAC is inside the USB-C cable, which converts digital signals to audio we can hear. Other so called “Dongle DACs” put the decoding in a miniature box that unlocks hi-res audio functionality with any wired headphone.
Lossless Audio
According to Apple, a new firmware update will enable AirPods Max to access 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio. Lossless audio also extends to Personalized Spatial Audio to deliver a more sonically accurate, uncompressed, and immersive experience, especially with the more than 100 million songs in lossless audio on Apple Music.
However, this update offers no change in fidelity while listening wirelessly over Bluetooth.
Ultra-Low Latency
Apple is also claiming an additional benefit of lower lag time with Ultra-Low Latency. That’s primarily helpful so that audio is lip synced and accurately matches onscreen action while watching shows or playing games. Certainly important, but it would would have been more beneficial (and a breakthrough) if the same ultra-low latency capability worked wirelessly.
Elevated Music Production
The addition of lossless and ultra-low latency audio also lets music creators utilize AirPods Max throughout their entire professional workflow on Logic Pro and other music creation apps.
Using the USB-C cable, Apple claims AirPods Max are the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking. However, Audeze Maxwell Headphones have featured Dolby Atmos Mixing with Head Tracking since last year, and remain a less expensive alternative for gamers, audiophiles and audio engineers.
Standard Features
In addition to lossless audio and ultra low latency, here are the standard features of the Apple AirPods Max.
Adaptive EQ: Adaptive EQ adjusts the sound to the fit and seal of the ear cushions by measuring the sound signal delivered to a user and adjusting the low and mid-frequencies in real-time — bringing rich audio that captures every detail.
Active Noise Cancellation: Each ear cup features three outward-facing microphones to detect environmental noise, while one microphone inside the ear cup monitors the sound reaching the listener’s ear. Using computational audio, noise cancellation continuously adapts to the headphone fit and movement.
Transparency Mode: Users can switch to Transparency mode to simultaneously listen to music while hearing the environment around them. Switching between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode can be done with a single press using the noise control button.
Spatial Audio: AirPods Max uses spatial audio with dynamic head tracking to place sounds virtually anywhere in space — delivering an immersive, theater-like experience for content recorded in 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos. Using the gyroscope and accelerometer in AirPods Max and iPhone or iPad, spatial audio tracks the motion of a user’s head as well as the device, compares the motion data, and then remaps the sound field so it stays anchored to the device, regardless of head movement
The Bottom Line
Apple’s AirPod Max certainly has staying power and the addition of lossless and ultra-low latency audio retains its relevancy in an increasingly competitive environment, especially if you are an Apple fan.
Price & Availability
Lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio will be available in April as a free firmware update with iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 for AirPods Max with USB-C.
AirPods Max is currently available for $549 (U.S.) in five colors — midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and orange at Apple Stores. However, Amazon often sells AirPods Max for less.
The USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable is also available for $39 at Apple.
Pro Tip: The USB to 3.5mm cable can be used to connect AirPods Max to 3.5 mm audio sources, like the audio-out port on an airplane. Users can also connect their iOS or iPadOS device to 3.5 mm audio ports, like audio-in ports on car stereos or other speakers.
Related Reading
- Apple Introduces AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation & Tweaks Line-up
- Apple Adds USB-C Charging and More to AirPods Pro 2nd Generation Earbuds
- Are the New Apple AirPods Pro 2 Better?
- Best Wireless Headphones: Editors’ Choice
