The firmware update targets AirPods Max models with USB-C, introduced in September 2024 as a refresh over the original Lightning-equipped version. Until now, these headphones couldn’t handle wired audio input, a feature the Lightning models supported via a $35 Lightning-to-3.5mm cable. The update changes that, enabling 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio and ultra-low latency playback when connected via a USB-C cable. Apple’s also selling a new $39 USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable to make this possible, bridging the gap for users connecting to devices like airplane entertainment systems or professional audio setups.
Lossless audio preserves every detail of a recording, unlike compressed formats like MP3 or Apple’s Advanced Audio Codec (AAC), which sacrifice some data for smaller file sizes. Apple Music’s catalog of over 100 million songs is available in both AAC and the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC), and this update unlocks the latter for wired AirPods Max users. Ultra-low latency, meanwhile, cuts lag to levels matching built-in speakers on a Mac or iPhone, a boon for gamers, livestreamers, and music producers using tools like Logic Pro.
The Hype Meets Reality
Joswiak’s enthusiasm paints a picture of transformative audio bliss, but Apple’s own fine print tells a different story. A support document on their website notes that AAC—the codec used for wireless AirPods playback—already delivers sound “virtually indistinguishable” from the original recording. It goes further, stating the difference between AAC and lossless audio is similarly imperceptible to most listeners. If that’s true, why the fanfare?
Critics, like Quinn Nelson of Snazzy Labs, were quick to pounce. In a post on X, Nelson jabbed, “Greg, I mean this with all due respect, almost nobody can distinguish the difference using the AirPods Max and a man of your advanced age definitely cannot.” It’s a cheeky but pointed reminder: human hearing has limits, and the $549 AirPods Max—stellar as they are—aren’t necessarily the tool to reveal lossless audio’s subtle edges.
Back in 2021, Apple admitted that even the Lightning AirPods Max, when wired, didn’t deliver true lossless audio. The signal was converted to analog and re-digitized, losing some fidelity in the process. The USB-C version sidesteps this with a direct digital connection, but the question lingers: will users notice? For casual listeners, probably not. For audiophiles or creators needing pristine playback, it’s a step forward—but one tethered to a cable, not the wireless freedom AirPods are known for.
Who Benefits—and Who Doesn’t?
This update shines brightest for a niche crowd. Music producers get a tool to mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, leveraging lossless quality and ultra-low latency. Gamers and streamers might appreciate the reduced lag, too. But for the average Apple Music subscriber jamming wirelessly via Bluetooth, it’s business as usual—AAC remains the ceiling, and lossless stays out of reach.
The Lightning AirPods Max crowd, meanwhile, is left in the cold. The update is exclusive to USB-C models, widening the gap between the two. The older version still offers wired playback, but without the lossless or ultra-low latency perks. At often lower prices from third-party retailers, though, it’s a solid pick for those prioritizing noise cancellation and Spatial Audio over cutting-edge wired specs.
The Verdict
Apple’s pushing the AirPods Max as a premium powerhouse, and this update adds real value for specific users. Yet calling it an “ultimate” upgrade feels like a stretch when the benefits are wired-only and subtle at best for most ears. It’s a smart move to keep the USB-C model relevant, but the hype outpaces the practical impact. If you’re eyeing AirPods Max, weigh your needs: for wireless convenience, the Lightning version still holds up. For wired perfectionism, the USB-C update delivers—just don’t expect your mind to be blown.
