Final yr, I suggested readers that the “second-generation” AirPods Max had been really a worse deal than the unique pair. Apple was charging $549 for headphones that had been nearly equivalent to the pair that launched in 2020, solely with USB-C as an alternative of Lightning. What’s extra, Apple really took away a function with the USB-C pair: In contrast to the Lightning AirPods Max, the USB-C mannequin was not suitable with 3.5mm adapter, that means you could not use them for wired playback.
Seeing because the Lightning AirPods Max are regularly on sale by round $150, it appeared foolish to suggest the newer, costlier AirPods Max—until you actually could not reside with out USB-C. That’s, till at present, when Apple made a superb AirPods Max announcement. When Apple releases iOS 18.4 subsequent month (in addition to macOS Sequoia 15.4), the corporate will challenge a uncommon AirPods Max replace: These headphones will help each lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio, as Apple will now permit for a wired connection over USB-C.
Lossless audio vs. Bluetooth
Let’s begin with lossless audio. Whereas AirPods’ wi-fi high quality is great, it is not excellent. With a purpose to beam music from a tool like your iPhone or Mac to your AirPods over Bluetooth, these information should be compressed. Whereas compression has come a lengthy means because the days of MP3 information, you do lose data within the course of. You may not discover, particularly with pair of wi-fi headphones, however in the event you’re instantly evaluating a lossy codec like AAC (what Apple makes use of for Bluetooth streaming) and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) over prime quality headphones, it’s possible you’ll hear a distinction.
AirPods Max will help ALAC streaming and downloads by way of a USB-C connection. You possibly can plug your AirPods into your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, and take heed to music with out information loss. That stated, be warned: These information shall be a lot bigger than the compressed music you is likely to be used to, so preserve that in thoughts earlier than downloading or streaming giant quantities of lossless music.
Apple needs professionals making music with AirPods Max
The opposite massive replace right here is ultra-low latency audio. Historically, wi-fi headphones have been unattainable to make use of for something that requires real-time audio suggestions. That is as a result of Bluetooth audio comes with “latency,” or a delay between the audio supply and the goal output. This is not a difficulty when streaming music or audiobooks, and even when watching reveals and flicks, as a result of the delay is minute sufficient to be inconsequential.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re knowledgeable musician, this delay is unworkable. Attempt recording a observe when listening to real-time suggestions on a pair of wi-fi headphones, and you will have a foul time.
Now that AirPods Max with USB-C can be utilized with a wired connection, that is altering. With iOS 18.4, you’ll be able to plug your AirPods Max instantly right into a supply, like your Mac, by way of USB-C, and benefit from ultra-low latency audio. Apple even says that this AirPods Max mannequin is the one headphone to supply musicians the flexibility to create and blend music with Customized Spatial Audio with head monitoring in thoughts. I’ve by no means been a giant fan of this function, however maybe as soon as artists can design tracks with head monitoring whereas utilizing AirPods Max, it might enhance.
The corporate additionally touts the advantages of this decreased latency for gaming and livestreaming. Apple says there’s zero response delay right here, and the expertise is “on par” with the built-in audio system in your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
What do you assume up to now?
OG AirPods Max are left behind
Should you’re an authentic AirPods Max proprietor (like me), none of this information applies to you. Sadly, each lossless wired playback and ultra-low latency audio are unique to the USB-C AirPods Max—though the unique AirPods Max helps wired playback over a 3.5mm to Lightning adapter.
Apple did not specify why this was the case—maybe there is a technical limitation between Lightning and USB-C—however I think about it additionally helps that the corporate now has two new perks to spotlight with its “new” AirPods Max. Bear in mind, these headphones had been mainly the identical, minus the port and a few new colours, so now Apple can level to those options as exclusives, and causes to purchase the AirPods Max over the, effectively, older AirPods Max.
Should you’re an audiophile entrenched within the Apple ecosystem, then, yeah: It is a cause to purchase the brand new mannequin. Lossless audio help is superior, particularly when you have the lossless audio information to play. And when you have curiosity or want for a pair of headphones for music creation, all the higher.
Nevertheless, barring these wants, I would nonetheless suggest evaluating costs between the Lightning and USB-C AirPods Max. Shops are slicing the worth of the brand new mannequin greater than they used to, however in the event you discover a considerably whole lot on the Lightning headphones, contemplate them. Should you do not care about USB-C, lossless audio, or ultra-low latency, and also you simply desire a pair of high-quality wi-fi headphones that work effectively along with your Apple gadgets, you will be well-served by the unique pair—particularly in the event you can shred some digits off the worth tag.
