AirPods Max to get lossless audio and ultra-low latency support

[Shawn Knight]

Something to look forward to: Apple is working on an update that will deliver improved audio quality to its AirPods Max headphones, the highest-end option in the AirPods lineup. The new software, due out sometime in April 2025, will enable 24-bit, 48-Hz lossless audio and ultra-low latency, but only in a specific configuration.

Apple introduced its AirPods Max in 2020. The original headphones utilized Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology and shipped with a Lightning connector for charging and optional wired playback. A USB-C version was introduced in late 2024 that also allows for audio line-in playback.

Notably, the pending update only applies to the USB-C variant and only when they are connected using the cable. With it, listeners will be able to enjoy more than 100 million songs on Apple Music and other platforms that afford lossless-quality tracks.

Apple said the new features will also benefit music creators, gamers, and livestreamers. The low-latency will be on part with the native built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, the company added.

One service that doesn't offer lossless, at least not as of this writing, is Spotify. The streaming giant has reportedly been working on such an offering for years but had its monetization plans derailed when Apple made lossless a free perk for Apple Music subscribers a few years back. Spotify's service is said to be ready and waiting, and they're still going to try and charge extra for it by bundling it with other perks like early access to purchase concert tickets. As for when to expect it, your guess is as good as mine.

The update will be part of iOS 8.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 that's due out in April.

Expect to pay up for Apple's top-of-the-line audio offering. AirPods Max retail for $549 in your choice of five colors: blue, purple, orange, black, or tan. Apple Music, meanwhile, commands $10.99 per month or $16.99 a month for a family plan that supports up to six users.

Image credit: Matoo Studio, Brett Jordan

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AirPods Max to get lossless audio and ultra-low latency support

 

[The Talking Tech]

"lossless audio and ultra-low latency support"

Aren't those features supposed to be included on Day 1 by every headset company out there?

You don't see companies admitting to audio loss and high latency on their headsets and yet they are ready to charge big bucks with every little "updated" revision.

 

[Eldrach]

This headset is way too heavy, they need to reduce the weight if they want to stay competitive.

 

[p51d007]

LOL It has an APPLE logo, so that commands $500+

 

[Axiarus]

"lossless audio and ultra-low latency support"

Aren't those features supposed to be included on Day 1 by every headset company out there?

You don't see companies admitting to audio loss and high latency on their headsets and yet they are ready to charge big bucks with every little "updated" revision.

AirPod Max are wireless. Bluetooth has always been lossy.

 

[The Talking Tech]

AirPod Max are wireless. Bluetooth has always been lossy.

Correct, but Bluetooth is over a decade old technology and companies only cared to increase the revisions of their products while ignoring the big elephant in the room... Bluetooth's poor connectivity stability and its terrible sound quality which that's why I said headsets by now should have been far better a long time ago.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Correct, but Bluetooth is over a decade old technology and companies only cared to increase the revisions of their products while ignoring the big elephant in the room... Bluetooth's poor connectivity stability and its terrible sound quality which that's why I said headsets by now should have been far better a long time ago.

No, you said:

"lossless audio and ultra-low latency support"

Aren't those features supposed to be included on Day 1 by every headset company out there?

which is incorrect, as Bluetooth is a lossy format and always has been. Thus, having lossless low latency audio is NOT an expected feature in bluetooth headsets, that is the realm of WIRED headsets, so it's a bgi deal when a wireless headset finds a way around bluetooth limitations.

 

[Subset6]

About time. Bluetooth is terrible at anything but music and podcasts. The latency being the biggest issue imo. (300ms) That really sucks because there are a ton of really good Bluetooth buds out there that you can never ever use for gaming.