"While the 2024 relaunch of AirPods Max was relatively disappointing since it only brought new USB-C connectivity and new color options, the spring 2025 software update for Apple's over-the-ear headphones brought long-awaited professional upgrades that landed in iOS 18.4, as well as iPadOS 18.4 and MacOS Sequoia 15.4. The new software drop gave AirPods Max 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio."
"The official line on this is that it preserves more details from the original studio recordings, and Apple reports that Apple Music has over 100 million songs in lossless audio. The reality is that the vast majority of people aren't going to be able to tell the difference between a regular song on Apple Music (or any other service) and the lossless version."
AirPods Max excel at switching quickly and seamlessly across unlimited Apple devices, enabling instant pairing with phone, laptop, desktop, and tablet. The 2024 USB-C relaunch added new connectivity and color options but lacked professional wired performance. Spring 2025 software updates in iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and MacOS Sequoia 15.4 enabled 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio and reduced latency over wired connections. Lossless support preserves more studio detail while Apple Music hosts over 100 million lossless tracks, though most listeners may not perceive differences. The low-latency wired option makes the headphones viable for professional audio/video work and gaming. Comfort, battery life, and audio quality match high-end competitors despite a $549 price.
Read at ZDNET
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