{"id":47201,"date":"2025-03-25T14:26:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T18:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=47201"},"modified":"2025-04-02T14:53:36","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T18:53:36","slug":"airpods-max-lossless-and-low-latency-audio-over-usb-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/25\/airpods-max-lossless-and-low-latency-audio-over-usb-c\/","title":{"rendered":"AirPods Max Lossless and Low Latency Audio Over USB-C"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tim Hardwick<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Apple will bring lossless audio and ulta-low latency audio to AirPods Max in its upcoming iOS 18.4 software update arriving in April, according to the company.<\/p>

[…]<\/p>

Apple also said that today it is making a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable<\/a> available to buy for $39 from its online store, Apple Store app, and authorized resellers. The cable lets users connect AirPods Max to 3.5mm audio sources like airplane audio ports or connect their iPhone or iPad to speakers or car stereos with 3.5mm inputs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

John Voorhees<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

The update will enable 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio, which Apple says is supported by over 100 million songs on Apple Music. Using the headphones’ USB-C cable, musicians will enjoy ultra-low latency and lossless audio in their Logic Pro workflows. The USB-C cable will allow them to produce Personalized Spatial Audio, too.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Christina Warren<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

As someone who was dumb enough to buy the AirPods Max USB-C edition even after bitching for 4 years about the Lightning Version -- and who had to spend $60 on an AirFly to use it in business class -- this update is overdue but welcome.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Nick Heer<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

Allow me to recap the absurd timeline of lossless support for AirPods models.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Steven Aquino<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

Whatever Apple’s rationale for the delay, the reason I’m covering the ostensibly esoteric and unrelated bit of AirPods Max news is because it dawned on me while reading Apple’s announcement that I’ve never written about them in an accessibility context.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

A magnetic USB-C port surely would go a long way in shaping an even better user experience for myself (and others).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

See also: TidBITS-Talk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n