AirPods Max update: lossless audio and ultra-low latency

AirPods Max are some of the best headphones you can buy. Active Noise Cancelling tech that blocks out distractions. Immersive Spatial Audio. 20 hours of battery life. You name it, they’ve got it. And now, there are two more reasons to love them…

That’s because Apple’s just rolled out a free firmware update which brings lossless audio and ultra-low latency to the party. Letting you enjoy high quality, lag-free sound when indulging in your fave movies, games, and albums. Make your own music? These new features will simplify your workflow too.

In this article, we’ll explain more about this awesome firmware update and show you how to get your AirPods Max headphones running on it. But before we do, let’s explain what lossless audio is and why it’s special.

What is lossless audio?

Most audio files (i.e. songs we download or stream) are ‘compressed’. This is a technique that’s used to reduce their size by removing unneeded data. Which means we can store more music on our devices and stream audio faster without waiting for it to buffer.

But there are two main types of audio compression: lossy and lossless. Lossy formats, like MP3, can sometimes strip away too much audio data. And this can lead to a less detailed and faithful reproduction of the original recording. While most people can’t tell, it can be noticeable when listening through high-quality headphones or hi-fi systems.

On the other hand, lossless formats like FLAC, ALAC, and AIFF use clever compression algorithms to reduce the file size without losing any of the original audio info. This means that they preserve all the nuances in your favourite tunes, so you can enjoy a richer sound that’s as close to the captured performance as possible.

a pair of apple airpods max headphones on a blue and green background

Lossless audio with AirPods Max

With Apple’s new firmware update, you’ll finally be able to play 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio files through your AirPods Max headphones. The only caveat is that they have to be connected to your phone, tablet, or computer via a USB-C cable. This is because AirPods still rely on the standard Bluetooth AAC codec in wireless mode, which is a compressed format that doesn't support lossless audio.

By plugging them in though, you’ll get to hear music that’s closer to what the artist intended in the studio. So, if you’re an audiophile who craves the highest fidelity, this update will basically make everything sound better!

Subscribed to Apple Music?

Over a whopping 100 million songs can be streamed in lossless audio. Just make sure to tweak your Apple Music audio quality settings to 'lossless' (24-bit/48kHz ALAC) on your connected device.

Not subbed yet? You can get up to 3 months of Apple Music (and other services like Apple Fitness+ and Apple Arcade) when you buy selected tech at Currys.

What does ultra-low latency bring to AirPods Max?

The latest firmware has turned AirPods Max into a wicked gaming headset too. Just download the update, plug them into your device with a USB-C cable, and you’ll get to play with practically zero response delay.

Not only will it make everything feel smoother and more immersive, but it’ll give you a competitive edge over your mates when battling them online. You’ll be able to react faster when you hear their footsteps approaching or an airstrike heading your way.

a pair of apple airpods max headphones on a colourful background

Benefits for music creators

AirPods Max headphones have been popular with music makers for a while now, especially when it comes to mixing. Not only as they deliver a balanced sound, but because they’re comfortable to wear for long sessions too. And with lossless audio support now, you can enjoy even higher quality playback to mix with extra precision.

But latency was an issue, making it hard to record instruments in real time while wearing these headphones. The latest firmware now addresses this, so you can experience the same kind of immediacy you’d get playing through the built-in speakers on a Mac, iPad or iPhone.

With that lossless audio and low latency combo, you can now use a pair of Apple AirPods Max from tracking to final mixing. Whether you’re using Logic Pro or a different digital audio workstation.

Mix in Personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking

Apple AirPods Max have now become the only headphones on the market that allow you to create and mix music in Personalised Spatial Audio. This means that you can take full advantage of Logic Pro’s immersive Spatial Audio mixing features to pan and place sounds without needing a complicated multi-speaker setup. Just use your AirPods Max instead!

How to update your AirPods Max’s firmware

Your AirPods Max headphones should update to the latest firmware automatically. As long as they’re on charge and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi.

If you’re not sure whether your AirPods Max headphone are running the new firmware, you can use your paired Apple device to check. Just open Settings, select Bluetooth, and hit the info button next to the name of your AirPods to find the firmware details.

If you can see that your AirPods Max headphones don’t have the latest firmware, follow these steps below to update them manually:

Connect your AirPods Max to your iPhone, iPad or Mac: Make sure the device you want to pair your headphones with has Bluetooth turned on, is connected to Wi-Fi, and running on the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.
Insert the charging cable into the right earphone: Then take the other end of the cable and plug it into a compatible USB charger or port.
Wait around 30 minutes for firmware to update: Keep your headphones in Bluetooth range of your paired device so the update completes.
Reconnect your AirPods Max: Hook your headphones up to your iPhone, iPad or Mac via Bluetooth again.
Check the firmware version: Use your connected Apple device’s Settings app to see that your headphones are running the latest firmware.

Can’t update your firmware?

Just reset your AirPods Max headphones and try to manually update their firmware again. Our how to reset AirPods guide has all the steps you’ll need to follow.

FAQs

Can AirPods Max Lightning models run the latest firmware?

No, AirPods Max with Lightning connectors can’t be updated to the latest firmware with lossless audio. It’s only available to the newer AirPods Max USB-C headphones.

Are AirPods max worth it?

if you want top-notch sound quality and seamless connectivity with your other Apple gadgets, AirPods Max headphones are definitely worth it. They offer excellent noise cancellation, a comfy fit, and are built to last too. Plus, with their latest firmware update introducing lossless audio and ultra-low latency, music makers and gamers can get even more out of them.