Apple Introduces Lossless Audio for AirPods Max
Apple has announced that the AirPods Max will soon support lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio via a firmware update set to arrive next month. This update will coincide with the release of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS 15.4, bringing what Apple calls the “ultimate” audio experience to its premium headphones. The upgrade will be available for the USB-C version of the AirPods Max, potentially enhancing sound quality for users who listen to high-resolution audio files.
For context, most audio files undergo compression to reduce their size, often leading to some loss of audio quality. Compression formats such as MP3 and Apple’s Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) remove certain details from the audio, whereas lossless formats like Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) maintain all original data. Apple Music already offers its entire catalog in both AAC and ALAC, ensuring listeners have access to high-quality sound.
Marketing Claims vs. Apple’s Own Support Document
Apple’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Greg Joswiak, took to social media to tout the lossless and ultra-low latency features as game-changers, promising “mind-blowing sound quality.” However, Apple’s own support documentation appears to contradict this marketing claim. According to the company, AAC is already capable of delivering audio that is “virtually indistinguishable” from an original studio recording. This statement raises questions about how much of an impact lossless audio will truly have on the AirPods Max experience.
Apple acknowledges in its official documentation that the difference between AAC and lossless audio is negligible. If this is the case, referring to lossless audio as an “ultimate” upgrade may be an overstatement. While the ultra-low latency feature could be beneficial for minimizing audio delays, it does not directly enhance sound quality, further calling into question the magnitude of the improvements Apple is advertising.
Is Lossless Audio a Meaningful Upgrade?
While the promise of lossless audio may seem like a significant leap forward, Apple’s own admissions suggest otherwise. The company itself has stated that its existing AAC codec already provides a high-fidelity listening experience that most users cannot distinguish from lossless formats. As a result, the actual benefits of this upgrade might not be as transformative as Apple’s marketing suggests.
The addition of ultra-low latency audio could improve the listening experience for some users, particularly those using AirPods Max for gaming or video applications where audio delay can be noticeable. However, for the average listener enjoying Apple Music or streaming content, the impact of this update may be marginal.
Ultimately, while Apple’s announcement may generate excitement, it remains to be seen whether lossless audio and lower latency will truly enhance the AirPods Max experience in a way that justifies the hype.
