Revised AirPods Max Now Justifiable Purchase by Apple
Hey there, folks! Let's talk AirPods Max, shall we? You remember the first-gen version? I recommended skipping their second-gen counterparts because Apple was selling them at a higher price for almost the exact same thing, minus the Lightning port and plus a USB-C one. And guess what? They were incompatible with a 3.5mm adapter for wired playback, which was a bummer.
But here's something exciting! Apple recently rolled out an update for the USB-C AirPods Max, and it's pretty sweet. In April, they'll be releasing iOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4, and with those updates, the AirPods Max USB-C will support both lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio. So, instead of playing music via Bluetooth and losing a bit of information in the process (even though it might be hard to notice), you can plug them directly into your Mac, iPhone, or iPad and enjoy lossless audio. Just be mindful that those files will be larger than compressed music because they retain all the information.
$549.00 Save $69.01
Moreover, with the ultra-low latency audio feature, professional musicians can now use these headphones for real-time audio feedback while creating music, a massive advantage previously impossible with wireless headphones due to Bluetooth's inherent delay. Apple even brags that these AirPods Max are the only headphones that allow musicians to create and mix music with Personalized Spatial Audio and head tracking in mind.
Sadly, this update doesn't apply to the original AirPods Max owners, like yours truly. Guess we're left out in the cold with our "subpar" AirPods Max. But if you're an audiophile or a music producer within the Apple ecosystem, you might find this update compelling enough to upgrade.
$479.99 at Amazon
As always, compare prices between the two versions. The stores are offering more significant discounts on the new model, but if you manage to nab a good deal on the original one, it might be worth considering. If you only care about wireless headphones that work seamlessly with your Apple devices and don't need lossless audio or ultra-low latency, the original AirPods Max should still serve you well, especially if you can score a sweet discount on them.
$549.00 Save $69.01
- The AirPods Max USB-C, now supporting lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio, is a significant upgrade for audiophiles and professional musicians, making them expensive but arguably inconsequential for those who don't require lossless audio or ultra-low latency.
- Interestingly, the tech industry giant, Apple, has priced the AirPods Max USB-C higher than its previous version, despite the new features, ensuring its place among the expensive headphones in the market.
- Despite the exciting update, it's noteworthy that the AirPods Max lossless audio feature is only compatible with AirPods Max USB-C, not the original version, making the update an inconsequential investment for current AirPods Max owners.
