When Apple released its pricey "new" AirPods Max with USB-C last fall, I asked whether the headphones would feature USB-C audio and get an optional USB-C-to-3.5mm cable for a wired connection to devices with a headphone jack. I didn't get a response from Apple, but neither feature was available at launch, which seemed... odd. Apple says both features are coming to the AirPods Max (with USB-C) as part of a firmware upgrade in April.
With the original Lighting-enabled AirPods Max, you could buy a Lightning to 3.5mm cable for $35 to get higher quality lossless audio from your computer (or a dedicated music player) and connect to in-flight entertainment systems. It was annoying that Apple didn't include the cable with its $549 headphones, especially since the sound was noticeably better in my tests when I listened to lossless tracks on my computer with a wired connection.
The advantage of the AirPods Max with USB-C is that you can use the included USB-C charging cable to connect the headphones to your USB-C-equipped PC, phone or tablet to get lossless audio. Plus, Apple will sell you a USB-C-to-3.5mm cable for $39. Again, such a cable should be included with headphones at this price (they're currently discounted to $480 at Amazon), but at least it will be available now.
The Apple USB-C to 3.5mm cable is available now.
"With this update, AirPods Max will unlock 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio, preserving the integrity of original recordings and allowing listeners to experience music the way the artist created it in the studio," Apple says. "Lossless audio also extends to Personalized Spatial Audio to deliver a more sonically accurate, uncompressed and immersive experience, and users can enjoy more than 100 million songs in lossless audio with Apple Music."
The press release also notes that the AirPods Max "become the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking," when used with the USB-C cable. Gamers will also appreciate the ultralow-latency audio.
If you own the AirPods Max and haven't used them in wired mode, it is worth trying: I noticed a significant upgrade in sound quality from wireless via Bluetooth. As soon as I test the refreshed AirPods Max (with USB-C-) in wired mode, I'll update this article with my hands-on impressions.
Read more: Apple AirPods Pro 3 rumored release date
Apple Music features millions of Lossless tracks.