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AirPods Max (USB-C version) wired audio impressions
- Thread starter PotentPeas
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Thank you.
So in regards to how power is fed to the other earcup …
“
- This hinge needs to provide a sturdy but comfortable connection for the headband, while also reliably passing a power connection through from the battery.
Apple uses a wraparound flex cable in the rotating portion of the joint, with some clever routing and built-in strain relief—then switches over to spring contacts for the connection to the headband. What a flex.
Hopefully, all that adds up to fewer failures from cable wear. Durability is hard to predict at times, but it's clear that a lot of thought went into this setup.”
That said about the well implement (lossy) Bluetooth and the underwhelming USB-C audio quality which should be sounding far more nuanced than it does , I do wonder if there is some background APM audio processing still going on even with the type C connection. If that is indeed the case and if it can be defeated using a software update , then all is not lost. I will probably demo again from time to time to see if the APM type C performance eventually redeems itself.
I have a AirPods Max (Gen 2) with USB-C to USB-C connections. Firmware 7E101. I can listen to lossless through my MacBook Pro M4 with no issues. However, I when I plug the USB-C into my iPhone 15 pro Max it will not connect. --See screenshot. Is there a setting on my iPhone that I need to change?
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Hm, then it should work. I’ve heard some people finding some luck with restarting their iPhone or resetting their AirPods/forgetting the device on the iPhone. I was asking about the iOS version because 18.5 b1 breaks the USB-C feature on iOS.
Well...I just double checked and I am running 18.5 b1. Sorry that I missed that one. Is there a known work around?
Start lobbying Apple to add TrueHD support... I wonder if they ever will.
Based on the impressions I'm glad I waited.
I do definitely hear a difference with my wired Lightning APM -> 3.5mm cable so I might with these also but it seems like they aren't going to update Logic to add some native rendering pipeline that is seamless so it's kind of moot. Weird choice, hopefully it's just delayed.
I don't understand their statement about Spatial Audio if they aren't going to render Atmos to the headphones directly from Logic, you might as well use the renderer that supports translation to Stereo / Binaural at that point.
I think I will wait for 3rd gen, though I do like most newer Spatial mixes more than Stereo despite the slightly lossy codec, the headroom improvements more than make up for it in my experience and I am a very critical listener.
Edit: apparently I was incorrect, the renderer does support this natively. I didn’t realize that since, you know, the logic patch notes from last time don’t mention it at all.
I do definitely hear a difference with my wired Lightning APM -> 3.5mm cable so I
I don't understand their statement about Spatial Audio if they aren't going to render Atmos to the headphones directly from Logic, you might as well use the renderer that supports translation to Stereo / Binaural at that point.
I think I will wait for 3rd gen, though I do like most newer Spatial mixes more than Stereo despite the slightly lossy codec, the headroom improvements more than make up for it in my experience and I am a very critical listener.
Edit: apparently I was incorrect, the renderer does support this natively. I didn’t realize that since, you know, the logic patch notes from last time don’t mention it at all.
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Thank you, I am baffled why they didn’t release a note on this. I didn’t expect support to already be in the renderer directly which had to happen with a now months-old previous update, and was not mentioned on logic’s extensive release notes page…
Head tracking is garbage for production but the renderer not having to fold down is a big deal. Appreciate the link. My wallet does not!
… to carry on where I left off.
So I had another demo of the APM last night.
I have been in the Apple ecosystem exclusively for 10 years. I have many Apple products including AirPods over the years. I never bought the APM … purely because it never allowed a digital audio connection , but we now know that it was enabled recently on USB-C .
And yes , to me the type C audio is still underwhelming, as my demo confirmed to me last night.
I did say that I couldn’t tell much difference between Bluetooth and type C connection. Last night I discovered that I actually enjoyed listening to the Bluetooth MORE than I did the type C.
I don’t know how to explain the more enjoyable sounding Bluetooth , other than the type C method may still be a work in progress and may improve in subsequent software updates. On the other hand, IF the Bluetooth pathway is using a higher quality DAC than the type C pathway then, there will be no software update that will level the playing field.
But what started out as a A-B comparison , made me realise how much I enjoyed listening to the wireless APM , ironically , has been the game changer for me - I literally couldn’t put the wireless APM down.
I need another week to cool off , to be 100% sure. But my birthday is not far off and I think I will might just be gifting a pair of Starlight APM to myself.
(I have Apple Music , my music is all downloaded to my phone as lossless tracks. I do know the iPhone is converting my lossless tracks to AAC on the fly for Bluetooth. )
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Strangely enough, the wired USB-C mode still requires Bluetooth for some of the AirPods functionality. If you’re listening over USB-C and fully turn OFF Bluetooth (from settings and not control center), you will no longer be able to access the Spatial Audio controls, and it seems to disable the Spatial Audio entirely. It also will disable any adjustments you may have made to Headphone Accommodations in settings as well.
It stores personalized spatial audio (which everyone should use) on the device, not the headphones. They also need Bluetooth for head tracking to a device location when that horrible option is turned on.
Bluetooth should not sound better overall, it is more lossy, but maybe some people prefer that. Vinyl is incredibly lossy and a lot of people like that too (Yes, I know the difference is usually in mastering for the audiophiles reading).
Totally agree that Bluetooth should not sound better than type C. It is counterintuitive.
A month ago , if someone had told me that I would be writing just that about the APM , I would not have believed them.
But I have to be honest about my opinion and not fear begin ridiculed l (not that I think anyone is doing that).
This is what I am doing. : demo of 2024 model of APM in Apple store , Apple Music downloaded as lossless to my iPhone , Bluetooth connection (therefore being converted to AAC on the fly).
But I will probably still not download the lossy versions , I still want the option to try lossless from time to time. And be able to play lossless on my car audio.
A month ago , if someone had told me that I would be writing just that about the APM , I would not have believed them.
But I have to be honest about my opinion and not fear begin ridiculed l (not that I think anyone is doing that).
This is what I am doing. : demo of 2024 model of APM in Apple store , Apple Music downloaded as lossless to my iPhone , Bluetooth connection (therefore being converted to AAC on the fly).
But I will probably still not download the lossy versions , I still want the option to try lossless from time to time. And be able to play lossless on my car audio.
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Try Spatial audio with the cable vs. without, there is more data there and I have a feeling the difference will be more pronounced. A couple people corroborated that earlier. I suggest using Spatial audio but turn head tracking to “fixed” which you can do by holding down the volume slider in control center which exposes more more options when playing back audio from Apple Music.
I also download everything in lossless, inclduing on mobile. I do hear a difference even playing back wirelessly.
Apple’s encoding and their ADC / DAC is very good. On my lightning APM there is a definite improvement using a wired connection to a professional audio interface but it is not that dramatic of a difference, the more dramatic part is the reduction in latency.
They are great headphones regardless, I’ve used the hell out of my old pair and look forward to upgrading now that wired compatibility is present which I need for recording and monitoring. They’re also designed exceptionally well, maybe the only over-ear headphones you can lay down with comfortably. I just wish they put an H2 in them for Adaptive Noise Cancellation and lower latency wireless support.
… this already may have been covered but the stunning lack of H2 chip in the 2024 APM is crippling from the WIRELESS lossless audio-potential point-of-view, witness the AVP:
“How to listen to lossless on your Apple Vision Pro
Would I ever buy the AVP ? No foreseeable intention but a smidge of future-proofing would have been nice , Apple , as you might in the not too distant future release an enabling accessory far less expensive than the AVP that enables wireless lossless audio.
“How to listen to lossless on your Apple Vision Pro
What you need
You can listen to lossless on Apple Vision Pro using:- The built-in speakers
- AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C Charging Case, or Powerbeats Pro 2”
Would I ever buy the AVP ? No foreseeable intention but a smidge of future-proofing would have been nice , Apple , as you might in the not too distant future release an enabling accessory far less expensive than the AVP that enables wireless lossless audio.
The 2024 APM came out 4 years after the original.
One would presume that it will be another 4 years until the next update…
Actually , it seems Apple’s hand was forced by EU regulations at the end of 2024 requiring portable devices to support type C by Dec 2024. And maybe Apple weren’t ready to make the upgrades that they otherwise would.
I think it’s possible that the 2024 APM was simply a stop gap serving little more purpose than to ensure that they were able to carry on selling the APM in the EU.
I think it’s not inconceivable that they could bring out a proper update within a year.
And they have form in doing this.
Remember the AirPods Pro 2 with type-C charging case , it was released almost under the radar just a year after the AirPods Pro 2-lightning. Only it wasn’t just an upgrade to type C , even though the lightning version already had the H2 chip - yet it is only the type C version that supports wireless lossless audio with the Apple Vision Pro.
So think I might try trying to hold out for another year.
One would presume that it will be another 4 years until the next update…
Actually , it seems Apple’s hand was forced by EU regulations at the end of 2024 requiring portable devices to support type C by Dec 2024. And maybe Apple weren’t ready to make the upgrades that they otherwise would.
I think it’s possible that the 2024 APM was simply a stop gap serving little more purpose than to ensure that they were able to carry on selling the APM in the EU.
I think it’s not inconceivable that they could bring out a proper update within a year.
And they have form in doing this.
Remember the AirPods Pro 2 with type-C charging case , it was released almost under the radar just a year after the AirPods Pro 2-lightning. Only it wasn’t just an upgrade to type C , even though the lightning version already had the H2 chip - yet it is only the type C version that supports wireless lossless audio with the Apple Vision Pro.
So think I might try trying to hold out for another year.
But they did new colors. To me, that implies it was more than just a port swap.
I think it'll be 4 years from release of USB-c APM until we see a true second gen.
Just buy the current gen and sell it for a 50% loss on eBay when the next gen comes out. That way you don't have to sweat.