AirPods Max (USB-C version) wired audio impressions

[Microbe]

New colors for iPhone would be called a refresh. They had to swap the port for the EU regulations , so that’s kind of moot. Even the wired lossless support is something that should be a software fix for the lighting version, as lightning to USB cables already exist.

The 2024 APM is basically still running on the same technology as the 1st gen AirPods Pro … that came out in 2019, from which they took their lead at the time.

As good as the APM 2024 sound , I think it’s almost criminal that they didn’t at least get the H2 chip. So they will not even support adaptive audio , which even the AirPods 4 support, which are older than the 2024 APM.

 

[Aquamite]

This is perfectly what I needed. ❤️🎧

 

[Kylo83]

There is no lossless it sounds exactly the same as Bluetooth

 

[derbyshire2013]

Just wanted to add my thoughts on the USB-C version of AirPods Max.

Certainly no audiophile and unable to compare with the likes of Sony, Bose etc but they sound “richer” compared to my Beats and AirPods Pro 2nd Gen.

Whilst Bluetooth is lossless I do “feel” higher bit rate tracks sound better than expected… and maybe it’s just me but I feel the performance is better overall from my MacBook Pro and Mac Studio than from my iPhone when playing back music to the APM.

 

[Microbe]

I think you meant “whilst Bluetooth is *lossy” .

I have observed the same with AirPods 4 (even with iPhone) which is why I still keep my downloads in lossless . I have wondered if the lossless track is being converted to a slightly higher bitrate on the fly of AAC , maybe 320kbps , rather than the stock 256 kbps AAC native download. But I’m not sure if the Bluetooth connection would even have the bandwidth to support 320kbps anyway or if that is happening at all.

I wonder if there is a way to analyse this. Because I think I hear a slight but noticeable difference.

 

[derbyshire2013]

I think you meant “whilst Bluetooth is *lossy” .

I have observed the same with AirPods 4 (even with iPhone) which is why I still keep my downloads in lossless . I have wondered if the lossless track is being converted to a slightly higher bitrate on the fly of AAC , maybe 320kbps , rather than the stock 256 kbps AAC native download. But I’m not sure if the Bluetooth connection would even have the bandwidth to support 320kbps anyway or if that is happening at all.

I wonder if there is a way to analyse this. Because I think I hear a slight but noticeable difference.

Sorry I did indeed mean lossy 🙃. Just a punch in the wind but part of me also wonders if it potentially sounds “richer” from the MacBook & Studio because they support up to 24/96 whereas iPhone is just 24/48 (fully appreciate APM are capped at 24/48 over USB-C).

 

[Microbe]

... But I’m not sure if the Bluetooth connection would even have the bandwidth to support 320kbps anyway or if that is happening at all.

“AAC is a more complex codec than SBC, meaning more power drain but also better sound quality. It can handle 24-bit/44.1kHz audio files, with a *bitrate of up to 320kbps*, and is supported by Android devices (running Android 8 or later) as well as iOS.”

What are the best Bluetooth codecs? aptX, AAC, LDAC and more explained

Get to know your aptX from your AAC

www.whathifi.com

As to whether iOS supports 320 kbps per se Bluetooth is not clear.