AirPods Max Gain Lossless Audio for Music and Gaming Pros

Matic Magister

Aug 20, 2025

Apple’s high-end AirPods Max headphones lossless audio support with ultra-low latency, courtesy of a new software update. This development has tech enthusiasts buzzing, and not just audiophiles and musicians, but even gamers. Suddenly, a product once seen as a luxury listening accessory is being touted as a potential tool for music production and more. Could AirPods Max really transition from stylish consumer gadget to the go-to gear for music professionals?

In this article, we’ll explore the implications of Apple’s lossless audio update, from the immersive world of gaming (yes, even online blackjack) to the technical needs of studio pros. We’ll compare AirPods Max to industry-favorite headphones and consider whether creators can truly trust these wireless cans in their studios.

The Gaming Edge: Will Airpods Max Fit In?

When we think of high-stakes online gaming, we often focus on visuals and gameplay. But audio is the unsung hero of immersive gaming, and Apple’s AirPods Max might just have a seat at the table. In fact, one of the most influential promoters of headphones are gamers, especially those who stream their live gameplay, and show up the headphone of their choice to communicate with the external world of games. And the business of streamers is now popular more than ever amid the growing popularity of strategic casino games or other options.

We can take online blackjack where the thrill isn’t only in the cards; it’s in the atmosphere. Crisp, high-fidelity sound can let you hear the shuffle of cards, the clink of chips, and a dealer’s voice as if you were on a real casino floor. A quality headset makes these subtle sounds come alive, transforming a simple blackjack hand into a sensory experience. The effect of immersiveness they provide, has become one of the advantages of online blackjack games that excel in the competition with traditional casino gaming. As gaming experts note, a great pair of headphones lets players pick up on soundtracks and effects that developers painstakingly design, while also canceling out distractions. In a tense round of online blackjack, that means the background jazz, crowd murmurs, and even the virtual dealer’s banter feel more authentic, and your noisy real-world surroundings fade away.

So, where do AirPods Max fit in? Until now, they weren’t a typical choice for gamers. But with Apple’s update enabling ultra-low latency audio, that could change. Latency (audio delay) is a big deal in gaming; any lag between on-screen action and sound can break immersion the AirPods Max’s new wired mode cuts lag to essentially zero – “on par with the native speakers” of your device, making gameplay “reliably smooth and even more immersive” . In other words, whether you’re timing your move in an online blackjack tournament or dodging enemies in a shooter, the sound should sync perfectly with the action. Coupled with the AirPods Max’s excellent active noise cancellation (to block out the real world), gamers get both isolation and fidelity.

The Technical Leap: What Lossless Audio Means for Music Professionals

Beyond the buzz in the gaming crowd, Apple’s lossless update is squarely aimed at music creators and audio professionals. But what exactly is “lossless audio,” and why does it matter when platforms like Spotify still haven’t achieved it yet despite the enormous number? In simple terms, lossless audio means no data is thrown away when compressing the music. It preserves the full detail of the original recording - every instrument, every reverb tail, every nuance, in the digital file.

Previously, if you listened to Apple Music on AirPods Max, you were hearing a compressed AAC stream (max ~256 kbps, 44.1 kHz) where some detail is sacrificed for smaller size. With the new update, AirPods Max can deliver 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when plugged in via USB-C, maintaining the quality of the original studio masters. In other words, what reaches your ears can now be virtually identical to what the sound engineer heard in the control room.

Competitive Landscape: How AirPods Max Compare with Studio Favorites

Before music professionals trade in their trusty studio headphones, it’s worth comparing AirPods Max to the established favorites in studios and production rooms. The pro audio world is full of legendary headphones that have earned decades of trust for their sound accuracy and reliability. Here are a few examples of studio staples and how AirPods Max stacks up:

Sony MDR-7506: This ~$100 closed-back headphone has been an industry standard since the 1980s. Beloved for its clear, neutral sound and durability, the MDR-7506 is the audio industry’s favorite, a go-to for producers and artists who want gear that just works. It’s lightweight, folds up, and you can replace parts easily. The AirPods Max certainly cost more and weigh more, but they add modern features (wireless, noise-canceling) that Sony lacks.

In terms of sound, the 7506 is known for a slight treble boost that reveals hiss and detail, whereas AirPods Max reportedly have a mild treble roll-off for a smoother sound. For a mixing engineer, the Sony’s brighter signature might expose flaws more readily, while the AirPods’ adaptive EQ aims for a balanced, if slightly warmer tone. The 7506 will never run out of battery in the middle of a session; an area where AirPods Max, which need power even when wired, must prove themselves.

Beyerdynamic DT Series (770/990): Beyerdynamic’s Pro series headphones (e.g., the DT 770 Pro closed-back and DT 990 Pro open-back) are renowned for comfort (those velour pads!) and a generally balanced sound with solid bass. They’re common in studios for tracking (770) and mixing (990). AirPods Max vs Beyerdynamic DT: Comfort-wise, the Beyers have an edge as AirPods Max are heavy (384g) and some find them fatiguing over long periods , whereas a DT 990 is around 250g with a more traditional fit. However, AirPods Max brings active noise cancellation to the table, which can be a blessing if you’re working in a noisy environment or on the go.

Sennheiser HD 650 / HD 800 S: AirPods Max vs Sennheiser HD: This is almost a clash of philosophies. The Sennheisers are wired, purpose-built for pure sonic performance, and they leak sound like crazy (so only usable in quiet rooms). AirPods Max are closed and tuned to sound great in everyday use cases, with DSP ensuring consistency. An doesn’t have any digital trickery, meaning what you feed it is what you get out, which purists love.

However, the AirPods Max’s Personalized Spatial Audio and head tracking offer something the Sennheisers can’t: the ability to simulate different acoustic spaces or 3D sound environments, which could be useful when mixing surround sound or just checking how a mix might feel in a “room.” From a professional standpoint, one might use HD 650s to nail the fundamental mix balance, then use AirPods Max to preview the mix in Apple’s spatial audio format or to see how a consumer (with ANC on a commute) might hear it. Each has its strengths – one in raw audio fidelity and soundstage, the other in versatility and modern features.