Apple Releases New AirPods Max Firmware

[MacRumors]

Apple today released a new firmware update for the USB-C version of the AirPods Max headphones. The new firmware is version 7E108, up from the prior 7E101 firmware the device was previously running.

There is no word on what's new in the firmware as of yet, if anything. It is likely that the update focuses on under-the-hood performance improvements.

With the prior 7E101 firmware, Apple added support for lossless audio and ultra low-latency audio for the USB-C AirPods Max, so there could also be a bug fix related to this capability.

The USB-C AirPods Max now support 24-bit 48 kHz lossless audio, which is designed to allow listeners to experience music the way the artist created it in the studio.

Firmware can be installed by putting the AirPods Max in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi, and then plugging them in to charge. It can take up to 30 minutes for firmware to update.

You can check your firmware version by going to Settings > Bluetooth and selecting the Info button next to the AirPods Max when they are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Update: Apple's release notes state only that the update delivers "bug fixes and performance improvements" without providing any detail on what has changed.

Article Link: Apple Releases New AirPods Max Firmware

 

[SAIRUS]

Hopefully no one says noise cancellation got worse.

 

[Schnegg]

Questions for USB-C Max owners: is the sound signature over BT and cable the same? Can you personally hear quality difference for lossless files?

 

[Aquamite]

Trying to update mine. However I don't see the update reflected in Apple's support site.

About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support

Learn about changes and features included in the firmware updates for your AirPods.

support.apple.com

 

[Jdhommert]

I'm hoping we get a fat sale on these soon. Considering we won't be getting an upgrade soon with the recent USB-C update and now that it can do "lossless" while wired, they have my interest more than they used to. I'm not an audiophile and would never need anything better than a MX6 or APM. Being deep in the Apple ecosystem makes the extra $100 worth it for the APM.

I just hate how they aren't even sweat resistant and it's advised to not wear them while working out....which is the entire reason I'm wanting a new set of headphones as the noise cancelation on my APP2s has gone to crap. Basically every time I put them on, I have to check to make sure ANC is on because it doesn't seem like it. I need to try cleaning the mics to see if that helps.

 

[damnhandy]

I'm hoping we get a fat sale on these soon. Considering we won't be getting an upgrade soon with the recent USB-C update and now that it can do "lossless" while wired, they have my interest more than they used to. I'm not an audiophile and would never need anything better than a MX6 or APM. Being deep in the Apple ecosystem makes the extra $100 worth it for the APM.

I just hate how they aren't even sweat resistant and it's advised to not wear them while working out....which is the entire reason I'm wanting a new set of headphones as the noise cancelation on my APP2s has gone to crap. Basically every time I put them on, I have to check to make sure ANC is on because it doesn't seem like it. I need to try cleaning the mics to see if that helps.

Don't bother. I have had mine for 2.5 years and while they sound absolutely amazing, there's SO many things wrong withe overall design that make it not worth it, especially at the eye watering price. I picked up my pair for $429 on sale and it's still too expensive. Here's what the reviews don't tell you:

• The lack of an off switch is super annoying. The fact that "off" is putting them the carrying case is such an weird design choice.
• The case sucks.
• While the ear cups are very comfortable, they get filthy quickly. Cleaning them isn't the easiest and you eventually need to replace them. $70 for new ones from Apple is pricey. Third-party are cheaper, but they don't sound the same.
• Moisture is a thing.
• The APMs loose connectivity frequently and it's maddening to fix it.

Now that I am past my Apple Care window, my APMs won't connect or reset. They are the most disappointing Apple product I have ever owned. They do sound amazing, but the fact that it's been SO DAMN unreliable for something that costs over $500 is pathetic. My kid's Beats Studio Pro's are a MUCH better value. They sound the same, have an off switch, and you can get them new for $169.

 

[jabbr]

is the Max zero latency when wired?

 

[thelion7]

Don't bother. I have had mine for 2.5 years and while they sound absolutely amazing, there's SO many things wrong withe overall design that make it not worth it, especially at the eye watering price. I picked up my pair for $429 on sale and it's still too expensive. Here's what the reviews don't tell you:

• The lack of an off switch is super annoying. The fact that "off" is putting them the carrying case is such an weird design choice.
• The case sucks.
• While the ear cups are very comfortable, they get filthy quickly. Cleaning them isn't the easiest and you eventually need to replace them. $70 for new ones from Apple is pricey. Third-party are cheaper, but they don't sound the same.
• Moisture is a thing.
• The APMs loose connectivity frequently and it's maddening to fix it.

Now that I am past my Apple Care window, my APMs won't connect or reset. They are the most disappointing Apple product I have ever owned. They do sound amazing, but the fact that it's been SO DAMN unreliable for something that costs over $500 is pathetic. My kid's Beats Studio Pro's are a MUCH better value. They sound the same, have an off switch, and you can get them new for $169.

Sorry to hear apart from the annoying design and functionality choices I do feel the AirPod Maxes are more a fashion accessory than a good pair of headphones for the price.

I mean £500+ to not have a power button, a case that looks like a bra and barely protects that purchase. Lack of Lossless unless you buy the new colour with a charging port that should have been there from day one.

From a silicon and software perspective they’re worse than the AirPods Pro 2 which are half the price.

Awful product when it comes to value for money of which is something Apple could fix quite easily.

H2 chips in each headphone, usbc (already done) a power button and a lighter but still sturdy material.

Although you could argue the h2s aren’t brand new either but I’ll take anything at this stage. Just changing a port with new colors is an insult.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Here's what the reviews don't tell you:

• The lack of an off switch is super annoying. The fact that "off" is putting them the carrying case is such an weird design choice.
• The case sucks.
• While the ear cups are very comfortable, they get filthy quickly. Cleaning them isn't the easiest and you eventually need to replace them. $70 for new ones from Apple is pricey. Third-party are cheaper, but they don't sound the same.
• Moisture is a thing.
• The APMs loose connectivity frequently and it's maddening to fix it.

I’m so disappointed, you said that this was “ what the reviews don’t tell you”, but I’ve heard all these complaints in reviews. /J
Another one to add to the list, the top canopy that sits on the top of your head flattens and becomes very uncomfortable as they age, and there is pretty much nothing to do about it. The top part can technically be separated from the headphones, but Apple won’t replace it individually.

 

[jicon]

Aren't most of these firmware updates to facilitate code to charge said device in a safer manner as the battery ages/cycles?

 

[NMBob]

24-bit 48 kHz lossless audio is designed to allow listeners to experience music the way the artist created it in the studio.
So there's no bass or treble adjustment when listening to lossless?

 

[Tibosa]

Hopefully it will fix the sound issue, that appears after some time on windows, while used wired.

 

[russell_314]

Apple today released a new firmware update for the USB-C version of the AirPods Max headphones.

Come on Apple how about Lightning AirPods Max headphones? I feel left out 😂

 

[Corpuscle]

Hopefully it will fix the sound issue, that appears after some time on windows, while used wired.

This fixed all my sound issues.

 

[damnhandy]

Sorry to hear apart from the annoying design and functionality choices I do feel the AirPod Maxes are more a fashion accessory than a good pair of headphones for the price.

I mean £500+ to not have a power button, a case that looks like a bra and barely protects that purchase. Lack of Lossless unless you buy the new colour with a charging port that should have been there from day one.

From a silicon and software perspective they’re worse than the AirPods Pro 2 which are half the price.

Awful product when it comes to value for money of which is something Apple could fix quite easily.

H2 chips in each headphone, usbc (already done) a power button and a lighter but still sturdy material.

Although you could argue the h2s aren’t brand new either but I’ll take anything at this stage. Just changing a port with new colors is an insult.

The AirPods Pro 2 are indeed better in terms of sound quality. Even more so if you have hearing loss as you can tune the headphones using an audiogram is a game changer for me. This is why I find the that the AirPods Pro 2 sound better than the APMs.

And your are spot with the USB-C APMs, that was a massive disappointment. What you describe is almost what the Beats Studio Pro delivers on, sans the H2 and W chipsets. But at $169 on sale, the Beats Studio Pros are a much better value.

 

[Micheal3758383]

Luckily they finally released new version of Sony WH 1000 XM6!!! I have already ordered them and I can finally throw the garbage named airpod Max into the trashcan and I will never return back!!! it was the worst experience with electronics ever

 

[sblundgren]

The AirPods Pro 2 are indeed better in terms of sound quality. Even more so if you have hearing loss as you can tune the headphones using an audiogram is a game changer for me. This is why I find the that the AirPods Pro 2 sound better than the APMs.

And your are spot with the USB-C APMs, that was a massive disappointment. What you describe is almost what the Beats Studio Pro delivers on, sans the H2 and W chipsets. But at $169 on sale, the Beats Studio Pros are a much better value.

My USB-C APMs do support using an audiogram, is that something new from the lightning version?

 

[Peepo]

They need to release a firmware to fix AirPods Pro 2 ANC so it actually works like it did when I first got them. It kinda sucks now because it doesn’t cancel out everything like it used to.

 

[JoeG4]

Don't bother. I have had mine for 2.5 years and while they sound absolutely amazing, there's SO many things wrong withe overall design that make it not worth it, especially at the eye watering price. I picked up my pair for $429 on sale and it's still too expensive. Here's what the reviews don't tell you:

• The lack of an off switch is super annoying. The fact that "off" is putting them the carrying case is such an weird design choice.
• The case sucks.
• While the ear cups are very comfortable, they get filthy quickly. Cleaning them isn't the easiest and you eventually need to replace them. $70 for new ones from Apple is pricey. Third-party are cheaper, but they don't sound the same.
• Moisture is a thing.
• The APMs loose connectivity frequently and it's maddening to fix it.

Now that I am past my Apple Care window, my APMs won't connect or reset. They are the most disappointing Apple product I have ever owned. They do sound amazing, but the fact that it's been SO DAMN unreliable for something that costs over $500 is pathetic. My kid's Beats Studio Pro's are a MUCH better value. They sound the same, have an off switch, and you can get them new for $169.

I bought mine (lightning version) just over a year ago and feel the same, except the sound quality is a mixed bag! The transparency mode truly is incredible.. but the microphones pick up the sound of my hair rustling against the case. Apparently they didn't consider people with long hair? LOL

The sound quality itself is decent... for bluetooth headphones. I was disappointed when I realized a couple of my favorite smooth jazz songs which are fairly heavy on piano don't sound nearly as good on my APMs as they do on my old beat up beyerdynamic dt880s. As that one meme goes: "My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined."

I think the materials and the build are pretty cool, if only the headband didn't have that known issue of stretching out and the swivel joints didn't have that known issue of breaking with time. The case is atrocious and stinks.


At least they feel comfortable on my head, and overall they sound good.

 

[hdolivera]

I read this news today and verifying in my AirPods Max can see this upgrade to new version 108 during night without connect or any procedure. All automatically. Apple is the best in all. Cheers.

 

[SunMac]

Questions for USB-C Max owners: is the sound signature over BT and cable the same? Can you personally hear quality difference for lossless files?

I don't have the C version but I do have the wired lightning adapter and I can hear a slight difference in sound quality I would say its around 10% difference depending on the music your listening to. It's more that you can hear the studio silence and it gives a more open, full sound. But music in general sounds better even over bluetooth with the Max. So I would assume the C would sound even a little better wired.

is the Max zero latency when wired?

Basically. I've used Logic with it wired and its pretty much on par with any other wired headphone latency.

 

[hdolivera]

I don't have the C version but I do have the wired lightning adapter and I can hear a slight difference in sound quality I would say its around 10% difference depending on the music your listening to. It's more that you can hear the studio silence and it gives a more open, full sound. But music in general sounds better even over bluetooth with the Max. So I would assume the C would sound even a little better wired.


Basically. I've used Logic with it wired and its pretty much on par with any other wired headphone latency.

I have AirPods Mac USB C and think have better sound when use a cable connection to iMac and iPhone. I like good quality music. Have Harman Kardon equipment on my house and audio equipment signed in my vehicles. I don't define me as audiophile but exigent in audio. Essentials of Creedence Clearwater Revival is in 24 bits/96khz. Is a good example to test. Best

 

[SUGAR RAY WONKA]

My USB-C APMs do support using an audiogram, is that something new from the lightning version?

My lightning APMs also support using an audiogram

 

[AriaAmaris]

I had a pair and they kept disconnecting from my device. Had to restart to reconnect. Returned and bought the Sony’s. Never had an issue and I can connect to 2 devices with the Sony’s. Not to mention they are lighter and more compact to carry.