In keeping with the new Airpods-Max firmware: Apple sells USB-C audiocabula

Small surprise for all owners of the Airpods Max with USB-C connection: Apple's expensive over-ears have dominated USB audio including Lossless, but only with iOS 18.4, MacOS 15.4 and a firmware update that is scheduled to appear in April. Appropriately, Apple also brings another product: a combination of A/D and D/A converter in the form of a new cable.

To the AirPods Max …

The stripes are called “USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable (1.2 m)” And is already delivered this week – at a price of 45 euros. It initially remained unclear whether the Airpods Max also support other-cheaper-USB audio cables, this will only be shown after the new firmware (as well as the iOS and MacOS updates). However, the probability is great.

The new Apple cable comes on one side with a USB-C connection, on the other with a stereo jack plug (3.5 mm). In regular operation, both Airpods Max and Beats Studio Pro can be connected to analog sound sources (audio-out), which then also (almost) arrive in the listeners. “Together with the Airpods Max, this cable enables extremely low latency, comparable to the built -in speakers of the device. For an optimal experience when playing or creating content,” writes Apple.

… and back from iPhone and iPad

But that is not the only function of the new string. She also works bidirectional. So you can alternatively use them to connect devices with a USB-C connection that can transmit audio with an analog audio-in connection. This includes, for example, amplifiers, loudspeaker systems or car entertainment systems with jack socket. According to Apple, this works with iPhones and iPads with USB-C.

The new cable is reminiscent of a similar connector (from € 28.95)which Apple once had for the old Airpods Max (as well as iPhones and iPads) with Lightning connection. Incidentally, the “Apple Lightning on 3.5mm clinke Audiocabel” is no longer sold by Apple itself, but is still available in stores. In the meantime, Apple had also included an adapter from Lightning to Klinke, which will be Furthermore sold (from € 5.95).