AirPods, AirPods Max and AirPods Pro Don't Support Apple Music Lossless Audio

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced that starting in June, Apple Music songs will be available to stream in Lossless and Hi-Resolution Lossless formats, but lossless audio won't be supported on the AirPods, AirPods Max, or AirPods Pro.

Apple's Lossless Audio is encoded as Apple Lossless Audio Codec files, with lossless quality ranging from 16-bit 44.1 kHz playback to 24-bit 48 kHz playback and Hi-Res Lossless offering 24-bit 192 kHz quality.

AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max are limited to the Bluetooth AAC codec when paired with an iPhone, and won't be able to stream Apple Music lossless files, Apple confirmed to T3.

Apple did not mention AirPods compatibility in its press release announcing the new functionality, and on its website, Apple confirms that lossless audio can be listened to on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV, and T3 also says that HomePod is compatible even though it wasn't listed in Apple's announcement.

Apple's lossless audio is less compressed and offers up a more accurate version of the studio recording process, for music that sounds as it was intended by the artist. Lossless audio provides a wider dynamic range to bring out the detail and realism in music.

Hi-Res Lossless will require a USB digital to analog converter or similar equipment, but will provide the best sound experience. Listening to lossless audio on an iPhone will require wired headphones and it's possible an additional dongle will be needed to get the best sound quality. AirPods Max will also not support lossless audio over the Lightning cable, Apple told Micah Singleton.

While the AirPods, AirPods Max, and AirPods Pro do not support lossless audio, they do support Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, and by default, Apple Music will automatically play Dolby Atmos tracks on all AirPods and Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chip.

With Spatial Audio support, artists will be able to create immersive experiences that provide fans with multidimensional sound and clarity.

Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio are being added to Apple Music at no charge, so both new and current subscribers will get these features for the standard $9.99 per month (individual), $4.99 per month (student), or $14.99 per month (family) pricing.

Article Link: AirPods, AirPods Max and AirPods Pro Don't Support Apple Music Lossless Audio

 

[moabal]

So I am confused now. What is the point of this new feature now? Can someone breakdown this a little better?

 

[dohspc]

Glad I didn’t buy the first version of AirPods Max.

 

[unibility]

Well… there goes $549.00!

 

[oddx]

What about AirPods max being used in wired mode?

 

[MrLoL]

This is a major fail, does anyone know if it's technically possible that Apple could bring Lossless on AirPods via firmware update? I see a lot of people saying Bluetooth doesn't support Lossless and a lot of people saying ALAC could technically run over Bluetooth.. Confusing

 

[SanderEvers]

So an over $500 set of headphones can't play high res audio? This is a real facepalm for Apple here.

 

[nutmac]

I am guessing AirPods Max will support Lossless via Lightning to 3.5mm Audio Cable, and Hi-Res Lossless when further complemented by external 24-bit 192kHz DAC.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Ouch, hopefully Apple changes their mind about this.

 

[gusping]

Anyone buying these products doesn't care about audio quality. Pretty simple. Everyone knows even the AirPods Max don't support the right codecs.

 

[asdavis10]

Wow, Apple. I'm not usually one for the "planned obsolescence" talk but AirPods Max seem just like that.

 

[deevey]

Well… there just goes $549.00!

Use them wired and you can get lossless audio quality.

 

[boss.king]

Well, that's embarrassing.

 

[deevey]

This is a major fail, does anyone know if it's technically possible that Apple could bring Lossless on AirPods via firmware update? I see a lot of people saying Bluetooth doesn't support Lossless and a lot of people saying ALAC could technically run over Bluetooth.. Confusing

There is not enough bandwidth for even 16bit audio on bluetooth.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Just because they didn’t mention it doesn’t mean they won’t support it at time of launch, or that they don’t have another announcement for WWDC.

After pushing wireless for so long it would be incredibly surprising and a poor launch strategy not to release new lines of AirPods/Beats headphones with Apple Hi-Fi support.

It would likely require a new solution instead of relying on Bluetooth codecs.

 

[macsplusmacs]

My paired dual homepods connected to my mac await this update with eagerness.

 

[ipodlover77]

Does anybody know if this will be supported through the Windows iTunes app or iTunes through web browser?
Can't seem to find a clear answer.

 

[tonie walker]

waiting apple to drop a lossless cable for airpods max at $99 🤪

 

[Rogifan]

So this is just wireless, correct? I wonder how many use AirPods Max wired?

 

[topdrawer]

So I am confused now. What is the point of this new feature now? Can someone breakdown this a little better?

you can listen to it wired or through good speakers.

 

[DinkThifferent]

Glad I didn’t buy the first version of AirPods Max.

Blame Bluetooth, Not Apple.

 

[SanderEvers]

There is not enough bandwidth for even 16bit audio on bluetooth.

Actually LDAC is a thing, and it supports up to 32bit. On bluetooth.

 

[Surfer13134]

I get the Airpods and Airpods Pro because they have been out for a while now but the Airpods Max that just came out not supporting it is kinda a shot in the foot for all the early adopters who purchased a pair. Surely Apple knew Lossless was coming out when they were designing the Max headsets and should of included it for a $550 pair of headphones!

 

[deevey]

My paired dual homepods connected to my mac await this update with eagerness.

I highly doubt you are going to notice lossless with a HomePod

 

[kiensoy]

Sounds like lossless was a last minute addition to Apple Music probably because of of Spotify about to release their lossless service too. It makes no sense they would design AirPod Max with no lossless support in mind.