Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Nah, I get what you say, but the 3D effect is off in music (no difference with spatial audio on or off). Lack of animation on spatial audio icon shows this clearly. We are in mid-rollout I guess.
 
Nah, I get what you say, but the 3D effect is off in music (no difference with spatial audio on or off). Lack of animation on spatial audio icon shows this clearly. We are in mid-rollout I guess.

I’m not even sure if it’s supposed to animate when playing music though it does with movies. Like you I see Dolby digital on the songs but hear no difference.
 
Nah, I get what you say, but the 3D effect is off in music (no difference with spatial audio on or off). Lack of animation on spatial audio icon shows this clearly. We are in mid-rollout I guess.
I don't think the animation shows on the icon when music is playing, just when video is playing.
 
I don't think the animation shows on the icon when music is playing, just when video is playing.
23712FAF-2086-41D5-972B-C9E7B3754FA5.png
So spatial audio with head tracking actually comes in the fall, we’ve just got Dolby atmos atm
 
Spatial Audio for Music just doesn't work. I get the Dolby Atmos logo and everything but the Spatial Audio animation in control centers stays static. When I try the demo videos, it actually works. I can hear the sound coming from specific direction when I move my head. With music I don't get the same feeling.
I think it's a messy release and we just have to wait.
For music, it's not directional like videos at the moment. It's like having a proper Surround sound speaker setup in your headphones.
 
I don't think the animation shows on the icon when music is playing, just when video is playing.

View attachment 1789146So spatial audio with head tracking actually comes in the fall, we’ve just got Dolby atmos atm

I get it with head tracking. However, In both tutorial video and Behind the sound with Masego the spatial audio icon animates. Granted both are videos though.

If that's not a rollout mishap then sorry but I hear absolutely no difference switching spatial audio on or off where I can definitely understand the spatial effects in videos. If that's the implementation, sorry Apple, but that's just a gimmick.
 
I get it with head tracking. However, In both tutorial video and Behind the sound with Masego the spatial audio icon animates. Granted both are videos though.

If that's not a rollout mishap then sorry but I hear absolutely no difference switching spatial audio on or off where I can definitely understand the spatial effects in videos. If that's the implementation, sorry Apple, but that's just a gimmick.
Did you try the Marvin Gaye and the Weeknd demo? Is on the playlist of "this is spatial audio" on the main page of the Apple Music app
 
I get it with head tracking. However, In both tutorial video and Behind the sound with Masego the spatial audio icon animates. Granted both are videos though.

If that's not a rollout mishap then sorry but I hear absolutely no difference switching spatial audio on or off where I can definitely understand the spatial effects in videos. If that's the implementation, sorry Apple, but that's just a gimmick.
I agree, they should’ve waited until the fall if they can make it sound the same as it sounds when watching videos… I think this will get loads better with time however
 
I’m confused…I have the AirPods Pro’s with spatial audio enabled but when I listen to dolby atmos songs it sounds good, fuller spectrum, but it isn’t that spatial audio head tracking like effect that I heard on movies and the Apple Music video channel. Is here a difference between the two or am I missing something?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: tremlock
I’m confused…I have the AirPods Pro’s with spatial audio enabled but when I listen to dolby atmos songs it sounds good, fuller spectrum, but it isn’t that spatial audio head tracking like effect I heard on movies and the appleMusic video channel. Is here a different between the two or am I missing something?
The head tracking feature is coming to Apple Music later this year - around September.
 
  • Like
Reactions: papa8706
The head tracking feature is coming to Apple Music later this year - around September.
Yep, those of us on the beta have it now. When playing a song that isn’t Atmos, Spatialize Stereo can be turned on. However, when an Atmos song plays, it switches over to Spatial Audio, just like AppleTV+. One can definitely tell the difference between the two.

Edit: Should note that this is with AirPods Pro.
 
  • Like
Reactions: papa8706
Yep, those of us on the beta have it now. When playing a song that isn’t Atmos, Spatialize Stereo can be turned on. However, when an Atmos song plays, it switches over to Spatial Audio, just like AppleTV+. One can definitely tell the difference between the two.

Edit: Should note that this is with AirPods Pro.
Ah, this makes sense. I was wondering why they said it was compatible with the h1 chip/AirPods 2. It def had a nice effect but I couldn’t notice anything different when I toggled spatial audio on/off.

Do you think spatial audio on music is worth using is everyday use or is it more of a gimmick? I was wondering how the head tracking would work if you were walking about or working out. Sound wonky if you aren’t sitting in front of your device?
 
Has anyone else noticed mistakes in any of these Atmos mixes? For example, in Buddy Holly by Weezer at 1:10 the entire drum bus drops out for a few seconds. Just who did they hire to do these mixes? 🤣
 
Has anyone else noticed mistakes in any of these Atmos mixes? For example, in Buddy Holly by Weezer at 1:10 the entire drum bus drops out for a few seconds. Just who did they hire to do these mixes? 🤣
Haven’t noticed that - will test in a moment. But have seen some songs in the spatial audio playlists that the lyrics are behind the actual song. Could be the songs, could be iOS 15.

Edit: haha yep. There seems to be a little dead spot between 1:10-1:14.
 
For the love of god, Apple, I just need a straight answer regarding homepods and lossless, please. You stated this regarding dolby atmos. Ok.

Can I listen to music from Apple Music in Dolby Atmos on HomePod speakers?

Currently HomePod speakers must be connected to your Apple TV 4K to play music in Dolby Atmos.

Fine. You need an ATV (for now), to play dolby atmos music on the homepods.

BUT. Today, can or cannot the homepods play Apple Music lossless either by themselves, o as the default audio output of an ATV4K?. What I´m hearing if I ask Siri to play a song?. The lossless version or the AAC version?.

If I have the apple tv music app settings set to lossless and atmos, will the homepods play lossless with the apple tv music app?.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmw1480
How can I listen to the lossless audio and Dolby Atmos?

I have AirPods Pro and HomePods.

For Apple Music in dolby Atmos with the Homepods you need, at the moment, an Apple TV 4K, and to set the homepods as the apple tv default audio output. For now, the Homepods cant play Atmos content from apple music by themselves.


As for lossless, no idea. There is no way of knowing which version of the songs the homepods are playing, the AAC one or the ALAC one.


As for the airpods pro, just browse for albums with the Atmos badge in Apple Music. It will play automatically.

As for the Apple TV, make sure of turning on in the music app settings both lossless and Atmos.
 
It seems that native lossless in the homepods will arrive... with homepods OS 15


2agsxwavp1471.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmw1480
For Apple Music in dolby Atmos with the Homepods you need, at the moment, an Apple TV 4K, and to set the homepods as the apple tv default audio output. For now, the Homepods cant play Atmos content from apple music by themselves.


As for lossless, no idea. There is no way of knowing which version of the songs the homepods are playing, the AAC one or the ALAC one.


As for the airpods pro, just browse for albums with the Atmos badge in Apple Music. It will play automatically.

As for the Apple TV, make sure of turning on in the music app settings both lossless and Atmos.
I have the first gen Apple TV 4K and a pair of stereo OG homepods set as the default audio output. Will that work?
 
  • Like
Reactions: B/D
I have the first gen Apple TV 4K and a pair of stereo OG homepods set as the default audio output. Will that work?


Yes. Turn on lossless streaming and Atmos in the music app settings of the apple tv and you´re good to go. Make sure that both the homepods and the apple tv are in the latest 14.6 software version.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.