HomePod Does lossy music make a big difference on HomePod?

[subjonas]

I know not everyone can hear the difference, but for those who can:

Compressed Apple Music
vs
Lossless music airplayed

Has anyone compared? Is the HomePod a good enough speaker that it makes the difference in the two source qualities very apparent? What types of music have you compared?

Thanks.

 

[karnsculpture]

I can't hear much difference. I prefer earlier masterings of key albums in my collection, so the difference between one being AirPlayed via the mac is apparent as HomePod defaults to Apple Music sources if you don't airplay (so you most likely get the latest master of an album). In terms of quality though, if the source is good the sound is good.

Types of music - electronic, 80s, indie, guitar pop, Beatles etc. I find HomePod is particularly good at bringing out the bass on earlier masterings from the 80s or 90s but keeping everything else as it should be. Almost a "vinyl" sound without the crackle.

In short, if the source is good the sound is good. Lossless quality depends on how lossless - Apple Music sounds great but a low bitrate MP3 is going to sound bad whatever you play it on.

 

[cynics]

Comparing Apples 256kb AAC to ALAC I can only hear the difference over quality headphones or hifi setup in a studio. A normal rooms acoustics make the difference between the 2 indistinguishable to me regardless of how good the sound system is.

I'm trying it right now and once I account for volume differences I think any difference I hear is placebo. I have a friend with a recording studio that I can test it out for you (he wants to hear it too). I do feel like the results will be pointless in reality since I use it in my living room with tall ceilings, hardwood floors, etc.