HomePod Will Support Spatial Audio for Apple Music, But Not Lossless Audio

[MacRumors]

Apple Music will be gaining support for two new audio formats in June, including Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio, but MacRumors has received confirmation that the HomePod and HomePod mini will not support Lossless Audio.

Apple's website does indicate that the HomePod will support Spatial Audio, but it's unclear if this includes the HomePod mini.

Spatial Audio, based on Dolby Atmos, is an immersive three-dimensional audio format that enables musicians to mix music so it sounds like the instruments are all around you in space. On the other hand, Lossless Audio refers to audio recordings that have been compressed without any reduction in the overall quality of the audio, which can result in an improved listening experience, although the difference is not always obvious.

Apple Music will have two tiers of lossless audio, including standard "Lossless" audio up to 48kHz and "Hi-Res Lossless" audio that ranges from 48kHz to 192kHz. Apple said "Hi-Res Lossless" will require external equipment like a USB digital-to-analog converter.

Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio will be available in June for all Apple Music subscribers at no additional cost on devices running iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, macOS 11.4, and tvOS 14.6 or later, according to Apple. Presumably, there will also be a companion HomePod software update that enables Spatial Audio support in time for the feature's launch.

Spatial Audio will be available for thousands of tracks at launch, with more to be added regularly. Lossless audio will be available for 20 million tracks at launch, and this will rise to 75 million by the end of the year.

Article Link: HomePod Will Support Spatial Audio for Apple Music, But Not Lossless Audio

 

[kenni417]

I've already seen a few videos uploaded to youtube talking about the whole lossless debacle and there's already so much misinformation.

 

[Lemon Olive]

I've already seen a few videos uploaded to youtube talking about the whole lossless debacle and there's already so much misinformation.

Because most people don't even know what lossless audio is, and today are under the impression they're supposed to start caring about it.

If you didn't care about it before, you don't need to start today.

 

[boultonn]

Will higher end speakers like KEF LSX support lossless via airplay?

 

[Seoras]

I get why the AirPod's won't get loss less audio. Bluetooth doesn't have the bandwidth for that.
These device however not getting it doesn't make any sense at all.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Ok then what’s the point of offering it if none of your speaker products support it in any way?

 

[JustSomeInfo]

I've already seen a few videos uploaded to youtube talking about the whole lossless debacle and there's already so much misinformation.

People just need to understand that you can't do thing until you do the other thing and then, and only then, you can do the one thing. As for the other thing, only devices bought on a Tuesday will be able to play the thing at the highest quality.

 

[Carlson-online]

Because they are about to replace the HomePod with a new model most likely, and this is why the current disappeared from shelves a few months back

 

[sw1tcher]

If lossless audio requires a wired connection, then that's a good indicator that future iPhones won't be portless. So can we put rumors of portless iPhones to rest?

 

[TwoBytes]

Back to wires then?

 

[jimothyGator]

So what does support lossless? Perhaps Macs and iPhones on the built in speakers, but what good is that? I suppose wired headphones with an iPhone. It'd be great if both lossless and Dolby Atmos work with an Airplay 2 receiver with an Atmos speaker setup, but my guess is it won't. What about wired CarPlay?

This is shaping up to be rather underwhelming so far.

 

[zorinlynx]

If lossless audio requires a wired connection, then that's a good indicator that future iPhones won't be portless. So can we put rumors of portless iPhones to rest?

That's a massively huge relief. I'm always going to want the option of charging with a cable and syncing data over USB.

 

[MhzDoesMatter]

Ok, that’s a little off right? It’s an A8 connected over WiFi. I’d assume it was capable. I wouldn’t assume Apple would hamstring the device without good reason but it seems like it’s discontinued premium audio device should still be able to handle Apple’s new audio specs.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Why? AirPlay can stream video…why not lossless audio?

Bluetooth vs AirPlay: What’s The Difference? | Cambridge Audio US

Want to know the difference between Airplay and Bluetooth? You’ve come to the right place.

www.cambridgeaudio.com

 

[contacos]

Seems very un-Apple to release a service update that’s not even supported by any of their own devices. Weird.

 

[drlunanerd]

Not good. There’s no reason I know of why lossless audio cannot be supported by AirPlay 2 devices including the HomePod and HomePod mini.

I assume my old AirPort Express with AirPlay 2 will actually support Apple Music lossless audio, as it does support ALAC lossless over iTunes/Music.app at present. That’s how AirPlay 2 audio works - sends an ALAC audio stream.

 

[HikerTrash]

I can already listen to 24bit/192k tracks with the $20 Apple 3.5m headphones, and it blows the $550 Apple headphones out of the water in terms of instrument separation and not missing a single note... Nice try pulling that wool over my head Tim. Have y’all read the reports of him rehearsing for hours, ALREADY for his upcoming testimony? Liars have to rehearse a lot before going into court and taking the stand. You ain’t fooling’ this guy, lol.

Wireless will never match pure silver or gold cables in our lifetime in terms of latency. Oh & one more thing Mr. Cook, ROLL TIDE!

 

[darkslide29]

Because most people don't even know what lossless audio is, and today are under the impression they're supposed to start caring about it.

If you didn't care about it before, you don't need to start today.

To be fair, a friend of mine has never cared for lossless because of it involving specialized hardware and DACs. It is a great hobby and can be expensive.

For Apple to now be offering lossless audio as a free upgrade to all users, it makes sense that Apple Music subscribers and those that own apple hardware have questions. If it’s now free, why not give it a shot? And when the press release left a lot of unanswered questions, macrumors forums is exactly where I’d expect questions and discussions to happen.

 

[ClockWork72]

I don’t see how with there proprietary wireless connection, AirPlay wifi, and memory onboard their audio products like the HomePod with 16gb can’t have an acceptable buffer for this type of audio file codec. Airplay 2.0 maybe.

 

[coolbreeze2]

Man I'm all confused as to which Apple audio products support which features!

 

[AngerDanger]

Ok then what’s the point of offering it if none of your speaker products support it in any way?

None of their current products.

 

[munpip214]

Airplay supports ALAC, but maybe all the processing inside the homepod just downconverts to AAC 256 or something

 

[Jgreg00]

I can already listen to 24bit/192k tracks with the $20 Apple 3.5m headphones, and it blows the $550 Apple headphones out of the water in terms of instrument separation and not missing a single note... Nice try pulling that wool over my head Tim. Have y’all read the reports of him rehearsing for hours, ALREADY for his upcoming testimony? Liars have to rehearse a lot before going into court and taking the stand. You ain’t fooling’ this guy, lol.

Wireless will never match pure silver or gold cables in our lifetime in terms of latency.

No competent lawyer would ever let their client on the stand without an appropriate amount of preparation/rehearsal...

 

[AirlancerMZ]

I am currently using Quobuz with their lossless streaming on a Chromecast Audio. I hope apple will support that, but I doubt it.

 

[Docsta80]

Wonder if my whole house fitted with Sonos will?