New AirPods Pro Do Not Support Lossless Apple Music

[MacRumors]

The new AirPods Pro, despite featuring an all-new H2 chip and improved audio quality, do not appear to include support for lossless Apple Music audio.

The H2 chip is the successor to the previous H1 chip and delivers new features like improved Active Noise Cancellation, an improved Transparency mode, and better sound overall. One rumored new capability of the new chip was that it would support lossless Apple Music, but Apple's press release and tech specs page for the new AirPods Pro do not mention any lossless audio support, which seemingly rules out the capability.

We've asked Apple for more information regarding lossless audio support for the new AirPods Pro and will update this story if we hear back.

The new AirPods Pro do support Bluetooth 5.3, and while that standard does not directly support lossless audio, chip companies like Qualcomm have been moving in that direction. As of now, though, there is no indication that Apple has adopted it yet.

Regardless, the new AirPods Pro feature several new features, including improved audio, longer battery life, and a redesigned charging case. Priced at $249, the new AirPods Pro will be available to order starting September 9 and launch September 23.

Article Link: New AirPods Pro Do Not Support Lossless Apple Music

 

[Grimace]

A redesigned charging case? Ooohh…take my money…

 

[CWallace]

So looks like Apple will be developing their own system for Lossless audio rather than license Qualcomm's technology and until it is ready...

 

[Moonlight]

Sounds like they will be lossless of my money, as this was the only feature I wanted to upgrade for.

 

[Steve121178]

A very lazy update.

 

[darngooddesign]

Be hilarious if the AP-Pro supports lossless but the AP-Max doesn't.

 

[GermanSuplex]

Over 90% of people would not be able to distinguish lossless from iTunes Plus tracks with ideal equipment. Using earbuds? Probably even less.

 

[appleguy123]

Honestly, people who understood how Bluetooth worked weren’t expecting this. Even Sony’s LDAC made compromises that we all know Apple would never accept from AirPods.

 

[dannys1]

You don't need lossless audio in £170 in ear buds - you can't hear the difference. You can't hear the difference on a £10,000 mastering studio setup with golden ears, it's been proven time and time again by the worlds best ears. No one here has the worlds best ears, despite what placebo they think - the upgrades to the drivers and processing are much much much more important and impactful.

If they tell you otherwise, they're wrong.

Edit - click disagree all you want, you're wrong - scientifically proven to be wrong, no ifs, no buts, no opinions, you're wrong, end of.

 

[tastesliketailpipe]

That’s just sad.

Must have spent all their innovation points on the iPhone.

 

[SpeedBird1]

The new AirPods Pro, despite featuring an all-new H2 chip and improved audio quality, do not appear to include support for lossless Apple Music audio.

The H2 chip is the successor to the previous H1 chip and delivers new features like improved noise cancellation, a new transparency mode, and better sound. One rumored new capability of the new chip which powers the audio behind AirPods Pro was that it would support lossless Apple Music over a new Bluetooth standard.

That, however, does not seem to be the case. Apple has made no mention of the new AirPods Pro supporting lossless audio anywhere on its website or during its "Far out" event earlier today. We've asked Apple for more information on lossless support for the new AirPods Pro.

The new AirPods Pro do support Bluetooth 5.3, and while that standard does not directly support lossless audio, chip companies like Qualcomm have been moving in that direction. As of now, though, there is no indication that Apple has adopted it yet. Regardless, the new AirPods Pro feature several new features, including improved audio, longer battery life, and a redesigned charging case.

Article Link: New AirPods Pro Do Not Support Lossless Apple Music

Does that mean it will come to the AirPods Max first? When will they likely see the update? October event? January 2023?

 

[dannys1]

Over 90% of people would not be able to distinguish lossless from iTunes Plus tracks with ideal equipment. Using earbuds? Probably even less.

100% of people no one has EVER done it, in any blind A/B study, EVER.

Yet Joe Blogs on the Mac Rumors forum and some nutty audiophile who were buying devices that shaved the edges of CDs back in the 90's thinks they can hear the difference, so make of that what you will 🙄

 

[darngooddesign]

Over 90% of people would not be able to distinguish lossless from iTunes Plus tracks with ideal equipment. Using earbuds? Probably even less.

Here's the thing. Lossless songs sound better on my UE Boom BT speaker.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

You don't need lossless audio in £170 in ear buds - you can't hear the difference. You can't hear the difference on a £10,000 mastering studio setup with golden ears, it's been proven time and time again by the worlds best ears. No one here has the worlds best ears, despite what placebo they think - the upgrades to the drivers and processing are much much much more important and impactful.

If they tell you otherwise, they're wrong.

Lossless people are resistant to facts.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Saves anybody actually paying for Apple Music I suppose.

 

[Royksöpp]

That’s all?

 

[till]

Higher quality audio means either more data transmitted or more processing power used, either of which is going to use up the battery faster. With teeny tiny earbuds like this, battery life is pretty much the number one concern.

 

[appleguy123]

Does that mean it will come to the AirPods Max first? When will they likely see the update? October event? January 2023?

There are no new AirPods Max rumors. We’ve even heard from Gurman and Kuo that Apple has not even started work on AP Max 2 but are considering new colors for Spring 2023.

 

[Kylo83]

Why not just use AirPlay Wi-Fi for lossless what’s the point of having Apple Music in lossless if no headphones support it

 

[krell100]

Well that's stupid.

 

[dapa0s]

In Germany/most of EU:

200€ - airpods pro
300€ - airpods pro 2

50% (!!!) price increase for no lossless, no new features except "better sound because of new chip". Lol, time for mr Cook to say goodbye and someone competent to step in.

 

[appleguy123]

Why not just use AirPlay Wi-Fi for lossless what’s the point of having Apple Music in lossless if no headphones support it

Because battery technology has been stagnant for decades and there’s no way to power a wifi radio receiving continuous data for hours in a battery smaller than a pea.

 

[RickDEGH]

Well, I’m somewhat glad there’s no compelling reasons to upgrade from my current set. Same with the iPhones.

 

[NewBench]

From what I've heard, lossless is overrated. Apparently only a tiny percentage of people can notice the difference. The vast majority will notice no improvement with lossless.

Honestly do not care about this at all.

 

[dannys1]

Here's the thing. Lossless songs sound better on my UE Boom BT speaker.

Your UE Boom speaker 1. doesn't support lossless audio and 2. even if it did, wouldn't be even able to play back the sound lost during compression anyway - it probably high paseses audio at 16khz 😂