The service of streaming This week Apple Music received a strong increase in the quality of content transmission, but unfortunately, the company’s most expensive earphones and headphones will not be able to enjoy this new standard premium.
It is important to understand why products such as AirPods Max and HomePods are deprived of the ‘Lossless’ and ‘Hi-Resolution Lossless format to be introduced on the rival Spotify platform from June 2021. No additional cost for subscribers.
Great news on the way to the Apple Music service
This same service – Apple Music – as we reported on 4gnews, will also receive support for ‘Spatial Audio’ or spatial audio thanks to the Dolby Atmos format. The latter will be present in the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro, headphones, and top earphones.
It should be noted that, for Apple, the ‘Lossless’ format refers to the quality that we find on a CD, therefore, reproduction at 44.1 kHz at 16-bit up to 48 kHz at 24-bit. In turn, ‘Hi-Resolution Lossless’ delivers up to 192 kHz up to 24-bit for maximum quality.
Uncomplicating these numbers and metrics means that the music arrives through larger files with less compression and with virtually no loss of detail and sound richness. Therefore, it will sound more realistic, with more detail and fidelity.
This, of course, refers to the file format, in this case, the music. However, there is a lack of a device capable of receiving, interpreting, and reproducing these larger files up to the user’s hearing. Only then will they be able to hear and notice the difference.
Pluses out of reach for AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, and HomePods
Unfortunately, as the publication points out macrumors, both AirPods Max (headphones) and AirPods Pro (headsets) will not be able to take advantage of the new standard. Both devices use the AAC codec as soon as they connect to an iPhone.
Therefore, although the Apple Music service provides a higher quality standard, products dedicated to this company’s audio will not be able to take advantage of these perks. Note that Apple’s ‘Lossless’ format will be indicated as ALAC files (Apple Lossless Audio Codec).
On the other hand, both products will be able to take advantage of the new versions of the songs in ‘Spatial Audio’, the spatial audio thanks to the Dolby Atmos format. In practice, there is greater involvement, an expanded sound stage, and a 3D effect on the tracks.
To enjoy the best quality on Apple Music, use non-Apple products
In fact, any Apple products with the H1 or W1 wireless processor will be restricted to this scenario. The equipment in question is:
- AirPods,
- AirPods Pro,
- AirPods Max,
- BeatsX,
- Beats Solo3 Wireless,
- Beats Studio3,
- Powerbeats3 Wireless
- Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro
- Beats Solo Pro
It should also be noted that both the iPhone 12 and the AirPods Max already support the Bluetooth 5.0 standard, which, on paper, supports audio transmission with CD quality. Therefore, the company will be able to create a format, or optimization to improve the quality of the signal that reaches the headphones premium. This is clear, on the theoretical plane.
Finally, the question remains as to how to enjoy the new high-quality formats on Apple Music. Here, according to the company, it will be necessary to have a wired connection and its own hardware, such as an external DAC and wired headphones.
In summary, unless the next iPhone brings support for Bluetooth aptX, it is best to use “non-Apple” products. There is also a chance to use the new Macs connected to good speakers.
The above does not detract from the excellent news coming to the Apple Music service, but it is actually frustrating for current users of apple equipment.
