A feast for your auricle that costs nothing more ? Sounds too delicious to fend . But before your audile senses start dance in festivity , there ’s a plot twist – your journey ask the right sonic chariot . Your existing headphones or earbuds might not be the magic carpet you need to soar through these crystalline sound waves . The path to audio nirvana come up with unexpected twists and turns that many air seeker overlook .

devise for enlightenment as we bring out the sacred artifact call for to unlock the full potential of lossless audio and the immersive population of Dolby Atmos tracks inApple Music . Short on time and solitaire ? Fear not , sound pilgrim – whisk yourself to the curl ’s ending where our secret rig sheet awaits , quick to decode what transonic wonder your current hardware can marshal .

Lossless: It’s all about ALAC

ALAC , or Apple Lossless Audio Codec , is the file data formatting Apple Music will utilize to stream lossless audio tracks . The Advanced Audio Coding ( AAC ) codec that Apple Music uses for its standard ( lossy ) audio quality , enjoy wide compatibility among wireless phone , speakers , and cyclosis machine . But ALAC is a different beast and has some special requirements .

Most devices that can endure the Apple Music app — including all current Apple iPhones , iPads , and Macs running the latest computer software — will support lossless ALAC audio recording . But just because your phone or computer can forge with ALAC does n’t mean you ’ll be capable to hear the extra tone ALAC offers through your normal loudspeaker system or earpiece .

permit ’s break it down to see if your current gear will work or if you ’ll require to make some extra investiture .

Listening to lossless via headphones

Apple Music ’s lossless sound recording is available in three level : 16 - bit/44.1 kilocycle , 24 - bit/48 kHz , and 24 - bit/192 kHz . What ’s the difference ? Well , the first level ( 16 - bit/44.1 kHz ) is considered CD - calibre , which means you should n’t notice a difference between mind to these cut and an genuine atomic number 48 . The next two tier are regarded asbetter - than - CD quality . Not everyone agrees they can perceive the elusive improvements these tiers provide , but since other streaming services have begun to pop the question them , Apple has decide to follow case .

irrespective of the tier you take , most wireless headphones and earbuds wo n’t allow you to hear that superfluous quality . Bluetooth , the technology used by all wireless headphones , does n’t have sufficient bandwidth to plump for rain cats and dogs lossless audio .

This is n’t of necessity a smutty - and - white issue . Some wireless headphones , likeSony ’s WH-1000XM4 , keep going very mellow - quality Bluetooth codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD . When paired with a compatible headphone , you ’ll be able to get more of Apple ’s lossless quality , but even then , it wo n’t be stark . Even the practiced Bluetooth codecs still uncase out some audio information as they transmit the sign to the headphones .

alas , Apple ’s wireless devices do not support these codecs , so much of that lossless quality will be compromised .

So , how precisely should you hear Apple Music ’s lossless audio ?

For now , Apple recommend using a wired solidification of headphones or earbuds , which is n’t as easy now that Apple , Google , and Samsung have eliminated the headphone jack on their phones .

If you own a brace of Apple AirPods Max with USB - 100 , you are in luck . A2025 software updatemeans you may take heed to lossless quality capacity with your earphone — wired , not tuner .

Do n’t worry ; you ’re not going to leave out out on the lossless experience , but you will need an accoutrement or two , the most important of which is an external DAC .

Attack of the DAC

You may not realize it , but if you ’ve ever listened to digital sound recording from a telephone , pad of paper , or PC , you ’ve been using a digital - to - analog converter , easily known as a DAC .

DACs convert a bunch of ones and zero into an electrical sign that speakers can reproduce as hearable sound . Ever listen to medicine using your phone ’s make - in speakers ? It was the phone ’s intragroup DAC that treat the transition .

While about every twist that is open of playing digital audio possesses a DAC , not all DACs are created adequate . Some are throttle as to the kinds of digital audio they can work , and there can be immense differences in overall sound timbre from one DAC to another . DAC specification are the kind of thing that audiophiles make out to indicate about .

If you head over to Amazon and seek for “ lightning - to-3.5 mm adapter , ” you ’ll discover tons of short cables that be anywhere from $ 7 to $ 35 . These tiny add-on let you plug a wired set of headphones into an iPhone ’s Lightning interface because hidden inside their plastic housing is a DAC .

The DACs in these “ made for iPhone ” adapters deal a rough-cut trait : They can convert lossless digital audio files into parallel signaling , but they can only handle up to 24 - bit/48kHz and no higher . That ’s sufficient for you to pick up the first two tiers of lossless sound recording from Apple Music , but it wo n’t get you the third and highest quality level ( 24 - bit/192kHz ) .

Android exploiter , you’re able to get in on the adapter political party , too . There are just as many USB - C - to-3.5 mm adapters out there , and these DACs can usually go a little higher in their support for lossless audio frequency — up to 24 - bit/96Khz . That ’s still not live on to trim down it for Apple Music ’s top lossless tier , but you ’ll definitely get to enjoy lossless music .

For most iPhone and Android owners , the only way to experience Apple Music ’s top lossless tier is through the use of an external , hi - Re DAC . These equipment are essentially the same as the Lightning or USB - speed of light adaptor , but they contain more powerful DAC chipsets that can handle digital audio formats as high as 24 - bit/192kHz and beyond .

There ’s a wide of the mark change of external hello - res DACs crop in price from $ 50 to well over $ 2,000 . For the most commodious and portable solution , look for products that can be powered from either an iPhone ’s Lightning port wine or an Android speech sound ’s USB - C port . These let in Astell & Kern ’s USB - light speed Dual DAC , Linsoul xDuoo Link , Maktar Spectra X2 , and THX Onyx Portable DAC .

Some Android proprietor will get to sidestep the whole adapter / external DAC hassle because select Android earpiece have both a headphone squat and a very high-pitched - quality inner DAC . TheLG V60 ThinQand theAsus ROG Phone 5 , for example , both have DACs capable of playing up to 32 - bit/384kHz — more than enough to handle Apple Music ’s top lossless tier . If you own a phone with these features , you do n’t need anything else . Just stop up your cans or bud straight into the telephone , and that ’s it .

One matter to keep in mind : Just because you own a sound or tablet with a earphone jack does n’t mean the machine ’s internal DAC can keep up with all of Apple Music ’s lossless tier . The iPhone 6 , for instance , had a earphone jack , but Apple specify the DAC to 16 - bit/44.1kHz . That ’ll work on with the first tier ( CD - quality ) but not the other two tiers . If you ’re not sure what your phone can support , Google the specs.GSMArena.comis a great imagination for this .

Hi-res headphones

In an earned run average where medicine streaming services increasingly offer hi - Ra audio pick , the right headphones have become substantive for experiencing euphony as artists truly designate . Hi - res headphones are specifically engineered to reproduce the full sound spectrum in in high spirits - solvent audio file , capturing refinement and nuances that stock earphone might miss . This usher explores what makes hi - res earphone special and highlights some notable options on the market today .

Hi - resolution headphones typically sport all-embracing frequency reaction ranges ( often continue beyond the received 20Hz-20kHz human hearing ambit ) , superior driver , and in force construction to minimize twisting . Many are designed to handle sampling rates of 96 kHz or in high spirits and bit depth of 24 - bit or expectant . The Hi - Res Audio certification , established by the Japan Audio Society , has become a common banner for products capable of reproduce absolute frequency up to 40 kilohertz .

The Sennheiser HD 800 S represent the pinnacle of open - back headphone excogitation . Its 56 mm drivers — among the turgid in any active headphone — are housed in a preciseness - mastermind frame that minimizes resonance . These headphones regurgitate sound with remarkable limpidity across the absolute frequency spectrum , offering a soundstage that feels talkative and natural . Though command a premium price of around $ 1,800 , they persist a reference monetary standard for vital listening and professional sound employment .

Sony ’s MDR - Z1R headphones merge film editing - boundary engineering science with traditional craftsmanship . They have massive 70 mm Mg dome drivers encased in ergonomic ear cups fashioned from sheepskin leather . Thanks to a unparalleled vibrancy - destitute living accommodations , these closed - back phone drive home phenomenal basso reaction while maintaining crystal vindicated highs . The attention to detail extend to the oxygen - free copper cable with gold - plated connectors , insure signal unity throughout the audio strand .

For those seeking a more accessible entry compass point to gamy - res audio recording , the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro offers olympian value . These unfastened - back phone feature Tesla drivers , ply precise , detailed sound reproduction with telling fugacious response . Handcrafted in Germany , they come with two ear pads that allow exploiter to customize the sound signature — one emphasizing analytical listening , the other offering a slightly warm display . Their robust mental synthesis and replaceable parts ensure class of true use .

Audeze has revolutionized the headphone market with their planar magnetic engineering , and the LCD - X stage one of their most balanced offerings . Unlike conventional dynamic driver , two-dimensional magnetic driver apply a tenuous diaphragm suspended between magnetic array , result in lightning - fast response times and vanishingly low distortion . The LCD - X reproduce complex orchestral passage with singular separation and portray intimate vocal performances with breathtaking presence . Though more or less heavier than some competitors , the higher-ranking sound quality justifies the special oz. .

The notable Gallic loudspeaker manufacturer Focal has successfully render its acoustical expertise to personal audio with the Focal Clear MG . These open - back headphones boast the fellowship ’s typical “ M”-shaped virginal atomic number 12 dome drivers , deliver surpassing kinetics and item without harshness . Their power to reproduce acoustic instruments with lifelike timber and grain is awe - inspiring . The premium stuff extend to the perforated microfiber earpads and leather headband , ensuring comfortableness during drawn-out hearing sessions .

Not all high - resolution headphones require being tethered to a screen background amplifier . The Shure AONIC 50 wireless headphones support multiple gamy - answer Bluetooth codecs , include LDAC and aptX HD , while also offering a wired connection option for purist . Their stochasticity - cancellation engineering makes them versatile companions for audiophiles on the move , though the legal signature remains signally neutral regardless of the hearing surround .

Similarly , the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon Edition merge sophisticated styling with documentation for how-do-you-do - Re audio cyclosis via aptX Adaptive technology . These wireless earpiece feature 43.6 millimetre drivers designed to respond with the speed and precision necessary for complex high - declaration audio material . The atomic number 6 fiber composite grammatical construction reduces undesirable resonance while keep the weighting doable for daily use .

Listening on your connected speakers

Bluetooth speakers will never be able-bodied to conjoin in on the lossless audio party for the same cause as Bluetooth earphone and earbuds . But Wi - Fi speaker are a unlike story thanks to their higher - bandwidth wireless connections .

Apple ’s HomePod and HomePod Mini were n’t part of the initial Apple Music lossless audio annunciation , but the fellowship has since say that a package update will bring them into the loop to support lossless playback . When that happens , you’re able to expect to hear 16 - bit/44.1kHz and 24 - bit/48kHz lossless audio , but 24 - bit-/192kHz is unlikely to ever make it to these merchandise .

Other Wi - Fi speakers will belike support some tier up of lossless sound from Apple Music but not needs all three tiers .

Sonos , for instance , recently added support for lossless audio up to 24 - bit/48kHz when streaming to its utterer from theQobuz streaming music service . It would make sense if these speakers could support the same tier from Apple Music .

But none of Sonos ’ product are currently weigh hi - ray capable , so it ’s unlikely they will ever support 24 - bit/192kHz .

Other Wi - Fi speakers from companies like Denon and Bluesoundareconsidered hi - res devices . They can natively decode 24 - bit/192kHz digital sound from personal library as well as divine service like Amazon Music HD and Tidal . Will these products gain access to Apple Music ’s top grade ?

As long as they ’re permit to stream instantly from Apple Music , the result is potential yes . However not all hi - ray open Wi - Fi loudspeaker system can take this . Both Denon and Bluesound deficiency native Apple Music support . To find out Apple Music via these Cartesian product , you ’ll need to use Apple AirPlay , which is currently circumscribe to 16 - bit/44.1kHz but might be upgraded to provide 24 - bit/48kHz . AirPlay probably wo n’t go as mellow as 24 - bit/192kHz .

If you own a great set of powered bookshelf speakers and do n’t mind a few extra cable system here and there , you could plug them into a Mac ( or an iPhone or Android twist ) with an outside DAC connect between them . Depending on the DAC and the speakers , this setup should have you get wind full lossless audio from Apple Music .

Turn the feature on

Apple wo n’t necessarily have lossless on by default because of how much information hi - res tracks require when streaming from Apple Music servers . To turn it on , go toSettings > Music > Audio Quality . When you toggleLosslesson , you also have the option to adjust the timbre . you may go to the standard lossless resolution at 24 - bit/48kHz or hi - res lossless at 24 - bit/192kHz .

Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio

Dolby Atmos Music bid a more immersive , 3D way to listen to euphony . Thousands of tracks on the Apple Music subroutine library will get theDolby Atmos treatmentvia Apple ’s support of spatial audio .

If you have an iPhone or Android phone and a set of headphones — yes , even wireless ace — you ’ve already get everything you need to feel Dolby Atmos Music .

If you ’re using AirPods or Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chip , Atmos versions of your selected data track will be chosen by default . For other kinds of headphone , you may have to select Atmos manually : Go toSettings > Music > Audioand set Dolby Atmos toAlways On .

Atmos will also work automatically on the ramp up - in speakers for select iPhone , iPad , and Mac computers . financial backing for this is a act uneven . For good example , the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air from 2018 and later support it , whereas the 2019 iMac does not . Any iPhone 12 , 11 , and XS model works with it , along with iPad Pro example set off in 2018 . The later your twist , the more potential it can work with Atmos .

Unfortunately , this ruler does n’t apply to the Apple Watch : Dolby Atmos Music tracks ca n’t be download to or played from an Apple Watch .

you could also hear Dolby Atmos from Apple Music if you own an Atmos - capable soundbar or A / pentad pass receiver , but you will require an Apple TV 4 K to move as the arbiter . The Atmos signal will draw through Apple ’s fixed - top box and play through the liquidator or soundbar that manner .

Some television can passthrough Dolby Atmos via their HDMI ARC or eARC connexion . If your TV is among them , you could link up the Apple TV 4 K to one of your TV ’s non - ARC HDMI porthole , and the television will remove just the sound recording to your connected audio appurtenance .

We eff that Apple ’s HomePod can do Dolby Atmos when you have two of these loudspeaker system paired to an Apple TV 4 thou in a rest home theater setup , but Apple has yet to confirm if you ’ll be able to stream Dolby Atmos Music tracks directly from Apple Music without the help of an Apple TV 4K.

The HomePod miniskirt ca n’t do Dolby Atmos in an Apple television 4K - free-base home theatre setup , which makes us suspect it wo n’t be able-bodied to endure Dolby Atmos Music in any form .

Your good bet for Dolby Atmos Music outside of the HomePod or a dedicated home dramatics verbaliser organization is Amazon ’s Echo Studio . It can stream Dolby Atmos Music from Amazon Music HD , which intend it should theoretically be able-bodied to do the same from Apple Music , but this has yet to be corroborate by either Apple or Amazon .

Apple Music playback format cheat sheet

take in all that ? If not , here ’s a warm look at different hardware combinations and how they affect what you’re able to hear .

iPhone with wireless earbuds or headphone

Apple Watch with wireless earbuds or headphones

iPhone with pumped up earbuds / headphones and Lightning adapter

iPhone with   wired earbuds / headphones and hi - res outside DAC

Android phone with wired earbuds / phone and hi - atomic number 75 internal DAC

Android telephone set with wired earbuds / headphones and USB - C adapter

Android phone with wire earbuds / headphones and hi - res outside DAC

Android phone with regular wireless earbuds or earphone

Android sound with aptX HD- or LDAC - capable wireless earbuds or headphones

iPhone or Android phone with a Bluetooth speaker

Lossless - capable Wi - Fi verbalizer

Hi - Re lossless - open Wi - Fi verbalizer

  • You wo n’t get a fully lossless signal , but much more of the item will be preserve than with non - aptX HD- or LDAC - capable wireless earbuds / headphones .

    • At launch , Dolby Atmos Music is not abide on Android devices . Apple says this feature film will be coming “ later . ”