Apple Music goes lossless in June - For free!
 

Apple Music is getting two big updates next month: support for high-quality, lossless audio and for spatial audio through Dolby Atmos. But even more surprising, the features will be available for free to all subscribers, including those on family and student plans. The company says it’ll have 75 million lossless audio songs in its catalog by the end of the year and 20 million to start.

Apple has confirmed to The Verge that lossless audio is exclusive to Apple Music and thus subscription-only. The company won’t offer music purchases in lossless quality, nor will there be any way to upgrade owned tracks to lossless with the paid iTunes Match service.

To turn on lossless audio, subscribers must run the latest version of Apple Music and can go to Settings > Music > Audio Quality. There, they can opt into different resolutions for different connections, like cellular, Wi-Fi, or for download.

Apple Music’s lossless audio starts at CD quality, which is 16 bit at 44.1 kHz, and goes up to 24 bit at 48 kHz natively on Apple devices. It tops out at 24 bit at 192 kHz. For the highest-quality “High-Resolution Lossless” experience, there’s one major catch: subscribers will need external equipment like a DAC to enjoy it.

Spatial audio and Dolby Atmos audio could prove to be an even bigger deal for Apple Music listeners. It’ll provide more immersive mixes for anyone listening through recent AirPods or Beats headphones that use the H1 or W1 chip. Spatial audio will also play through the built-in speakers on the latest versions of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac by default. To turn it on for other headphones, users will have to go to Settings > Music > Audio and set Dolby Atmos to “Always On.”

Spatial audio will be compatible with most Apple devices made in the last few years, including the Apple TV 4K connected to a compatible TV or receiver.

Lossless audio is now becoming standard across the biggest music streaming apps. Amazon just announced today that it’s making Amazon Music HD available for free to Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers, and Spotify plans to launch its HiFi tier later this year. Tidal also offers what it calls “Tidal Masters” that can even exceed high-resolution 96 kHz / 24 bit audio.

https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/17/2...-support-audio

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This is a great update

doesnt work on airpods though.

it will do after an update. There is a data transmission limit with bluetooth, but they will do an update that creates a local network with the headphones making them compatible

AirPods 3 being announced this month so that’s probably why they’re doing this now

ive been waiting since march for them to announce the new airpods. every week they say this will be the week, but I am still waiting.

Does that mean the file sizes will be like 700mb for a single album?

Won’t be anywhere near as good as Arista’s high quality CD’s played through his PC onto a HiFi via stereo coax cable and then burned onto another CD using a CD writer. Keep up, Apple.

Without sounding thick, ahem :hehe:, will this make an iota of difference to those who don't listen on special equipment?

I wouldn’t say “special” equipment necessarily, but without “decent” equipment probably not. Like you won’t need professional kit but it won’t be obvious on an average sound system or set of headphones.

:think:

no added cost



Thats Not FREE?

Yes no No 5.1 Sound

The best sounds comes from DSD CD's
from Japan.


I recorded 2 CD's to one CD
one was 24bit the 2nd was DSD sound

When you play it
the 2nd CD Comes up LOUDER

it does make a difference.

To see if it makes a difference where you are listening, download the global player app which is totally free, in the settings for each station you can switch between hd and normal. The apple music lossless adds even higher quality options

So does it replace your already purchased music at no cost? Hence "free"?

Yes but Its Not Free


Just No Added Cost - to the monthly Fee's

And Most important
No 5.1 Sound

It's compatible with Dolby Atmos Arista which is next generation from 5.1. You need to keep up with the tech


Take your music and entertainment to the next level with Dolby Atmos. Go beyond the capabilities of stereo and surround sound to unlock a richer, fuller, and more immersive experience. With Dolby Atmos, artists, storytellers, and content creators can now place individual sounds all around you with more space and depth, so you can hear more and feel more.

Yes Expensive Speakers above you.
Dolby Atmos is good
for those that can afford to set it up.


I have DVDA 8.1 Sound disc's


SACD DSD 5.1 is the fuller sound

And It is Not FREE


Just no added cost.
for the Upgrade that should have been done years ago


You should put Down the Monthly Costs
to be fair


And No Extra Cost
for their well late Upgrade.

[Apple Music costs $9.99/£9.99 per month for a standard dose of all-you-can-eat music streaming or $14.99/£14.99 for a family package, which gives access for up to six people.]


Its over priced

[As a Prime member, you can join Amazon Music Unlimited for only £7.99/month]

I SAID

this is about streamed music, so it doesnt affect download size (or more precisely storage space) at all. You can always download music in higher/lower bit and sample rates to suit your taste

its much cheaper on an annual sub, they also have various sub combinations that make it cheaper.


Spotify is £9.99 a month, with no annual plan, so Apple is cheaper than that

Sonos HD is £7.99 a month for a lot less content than either Apple or Spotify

Yes but it is good to show the True Month Costings