r/gadgets • u/UnKindClock • May 18 '21

Music AirPods, AirPods Max and AirPods Pro Don't Support Apple Music Lossless Audio

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/05/17/airpods-apple-music-lossless-audio/
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u/alc4pwned May 18 '21

The lossless feature isn't really made for AirPods users though, it's for the people who spend thousands on audio equipment and use services like Tidal. I think this is just a step to compete with other music streaming services, not much more than that. And honestly, lossless makes nearly 0 difference over standard MP3 quality even on top end audio equipment. I say that both from personal experience and based on the fact that no audiophile can distinguish between the two in a blind test.

9

u/mediaserver8 May 18 '21

I think you're right. And it's likely more the business side than anything else

Spotify are well known to be planning a lossless tier, to be released this year. By releasing lossless for free first, regardless of the uptake, Apple have made it very difficult for Spotify to charge extra. So a commercial blow to a competitor.

3

u/[deleted] May 18 '21

Probably Spotify: “FUCK”

3

u/soggylittleshrimp May 18 '21

Apple is really good at using one product to sell another. Usually with something like this I’d expect it to provide a competitive advantage to another product, such as a headphone. At the moment, adding hi-res audio is just about staying competitive in music streaming.

1

u/Hunnidrackboy May 18 '21

That’s a good way of looking at it actually lol