Lossless Audio: Everything You Need to Know

Lossless audio isn't new but now that Apple has brought it to Apple Music people are curious...and a little confused. In this video I'll tell you what it is, why it matters and how to get the most out of Apple's new music features.

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☑️ This video and description contain affiliate links which means that if you click on one of the product links I’ll receive a small commission

#applemusic #losslessaudio #BestHeadphones

[franklingoodwin]

We should all care. Better quality audio at no extra cost benefits us all (even if you don't listen to loseless audio yourself). Apple should've embraced loseless audio earlier like Tidal and Amazon did

[BJM]

Thank you for explaining the fact that Bluetooth has its deficiencies which is why I honestly cannot hear any difference when comparing lossless with compressed music for the most part. I guess it’s time to go back to wiring up my equipment. Again!

[alscarpa]

Even though I know my bluetooth AirPods Max cannot stream lossless, I find that Lossless music on Apple Music sounds better than non-lossless music. Am I imagining this? Or is the music better even if I do not get the "full benefit" of lossless as it sounds improved to me. Would appreciate your opinion / answer. Thanks!

[terapatik]

I was planning to go for Sony XM4. I didn't. Instead I got HD569 and HD560s. Also got FiiO k3 and xDuuo Link2 (to pick one and send back the other). 560s is my first open back. So I don't know if it's the lossless audio or the fact that I've never used open back before, but I love the experience!

However, I'm still trying to understand the impact of these DAC/amps on the audio quality, details, etc. The increased volume is obvious. Though not sure if needed as my macbook seem to be driving them quite alright for the volume. I feel like noticing more clarity and better insturment seperation at times, but can't be sure. I'll try harder :)

If you have any track suggestion which I could spot any potential difference with and without DAC better, please shoot!

[blizz.]

Does it work with car aux with beats sound system?

[emiel]

I couldn’t agree more. As a music producer I’m used to work with high resolution audio. I’m glad Apple included lossless audio in Apple Music for no extra charge! This is a real game changer when it comes to music streaming services. Bluetooth is lovely but cannot provide lossless audio. Transmitting such large files within the range Bluetooth operates is not possible (yet). It’s hard to tell if this will be available in the future. Nevertheless I prefer listening with a wired headphone. That’s where the real magic happens even on lossy codec. I listen on my iPad and iPhone with a good wired headphone from Sennheiser, AKG etcetera. My Mac is hooked up to my audio interface which outputs the balanced channels to my Adam Audio studio monitors. It’s really incredible what Apple pulled of here. The level of detail is astonishing with a setup like this. I definitely want to see you do a video about hearing the difference between lossy and lossless audio formats. There are people, *kuch Rick Beato, kuch, who ‘prove’ that even a well trained musician can’t hear any difference… That statement is false. A well trained ear, especially anyone in the music industry, can tell the difference between a shitty MP3 and a 24-bit/96kHz wave file. Even 48 and 44.1. (Sorry for my cursing in the former sentence). I have nothing against Rick Beato, I respect him for his great knowledge and experience in the music industry, but making such a bold statement within a video with only one person to validate his opinion is far from professional imho. I can go on and on about this but I won’t. Great video!

[Gazzab]

Very interesting video. I have the Liberty 3 Pro earbuds which are Bluetooth 5.2. When I was listening to a track on Amazon Music Unlimited, it did a breakdown of the quality of the track quality of the track from the recording quality, the source device and what the listening device was capable of and most of the time it displayed the quality as 16bit/44KHz to the headphones -
would this be correct? Also I read someone’s comment on another YT channel that Bluetooth 5.2 is capable of 24bit/48KHz. Is this correct? Also when listening to Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless on Apple Music through my Liberty 3 Pro earbuds, I can hear a difference. The Hi-Res setting sounds a bit louder and slightly more detailed so I’ve left my streaming settings to Hi-Res Lossless.

[garanceadrosehn]

The web site named Bandcamp is a place you can buy digital downloads (and sometimes CD's, DVD's, and other merchandise). Music buyers can select FLAC for download format, and for most albums that is supposed to be CD-quality lossless. *SOME* artists also release albums on Bandcamp which are higher that CD-quality, such as: 24 bit 96khz hi-resolution Studio Master version

[joetspaulding]

just using the 3.5 jack on my M1 Mac mini through a Yamaha receiver and Polk speakers. I was pretty happy with the quality off ACC. I have to say I am surprised how much better lossless sounds. I was not expecting such a noticeable difference. I'm waiting for a Fosi ($80) DAC so I can try 24/192

[diesel]

Some dacs like the smsk su-8s have bluetooth input. Would that work with lossless or would you still have to be wired to carry file.

[davidhill]

Lossless Audio may be beneficial to a small part of the population. I don't think most people will actually be able to appreciate it. There have been a couple studies (double blind and randomized) where 90% of those tested could not tell whether music samples were from streaming YouTube (256Kbps) vs the same samples from a CD (1411 Kbps @ 16 bit). ~90% of people (including some audiophiles) were flipping a coin as to which one had the better sound. Guessed right about 50% of the time. They could describe in detail why sample A was better (more airy, more open, spatial placement of instruments, etc). But then 10 minutes later would say the same exact thing about sample B. There are a few golden ears out there. ~10% tested could pick out the CD sample 85% of the time. I would postulate that anyone over age 40 would have a difficult time due to normal age related hearing loss. But being an audiophile is a hobby with many fun biases. Lossless audio is part of this fun hobby. If you know you are listening to lossless audio you WILL DEFINITELY hear a sound improvement (after central processing.) As human beings our minds work that way. Nothing wrong with it.

[gregghayes]

This was a good video, thank you. Also enjoyed other videos on this topic from you. You concentrate a lot on headphones for lossless, do you have suggestions for DACs for full-fledged stereo systems with amps or receivers andspeakers? Also, what is your experience of lossless on HomePod originals?

[stevedavey]

Jason, best review yet, especially about Bluetooth. Can you tell me if I can stream Lossless through my iPhone to my car audio? What about using an Astell &Kern DAP like the newer SP2000T maybe using their Bluetooth to stream Apple, Deezer, Tidal? Thanks so much

[keelesschk]

If you do any recording or are a musician, you probably have one or more interfaces lying about your studio or home . I have several. These devices are also DAC’s. I found one that I had from a while ago, an old e mu tracker that I plug my I phone into the mic inputs and get pristine audio at 192khz. It’s small enough to sit on my nightstand with out getting in the way of anything. Try it!

[joetspaulding]

all the DAC's on amazon say...only a few left... I think it is going to blow up the streaming audio gear market

[GeorgeFechter]

You are amazing at explaining this fabulous lossless audio. Tunes from my youth sound significantly better. We are bothe friends of Bill W. 4/11/2011 God bless

[carlosm.]

just got home from Apple park and picked up the airpod max. Still haven’t opened it, still debating if i need em

[weavebrain]

You forgot to mention the main paradigm shift presented by losses music: Its never been available before! Ever! High-end hifi gear, vinyl etc all coloured and essentially altered the music musicians committed to tape (or disk) in the studio. For the first time in history, on suitably-wired headphones, you will hear EXACTLY what the artist created. Thats huge 👍

[tubefreeeasy]

I own a xDuoo DAC and Preamp. XDuoo has also produced a 5.3 Bluetooth transmitter - MX-01. Plus a BluDento 5.2 Bluetooth dongle.

I use a Mac Mini to stream my Apple Music to my components.

I have a desktop audio setup that has spread out the space of my desk.

Unfortunately, I have no room for my computer set-up. I do have room nearby to setup my computer that relegates me to go cable-less and use Bluetooth.

My MX-01 and BluDento has been able to upgrade my components’ inputs from aptX only to aptX-HD and aptX-LL.

Maybe, there is a way to achieve Lossless transmission via Bluetooth.

[nestorvazquez]

Excellent presentation! I like your glasses. Where you bought it? 😂