The Homepod and the Homepod Mini should be able to play Apple Music’s lossless quality after a software update. Apple writes in a new support document that the so-called lossless audio in Apple Music can soon be played with both the HomePod and the HomePod Mini. A software update is required for this. However, Apple did not reveal when this will appear. Playback is currently not possible.
The Apple TV 4K will also support Lossless Audio when Apple Music starts streaming corresponding files in June 2021.
However, there is bad news for owners of Apple’s Bluetooth headphones coupled with Apple Music’s lossless formats. Apple clarifies in the support document that Airpods, Airpods Pro, Airpods Max and the wireless Beats headphones use the Bluetooth AAC codec and will not support lossless audio.
The Airpods Max cannot play lossless audio from Apple Music with the optional cable connection with 3.5 mm jack on one side and Lightning connection on the other, Apple writes in the support document:
“The AirPods Max can be connected to devices that play lossless and hi-res lossless recordings with exceptional audio quality. However, playback will not be completely lossless due to the analog-to-digital conversion in the cable”.
Apple did not provide any more precise technical quality information. In Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter, a digital-analog converter is 48 kHz, according to Apple installed, the lossless audio with up to 24 bit / supported.
Amazon HD can be played on many Echo speakers
All Echo speakers from the second generation can play HD music (16 bit / 44.1 kHz) from Amazon Music and with the Echo Studio content can even be played in Ultra HD. Amazon describes a bit depth of 24 bits and a sample rate of up to 192 kHz. In addition, HD content from Amazon Music can be played back on suitable speakers using Airplay, according to Amazon. No HD content can be played with Amazon Music via Google’s cast protocol.
The subscription to Apple Music costs 9.99 euros per month, for students 4.99 euros per month. In addition, there is a family rate of 14.99 euros per month, with which up to six people can listen to music at the same time. Subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited can now listen to music in HD quality at no extra charge, for which an additional 5 euros per month were previously due. The Amazon Music HD subscription costs EUR 9.99 per month or EUR 7.99 for Prime members.