Skip to main content
rct_guy
Enthusiast I
May 17, 2021

Sonos support for Apple Music's Lossless Audio

  • May 17, 2021
  • 153 replies
  • 92048 views

Announcement: https://www.apple.com/ca/newsroom/2021/05/apple-music-announces-spatial-audio-and-lossless-audio/

 

Now that Apple Music has joined the “lossless club”, can we please hear from Sonos as to whether this will be supported, and, if it will be, approximately when that may occur?

 

Thanks.

    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

    153 replies

    James L.
    James L.
    Retired Community Staff
    May 17, 2021

    Hi @rct_guy,

     

    We’re unable to confirm when/if this feature is coming to Sonos. It’s up to the music service provider (Apple in this case) to work with us and decide which features are/are not available on Sonos products. We’ve written an article explaining a lot about Music Services on Sonos that I’ll link below that contains some more information on this. You should let Apple know that you’d like to see spatial/lossless audio on Apple Music on Sonos :slight_smile:

     

     

    Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
      rct_guyAuthor
      Enthusiast I
      May 17, 2021

      Thank you for the rapid reply. I will provide this feedback to Apple.

        melvimbe
        melvimbe
        May 17, 2021

        What’s the current quality of Apple music on Sonos?  Based on the information from the article, sounds as if Apple is only offering above CD quality on Apple devices...which is pretty typical of Apple.  

         

        To start listening to Lossless Audio, subscribers using the latest version of Apple Music can turn it on in Settings > Music > Audio Quality. Here, they can choose different resolutions for different connections such as cellular, Wi-Fi, or for download. Apple Music’s Lossless tier starts at CD quality, which is 16 bit at 44.1 kHz (kilohertz), and goes up to 24 bit at 48 kHz and is playable natively on Apple devices. For the true audiophile, Apple Music also offers Hi-Resolution Lossless all the way up to 24 bit at 192 kHz.1

        Danny
        James L.
        James L.
        Retired Community Staff
        May 17, 2021

        What’s the current quality of Apple music on Sonos?  Based on the information from the article, sounds as if Apple is only offering above CD quality on Apple devices...which is pretty typical of Apple.  

        Apple Music currently streams 256 kbps AAC as standard :slight_smile:

        Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
          chicks
          chicks
          May 17, 2021

          Somehow I just KNEW this question would be asked within minutes of Apple’s announcement, lol.  They never disappoint! :D

            Kumar
            May 17, 2021

            Playing the same recording via lossless CD rips, iTunes 256 AAC downloads and Apple Music at 256 AAC, I hear no differences. Just saying...

              Kumar
              May 17, 2021

              Also, this thread of someone having trouble with wireless streaming of HD music may be of interest.

              https://en.community.sonos.com/troubleshooting-228999/sonos-speakers-cut-in-and-out-when-playing-hd-music-6858735?postid=16537710#post16537710

              I expect to see a lot more such threads here as more people fall for the HD red herring, now that Sonos has opened that Pandoras box of trouble on its kit.

                ings
                Enthusiast II
                May 17, 2021

                 

                You should let Apple know that you’d like to see spatial/lossless audio on Apple Music on Sonos 

                 

                 

                While I would be very surprised if you weren’t already talking to Apple’s ISV Relations, OK, I’ll bite. How do you recommend we provide feedback to Apple? Phone call? Web link?

                If you are serious about Sonos customers doing this it would be very helpful for you to be more specific!

                  melvimbe
                  melvimbe
                  May 17, 2021

                  https://www.apple.com/feedback/apple-music.html

                  Sometimes it a good idea to go talk directly to someone at the company, but I’m doubtful that comments to Apple store staffers are going to get comments about Sonos back to the powers that be.

                   

                  There might be a Sonos policy for employees not to give out contact information for music services or other partners.  Probably not a big deal in this case, but could be construed as unprofessional if it looks like Sonos is trying to use it’s customers to lobby Apple into making changes to their products.

                   

                   

                  Danny
                    Guyincognito76
                    Guyincognito76
                    Prominent Collaborator I
                    May 17, 2021

                    You’ll have to excuse my ignorance here, but, the Apple TV was listed as a device that will be able to play Lossless so will the Beam (and Arc) play it through that?

                      Show more replies
                      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement