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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteApple Music Lossless uses ALAC to preserve audio data, but the Lossless badge does not guarantee that your entire playback setup delivers that quality. To listen losslessly, enable the setting and use a compatible wired or built-in audio path; Bluetooth connections generally are not lossless. Hi-Res Lossless also requires a device and, in some cases, an external DAC that supports its higher sample rates.
What Apple Music Lossless means
Apple Music encodes its lossless catalog with Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). Lossless compression preserves the original audio data rather than discarding parts of it. Apple lists music across a range from 16-bit/44.1 kHz, commonly described as CD quality, to 24-bit/192 kHz, which it labels Hi-Res Lossless. Apple’s iPhone guide describes the catalog and codec.
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Bit depth and sample rate describe aspects of the digital audio format; they are not a guarantee of what reaches your ears. The available version of a track, your network, and your connected equipment all affect playback. Apple’s lossless audio guidance explains those dependencies.
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Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless compared
| Apple Music setting | Maximum resolution | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Lossless | Up to 24-bit/48 kHz | Can be played through compatible wired or built-in output paths. |
| Hi-Res Lossless | Up to 24-bit/192 kHz | Requires an output chain that supports the chosen sample rate; an external DAC is needed above 48 kHz on iPhone. |
These are setting ceilings, not a promise that every song is available at the maximum resolution. Apple’s iPhone guide distinguishes the two settings and notes that delivered quality depends on track availability, network conditions, and equipment.
#1 Best Overall
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
How to turn on Lossless Audio
- On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality.
- Turn on Lossless Audio.
- Choose the desired quality separately for streaming and downloads. Select Lossless for up to 24-bit/48 kHz or Hi-Res Lossless for up to 24-bit/192 kHz.
- Look for the Lossless badge on an album page to confirm that lossless audio is available for that music.
The settings and badge are documented in Apple’s iPhone guide. A setting change does not upgrade music already downloaded: delete the existing Apple Music download and download the track or album again after enabling lossless, as Apple explains in its support guidance.
What equipment can play it losslessly?
Bluetooth headphones and speakers
Apple says Bluetooth connections are not lossless. That includes most wireless headphones, even when they are Apple products: the listening device and connection need to support a lossless path, not just the Music setting. Apple lists two cable-connected exceptions: AirPods Max 1 with USB-C and AirPods Max 2 can support lossless over a USB-C cable with current software and firmware. Check the exact model and connection in Apple’s current device guidance.
Rank #2
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
iPhone and iPad
Apple supports playback through compatible wired headphones, receivers, powered speakers, or the device’s built-in speakers. On iPhone, playback above 48 kHz requires an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Compatibility depends on the device and connection, so confirm that a DAC’s input, power requirements, and supported sample rate work with your setup. A DAC is not required for every lossless configuration, including compatible output at or below 48 kHz. See Apple’s lossless audio guidance.
Mac, Windows, Android, HomePod, and Apple TV
- Mac: Apple identifies native playback up to 96 kHz on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Other Mac computers need an external DAC above 48 kHz.
- Windows PC: An external DAC may be required above 48 kHz.
- Android: Check the device maker’s DAC requirements.
- HomePod: Apple describes enabling lossless through the Home app and requires current software.
- Apple TV 4K: Hi-Res Lossless is available only on Apple TV 4K (3rd generation or later), according to Apple.
These limits and requirements are device-specific; Apple’s support page has the current guidance.
Rank #3
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
Does Apple Music Lossless sound better?
Lossless means the encoded audio data is preserved; it does not establish that every listener will hear a difference. The Apple sources cited here specify formats and device compatibility, but do not report controlled listening results or a statistic for how many people can distinguish lossless from lossy audio. Hi-Res Lossless raises the technical resolution ceiling, but that alone is not evidence that it will sound better in a particular setup.
Lossless versus Dolby Atmos
Lossless and Dolby Atmos describe different things. ALAC concerns audio encoding and preservation of data; Dolby Atmos is an immersive spatial audio format. Apple announced both features together in 2021, but that announcement does not establish that an Atmos mix is lossless. Spatial Audio is therefore not a higher tier of Lossless Audio. Apple’s announcement treats them as separate features.
Rank #4
- Hi-Res Audio & Titanium-Coated Drivers: Delivering 96kHz/24-bit Hi-Res audio through 40mm titanium-coated drivers, reproducing musical details with clarity across wired and wireless connections; Support LDAC/SBC codecs for preserving audio quality during wireless streaming
- Hybrid ANC & Multiple Modes: Advanced -49dB active noise cancellation with multiple ANC modes that adjust to your environment; Convenient physical buttons let you quickly switch between ANC levels, while the EDIFIER ConneX app offers additional customization with specialized modes for sport, office, and travel scenarios
- Spatial Sound & Volume Guard: Immerse yourself with dynamic spatial sound technology, while the EDIFIER ConneX App offers customized EQ presets for tailored listening; The volume guard feature helps maintain comfortable listening levels by letting you set a preferred maximum volume
- Multipoint Bluetooth & Simultaneous Play/Charge: Enjoy enhanced wireless stability with both Bluetooth V6.1 and USB-C wired connections; The stable wireless link supports simultaneous two-device pairing for seamless switching between calls and media, while the wired mode enables continuous playback with charging; Gaming Mode reduces latency for responsive audio
- Long Battery Life & Fast Charging: Engineered for endurance with up to 88 hours of continuous use (49hrs with ANC), supported by fast charging that delivers 15 hours of playback from just 15 minutes of charging
Data use and downloads
Apple warns that lossless streaming uses significantly more data over cellular or Wi-Fi, downloads take significantly more storage, and higher resolutions consume more data than lower ones. Apple does not provide a current per-hour data estimate or per-song storage figure in the guidance cited here, so the actual impact depends on your listening and download choices. Check Apple’s support page before setting high-quality streaming on a limited data plan.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
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