Apple Music Teaser References 'Hi-Res Lossless' and 'Dolby Atmos'

Earlier today, Apple Music began teasing a special announcement with the tagline "Get Ready – Music is About to Change Forever." This teaser comes amid a rumor that Apple is preparing to announce the third-generation AirPods alongside a HiFi, or lossless audio streaming tier for Apple Music on Tuesday, May 18.

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Now, references to "Apple Lossless," "Free Lossless," "Hi-Res Lossless," and "Dolby Atmos" have been found within the ‌Apple Music‌ web app by 9to5Mac and confirmed by MacRumors. These references indicate that Apple is likely planning to announce that users will be able to stream songs at higher quality and potentially enjoy them in some form of Spatial Audio using Dolby Atmos with the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

Additional code also indicates that only certain songs may be capable of lossless, and Dolby Atmos audio streaming as Apple has references on multiple occasions to a badge that reads "Has Lossless" and "Has Atmos," which could be presented next to compatible songs within ‌Apple Music‌.

References to lossless and high-quality streaming were already found in the earliest beta of the upcoming iOS 14.6 update. A report regarding a lossless, or HiFi ‌Apple Music‌ tier first originated in early May, and according to that report, the new tier will cost the same $9.99 as the current individual ‌Apple Music‌ subscription.

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Top Rated Comments

Nimoy Avatar
52 months ago

Can the bandwidth of say, the Airpods Pro even handle lossless codec bitrate? Is this just going to be for people using Lightning port headphones and or Macs with sound outputting via the headphone jack?
Apple is all about wireless everything. I can’t see them introducing a new feature that requires people to bring back cords. I mean, if the AirPods Max can’t handle whatever Apple is introducing next week, that would be absolutely ridiculous.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Picklefoot Avatar
52 months ago
I hope I don’t get too much flac for this but you’ll need Atmos some good headphones or speakers for this.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MysteryMii215 Avatar
52 months ago

These references indicate that Apple is likely planning to announce that users will be able to stream songs at higher quality and potentially enjoy them in some form of Spatial Audio using Dolby Atmos with the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
I wouldn't be shocked if you can also enjoy Atmos music through an Apple TV 4K hooked up to an Atmos sound system.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Seanm87 Avatar
52 months ago
My ears are ready!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
symphony Avatar
52 months ago

What I’m most impressed by is that Apple have not chosen to introduce a higher price tier for this and I’m glad.
They kinda did something similar to 4K iTunes movies which was awesome
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
obamtl Avatar
52 months ago
What I’m most impressed by is that Apple have not chosen to introduce a higher price tier for this and I’m glad.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)