In the summer of 2021, Apple extended an invitation to a richer listening experience through two new Apple Music features — lossless audio and spatial audio — each representing a different philosophy of sound. Yet as with most technological promises, the path to that experience is lined with conditions: the right wires, the right devices, the right ecosystem. Humanity's pursuit of perfect sound continues, but access remains uneven, shaped as much by hardware and platform loyalty as by the music itself.
Tom's Guide
· Jun 08, 2021
· technology
· 5 min read
High
Sourcing: Verified
Apple Music lossless and spatial audio: What hardware you actually need
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Technology
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Bias & Framing
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Geopolitical Impact
🌎
This is a consumer technology article about Apple Music audio features, not a geopolitical topic.
Escalation Risk
N/A
Confidence
HIGH
Economic Lens
📈
Apple Music's lossless and spatial audio features create hardware upgrade demand, benefiting audio equipment manufacturers but requiring wired connections that limit wireless adoption.
Market Signal
mixed
Confidence
MED
Consumer Electronics
Audio Equipment Manufacturing
Streaming Services
Telecommunications
Retail Trade
Consumers face fragmented compatibility requirements and potential hardware costs. Lossless audio demands expensive wired headphones and external DACs, while spatial audio has broader accessibility. This creates a two-tier experience and may increase consumer spending on audio peripherals.
Potential regulatory scrutiny on audio codec standardization and consumer transparency regarding hardware requirements. May prompt discussions on wireless technology standards (Bluetooth limitations) and fair disclosure of feature compatibility.