Beats Studio Pro - lossless devices?

[digduggler]

According the Apple support doc, MacBooks and iPads with a USB-C port support lossless over USB C. However, I have a MacBook Pro M1 (which does work) and a MacBook Air M1 (which does not seem to support lossless with just the USB C cable).

Anyone else have experience/run into this? Is there a list of eligible devices I've missed?

 

[arw]

Did you actually encounter any problems with your Air M1 or is your confusion solely based on the support document?

It doesn't sound like a special hardware or update is required for macOS - only "a Mac that has a USB-C port".

Some general info about lossless playback on the Mac (no specific mention of Beats Studio Pro):
- As reference, (lossless) CD is 16 bit / 44,1 kHz.
- Lossless (16 bit and up to 48 kHz) playback via cable and the internal speakers is supported on almost every Mac of the last decade or more.
- Hi-Res lossless is officially defined as everything equal or higher than 24 bit / 48 kHz.
And there the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro come to play and are mentioned separately as they additionally support native playback of frequencies up 96 kHz.

You can listen to lossless on a Mac (…) using:

• A wired connection to headphones, receivers, or powered speakers
• The built-in speakers
• 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro support native playback of songs at sample rates up to 96 kHz.
• To listen to songs at sample rates higher than 48 kHz on other Mac computers, you need an external digital-to-analog converter.

About lossless audio in Apple Music - Apple Support

Learn about lossless audio in Apple Music and how to turn it on or off for your device.

support.apple.com

(Apple defines non-Hi-Res lossless as up to 24 bit / 48 kHz but that's not the industrial standard)

 

[digduggler]

Did you actually encounter any problems with your Air M1 or is your confusion solely based on the support document?

- As reference, (lossless) CD is 16 bit / 44,1 kHz.
- Lossless (16 bit and up to 48 kHz) playback via cable and the internal speakers is supported on almost every Mac of the last decade or more.
- Hi-Res lossless is officially defined as everything equal or higher than 24 bit / 48 kHz.
And there the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro come to play and are mentioned separately as they additionally support native playback of frequencies up 96 kHz.

About lossless audio in Apple Music - Apple Support

Learn about lossless audio in Apple Music and how to turn it on or off for your device.

support.apple.com

(Apple defines non-Hi-Res lossless as up to 24 bit / 48 kHz but that's not the industrial standard)

The lights don't show as in the document (but they do on the Pro). One in the middle for Beats Signature, etc. They just stay as a battery indicator. I also can see Noise Control on the Air and use it, which is supposed to be disabled.

It appears the Air is not supported, but I can't find any official documentation as to what is supported other than iPad or Mac with USB-C.

Edit: I disconnected/rebooted plugged it in and got it working. It was somehow defaulting to bluetooth even though its as plugged in (and I let the accessory connect).

 

[arw]

Glad you got it working!
If it's not too much trouble, I am curious how the Beats Studio Pro are identified in macOS compared to the AirPods Max.
Could you please provide a screenshot of the relevant USB and audio section of System Report?
In the top left click  > About This Mac > More Info > System Report
Thanks