It's likely because Apple Music streams in native AAC versus Spotify so Apple Music will sound better on an iOS device. There may be differences in source recordings but Apples implentation of AAC using an iPhone and Apple Music should yield better results despite similar bit rates.
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Use Tidal for the best Sound Quality on your AirPods Pro!
- Thread starter Dharma-P
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I use Qobuz on my Android and like it - it's a bit cheaper than Tidal. This is what tech radar had to say about hi res on the Max:
"Despite the high price of the AirPods Max, support for Hi-Res Audio files is limited to Apple's own Apple Digital Masters tracks, which are only available via Apple Music. Again, this makes it feel as though we're being somewhat shortchanged, as we'd expect comprehensive codec support at this price. "
I'm not sure if there is something in the Max that limits the Hi-Res capabilities to Apple Digital Masters or whether sources like Tidal and Qobuz can also be used for Hi Res over lightning to 3.5.
I would think you could at least get 16 bit 44khz full cd quality over the adapter.
Seems right. The article may just be lazy on the point. Unfortunately, no passive mode so you can't see how the Max might scale up with better equipment. But wired should sound better than wireless with Hi Res files.
This has been my experience. Only slight improvement on AM compared to Spotify on some tracks.
I’ve read that you don’t get the hi-res or master experience by BT bc of the codecs that AirPods have. What do I need to buy then? I see a lot of people talking about the 3.5 cable, but what do u connect it to? Thanks and sorry if my question is stupid!
That's correct. Only AptxHD and LDAC get to true Hi Res over bluetooth. While this is a deal breaker for me personally, many will argue that AAC is audibly transparent and therefore any improvement between AAC and LDAC can't be heard. As for the wire, it would allow you to connect the headphones to a source with a headphone jack where you could listen to higher quality music files wired which should improve audio. Apparently, it does not support USB Audio which is somewhat surprising.
Thanks very much! So in order to be able to listen to hi-res or master tracks lossless with my iPhone and AirPods Max what do I need? Thanks!
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but you'll need the $35 lightning to 3.5 adapter and if your iphone doesn't have a headphone jack you also need the Apple headphone dongle. Together they should get you a fully wired connection.
This is not an ideal set up and if hi Res listening is your goal, there probably are better options on the market. To each their own however.
The dongle might not work as it isn't specified if it's bi-directional, I'll test it soon when I find mine
Also, 'Apple Digital Masters' is not hi res audio, it's Apples new name for 'Mastered For iTunes', which is basically just the same quality AAC files encoded from a higher quality source.
Why does it need to be bidirectional? The dongle converts the source audio (iphone) to a 3.5mm out. The $35 lightning to 3.5 converts the 3.5 back to lightning at the Max.The dongle might not work as it isn't specified if it's bi-directional, I'll test it soon when I find mine
Also, 'Apple Digital Masters' is not hi res audio, it's Apples new name for 'Mastered For iTunes', which is basically just the same quality AAC files encoded from a higher quality source.
If the dongle doesn't work, how would the Max work with lightning only devices since USB audio isn't supported.
What is strange about this setup is there appear to be 2 DACs in the chain. One on the dongle and then another one at the Max.
Edit - it's really a shame they didn offer a fully passive mode. That would have offered much more flexibility. Seems like Apple doesn't really intend for these to be used wired.
This is what gets me about the reviews saying you can't compare the AirPods Max to others in their category—Bose, Sony, etc. Apple apologists trying to justify the price. They suggest comparing them to reference phones. Bull. ****. Comparing these lossless-incapable headphones that can only handle compressed music to reference sets is absurd.
They won't compete with reference headphones. A more reasonable question is how they compete with higher end BT cans like Mobius, Panda, Shure Aonic and Amiron. While many don't offer ANC (except for the Shure), I think the are all likely to sound better. Reviews should hit tomorrow. Most reviewers will compare to the obvious consumer choices like Bose and Sony but there is a pretty active discussion on headfi where comparisons to these other cans are more likely.
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Just confirmed the lightning-to-3.5mm dongle attached to a 3.5-to-3.5mm cable does not work. Annoying but not totally unexpected.
Says a lot about what Apple thinks about audio quality. Just wish they treated audio it like their displays - great hi-res quality. That AAC codec needs to go or be improved - their new chips are capable of wirelessly broadcasting higher quality audio after all.
I can tell you APM sound better than Pandas over BT with no hesitation. When connected to BT the Pandas have very bad coil whine/distortion in the speakers, and I'm not the only person with this issue. APM lacks aptx-hd and ldac, this is true, but even then the Pandas only sound better via a direct usb-c connection (directly utilizing the built in DAC) which obviously defeats the entire point
Not to mention they don't have a microphone, nor ANC. I can't speak for those others but the Pandas are definitely not worth their price, at any rate lol
Huh. I don't have that issue with my panda and I love the sound over BT. They sound excellent to me. Not sure it's fair to compare them to a faulty Panda. Are you running the Max on Android or iOS? I paid 300 for my panda so the price was pretty cheap.I can tell you APM sound better than Pandas over BT with no hesitation. When connected to BT the Pandas have very bad coil whine/distortion in the speakers, and I'm not the only person with this issue. APM lacks aptx-hd and ldac, this is true, but even then the Pandas only sound better via a direct usb-c connection (directly utilizing the built in DAC) which obviously defeats the entire point
Not to mention they don't have a microphone, nor ANC. I can't speak for those others but the Pandas are definitely not worth their price, at any rate lol
Also, not sure why you are complaining about Panda over USB-C. That's a nice option as is fully passive mode. So the Panda can go wireless, USB-C and passive. USB-C doesn't defeat the purpose at all. The Max appears to be BT only and can't even be run with an iOS device that has a lightning jack.
Lastly, you are not correct that the Panda lacks a microphone. Of course it does - it works just fine for calls. Taken from drop's overview page:
"Panda also comes equipped with a 30-hour battery life, two built-in microphones, and an intuitive control system for adjustments on the go."
Seems like you aren't really super knowledgeable about the Panda so I'm not sure what to take of your criticism.
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lol calm down dude. The Panda doesn't have microphones if you're connected through usb-c or 3.5mm (you need a separate mic for that)
I'm perfectly calm. If you intended to qualify your comment then you should have said so. It's also a curious criticism because the Max doesn't offer USBC and the wired mode is a neutered disaster so apples to apples both headphones offer a microphone over BT.
I am curious if you have listened to Panda over LDAC using hi Res files or just AAC.
You admit the Panda sounds better over USBC and the Panda costs 400 so it seems that the comparison is a reasonable one at least for my intended usage (I don't need ANC). It's far more versatile and costs significantly less money. In any event, glad you like your Max.
...The bi-directional lightning to 3.5mm cable will work just fine, it might also be possible to connect that cable to a lightning-3.5mm adapter for iDevices with no headphone jack. Waiting for my cable to confirm.
