Lossless and/or Spatial Audio with Sonos

Exactly! We ask simple questions and no-one is answering straight forward. So let's go again: " Dear Apple, are you going to work with Sonos and give us Lossless audio? " A simple Yes or No will do.

Yes, please… specifically we should be able to use the Apple Music connection from the Sonos app to select music and send to our Sonos system. You can currently do that now, but not in lossless formats.

This is what keeps me from purchasing an Apple Music plan. I’m dedicated to Sonos at this point and not having lossless Apple Music is a deal breaker. I’ll just give my money to another service.

Thanks

Based on my conversations with Sonos, this is not true. If I understand the Codec correctly, Apple Music Lossless is in ALAC format, a codec that Sonos already supports (my home library is all ripped in ALAC). Apple needs to make the ALAC versions of the files available to Sonos and they haven't. I didn't realize this and didn't check before switching from Tidal to Apple. I'm considering switching back. Apple, please work with Sonos to make lossless music available directly in the Sonos app.

I have just cancelled my Apple Music subscription because I can’t get Lossess when using AirPlay 2 with Sonos. When I hear the new service I have switched to, the sound quality is night and day compared to Apple Music. My partner has done a blind test to see if I can tell which service is which and every time I hear the clarity and separation of lossless.

I like the Apple Music UI and other things, but a deal breaker for me is the lack of lossless. I’m not bothered about Ultra High Resolution, I can’t tell the difference. Apple please let us Sonos users have lossless with Sonos and your service!

Hi Keisha

When will Apple Music lossless audio work with Sonos speakers (which stream over wifi like HomePods)?

Thanks

Jonathan

Hi nicxjames,

Thanks for posting here in Apple Support Communities. Bluetooth connections currently don't support lossless audio as it isn't capable of transmitting data at such high speeds. You can see more about this here: About lossless audio in Apple Music - Apple Support

Can I listen to lossless audio over Bluetooth?

We will deliver music using lossless audio compression to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Lossless will play back normally on Bluetooth speakers and headphones. However, Bluetooth connections don’t support lossless audio.

Enjoy your day.

I find it ridiculous that in 2023 Sonos can play lossless up to a certain point ie 24-bit/48kHz, through Amazon HD/Ultra HD (refer photo) and yet Apple Music won’t allow those of us who own a Sonos system to do the same with their MSP.

The problem is not with Apple. Apple Music will support lossless and hi resolution lossless versions just as soon as Sonos makes their system support it. If you want something to complain about with Apple, how about the Apple TV. Which even though it is considered via HDMI 2.1 and could support both standards doesn’t support hi resolution. And as far as I can tell, there is no way to add a external DAC like you can do on a iOS device.

For no apparent reason, Apple Music downsamples to 16/44.1 when using AirPlay on your Sonos. And only recently has Apple mysteriously added 24/48 capability to Apple Music directly playing over wifi to HomePod Gen 2.

Sonos supports it. Amazon Music streams directly in Atmos. Apple needs to flip a switch. Sounds like a royalty issue, with Apple not willing to pay Sonos to have Atmos available through their system.

Sonia doesn’t support Bluetooth. Your answer is inaccurate. Could you let us know if Apple is working on this

or not.

They do support it. You can play Amazon Music in hi res Lossless , lossless and Dolby Atmos through the Sonos app without having to turn on the TV.