Apple Music - will anything change?
Discussion
Yes the comparison where they play What’s Going On in mono, stereo and Atmos is pretty compelling
I spent a happy couple of hours working my way through the Atmos playlists last night. Some songs just sound incredible - Riders on the Storm, Tom Sawyer in particular
It is definitely a game changer.
Lossless I think is a bit of a “red herring”. I’ve turned it on anyway but even Apple acknowledge that it’s unlikely to be a noticeable difference over AAC.
I spent a happy couple of hours working my way through the Atmos playlists last night. Some songs just sound incredible - Riders on the Storm, Tom Sawyer in particular
It is definitely a game changer.
Lossless I think is a bit of a “red herring”. I’ve turned it on anyway but even Apple acknowledge that it’s unlikely to be a noticeable difference over AAC.
Prohibiting said:
I’ve just signed up to the Apple 3 month music trial to try this out with my IPhone 12 and Airpod Pros. I’ve been a Spotify user for 5 years.
Yes there is a slight difference, but honestly, I could give or take it as I’m not an audiophile. If someone did a blind test on me I’d have to try really hard to listen out for the difference to pick which version is better.
Still, I’ll give the trial a go and see how I get on with the app etc. I guess any improvement is better than nothing!
Largely my thoughts too. It’s good, but nothing spectacular. APP’s and Sony XM3’s. Yes there is a slight difference, but honestly, I could give or take it as I’m not an audiophile. If someone did a blind test on me I’d have to try really hard to listen out for the difference to pick which version is better.
Still, I’ll give the trial a go and see how I get on with the app etc. I guess any improvement is better than nothing!
I spent an enjoyable few hours the other night going through the spatial audio that's available now, even listening to a lot of tracks and artists I wouldn't normally and that's usually a sign you're enjoying the music.
In that spatial audio offers a lot more scope to the producer, it is hugely dependent on the mix. Some tracks are just different to the stereo mix - not really better, not really worse - others are truly a revelation, with much more space around individual instruments and a lot more nuance and texture audible to even these tired old ears.
Other still are quite gimmicky, with unrealistic placement, whizz-bang emphasis and lots of swooping about just because the engineer could. I guess it's like any other kind of production, it is a skill.
As for Apple Music, it certainly gives it an added edge. I currently have it only because it's effectively 'free' with the Apple One subscription I pay for to get enough iCloud storage. I have traditionally used GPM/YTM for streaming in the car etc. but Google is doing its best to drive me away from their services and I was considering switching to Spotify or Apple. These things are quite 'sticky' though, and the thought of having to recreate a library, playlists etc. has always put me off.
Going to Apple Music in my living room would entail me buying an Apple TV though, but this is something that I might actively consider now as I did some A-B comparisons of YTM and (non-Dolby) Apple Music and the Apple tracks were generally better encoded.
In that spatial audio offers a lot more scope to the producer, it is hugely dependent on the mix. Some tracks are just different to the stereo mix - not really better, not really worse - others are truly a revelation, with much more space around individual instruments and a lot more nuance and texture audible to even these tired old ears.
Other still are quite gimmicky, with unrealistic placement, whizz-bang emphasis and lots of swooping about just because the engineer could. I guess it's like any other kind of production, it is a skill.
As for Apple Music, it certainly gives it an added edge. I currently have it only because it's effectively 'free' with the Apple One subscription I pay for to get enough iCloud storage. I have traditionally used GPM/YTM for streaming in the car etc. but Google is doing its best to drive me away from their services and I was considering switching to Spotify or Apple. These things are quite 'sticky' though, and the thought of having to recreate a library, playlists etc. has always put me off.
Going to Apple Music in my living room would entail me buying an Apple TV though, but this is something that I might actively consider now as I did some A-B comparisons of YTM and (non-Dolby) Apple Music and the Apple tracks were generally better encoded.
Well I missed this announcement, along with Spotify announcing they have increased the monthly family plan by £2 per month.
I tried Apple when it came out and preferred it at the time to Spotify, yet eventually went back to Spotify as it streams to everything. Recently I have become frustrated by Spotify's confusing recommend music and them failing to implement decent security such as multifactor authentication. My family account was hacked and I am till not sure how as I am very careful, using different passwords for everything. It seems a common issue and I wonder if they have been hacked and have not admitted it?
So with the price increase and the challenges of Spotify I am tempted to to back to Apple Music - their One plans look good value for me, but there are 6 of us and the Apple family plans only cover 5 unlike Spotify with 6. Damn.
If it was just me it would be a no brainer, especially with the price increase, but once I have to think about the family. Ease of use and convenience trumps sound quality, otherwise the wife and kids drive me nuts when it doesn't work, especially if you resist Apple's attempt to lock you into their ecosystem. I couldn't afford to replace all our smart devices and speakers with the latest apple TV and speakers - if Apple supported chromecast, even at a lower quality, it would almost be a no brainer. Even though Apple airplay and Apple TV is available on third-party smart devices, there are still catches - For example, the Samsung Apple TV app does not support Dolby Atmos, but I could live with that.
Argh - more choice just brings more confusion and frustration and/or expense,
I tried Apple when it came out and preferred it at the time to Spotify, yet eventually went back to Spotify as it streams to everything. Recently I have become frustrated by Spotify's confusing recommend music and them failing to implement decent security such as multifactor authentication. My family account was hacked and I am till not sure how as I am very careful, using different passwords for everything. It seems a common issue and I wonder if they have been hacked and have not admitted it?
So with the price increase and the challenges of Spotify I am tempted to to back to Apple Music - their One plans look good value for me, but there are 6 of us and the Apple family plans only cover 5 unlike Spotify with 6. Damn.
If it was just me it would be a no brainer, especially with the price increase, but once I have to think about the family. Ease of use and convenience trumps sound quality, otherwise the wife and kids drive me nuts when it doesn't work, especially if you resist Apple's attempt to lock you into their ecosystem. I couldn't afford to replace all our smart devices and speakers with the latest apple TV and speakers - if Apple supported chromecast, even at a lower quality, it would almost be a no brainer. Even though Apple airplay and Apple TV is available on third-party smart devices, there are still catches - For example, the Samsung Apple TV app does not support Dolby Atmos, but I could live with that.
Argh - more choice just brings more confusion and frustration and/or expense,
loudlashadjuster said:
In that spatial audio offers a lot more scope to the producer, it is hugely dependent on the mix. Some tracks are just different to the stereo mix - not really better, not really worse - others are truly a revelation, with much more space around individual instruments and a lot more nuance and texture audible to even these tired old ears.
Other still are quite gimmicky, with unrealistic placement, whizz-bang emphasis and lots of swooping about just because the engineer could. I guess it's like any other kind of production, it is a skill
I would agree with this. I think with contemporary material engineers seem more inclined to “push the boundaries” of what the technology is capable of. Whereas with more classic albums they seem to be sticking - wisely - to enhancing the sound without distracting the listener with flashy effects. Other still are quite gimmicky, with unrealistic placement, whizz-bang emphasis and lots of swooping about just because the engineer could. I guess it's like any other kind of production, it is a skill
I’m chomping at the bit for more now. In particular I can’t wait to hear Rumours and Metallica’s Black Album when they’ve been updated. DSOTM as well, obviously…
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