Apple Music Exec: Most Can't Hear Lossless Quality; Spatial Audio More Noticeable

As tech reporters at Liberty Times, we find Apple Music Vice President Oliver Schusser's recent comments to Billboard about audio quality to be a significant, albeit unsurprising, revelation. His assertion that 'most people can't tell the difference' between lossless and standard audio, even with the same iPhone and headphones in blind tests, directly challenges the perceived value of high-fidelity audio for the average consumer.

Schusser's emphasis on 'spatial audio' as a more impactful feature for listeners provides insight into Apple's current product strategy. While Apple Music does offer lossless audio, its ecosystem's support for it remains somewhat cumbersome. Achieving true high-resolution lossless playback on an iPhone, for instance, often requires external hardware like a DAC and wired headphones, a complex setup for most users. In contrast, spatial audio, with features like head tracking, is readily accessible on newer AirPods models, making it a more integrated and user-friendly experience within the Apple ecosystem.

This perspective aligns with a broader trend in the audio industry, where the technical specifications of audio quality often outpace the average listener's ability to perceive the difference, especially in casual listening environments. While audiophiles may champion lossless formats, Schusser's comments suggest that for the mass market, immersive features like spatial audio offer a more tangible and appreciated enhancement to the listening experience.

From our viewpoint at Liberty Times, this discussion is particularly relevant to our readers in Taiwan, who are often early adopters of technology. The comments raise questions about the future development of audio technology and consumer expectations. Is the pursuit of lossless audio a niche market, or will technology eventually bridge the gap between technical specifications and perceptible quality for everyone? Apple's strategic focus on spatial audio suggests they believe the latter is currently more achievable and desirable for their user base.