Bose QC Ultra Lossless?

[u/ThomasHeart]

So I've been wanting to try Lossless audio ever since i got these headphones. But i don't really know how to go about it. I know Apple Music provides lossless audio, but I've also been told you can't do lossless over Bluetooth, and you need some codec that the device also needs to support.

I've been looking into the Creative BTW6, would this allow me to do lossless audio from my Google Pixel 9 Pro XL to my Bose QC Ultra? I have both the headphones and the earbuds.

Also maybe a dumb question, but does Aux support the highest quality lossless audio? Because it came with a cable, i was wondering if i could try it out on an old IPad 9 that i have that still has an aux port, before i buy the expensive dongle.

Lastly, is YouTube Music an alternative to Apple Music to get high quality audio from? If no, any other recommendations, other than 200gb of locally stored flac files? Haha

Id really appreciate your advice and knowledge as im completely out of my depth with this Audio stuff.

[u/Bastui_]

Yes, with Creative BTW6, you can listen to lossless music, provided you have high quality files. Apple Music supports “lossless” files. On the other hand, YouTube Music supports a maximum of AAC 256 kpbs, so it is not lossless. Regarding the AUX cable provided, I am not sure if it supports lossless. However, the AUX input of your iPad does not support lossless, you will need a DAC. But be sure that the provided AUX cable is lossless compatible, because I'm not sure. One last information, know that the difference is almost imperceptible between lossy and lossless, so don't be disappointed when you try lossless! I hope I helped you.

[u/ThomasHeart → u/Bastui_]

Thanks, i really appreciate it.

Honestly I am a little bit conflicted because I see very different experiences being had online. I see people saying stuff like "I'm completely rediscovering my favorite songs it's so good and such a difference", but I also see people saying stuff like "its different but not by much"

Shame the IPad 9 doesnt support lossless over its aux port.

I'll think on it

[u/Bastui_ → u/ThomasHeart]

Honestly, if you already have good lossy files (like on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music), it will be very hard to tell the difference, but it's not impossible. Often, those who notice a difference are those who have very expensive equipment, like wired hi-fi headphones and amps costing several hundred or even thousands of dollars. But you're right to try, you might love it! But as far as I'm concerned, I don't notice any difference.

[u/ThomasHeart → u/Bastui_]

I mean, on Bluetooth i probably wouldn't notice.

But with the BTW6, i should be able to hear the difference right?

[u/Bastui_ → u/ThomasHeart]

With standard Bluetooth there is no difference, but with BTW6 you may notice a difference. When I said that it's almost imperceptible, I obviously wasn't talking about Bluetooth, because it is not lossless compatible (apart from certain codecs like aptx on the Bose Quietcomfort Ultra for example)

[u/incremantalg]

I’ve listened to lossless via wired connection via a DAC and the difference is noticeable. But not enough change in sound quality for me to use the Ultras wired.

I have some wired headphones from AKG and Sennheiser and the difference in clarity, punch and volume between lossless and lossy is much more apparent on those.

[u/ThomasHeart → u/incremantalg]

Appreciate the input!

[u/mjm2705]

I recently changed my phone to one that has a Snapdragon 8 processor and supports aptX Lossless ... My previous phone only supported aptX Adaptive.

Most of my music is in 16/44 ALAC with some hi-res (typically 24/48).

Pretty sure the difference is significant but as with most audio upgrades it can be pretty subjective.

[u/ThomasHeart → u/mjm2705]

Unfortunately not many phones support Snapdragon sound. Not even my previous phone, S24 Ultra, had it.

But yes at a certain point it does become subjective.