Apple Music will plays songs at 256kbps instead of 320kbps

At around 320kbps is where a higher bitrate starts to have a much less noticeable affect on sound quality, which is why it’s more or less been adopted as the industry standard. Most music streaming services like Spotify offer a 320kbps option, with services like Tidal taking it even further, but to the disappointment of many, Apple has confirmed that it’s own music streaming service will only play songs a 256kbps.

Specific details about Apple Music are still rolling out after the iPhone maker announced its new subscription music service at WWDC yesterday. Music quality for streaming and offline playback is bound to be one concern for potential members and it appears Apple will be taking a conservative approach, according to Slashgear. Apple Music will be at 256 kbps. In comparison, Beats Music uses a 320 kbps bitrate, as does Spotify, while Tidal offers a high-bitrate option. By default, Beats Music only streamed at the higher 320kbps MP3 quality on the web and when the setting was changed within the mobile app. Download quality, however, did default to the higher quality version of tracks when available. Apple Music’s streaming quality is on par with iTunes Match, which plays tracks back at 256kbps AAC quality. Apple doesn’t publicly document what bitrate iTunes Radio audio uses. And while it’s possible to find higher quality music on Apple’s iTunes Store, the 256kbps bitrate is also the standard for most of the music Apple actually sells so Apple Music won’t be a change from this.