The spatial audio and playback issues on Apple Music Classical

Question

Level 1

4 points

The spatial audio and playback issues on Apple Music Classical

The spatial audio seems not to be working with Sony WH1000XM3 headphones on Apple Music Classical on my iPhone 11. The spatial audio works normally on the regular Apple Music but on the Classical the Dolby Atmos logo doesn't appear and audio plays only in stereo.

Also I'm having occasional issues that the next track won't start playing when listening to album. Also sometimes when I choose a track, I have to press play multiple times for the track to start playing.

iPhone 11, iOS 16

Posted on Apr 10, 2023 11:25 AM

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Answer 1

Matthew_J5

Community Specialist

Apr 11, 2023 04:10 PM in response to Aenq

Hi there Aenq,

Thank you for posting to Apple Support Communities.

We understand you're having a problem with Apple Music Classical playing in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. We'd like to help. Take a look at the requirements here:

"Choose how to listen to Dolby Atmos on your iPhone or iPad

Update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
Go to Settings.
Tap Music.
Under Audio, tap Dolby Atmos.
Choose Automatic, Always On, or Off.

If you choose Automatic, here’s what you need

Supported songs automatically play in Dolby Atmos when you're listening with:

AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (3rd generation), or Beats Fit Pro with Spatial Audio turned on
AirPods (1st or 2nd generation)
BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo Pro, or Beats Studio Buds
Any Bluetooth headphones that you categorize as headphones on your iPhone or iPad
The built-in speakers on an iPhone XS or later (except iPhone SE), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later), iPad Pro 11-inch, or iPad Air (4th generation or later)

If you choose Always On, here’s what you need

If you want to use wired headphones, choose Always On."

About Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music - Apple Support

Let's start with that. Let us know if you have any questions.

Take care.

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Answer 2

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Apr 17, 2023 10:43 AM in response to Aenq

Hey Aenq,

Since you’re able to use Dolby Atmos in the Apple Music app, let’s try deleting the Apple Music Classical app, restart your iPhone, then redownload it again:

After you’ve had time to test the issue, if the problem remains please contact Apple Support: Get Support

All the best.

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Answer 3

Aenq Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 17, 2023 09:40 AM in response to Matthew_J5

Thanks for the advice!

To elaborate a bit more, I have already followed these steps and the spatial audio is working well when using the "regular" Apple Music app. On the Apple Music app Dolby Atmos supported albums are playing in spatial audio and if I turn the spatial audio off from the settings the audio switches to stereo. But on the Apple Music Classical the same album plays only in stereo and switching the settings have no effect.

When I switch the output to the phone's speakers the Dolby Atmos logo is visible, but immediately after I change back to my headphones the logo disappears and audio plays in stereo. To make matters a bit more weird, at first when I started using the Apple Music Classical the spatial audio seemed to work on my headphones also and the problem appeared just few days after. I have also tried to reinstall the app and the phones is updated etc.

For the better or worst the spatial audio seems to have a bit worse sound quality compared to lossless stereo, so most of the time I would just prefer the stereo sound anyways. Still I would like have the possibility to experience my Mahler in spatial audio ready to hand.

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The spatial audio and playback issues on Apple Music Classical

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