CarPlay is downsampling audio stream

[Rick U]

22 Badlands with B&O stereo. I’m just realizing CarPlay is resampling audio files to AAC-quality regardless of what type file I have streaming or downloaded on my phone wired or wireless. The same music files saved on a memory stick sound far, far better so I’m assuming the files are not being converted. That’s an easy enough workaround except the menu grays out after 5 mph. So, two questions:
Is there another way to get these lossless files into the B&O stereo? (The B&O does not have an analog aux in)
Is there a way to disable the grayed out audio menu while driving?

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[Brian_B]

Hmm interesting. Supposedly CarPlay will allow lossless when connected via USB, but that may be per-application. For the default Music app the setting is located here, and it only applies for local downloaded music or while connected via WiFi, cellar has a different setting (in the same location)

Settings->Apps->Music->Audio Quality->Lossless Audio

 

[bassist]

Are you going wired or wireless?

 

[23OBX2.7]

I connect dedicated streaming Samsung S9 via USB-C and the 320 KBS high grade EDM recording sounds very good and close to FLAC on high speed USB -A sounds great as well.

Anything wireless will kill the sound quality unless you have a dedicated high grade blue tooth interface that's quite costly.

 

[Rick U]

Im running wired but I'm reading that CarPlay does not support lossless either way.

 

[CalvinT]

Carplay specification supports lossless with a USB connection. I don't think Carplay supports lossless with a wireless connection. The quetion is, how do you force a USB connection?

While writing this, I decided to see what kind of connection I was getting between my Bronco and my iPhone 12S. When it starting playing it defaulted to WiFi. I had to turn off Bluetooth and WiFi to force Carplay to use the USB connection.

 

[Brian_B]

The only way I know of to force wired is to Disable Wireless App Projection in Sync - that disables Wireless Carplay/AA (but not standard Bluetooth connection to Sync - just Wireless Carplay/AA)

Otherwise, even if you plug in with a USB cable, there are good odds it will still connect via wireless anyway.

 

[Rick U]

Interesting, can you hear a difference when you force it to USB in this manner?

 

[coadr]

I've found you can force it by plugging in the phone and then going to Settings -> Phone List on the SYNC screen and then tap the CarPlay logo once to disconnect and then once to reconnect. Usually if it's plugged in it'll grab it over the wire, and you can tell if it's wireless or not based on whether CarPlay shows the battery status of your phone

 

[Brian_B]

Interesting, can you hear a difference when you force it to USB in this manner?

Yes, or at least I can, and that's even before you talk about Lossless audio.

 

[Rick U]

So if the battery is showing on CarPlay, does that mean it’s hooked up wirelessly?

 

[coadr]

So if the battery is showing on CarPlay, does that mean it’s hooked up wirelessly?

Correct!

 

[23OBX2.7]

Also check up your phone playback EQ setting can make a huge difference most phones have it hidden in the media player.

 

[bassist]

The best way to force a wired connection is to never pair your phone to your vehicle.

 

[Rick U]

I confirmed i have it in wired mode (no battery icon and I also never did hook up wireless) my Tidle app is also set to output max quality. So I already had everything set up without knowing it. I’ve read conflicting information on whether CarPlay supports lossless. Some say no, and some say only in wired mode, but I couldn’t find anything official from Apple. Music sourced from the memory stick sounds so much better than going through CarPlay.

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