Apple Music Audio Quality in Your Tesla Compared to Spotify and Tidal (2024)

Apple Music may be available in Tesla’s new holiday update, but don’t expect the lossless audio quality that Apple Music subscribers enjoy… at least not yet.

Tesla owner and software developer Dan Burkland recently performed some tests on the audio quality that Tesla’s in-car streaming services TIDAL, Spotify, and now Apple Music stream at in the vehicle.

Burkland tested TIDAL previously on a different Tesla software version, but with Tesla’s ever-changing software and the rollout of the holiday update, he chose to run the tests again.

Setup and Songs Used to Test

He connected his Model Y to his home's WiFi network and used a DHCP reservation, which allowed him to have the vehicle use a specific IP address. He then installed ntopng on his OPNsense firewall to monitor traffic statistics for the vehicle. After zeroing out the host stats for the Model Y, he tested a total of nine songs, including “Purple Rain” by Prince, “Foreplay” by Boston, and “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin.

Results

The results of Burkland’s tests concluded that TIDAL still offers the best listening experience. The average bitrate for TIDAL was ~1165 kbps. This isn’t entirely too shocking, as TIDAL has always championed the highest-quality audio streaming experience.

Surprisingly, Spotify’s audio quality came in ahead of Apple Music to nab second place. Burkland’s tests showed Spotify streaming at an average bitrate of ~157 kbps, while Apple Music came in at a subpar ~118 kbps.

Burkland added that he believes Apple Music is limiting bitrate for the in-car app, but a future update to Tesla’s software will hopefully resolve this. If Tesla can enable lossless streaming for Apple Music, it’ll give TIDAL a run for its money in high-fidelity streaming via the in-car app.

Check out some of Dan’s test results below, or for a complete list view his Reddit thread.

Other Tesla Owners Are Running Similar Tests

Reddit user u/OverlyOptimisticNerd ran similar tests with a slightly different configuration. They used an iPhone 14 as a mobile hotspot, Hotspot Monitor Data Usage from Apple’s App Store, and 2019 Model 3 running version 2022.44.25.1.

During their tests, they observed the same pattern across all songs, citing that a bunch of data rolled in at the beginning of the tests and then slowly trickled through. The low data rate for Apple Music appears to align with the company’s HE-AAC codec at 64 kbps.

“It appears to buffer most or even all of the song, then pause between tracks to do it again,” writes u/OverlyOptimisticNerd. “On average, I saw ~2MB per track, with ~1.7MB during the initial burst and ~0.3MB throughout the track. This is consistent with the HE-AAC standard, as most of these songs were a little over 3 minutes in length.”

While Apple Music may come in at the lowest average bitrate of all three services tested, it's important to note that it doesn't necessarily mean it has the lowest quality. Audio quality comes down to a variety of factors, some of which are, the bitrate, whether it's a variable rate, and the efficiency of the audio codec used.

Apple Music's HE-ACC codec is optimized for low-bandwidth applications meaning that it can outperform an ACC-encoded file in lower-bandwidth situations. In the real-world Apple Music in your Tesla should sound very similar to streaming music from Spotify, but not as good as TIDAL's offerings.

A century ago, Henry Ford revolutionized automobile production by introducing the moving assembly line, a concept that changed manufacturing forever and made cars accessible to the masses. Today, we stand at the brink of another manufacturing revolution, this time led by Tesla. The company is reinventing the assembly line for the electric age with its forthcoming $25,000 car, also referred to as Redwood.

Unboxing the Future: Tesla's Modular Manufacturing

At the heart of Tesla's innovative production approach is the "unboxed" manufacturing system. This new method breaks from the century-old linear assembly process by adopting a modular, more flexible framework. Unlike traditional manufacturing lines where vehicles inch forward on a conveyor belt to have parts added sequentially, Tesla's unboxed system assembles cars in a manner reminiscent of assembling Lego blocks. Components are pieced together in dedicated subassembly areas, only coming together in the final stages.

Tesla’s $25,000 car means tossing out Henry Ford's 100-year-old assembly line - Autonews

"Instead of a large, rectangular car moving along a linear conveyer belt, parts are assembled simultaneously in dedicated areas and then all put together at the end. Tesla says the change… pic.twitter.com/heaxn4oS91

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) March 28, 2024

This modular approach is not just about breaking away from tradition; it's a strategic move to outmaneuver stiff competition from Chinese EV startups, which benefit from robust government support and an efficient local supply chain. By adopting a method that echoes the assembly techniques of the consumer electronics industry, Tesla aims to reduce its manufacturing footprint by over 40%, promising faster and more cost-effective factory construction.

Robotic Precision and Reducing Costs

The unboxed system is set to dramatically lower vehicle production costs. Estimates suggest that manufacturing costs could be slashed by as much as 50%, enabling the construction of vehicles in significantly smaller factories. This efficiency is partly attributed to advanced robotics, like the Optimus Bot, which enhances operational efficiency and safety while providing unprecedented flexibility in manufacturing.

Tesla's introduction of the unboxed manufacturing system is not merely a technical evolution; it's a strategic adaptation designed to cement Tesla's position in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. By drastically reducing costs and enhancing production efficiency, Tesla is not just aiming to compete with Chinese EV manufacturers but is also setting a new standard for vehicle production worldwide.

Embracing Manufacturing's Electric Future

Tesla's approach could serve as a blueprint for the future of manufacturing, challenging established norms and encouraging other industries to reconsider their own production methods. Just as Ford's assembly line became a hallmark of industrial manufacturing, Tesla's unboxed system may become synonymous with the next production era, characterized by flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability.

In essence, Tesla is doing for the electric vehicle what Henry Ford did for the gasoline car: making it accessible, affordable, and adaptable to the needs of the modern world. As we witness this new chapter in manufacturing history unfold, it's clear that Tesla's innovative spirit is not just about creating cutting-edge vehicles; it's also about reshaping automotive production for the 21st century.

In the aftermath of a tragic crane collapse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which tragically claimed the life of a construction worker and inflicted injuries upon others, the resilience and advanced safety features of a Tesla involved in the incident have been brought into focus.

As we offer our deepest sympathies to all affected by this unbelievable event, it's also important to recognize the role of advanced technology, particularly the engineering of Tesla vehicles, in safeguarding human life under such extreme circ*mstances. This unfortunate incident serves as a poignant reminder of Tesla's unwavering commitment to safety, illustrating the capability of its vehicles to offer protection in the most unpredictable situations.

A Testament to Tesla's Safety

Mark Cerezin, behind the wheel of his Tesla, experienced an unimaginable scare. He described it to NBC Miami, “I felt a compression. I looked up, and I saw the blue structure coming down. I slammed on my brakes. It sheered off the front of my Tesla, and all the airbags went off. I’m very lucky to be alive.” Despite the severity of the incident, Cerezin not only emerged completely unharmed, he was then seen helping someone else who appeared to have a head injury. “There was a lady that was bleeding, and I took off my shirt and put compression and helped her,” he said.

“From this day forward, I’m just happy to go home to my wife. I’m happy to go home to my family and my friends. I’m just so grateful,” he said. This remarkable escape underscores the exceptional structural integrity and safety design of Tesla vehicles, engineered to protect occupants even under the most dire circ*mstances.

Tesla's Safety Philosophy

Tesla's approach to vehicle safety is holistic, integrating active and passive safety features. The brand's vehicles are renowned for their high ratings in crash tests conducted by safety organizations worldwide. This results from meticulous engineering, from the vehicle's frame design to cutting-edge driver-assistance technologies.

Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy showed viewers the cornerstone principles behind Tesla's acclaimed safety features. Central to Tesla's design philosophy is a robust passive safety system aimed at protecting occupants and the vehicle's battery in the event of an accident. This includes a progressive crash structure designed to absorb impact energy before it reaches the cabin, multiple load paths for effective energy distribution regardless of collision type, and reinforced cabin safety through strategic placement of door rings, glass, and a low-situated battery that also lowers the center of gravity to reduce rollover risks.

Conclusion

As Tesla continues to innovate and refine its vehicles, the emphasis on safety remains paramount. The brand's commitment to meeting and exceeding safety standards is reflected in the sophisticated safety technologies embedded in each model, from Autopilot to advanced airbag systems. Tesla's ongoing dedication to safety innovation advances its mission toward sustainable transportation and ensures that drivers and passengers are afforded the highest levels of protection possible.