If you have high-end headphones like AirPods Max or Sony WH-1000XM6, but they still sound flat on your iPhone, the issue could be the apps you're using to stream music. For many iPhone users, streaming subscriptions to Apple Music or Spotify don't guarantee high detail or wide dynamic range. The reason for subpar output is often the app, codec, or settings on your device. Average quality output is a result of how audio is compressed and streamed on an app. Spotify's default settings prioritize storage savings and buffer speed over fidelity, streaming tracks using "lossy" codecs like AAC or Ogg Vorbis.

Apple Music offers lossless ALAC streaming, but it's not enabled by default. Bluetooth on the iPhone uses AAC, another "lossy" codec. That's why your headphones don't deliver the sound you expect out of them. The "lossy" formats work fine for casual listening, but for those who notice every chord, bass line, guitar riff, or instrument separation, lossless formats like ALAC and FLAC offer faithful output.

The right app and settings make all the difference. For iPhone users who care about uncompromising audio quality, control, and access to high-res or lossless libraries, these five essential apps on the App Store deliver the best experience. From multiple format support to curated playlists and music discovery options, these apps cover what audiophiles actually care about.