Don't forget to turn off Bluetooth; the connection often fails if Bluetooth is still on.
AirPlay 2 offers the best sound quality in almost all practical situations, with an important caveat regarding the Bluetooth codecs and settings used. AirPlay 2 (Wi-Fi) • Transmission: Works over your Wi-Fi network with much higher bandwidth than Bluetooth. • Audio Quality: Transmits audio up to 16-bit / 44.1 kHz (CD quality) uncompressed (ALAC). • Caveat: With some apps (like Apple Music on iOS), AirPlay 2 can under certain circumstances switch back to 256 kbps AAC (lossy). Nevertheless, the signal remains very stable and free of aggressive data compression. Latest Bluetooth Version (Bluetooth 5.3 / 5.4) • Transmission: Direct connection between phone and speaker/headphones with limited bandwidth. • Audio Quality: The Bluetooth version itself (like 5.3 or 5.4) mainly determines range and energy consumption, not sound quality. The quality is determined by the supported audio codec: - SBC / AAC (standard on iPhones, among others): Compressed (lossy), with a noticeable loss compared to Wi-Fi. - aptX HD / LDAC / LHDC (Android): High-res codecs that come close to CD quality or lossless, but still compress dynamically based on the connection. - aptX Lossless (Snapdragon Sound): Can transmit true 16-bit/44.1 kHz lossless audio, but requires both your smartphone and your headphones/speaker to specifically support it (iPhones do not support this). Comparison • Maximum Quality: AirPlay 2 = CD quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz); Bluetooth = Up to Lossless (only with aptX Lossless on compatible Android devices). • Standard Quality: AirPlay 2 = Lossless ALAC or high-quality AAC; Bluetooth = Compressed (AAC / SBC) on most devices. • System Interference: AirPlay 2 = None (calls/notifications do not interrupt music); Bluetooth = Notifications and ringtones play through your speakers. • Compatibility: AirPlay 2 = Only within the Apple ecosystem / Wi-Fi; Bluetooth = Universal (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac). Conclusion: For home use with an Apple device and a good speaker (like Sonos or HomePod), AirPlay 2 delivers the best, most consistent sound. Bluetooth only wins in terms of portability outdoors or with specific high-end Android hardware and aptX Lossless equipment.