[All Platforms][Music] HiFi Quality - Lossless Streaming 16bit 44.1khz

[timiambeing]

I've just started a trial of Qobuz - they offer the standard 320kbps as well as lossless FLAC streaming (and high res downloads if you purchase them) the sound quality is noticeably better and on classical it's just wonderful to get all that resolution through your hi-fi or headphones! The catalogue has a way to go to get to Spotify's level, but they are getting there. The iPad app isn't' too bad (the desktop app is in need of an upgrade but I hear they are putting all their efforts into mobile apps right now).

So - lossless streaming - if Qobuz can do it then so can Spotify, they must have the same source - and obviously if you are asking £20 a month then those record labels and distributors take enough notice to make the high res tracks available for streaming. What this all means is soon, very soon, we will get lossless streaming and closely followed by high res downloads - but if Spotify aren't careful it will be Apple who get there first with an audiophile premium offering, and when they do it will be a much harder market place to make money in!

** please don't lump this suggestion with the main one on lossless downloads, that's a different idea entirely guys!

[timiambeing]

I've just started a trial of Qobuz - they offer the standard 320kbps as well as lossless FLAC streaming (and high res downloads if you purchase them) the sound quality is noticeably better and on classical it's just wonderful to get all that resolution through your hi-fi or headphones! The catalogue has a way to go to get to Spotify's level, but they are getting there. The iPad app isn't' too bad (the desktop app is in need of an upgrade but I hear they are putting all their efforts into mobile apps right now).

[timiambeing]

So - lossless streaming - if Qobuz can do it then so can Spotify, they must have the same source - and obviously if you are asking £20 a month then those record labels and distributors take enough notice to make the high res tracks available for streaming. What this all means is soon, very soon, we will get lossless streaming and closely followed by high res downloads - but if Spotify aren't careful it will be Apple who get there first with an audiophile premium offering, and when they do it will be a much harder market place to make money in!

[ljosb0xet0ebanix5wza]

Hi there 

Can you comment on the announcement from Bloomberg this week that a premium tier with hi-res content is in the pipeline ? And if it's true, when is it likely to happen ?

Bloomberg article 

I'm burning through my Tidal trial and although the UI and the algorithms are significantly poorer than Spotify, the sound is noticeably better and that matters to me.

Thanks 

[user-removed]

it’s unreal how long Spotify is taking to offer lossless . 

[Nilxm]

I want a higher tier Audio Quality, that supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.

[tts42572]

Well.....they can't even offer CD quality streams so I wouldn't hold my breath.  

Probably better off looking at something like Tidal or Qobuz if you want that feature.

[tts42572]

Agree @soundquality!

This thread is amazing.  I haven't looked at them all, but is it the biggest one here?  500+ pages, 5,000+ comments, 27,000 votes....just wow.  And spotify still just drags their feet.

It's just a shame that your customers want something so bad and you can't deliver it.  And it's made even worse when your competitors all have it.  It's just frustrating.....you want to stay loyal to Spotify but it's gotten to the point where you're almost forced to go somewhere else.

I gave it about 2 years and I've just sort of thrown up my hands and finally decided to give tidal a try.  I've been using them both concurrently for now and I'm really liking tidal.  I keep listening to the same songs on each service and I definitely keep hearing more depth to most songs on tidal.  Once you start hearing that sort of thing, it's hard to "unhear" it and accept the lesser quality of Spotify even if does have a better UI than Tidal.

My plan is to keep using them both over my trial period to get a good feel for differences and then will decide.  Most likely though, I suspect I'll be moving to Tidal for my paid plan and just going back to free Spotify.  Then I'll consider coming back to spotify if/when HIFI ever comes....depending on the price of course.  

[Nilxm]

It would be great if they implement a hi res audio like apple music has. I'll also look into your suggestion. Thanks.

[Visionary1]

Finished with my Qobuz trial - certainly great sound quality.  UI is lacking (need to know exactly what you want to listen...no real user focused suggestions) and missing some music I like.  On to Apple trial....Seems to correct the UI deficit.  Still, using is not very intuitive but in typical form, pushing flavor of the month agenda - first few browse categories are Pride and Black Music Month button for songs - relevant to a minority of listeners.  Anyway, sound quality is very good.  After some time, I will report further on listening/usability. Probably do Tidal after that as I continue my journey for a better sounding (possible less expensive) replacement for Spotify.   

[rollerotr]

If it's about the money, I wouldn't bother waiting for Spotify. Their
sources of revenue are miniscule compared to the majors. Apple and Amazon
can run their music services at a loss forever...ditch the competition,
like Walmart did in small towns all over america, then raise prices when
the small competitors go out of business. Tidal has deep pocket celebrity
investors, able to lower prices.
Spotify is competing with Apple in podcasts and Amazon in audiobooks. In
their own way, they are attempting to diversify. I expect them to
ultimately offer plans with different services. Apple already bundles
services in several packages. I have Apple One which includes Apple Music,
extra Icloud storage, and Apple Arcade($19.99).

I believe Spotify is looking at the Apple model and will add lossless to a
bundled plan. It won't be cheap!

[PaulMac]

@tts42572 This is the biggest thread I can ever remember on the site. A previous idea that gained huge support at the time was for the removal of the 10 thousand song limit which was in place for years. Thankfully that one's been sorted out and and the user library size is now unlimited. Unlike Tidal which as far as I know is still restricted to 10k.

[MiguelaFrijoles]

As a music enjoyer, I would like Spotify to add the HiFi (or Lossless) audio quality to the Spotify Premium plan and also Dolby Atmos (Spatial Audio). It would be very cool because I care so much about quality.