[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!

[Ysalamiri]

> Which means that one pays for more data being transferred without actually gaining anything. And even on unlimited data contracts, this is not environmentally friendly as more data transferred means more energy being used. Again, without actually gaining anything in terms of a sound quality.

Netflix 4K with Dolby Atmos and HDR10+ is a thing but whatever. Losless audio used a miniscule fraction of that.

[Sonos_Steve]

I would assume most hifi enthusiasts will be on unlimited data monthly broadband deals. Also using lan, not WiFi.

24bit 192KHz streaming is no problem. Soon many of us will have access to fibre..

The environmental aspect of this are minisule for individuals, compared to flying somewhere, running a fossil fuel car, charging an electric car - elec generated by fossil fuels, or a nation building up for / starting a war; that we currently stand on the brink of.

If one cannot hear the difference between CD quality and Spotify that's fine.

On the right equipment there is a noticeable difference. 

Spotify sounds good, (it's quite a soft sound, good for shrill/sharp systems, has good bass), but it's just not as cleanly definied or the same dynamics.

One you hear what you are missing in comparison with other streaming services,

or compare it to a good CD player, vinyl set up etc,

it's "aha - that's what it's all about".

[rinopopo]

42 days ago you started to break your promise to launch HIFI in 2021. Don't you feel bad for lying to us who pay your salaries every month? do you plan to do something about it?

https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-02-22/five-things-to-know-about-spotify-hifi/

What do Billie Eilish and Finneas think that their image has been used for a LIE?

[BertH1]

Ha Ha I can imagine what Billie Eilish will think but all  her Music in HiFI lossless quality now on Tidal 😃

[Innocent_Excel]

Seems that some had received survey which indicates that Spotify wants higher price for Hifi.

Also, notice that podcasts are FIRST thing listed:

https://www.reddit.com/r/truespotify/comments/sq1l6f/got_an_interesting_spotify_survey_seems_like_th...

[rinopopo]

I would pay extra money not to see any podcasts on spotify

[LawLee]

rinopopo et al,

Here Here!

How's about Spotify do what they're are supposed to be about, and do and what they do best, Serve music.

And if it isn't too much trouble guys could you give us decent quality music and I might actually pay for your service.

[Joegod]

Hifi is coming this year.

[lawrie124]

I think it's more like Spotify Hifi is 'UNDER CONSIDERATION FOREVER' at this rate.

Mass market users in general often listening on poor / average quality equipment with poor / low quality recordings don't really notice a difference, so most likely wouldn't pay for a 'Hifi' tier subscription, and overall customer demand controls as that's what brings in the cash.

The difference is noticeable on good quality equipment (Not just expensive gear) with well produced music, but it is something that predominantly an Audiophile seeks in my opinion where the finest details in the recording matter to them.
Unfortunately I'm one of those people.

Spotify are appauling with their customer feedback on this topic, but I think a lot of it is to do with the issues in trying to make it competitive against other rivals like Amazon and Apple as others on this chat have already mentioned.
Spotify are obviously not a charity and want to make money from the 'Hifi Tier' so I'd imagine that's where most of the delay and head scratching comes from for them.

Spotify - the world's best music streaming service with the world's worst customer service!

[TerminalGravity]

No update on Hi-Fi/Hi-Res availability, contrary to as promised by you before the end of 2021.

Already voted with our money 4 months ago and unsubscribed your service after approx. 5 years as paying customers.

Since then trials/subscriptions for Tidal (their MQA Hi-Res implementation is a fraud, smaller catalogue (especially regarding Dutch party music), and too expensive), now Amazon Music (sound quality we want/need (24-bit/96kHz FLAC), but smaller catalogue (especially regarding Dutch party music), and dreadful HEOS integration...). We did not try Qobuz yet because we think it's too expensive.

The only reason we are still interested in Spotify is because of your big/complete catalogue of Dutch party music and your HEOS integration (or actually, your good compatibility in streaming to our Marantz SR7011 AVR via Spotify Connect).

If you deliver HiFi/Hi-Res (24-bit/96kHz FLAC) streaming and downloadable audio quality soon for approx. the same price point of your current Premium (320kbps MP3) subscription we will probably subscribe again to you.

If it however takes you too long and Amazon Music steps up their game in expanding/completing their Dutch party music catalogue and (hopefully) fix their HEOS integration we will probably never have any good reason to switch back again to you.

Please also note that we hear these kind of arguments/feelings a lot lately from other people too.

So, please release your upgraded product soon.

Kind regards