[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!

[MLos70]

I agree Spotify is very easy to use, and has a great intuitive interface.  But at the end of the day, it's a music streaming service, not a piece of art...  I've had Spotify Premium for  a little over 2 months now, and I've decided to switch to Qobuz.  I have an excellent Bose sound system with 11 speakers in my car which sounds amazing, except with Spotify.  It's like buying a Ferrari to drive 30 miles an hour all the time just because a Ferrari  looks good... Bye bye Spotify!

[rollerotr]

I would cancel Spotify if not for the audiobooks. It's less expensive than Audible, and it seems to have what I read.

I have a theory on why they have yet to offer a lossless tier. it goes like this: If they offer multiple choices at different prices, many typical users that have no issues with 320mbps (many don't even know what that means), would be confused and possibly upset that an upgraded lossless experience would cost them more money. These users (most) want premium and supremium, hifi, pro, etc. is just too confusing. Perhaps Spotify fears losing paid subscribers??

Any thoughts?

[mrhank3y]

Here's a good reason to leave Spotify, if the LACK of Lossless music FOR
FREE (which would not be confusing) isn't good enough...

Qobuz: $0.04390 per stream
Tidal: $0.01284 per stream
Apple Music: $0.006 to $0.008 per stream
Amazon Music: $0.004 to $0.005 per stream
Spotify: $0.003 to $0.005 per stream

They pay artists LESS THAN HALF the amount Apple do.

[Repitsu]

Okay, spotify, it’s about time to feauture Flac, I’m done with low-res. I wanna hear depth, and it’s an easy fix, so what’s slowing you down. 

[H3ZZ]

Why isn't it still availible??

[robigouk]

Well another week of waiting.  I know there's changes in their pricing structure going on as the other week I was able to downgrade my Family Plan which was being called "Family Premium" to "Basic Family" which was exactly the same but no free audiobooks for me (the main account holder) for £2 less a month.  There was other Basic plans (again just removing free audiobook offer) but these have disappeared though I guess everything is being tweaked, will there be a HiFi packaged as well as basic so users can choose?  Let's hope - and hope it really will happen soon (FYI I'm in the UK).

[tts42572]

What is this "basic family" plan without audio books?  I'm not seeing that as an option.  All I have is premium family plan for $19.99/mo.

I'd love to save a couple bucks a month and get rid of audiobooks as I don't use that feature at all.

Planning to download tidal and test it out to see how it works.  I know I could save a few bucks a month with their family plan compared to spotify and get higher quality streaming.  I really would rather stay with spotify but not sure it makes much sense anymore when you can get a higher quality experience for cheaper.

[robigouk]

here's a link to an article I found, it's been removed but i'm currently on
Basic Family for £17.99 per month.

https://www.techradar.com/audio/spotify/spotifys-cheaper-music-only-tier-appeared-and-disappeared-in...

[tts42572]

Nice...Thanks for sharing.

Hopefully that rolls out soon for all of us users that don't want audiobooks.

Still irritated there is no HIFI option yet though!  

[Innocent_Excel]

It would only be suitable that they offered Basic Hifi matching the price of their competitors.