[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!

[fatgutsrob]

Lol keep waiting

[Samppa3]

[Jonathanhson]

Come on, @Spotify — make it happen. It can’t be that hard. Could you at least give us a timeline? It feels a bit childish to keep us on edge like this. Why the silence?

I know most companies ultimately care about the bottom line, but it would be nice if you could at least pretend to care a bit more about your loyal customers. You’re rolling out all kinds of new features while completely overlooking the 531-page HiFi request thread. It’s honestly unexplainable.

At the very least, we deserve a proper explanation.

Thank you for your consideration.

[SimonTr]

Replied three years ago they're working on it. Still not even an update 😃 love the work

[Visionary1]

I saw report on web today - Spotify had informal conference with journalist.  Ek was asked about Lossless status - he was evasive.  Well, that's not a good sign at all.  You know, I bet if they were ever to release such a product, it will be a big let down in quality etc.  I don't know, I just got this feeling given other technology/design releases like DJ-**bleep**.  I guess no use hoping - such a pitiable company.  Bye 

[Stephenk29]

Key Request
As a long-term Spotify user who is using Apple Music more and more, I would love to experience detailed, clear and beautiful music when using Spotify on my AirPods as well as my Sonos home audio system so that I can continue enjoy Spotify's unique features like its powerful algorithms, playlists and quick responses alongside better quality music.

Details

I've already started to use both streaming services where previously I only had Spotify because the quality on Apple Music just shines across my home, portable devices and even the car. I realised that I really enjoy the level of detail it provides. To me, it's like comparing a foggy day and a clear sunny day.

When you compare both, it feels like Spotify loses a song's texture, as if the intricate beats have been smoothed over. The bass isn't as detailed and the song sounds softer when compared with Apple Music.

I love the seamless and quick experience that Spotify provides, and its powerful algorithm in generating a variety of playlists as well as the community playlists. Now that this is something Spotify have a comfortable grasp on, I would love it to draw attention to music quality.

[Monsterdonkey]

Sometime in mid-June 2025, a Redditor discovered another bit of Spotify “Music Pro” evidence or red herrings in the code. So, sigh, maybe soon or whatever. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/truespotify/s/YeUb4CPfqX

[Lui1304]

Not every user has Hi-Fi headphones or premium sound equipment, but everyone deserves quality audio. My suggestion is to offer lossless audio with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res support, while also giving the option to choose optimized audio modes. This would keep the experience inclusive and flexible.

[Samppa3]

Meanwhile, while Spotify is too busy thinking about other investments rather than focusing on what we've asked for, think about this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pHbS6bgmqE

Artist Leah Senior is leaving Spotify:

[Samppa3]

https://www.stereogum.com/2313608/deerhoof-leaving-spotify-over-ceos-investment-in-ai-military-start...

Deerhoof Leaving Spotify Over CEO’s Investment In AI Military Startup

In addition to being the CEO of Spotify, Daniel Ek is also the chairman of Helsing, a German defense technology company that develops AI software designed to enhance military weapons and equipment. Earlier this month Helsing said they raised nearly $700 million in a bumper new round of funding, with the investment led by Ek and the venture capital firm he also founded, Prima Materia. Artists certainly don’t need another reason to hate Spotify, but for Deerhoof, this was the straw the broke the camel’s (deer’s?) back. The art-rock band announced on social media today that they’d be removing their music from Spotify due to Ek’s investment in Helsing. It’s a powerful statement, and here it is in full:

We’re taking Deerhoof off Spotify.

“Daniel Ek uses $700 million of his Spotify fortune to become chairman of AI battle tech company” was not a headline we enjoyed reading this week. We don’t want our music killing people. We don’t want our success being tied to AI battle tech.

We are privileged that it was a pretty easy decision for us. Spotify only pays a pittance anyway, and we earn a lot more from touring. But we also understand that other artists and labels do rely on Spotify for a bigger chunk of their income, and don’t judge those who can’t make the same move in the short term.

AI battle tech is clearly emerging as the hot new big ticket item for the super-rich. It’s increasingly clear that the military and police exist primarily as the security detail for the billionaire class. The more of the killing you can get computers to do, the better your bottom line.

Computerized targeting, computerized extermination, computerized destabilization for profit, successfully tested on the people of Gaza, also finally solves the perennial inconvenience to war-makers–It takes human compassion and morality out of the equation.

Spotify is flushing itself down the toilet. Eventually artists will want to leave this already widely hated data-mining scam masquerading as a “music company.” It’s creepy for users and crappy for artists. Music-making lasts forever but this or that digital get-rich-quick scheme is sure to become obsolete.

One of the claims often made about Spotify is that it theoretically makes one’s music discoverable by anyone who signs up, no matter how remote they may be from the self-proclaimed centers of hipness. But just because someone is far from Western gatekeepers does not mean they lack culture, or need to hear our band. Deerhoof is a small mom and pop operation, and know when enough is enough. We aren’t capitalists, and don’t wish to take over the world. Especially if the price of “discoverability” is letting oligarchs fill the globe with computerized weaponry, we’re going to pass on the supposed benefits.

The big picture is this: Our politico-economic system increasingly presents humanity with a hideous fait accompli: Buy from me, vote for me, consume my media, use my service. Yes, it means mass deportation, mass detainment, and mass extermination of those deemed unprofitable by a handful of rich white people living in enclaves protected by AI weaponry. But if you don’t, you cannot have a job. We think this dilemma is coming to a head soon, and we predict that most people aren’t going to take the billionaires’ side.

We aren’t sure exactly how soon the takedowns can happen, but it will be as soon as possible. We want to thank our various labels for their support on this tricky decision. The grunt work of pulling content off of Spotify is something they’re now tasked with, and they are sharing the financial hit. We know we are asking them to make a sacrifice, and it means a lot to us.

In the Instagram caption, Deerhoof wrote: “We’re honored to be able to soften the blow of quitting Spotify by announcing our upcoming corporate partnership with @doordash.” Earlier this year DoorDash infamously donated $1 million to a super PAC bankrolling former New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s NYC mayoral campaign; Cuomo just lost the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani.

Deerhoof’s current label home Joyful Noise shared a statement of their own supporting the band’s decision. Here’s that:

Joyful Noise supports Deerhoof in their decision to pull their catalog from Spotify.

Last week Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify, invested a sizable chunk of his Spotify fortune to fund the AI warfare company Helsing, of which he is also now the chairman. As a label, we too are sickened by the fact that our releases have inadvertently contributed to the global war machine.

Since the dawn of streaming, independent artists and labels have essentially been forced to participate alongside various streaming entities in order to survive, entities that are often funded by sources that do not align with our values.

As an independent record label, we serve the artist. It is ultimately their decision to present their material on whichever platforms they choose. It is with this in mind that we hold no judgement towards any artist that wishes to keep their music on the platform.

However, we encourage any true music lover to buy directly from artists or the label as much as possible. This ensures financial sustainability for the artist and independent label community that supports them.