What is the best audio quality for IPad/IPhone

[spike99]

Wanted to check what is the best audio quality available for Spotify when used with IPad/IPhone...

Checking Spotify it states the below:

Mobile: A higher quality q5 is offered, along with a “low bandwidth” option of q3. You can choose separate qualities ratings for streaming and synching in the More tab of your Spotify mobile app.

But checking my IPad settings, I'm able to select "Extreme" in Spotify settings.  Does this mean I'm able to get q9 (~ 320kbps) ?  Or is this just an error and even though I'm able to select "Extreme" I'm only getting "High" (~160 kbps) ?

Note:  I am planning on getting the premium service... I was going to attempt to stream to my apple TV for my home theater.

Thanks in advance.

[tjb]

"Extreme" is 320kbps.  They must not have updated whatever page you're looking at recently. 

[spike99]

So you are saying that mobile devices IPad/IPhone do go as high as ~320kbps ?

[spike99]

BTW, I logged on to my spotify account in my onkyo device and then I played same song on my IPad and streamed to my HT via apple tv with AirPlay..... LOL, there is no comparison !!!! Spotify on Onkyo trashes the SQ from IPad. I'm unable to see bit rate on Onkyo but I'll assume it's 320kbps.... No way SQ on IPad is 320kbps BTW, it ocurred to me that there may be SQ lost via AirPlay so I connected IPad with USB to Onkyo receiver... And yes USB was much better than AirPlay.... But still spotify played thru Onkyo was much better!!!

[EEWAZME971]

so what's the verdict on ipad/iphone stream quality with premium? Also what is it on desktop?

I can set it to 320?

[user-removed · Accepted solution]

Hey there!

Glad to hear you enjoy Spotify.

In desktop Spotify:

Normal: 160 kbps

High: 320 kbps

Set in Edit - Preferences (Settings) quality you want.

In mobile Spotify:

Normal: 96 kbps (available for slow or limited 3G)

High: 160 kbps

Extreme: 320 kbps

Set in Settings quality you want.

Personally I would like to see in Desktop 96 kbps too. I know many countries where no Unlimited 3G or even no Unlimited ADSL internet. So this 96 kbps would be good for those countries/users. All tracks in Spotify are converted from lossless format and Premium content is 100% in 320 kbps.

Have fun with Spotify!

[EEWAZME971]

my appreciation is yours 😃 thanks!

[mintymiller]

If the original source is lossless, why is the sound quality at 320 no better than 160?