After much anticipation, Spotify is set to unveil its long-awaited support for high-fidelity music streaming, catering specifically to its premium subscribers. This development marks a significant milestone for audiophiles and casual listeners alike, as the platform aims to enhance the listening experience with superior sound quality.
Background on Lossless Streaming
The concept of a high-fidelity tier was first introduced by Spotify back in 2021, promising users access to CD-quality audio. However, the rollout faced numerous setbacks, primarily due to licensing challenges that delayed the launch. In recent statements, the CEO indicated that the company was still in the initial phases of implementing lossless streaming capabilities.
Recent Developments and Features
In the past few years, various reports and hints within the app have suggested that Spotify was preparing to launch a premium tier dedicated to lossless music. Now, the platform is finally ready to deliver streaming quality of up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, a format that maintains the integrity of the original audio without any compression. This feature will be gradually rolled out to users in over 50 countries throughout October, with select regions already gaining access.
How to Access Lossless Streaming
Subscribers will receive notifications through their app once they are eligible for lossless streaming. To activate this feature, users can navigate to Settings and Privacy, then select Media Quality to choose the “Lossless” option for streaming over Wi-Fi, cellular data, and downloads. It’s important to note that this setting must be enabled for each device individually, as it does not automatically apply across all devices linked to the account.
Data Usage and Device Compatibility
As lossless audio files are larger in size, users will have the ability to monitor their data consumption while streaming. While lossless tracks can be streamed over Wi-Fi, users may encounter limitations when using Bluetooth-connected devices due to bandwidth constraints. For optimal performance, Spotify Connect can be utilized to stream music over Wi-Fi to compatible devices from various manufacturers.
Comparative Landscape
Despite the excitement surrounding this launch, Spotify’s entry into the lossless streaming arena comes after competitors like Apple Music and Amazon Music have already established their offerings. Apple Music introduced lossless audio in 2021, while Amazon Music made its lossless streaming available as a complimentary upgrade following the launch of a paid HD tier. Spotify claims that this new feature will encompass nearly all tracks in its extensive library of over 100 million songs, although some tracks may still lack lossless support.