News + Trends
Spotify: no hi-fi quality after all
by Livia Gamper
Spotify: Hope for HiFi Quality?
19.10.2022
Translation: machine translated
In a survey sent out by Spotify, there is suddenly talk of hi-fi quality again. But integrated into a new subscription model.
The back and forth about Spotify's hi-fi audio quality goes into the next round: In a recently sent survey, the Swedish streaming service wants to find out whether users would subscribe to certain additional features. Specifically, there is talk of a so-called "Platinum Plan", which would include hi-fi quality according to the description. So far, the maximum quality level available to Premium subscribers is lossy compressed OGG-Vorbis at 320 kbit/s. In comparison, CD quality has a maximum quality of 320 kbit/s. For comparison: CD quality has a data rate of 1411.2 kbit/s.
Spotify sent the survey to people who had recently cancelled their premium subscription, according to 9to5Mac. The explosive wording in the survey: whether they would subscribe again in the next 30 days because of one of the features shown.
In reverse, this could mean that Spotify will soon offer hi-fi quality after all - but in a new subscription. This would cost 20 dollars a month - that is, ten dollars more than the regular subscription.
This could be the new Spotify Platinum subscription
The screenshot of the survey shows: Not only HiFi quality, but also other new features could be coming in the new Platinum model. It can also be seen that studio sound, headphone tuner, audio insights and a pro library and playlist are included. In addition, fewer advertisements are to be played in podcasts.
A similar paid subscription costs 26 francs a month at streaming competitor Tidal, but with Tidal, hi-fi sound is also included in the basic model for 13 francs a month. The somewhat narrower Amazon Music subscription costs 10 francs. Apple Music also costs 13 francs for individuals and comes with Lossless quality.
HiFi and Spotify: a longer story
Some time ago, the streaming company announced its intention to provide files in HiFi quality. But then in January this year came the cancellation. The introduction of hi-fi audio was postponed indefinitely.
Will the new subscription work? In any case, the survey suggests that something HiFi-like is happening at Spotify. A year ago, Spotify had bigly announced the higher quality - but so far, no action has followed.
Testing devices and gadgets is my thing. Some experiments lead to interesting insights, others to demolished phones. I’m hooked on series and can’t imagine life without Netflix. In summer, you’ll find me soaking up the sun by the lake or at a music festival.
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